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Guided Tours

Athens to Meteora: Monasteries, Caves & Seaside Stopovers

Holy Monastery of the Great Meteoron perched on a rocky cliff in Meteora, Greece.
Hermit caves carved into the cliffs at Meteora, Greece, surrounded by lush greenery.
Guests hiking towards Meteora monastery with mountain backdrop.
Family climbing stairs to Meteora monastery, Greece, with rock formations in view.

Duration

10 hr - 14 hr

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Guided tour

Transfers included

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

4.7/5

(46)

Mykyta Haltsev

Mykyta

Sep 2025
Verified booking
4/5
Tickets for the temples was not included in the price. And bus wasn't equipped with chargers. Other than that everything according to the description.
Amélie Girard

Amélie

Jul 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Meteora was even more magical thanks to our guide, who turned history into storytelling. Dimitri and Kate also went above and beyond, making the day feel personal and special.
Nicolas Colin

Nicolas

Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Seeing the monasteries perched on those rock pillars felt surreal. Learning how monks once used baskets and ropes for supplies was fascinating. A truly memorable visit.
    • Skip the hassle and experience all of Meteora in one seamless day. Travel from Athens in a luxury, air-conditioned coach and enjoy a curated journey through all six cliff-top monasteries.
    • Your guide will share how monks scaled 300-meter cliffs with rope pulleys and tell tales of hermits who lived in silence for decades.
    • Climb the stone stairways to 3 to 4 active monasteries in Meteora, like the Great Meteoron, the oldest and largest, or Varlaam, home to a towering 12,000-litre rain barrel still in use today.
    • Walk a short trail to the Hermit Caves of Badovas, where monks once lived in cliffside grottoes, climbing with ropes and ladders that still hang above the cave mouths.
    • Choose the lunch upgrade and enjoy comforting dishes like baked feta drizzled with honey, cinnamon-laced moussaka, and crispy spanakopita at Kastraki Village.
    • Skip-the-line entry to three monasteries
    • Round-trip transfers from Athens in an AC coach
    • Access to the secret Hermit Caves
    • Seaside stop for optional brunch
    • Expert English-speaking guide
    • Digital audio guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Korean, Chinese & Japanese
    • Lunch (if option selected) at a local restaurant: Bread, water, and a choice of 10 traditional Greek dishes (vegan and vegetarian options included)
    • Panoramic photo stops to see all 8 monasteries
    • Visit to the hidden hermit caves
    • Wi-Fi and USB chargers on the AC coach
    • Monastery entry fee (€5 per person)
    • Byzantine Church of the Virgin Mary entry fee (€2 per person)
    • Guided tour of the monasteries’ interiors
    • Tips (optional)
  • TOTAL DURATION13 hours 30 minutes - 14 hours
    MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
    Timeline
    Map
    Larissa Station
    Start point

    Larissa Station

    Get direction
    5 hr by A/C Bus
    335.6 km
    Kalabaka

    1. Kalabaka

    Free Admission
    15 min
    31 min by A/C Bus
    2.1 km
    Kastraki Village

    2. Kastraki Village

    Tickets included (based on selection)
    60 min
    11 min by A/C Bus
    4.7 km
    Meteora

    3. Meteora

    Tickets included
    3 hr 20 min
    6 attractions

    Highlights

    46 min
    6.2 km
    The Hermit Caves of Badovas

    4. The Hermit Caves of Badovas

    Tickets included
    60 min
    6 min by A/C Bus
    2.5 km
    Kalabaka

    5. Kalabaka

    Free Admission
    30 min
    3 hr 40 min by A/C Bus
    340 km
    Larissa Station
    End point

    Larissa Station

    Get direction

    Your ending point would be same as your start point

  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

  • 4.7
    46 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    36
    7
    3
    0
    0

    What our guests say

    Mykyta Haltsev

    Mykyta

    Sep 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    Tickets for the temples was not included in the price. And bus wasn't equipped with chargers. Other than that everything according to the description.
    Nicolas Colin

    Nicolas

    Aug 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Seeing the monasteries perched on those rock pillars felt surreal. Learning how monks once used baskets and ropes for supplies was fascinating. A truly memorable visit.
    Louise Chevalier

    Louise

    Aug 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    The journey itself was long but enjoyable. Bring snacks or a book, because once you arrive in Meteora, the views and experiences make you forget the time on the road.
    Chiara Conti

    Chiara

    Aug 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    The long drive didn’t feel tiring at all thanks to a comfortable bus and an engaging guide like Maria. The monasteries themselves were worth every step to reach.
    Liam Johnson

    Liam

    Aug 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Even on the ride back to Athens, the service stood out—safe drivers, cold water, AC, and USB chargers. The guide kept the mood light and informative throughout.
  • What to bring

    • Bring some cash for entrance donations (€3 to €5 per monastery) and any purchases, as credit card facilities may not be available.
    • Opt for sturdy shoes with good grip, as paths can be uneven and include many steps.
    • Carry water and light snacks, especially during warmer months (June to August).
    • Don’t forget to bring your own earphones and a fully charged phone to listen to the audio guides comfortably.

    What's not allowed

    • While outdoor photography is generally permitted, refrain from taking photos inside churches and of monks or nuns.
    • Flying drones is prohibited without special permission.

    Accessibility

    • Meteora is not wheelchair accessible. All monasteries involve steps or inclined paths.
    • If you have mobility constraints, consider visiting monasteries like St. Stephen’s, which has a paved path and minimal stairs.

    Additional information

    • Your tour bus will be across from Larissa train station on Theodore Diligianni Street, in front of Everest Café. Look for the 'Visit Meteora' sign.
    • Expect to visit 2 to 4 monasteries. Each has a weekly closing day (Great Meteoron on Tuesdays, Varlaam on Fridays), so the lineup may vary.
    • All monasteries require a €3 to €5 offering per person, payable in cash at the gate.
    • Tour guides are not allowed inside the monasteries. To continue exploring while inside, take advantage of the multilingual audio guides.
    • Tours use minibuses or local shuttles to transport visitors between sites.
    • Basic toilets are available at larger monasteries (Great Meteoron, Varlaam, St. Stephen) and may require a small tip.
    • The Meteora monasteries follow a strict dress code. Men must wear long pants; women need long skirts and shoulder coverage. Sleeveless tops and shorts are not allowed.
    • 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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