A unique day private tour to Meteora Monasteries from Athens

based on 13 reviews

Duration:12 hours (approx.)
Location: Athens, Greece

From $746.73

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Don’t miss the chance to visit the impressive cliff-top Byzantine Monasteries of Greece with the full-day private tour to Meteora, which takes you across the scenic route of the Thessaly plain to Kalambaka, and to the second most important complex of monasteries in Greece, after Athos.

Highlights of the full-day Meteora tour

• A 12-hour private tour through a scenic drive in Central Greece
• The stunning natural phenomenon of the Meteora rocks and the Byzantine Monasteries of Meteora
• A heritage of UNESCO
• A taste of Greece with a typical Greek lunch at Kalambaka (optional)
• Professional English-speaking driver
• Pick up and drop off from your hotel in Athens at 07:00 A.M

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Thessaly
Pick up from your accommodation in Athens, and travel through Central Greece and Thessaly. Thessaly is a traditional geographic and modern administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, Thessaly was known as Aeolia and appears thus in Homer's Odyssey. Thessaly is a region of sheer beauty with mountains, rivers, beaches, the popular Plastira Lake, Tempi valley, and last but not least the unique Meteora, the most photogenic spiritual site in Greece. Archeological areas, Byzantine monasteries and churches, traditional settlements, and ski resorts make it a popular holiday destination. According to Homer's epic the Odyssey, Thessaly is the home to Achilles, and the hero Odysseus visited the kingdom of Aeolus, which was the old name for Thessaly. The Plain of Thessaly lies between Mount Oeta/Othrys and Mount Olympus.
2. Kastraki
Kastraki is located in the western part of Meteora, amphitheatrically built, among the towering cliffs, and is a municipal district of Kalabaka. Its history is lost in the course of time. In the eastern part, there is the old picturesque district of the village and above the spindle, small but impressive because of the form and the support position. It is mainly the base of climbers coming from different parts of the world, to admire the wonderful landscape formed by the towering rocks. Kastraki has an important local tradition, customs, and folk songs, which all have a uniqueness. The impressive landscape with canyons, plateaus, and the ghostly figures of “sacred rock” pops up through the lush landscape and strives, as if to touch the heavens. Today the village has been declared with the entire region of Meteora Monument and World Heritage by UNESCO, while it has grown into a wonderful place for recreation with camping, taverns, and guest houses, offering pleasant relaxation.
3. Meteora
The Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. Meteora monasteries; the miracle of Greece. A few kilometers northwest of the town of Kalabaka, the impressive rocks of Meteora are rising from the plains of Thessaly one of the most amazing places in Greece. Many centuries ago, on these gigantic rocks with the breathtaking landscape reaching heights of more than 600 meters, it was formed one of the most important monastic communities of Greece. In 1988, the Meteora monasteries have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Meteora-Antichassia area is part of the Natura 2000 network hosting some rare species of birds and flowers.
4. Great Meteoron Monastery
The Great Meteoro (Grand Meteor), also known as the Holy Monastery of the Metamorphosis (Transfiguration of Christ), is a male monastery and is the oldest and largest of all the monasteries of Meteora. The foundation of the Monastery of Great Meteoron is the starting point of the organized life at Meteora. On the most imposing rock, it occupies a commanding position among the monastic complex of Meteora. It’s the largest and most formal of the extant Meteora Monasteries as its name implies. Founded shortly before the middle of the 14th century by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite, who was also its first founder and the first to organize a systematic monastic community.
5.
St. Stephen was inhabited by monks in the late 12th century. The assembly of the building of the monastery which was founded in the 14th century completed in the 15th and 16th century. First founder of the monastery is the monk, later abbot of it Antonios Kantakouzenos. Antonios in the opinion of some researchers was the son of the Serbian Despot of Epirus Nikephoros II (1359) and a descendant of the great Byzantine family. Secondly, the founder is Monk Philotheos “ex Sklatainas”, which is referred to as the renovator of St. Stephen. Theophilos erected a new the old, now Catholic, built the cells and other facilities of the monastery. During his days(1545) the monastery became stavropegic and retained this privilege of 1743. In 1798 a new church was built dedicated to Saint Charalambos, who in the 17th century was referred to as the second patron of the monastery. In the 18th and 19th century for the first time several buildings and the abbey was built and took the form it has today.
6. Varlaam Monastery
The monastery Varlaam owes its name to the hermit-anchorite Varlaam, who first inhabited the rock in the 14th century. The history of the monastery begins substantially from the early 16th century when the rock settled and organized their priory by the Ioannina brothers Theophanes and Nektarios Apsaras, descendants of the old continent Byzantine family. The Apsaras in 1518 renovated fundamentally the chapel of the Three Hierarchs, which was built on the site of the original Catholic monastery that was built by Varlaam, in 1536 built the winch tower, and in 1541 built the present church dedicated to All Saints. In 1627 the chapel of the Three Hierarchs was rebuilt in place of the Old Catholic who had built the Apsaras and in 1637 was decorated by the artistic crew of John priest and children, who came from Kalabaka. The monastery is distinguished in spiritual prosperity and its participation in national struggles in recent years.
7. Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada)
At a characteristic rock of the Meteora complex, which is both majestic and imposing nestles the Monastery of the Holy Trinity. According to the tradition, it was built in 1438 by the monk Domitius. However, there are documents from Prince Simeon Uros Palaiologos, which show that the monastery had already been organized earlier in 1362. The present nave was built around 1476 and is a small cruciform church with a two-columned central dome on the roof. Today’s temple wall paintings (1741) are the work of the priests Antonios and Nicholaos, who though younger, successfully continued the tradition of the famous post-Byzantine style of painting
8.
The Holy Monastery of Rousanou was founded in 1529, over the ruins of older buildings, by the monks Ioasaf and Maximos, who came from Ioannina. The monastery of Rousanou is an impressive 4 story complex that reached its main form during the 3rd decade of the 16th century. The Church of the Transfiguration was built from scratch in its present form from the extinct and destroyed by the ravages and neglect of time Old Catholic monastery onto 1530 AD.
9.
The Monastery of St. Nicholaos Anapafsas is located close to Kastraki village. The rock is imposing, elegant, and cramped, but it is definitely eye-catching. The monastery was renovated in the early 16th century. The second floor is occupied by the church of the monastery which was painted by the renowned Cretan painter Theophanes Strelitzas, who was the founder of the Byzantine Cretan School of hagiography.
10. Kalambaka
Kalabaka is a town and seat of the municipality of Meteora in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The city of Kalampaka is built on the feet of the Meteora and it is on the left side of the river Pinios. It is the starting place for those visitors who wish to be familiar with the monuments and the magnificent sites of Aspropotamos of Hasia, Koziakas, and the Meteora. Kalampaka has known all over the world for the famous monasteries that exist on the top of the rocks of the Meteora. Every year, millions of visitors come from all over the world in order to admire and honor them. Kalampaka is a city of rich history and important monuments. One of the greatest importance is the Holy Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary which is in the north-eastern part of the city under the very high rock of Aea. Free time for lunch (not included)
11. Thermopylae
Thermopylae is a place in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. It derives its name from its hot sulfur springs. In Greek mythology, the Hot Gates is one of the entrances to Hades. The Battle of Thermopylae was conducted in 480BC among the Greeks and the Persians at the same time the Naval Battle of Artemision took place. The Persian Army led my Xerxis to reache the passageways of Thermopylae. The Greeks have chosen this strategic spot to face the Persian attack. Xerxis has commanded Leonides, the leader of the Greek Army to surrender his armory but he replied 'Come and Get them'. For two days, the Greeks fought heroically. On the third day, Efialtes betrays the Greeks, showing the Persians the passageway so as to get to the backside of the Greeks. So, the Persian Army surrounds the Greeks. Leonides remains at the site of the battle along with 300 Spartans, 700 Thespieis, and 400 Thivaious, loyal to his homeland laws. He falls dead from Persian arrows.
12. Leonidas Monument
Why did the battle of Thermopylae become one of the most world-famous battles? Thermopylae battle is a perfect example of selflessness, sacrifice, and obedience to the laws of the country. The resistance in the passage is a result of hard military training, better gear, and strategic use of the land in order to multiply the defense abilities. Where is the Thermopylae Memorial? The passage of Thermopylae (that literally means "Hot Gates") doesn't exist anymore since the mud deposition made by the Spercheios river moved the beach and the sea a few kilometers away. Near Thermopylae, next to the national road connecting Athens to Thessaloniki there is a memorial statue of King Leonidas and his soldiers with an inscription saying: "Ὦ ξεῖν’, ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις ὅτι τῇδε κείμεθα, τοῖς κείνων ῥήμασι πειθόμενοι", which means: "Stranger, tell Spartans that we lay here, staying faithful to Sparta’s laws."
13. Central Greece
The very heart of Greece. Central Greece, known as Roumeli, is part of the Greek mainland that has been inhabited since antiquity. There are forested mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, rich fauna and flora, and remarkable archaeological sites. Visit the archaeological site of Delphi and the Oracle of Apollo, picturesque seaside towns of Galaxidi and Itea, as well as beautiful Nafpaktos of great historical importance. The lagoon of Messolonghi, the largest Greek wetland, is a natural paradise that includes islets, dunes, forested banks, and a rich flora and fauna that provide salt and fish to the locals. But the most precious gift of nature here is bottarga (Greek avgotaracho), one of the few seafood products with a PDO award, a delicacy coming from the eggs of the female grey mullet. Do you seek the kind of thrill that will pump up your adrenalin? Karpenisi is the ideal destination as there is a multitude... Our tour ends by dropping you off at the same spot we picked you up in Athens.

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Posted By : T6945ILangiew
What a wonderful way to spend the day! The views are absolutely breathtaking.
Our driver was very knowledgeable and shared so much information.
I only wish there was more time. The private tour was the only way to go!
I can not imagine this trip on a big bus tour.
If you can afford it, go! you wont regret it!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-14 17:20:14

Posted By : U7368DSannam
The long trip was pleasant. The drivers very professional and friendly. A very interesting excursion and not to be missed in Greece. Thank you
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-29 08:30:36

Posted By : michellemE820OX
We had a fantastic 12 hour day tour to Meteora, Greece. We went there as group of friends. Athens Tours Greece provided us the best transport and the best tour guide/ driver that day named Alexander! He was amazing, he’s knowledge on Greek history and mythology was excellent. He comes across as passionate about his job and he shows pride of his Greek ancestry. He is a credit to your company. He is a true gentleman Thank You again Athens Tours Greece! Hope to avail your services again in the near future!
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Posted On : 2023-07-01 04:25:24

Posted By : JohnW7242
An amazing tour. Christos was an exceptional guide who was very knowledgeable and gracious. The monasteries are inspiring and truly are a wonder. Be prepared for many stairs. If you are afraid of heights you may want to pass on going inside them. Well worth the drive.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-09-09 09:40:50

Posted By : shabjam
We had just a day to visit Meteora monasteries so we preferred to have a private tour. We had a wonderful experience. The driver and translator knew the best places and organized everything. They frequently asked us question to be sure that we are satisfied with everything and the tour is adopted to our interests.
A wonderful and amazing experience.
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Posted On : 2021-09-17 07:34:29

Posted By : MariaBy1408
Because of covid they had to reorganize our tour quickly. And they did it well. Everything was smouth, and we had really good time.bMeteoras are really uniqe and wonderfull. Our driver was also very kind and photografer in 2nd job. He showed us the best places without rushing.
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Posted On : 2020-06-23 01:52:31

Posted By : Dylantay
Booked a private tour to Meteora last week, which is totally enjoyable.
The team's response on my queries and bookings is prompt and reliable.
The rate is reasonable, especially if u are travelling in a group.
This is a lot more comfortable than joining a day tour which reach meteora by public train and then travel by bus.

I like to compliment my driver cum guide Mr Dimitris who is punctual and professional. It takes 4 hours to drive to Meteora from Athens, but the vehicle is spacious and comfortable, and we can stop by road stops when required for breaks or refreshments. Thanks to Dimitris
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2019-10-21 21:38:00

Posted By : Rachel Y
This was my second tour with Athens Tours Greece. All my e-mail communications with them regarding the booking were replied in a prompt manner, which was much appreciated! The tour was €495 and there was 4 of us in my party. The ride to Meteora and back was 4-5hours each way so it was really pleasant to have a very comfortable and clean MPV ferry us the entire journey. The journey was smooth and we could recline our seats and get some rest. George, our tour guide cum driver, was outstanding! He was not just friendly but very informative, sharing interesting insights about the various sights and anything Greece. His food recommendation at Kalabaka was also great! At Meteora, he brought us to two monasteries. I’m not sure if you can request your preference but for us, we left it to him. Overall, a very pleasant and enjoyable tour. Only downside, we can’t snack in the car.... that’s how they keep it clean! Haha.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2019-09-26 07:04:36

Posted By : Fredami01
What can i say...what an amazing day excursion. We needed to reschedule and Athens Tours were very accomodating in a short period of time. We had GG (George Giortsios) as our driver, tour guide now our friend. He was extremely hospitable and pleasure to talk and listen to. He was full of knowledge that he shared with us. The ride was very comfortable with regular stops. We had a stop at Kalambaka where he introduced us to galatopita. Thank you Athens Tours and a special thank you to GG for his superb service
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2019-09-23 01:40:31

Posted By : eitnertsitsis
Had a private tour guide for our visit to Meteora. This was fabulous and we learned so much more than we would have if we did it on our own. Lots of opportunity for questions and answers. I would definitely recommend!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2019-07-14 18:04:07

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Tickets

A unique day private tour to Meteora Monasteries from Athens

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Thessaly

2. Kastraki

3. Meteora

4. Great Meteoron Monastery

5.

6. Varlaam Monastery

7. Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada)

8.

9.

10. Kalambaka

11. Thermopylae

12. Leonidas Monument

13. Central Greece

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

Retrieving available

Tickets

A unique day private tour to Meteora Monasteries from Athens

WHAT'S INCLUDED ⟱

WHAT TO EXPECT ⟱

1. Thessaly

2. Kastraki

3. Meteora

4. Great Meteoron Monastery

5.

6. Varlaam Monastery

7. Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada)

8.

9.

10. Kalambaka

11. Thermopylae

12. Leonidas Monument

13. Central Greece

ADDITIONAL INFO ⟱

CANCELLATION POLICY ⟱

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY