Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch

based on 93 reviews

Duration:12 hours to 14 hours (approx.)
Location: Athens, Greece

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Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Meteora, a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries on this private, full-day excursion from Athens.

Travel in private, air-conditioned vehicles and get around all the sites your group is interested in visiting within the extensive mountain complex before returning comfortably to Athens.

• Walk around the rock formations and visit up to three of the monasteries for an up-close look at ancient hermit life

• Take photos and create lifelong memories at this picturesque yet imposing natural beauty

• Enjoy authentic Greek food in Kastraki village

• Return to Athens via Thermopylae, hearing battle tales along the way where 300 Spartans fought 100,000 Persians

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Athens
We start our tour early in the morning from Athens till Meteora. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel/ apartment or the airport/ port. The travel time is about 4,5 hours.
2.
Kalabaka is a town and seat of the municipality of Meteora in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The population was 12,000 at the 2011 census, of which 8,330 in the town proper. The Meteora monasteries are located near the town.
3. Meteora
We arrive at Meteora and visit up to three Monasteries. Breathtaking at first site, the Monasteries are of great cultural and natural importance. Split from earthquakes, weathered from the wind and the water over millions of millions of years, these immense rocks are an authentic masterpiece of mother nature. The Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries. The six (of an original 24) monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the name means "lofty", "elevated", and is etymologically related to meteor. Please be modestly dressed. Women are suggested to wear long skirts & long sleeves. If you do not have, you will be given a skirt on your way in.
4. Meteora
Free time for lunch at a traditional Greek tavern with your friends and family or shopping at Kastraki, a picturesque village near Meteora.
5. Thermopylae
Thermopylae is a place in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. It derives its name from its hot sulphur springs. In Greek mythology the Hot Gates is one of the entrances to Hades. Thermopylae is the site of a battle between the Greek forces and the invading Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides of Ceos in the famous epitaph, "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here obedient to their laws we lie." Thermopylae is the only land route large enough to bear any significant traffic between Lokris and Thessaly. To go from north to south along the east coast of the Balkan peninsula requires use of the pass, and so Thermopylae has been the site of several battles.
6. Battlefield of Thermopylae
As we leave the magnificent Meteora behind us, let us not overlook the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BCE, which has long been the topic of cultural motivation, as it is perhaps the most famous military last stand of all time. The monument of the Great Leonidas, King of Sparta, in Thermopylae, will grace our path on our way back to Athens in the late afternoon. Thermopylae is world-famous for the battle that took place there between the Greek forces (notably the Spartans, Lakedemonians, Thebans and Thespians) and the invading Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides in the famous epitaph, "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here obedient to their laws we lie."
7. Leonidas Monument
Leonidas was a king of the Greek city-state of Sparta, and the 17th of the Agiad line, a dynasty which claimed descent from the mythological demigod Heracles and Cadmus. Leonidas was son of King Anaxandridas II. He succeeded his half-brother King Cleomenes I to the throne in c. 489 BC. Leonidas had a notable participation in the Second Persian War, where he led the allied Greek forces to a last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC) while attempting to defend the pass from the invading Persian army; he died at the battle and entered myth as the leader of the 300 Spartans. While the Greeks lost this battle, they were able to expel the Persian invaders in the following year.
8. Athens
We start our way back to Athens late in the afternoon. The drive is about 4,5 hours.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Sightseer24694712501
Our guide was Fotis and we feel so lucky to have had him with us during our two day trip to Delphi and Meteora. Fotis was always on time, friendly, and knew the ins and outs of everywhere we should go, giving us an insider scoop and advice on the areas we were visiting.

During the long drives, we enjoyed great conversation and when we needed to rest as his driving was the safest! The sights were amazing and he also helped us take great photos. By the end of the trip we feel we had made a good friend and have so much gratitude for the experience.

If you have a chance, take the trip and if you can have Fotis as a guide you are in for an excellent experience.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-24 11:19:16

Posted By : Peter_G
Although it is a long drive from Athens to Meteora, Peter, our driver told us many things about places we passed and the history of how the monasteries came about. He was very flexible with the itinerary allowing us to select monasteries/nunneries to visit and telling us what to expect. Peter was knowledgable about the best view points for the monasteries and also where to look to see ruins of some long abandoned ones. The included lunch was great with many more traditional dishes available. The drive back to Athens was a very relaxing one with a stop at the now unrecognisable site of the Thermopyles battle (The shore line that played such a big part in the battle is now about 5 kms away from where it was back then.) The car was very comfortable.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-20 14:44:49

Posted By : Cosmopolitan477860
My guide Peter was great! Knew all the great spots for pictures and educated me on Greek history and about the monasteries. The lunch was great. I would highly recommend this tour to all.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-09 10:51:15

Posted By : Donna_P
Notis our guide was wonderful His love of Greek culture and this site made it so meaningful Also the food was delicious
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Posted On : 2024-03-19 15:36:43

Posted By : I5260HQdonnap
Notis our guide was wonderful, He was very informative and his love of Greek Culture in general and Meteora in particular made this so worthwhile.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-19 15:32:53

Posted By : Camilla_F
If you visit Greece this is a must.
Absolutely fabulous and this particular guide was perfect. We laughed all day his itinerary was perfect for me as a doddery oldie and found us a great lunch restaurant.
His knowledge was first class and a wonderful companion to understand this magical place.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-15 16:59:27

Posted By : MAEI_Y
Unbelievable fantastic view !
You should visit there.
Even it takes long way from Athens,
It worth visiting..
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-02 06:34:12

Posted By : GoPlaces46123063406
This was such an incredible trip!! We are so happy we took the private tour because it was incredibly convenient for pick up and drop off plus we had the advantage of being to set our own speed - longer in some places and shorter in others - without having to wait for anyone else’s agenda or slow pace!! The scenery at Meteora is awe inspiring - like nothing else!! It’s a long trip there and back from Athens but so worth the journey!! Our driver Notis was very friendly and fun and very informative about the history of the area and of Greece itself. We even learned a lot of Greek language on the tour!! Our family loved this tour and will certainly never forget it. The photos we got are spectacular and oh the lunch stop was incredible! So much good food at very reasonable prices!

We highly recommend this trip to anyone considering it as an option during your stay in Athens.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-16 02:12:07

Posted By : nainap2020
Amazing private tour. Peter our driver was awesome. He shared his incredible knowledge on the history of the monasteries and nearby villages. I highly recommend this tour. Add it to your bucket list and a private tour is the best way to experience the monasteries. We booked through Viator and my Athens transfers was the tour company assigned to us. I highly recommend both Viator and my Athens transfers.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-01 10:13:41

Posted By : Naina_P
What an amazing experience. Our driver Peter was exceptional and very knowledgeable. Wow Meteora is unbelievable in person.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-31 00:08:04