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From Athens: Meteora Monasteries & Caves Full-Day Trip with Lunch

Tour guide speaking to passengers on a bus during the Meteora Monasteries tour from Athens.
Meteora monastery perched on a cliff with mountains in the background, Greece.
Tour guide explaining rock formations to tourists in Meteora, Greece.
Meteora monastery perched on rock formation, surrounded by lush landscape, Greece.

Duration

10 hr - 14 hr

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 3 days before the start of your experience

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Transfers included

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

4.6/5

(161)

AKNIN Ethel

Aknin

Jul 2025
Verified booking
Our guide Eva was really good, she answered every question we had and was particularly benevolent. Leonidas the driver of the bus was really nice too ! The landscapes were breath-taking, and the monasteries were very interesting. The only thing that bothered us during our trip was from the app, because we saw pictures of a minivan and thought we were going to be in a group of 5/6 people. We were in fact on a bus, but as it was half-full, we could sit whenever we wanted and could switch sides to see the view.
Bence Laxner

Bence

Jun 2025
Verified booking
I liked the service provided by the tour guide, the drivers and the company as a whole. Eva was so kind, considerate , and hospitable. She made sure everyone's needs were met. She answered all our questions with kindness. The tour itself was worth the long bus ride, the views from the bus were breathtaking. Meteora now holds a special place in our hearts. Its beauty and history is something to behold and remembered.
JOSE GERARDO FRANCO CASILLAS

Jose

Jul 2025
Verified booking
The guide Maria is an excellent person, the stop at the restaurant cafe ". Camino" was great, as well as the pizza for dinner. In Meteora the food in "Eufrosino" super rich and The Monasteries are great, a tour that is a must when traveling to Greece.
    • This tour is your all-in-one pass to Meteora, combining luxury travel, monastery visits, hidden cave access, and a traditional Greek lunch, all in one unforgettable day.
    • A professional guide will share how monks carved staircases into sheer cliffs, how nuns preserve ancient rituals, and the hidden meanings behind frescoes painted during Ottoman rule.
    • Depending on the day, explore Great Meteoron, with its fresco-lined dining hall and relic-filled ossuary, or Varlaam, known for its ornate domed chapels and a 12,000-litre rain barrel suspended high above the valley floor.
    • Follow a short trail to reach the weather-worn Hermit Caves, where monks once lived in complete isolation, hoisting up supplies with ropes and ladders that still dangle hauntingly above the entrances.
    • Did you know? At Great Meteoron Monastery, a monk named Father Theophilos spent over a decade reviving 15th-century frescoes using natural pigments made from crushed stone and local plants.
    • Round-trip, luxury coach transfers to and from Athens (with free Wi-Fi, USB chargers, and air-conditioned facilities)
    • Meteora tour with panoramic views of all 6 monasteries
    • Traditional Greek lunch at Kastraki Village
    • Entry to 3 to 4 monasteries (subject to the day’s schedule, as some monasteries are closed on specific weekdays)
    • Entry to the Hermit Caves of Badovas
    • English-speaking driver
    • Expert English or Spanish-speaking tour guide (based on option selected)
    • Smart audio guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese
    • Bottled mineral water onboard
    • Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Athens
    • A small offering of €3 to €5 per monastery
    • Guide inside the monasteries (multilingual audio guides available)
    • Tips for the guide (optional)
  • You can cancel these tickets up to 3 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • How do we collect reviews?

    4.6
    161 ratings
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    Guests from United States, France, Spain and over 27 countries have loved this experience

    Bence Laxner

    Bence

    Jun, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    I liked the service provided by the tour guide, the drivers and the company as a whole. Eva was so kind, considerate , and hospitable. She made sure everyone's needs were met. She answered all our questions with kindness. The tour itself was worth the long bus ride, the views from the bus were breathtaking. Meteora now holds a special place in our hearts. Its beauty and history is something to behold and remembered.
    Emiliano Nicolas Hachur

    Emiliano

    Jun, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Was a really great experience!!
    Grandjean Stéphane

    Grandjean

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The organization is top-notch. The guide and drivers are very professional. Everything is done to make the day go smoothly. We recommend this tour.
    JOSE GERARDO FRANCO CASILLAS

    Jose

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The guide Maria is an excellent person, the stop at the restaurant cafe ". Camino" was great, as well as the pizza for dinner. In Meteora the food in "Eufrosino" super rich and The Monasteries are great, a tour that is a must when traveling to Greece.
    Carlos Junquera Sicilia

    Carlos

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    A slightly long excursion but well worth it to see the mountains and the monasteries of Meteora. Impressive!
  • What to bring

    • Bring cash for monastery offerings (€3 to €5 per site) and any small purchases.
    • Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with a good grip. Trails and monastery steps can be uneven and steep.
    • Carry water and a light snack, especially during the summer months (June to August).
    • Don’t forget earphones and a fully charged smartphone if you plan to use the audio guide during your visit.

    What's not allowed

    • Photography is welcome in outdoor areas, but taking pictures inside churches, or of monks and nuns, is not permitted.
    • Drone use is strictly forbidden unless you have special permission.

    Accessibility

    • Most of Meteora’s sites are not wheelchair-friendly, as all monasteries involve climbing stairs or navigating inclined paths.
    • For visitors with limited mobility, St. Stephen’s Monastery offers the easiest access, with a level, paved path and minimal steps.

    Additional information

    • Exit Larissa station and head straight across the street. You'll find your 'Visit Meteora' bus parked on Theodore Diligianni Street, right outside Everest Café.
    • Depending on the day, you’ll enter 2 to 4 monasteries. Each monastery has one designated closing day per week (Great Meteoron is closed Tuesdays, and Varlaam is closed Fridays), so the tour route may vary.
    • Monastery offerings (€3 to €5 per person) are not typically included in tour prices and must be paid in cash at the gate.
    • A modest dress code is strictly enforced at all monasteries. Men should wear long pants, while women must wear long skirts and cover their shoulders. Wrap skirts and shawls are available at the entrance if needed.
    • Tours use local minibuses or shuttle vans for transportation between stops. Roads can be winding, but distances are short.
    • Toilets are available at larger monasteries like Great Meteoron, Varlaam, and St. Stephen’s. A small tip is often expected when using them.
    • Guides are not permitted to offer commentary inside the monasteries. Enhance your visit with the multi-language audio guide.
    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

    • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

    Meeting point

    • Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.

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