Breathtaking 12-h private day tour to Meteora Monasteries
Embark on a breathtaking 12-hour private day tour to the Meteora Monasteries. Don’t miss the chance to visit the impressive cliff-top Byzantine Monasteries of Greece. This full-day private tour 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.
Itinerary of the 12-Hour Tour to Meteora Monasteries
Athens – Central Greece – Thermopylae – Lamia – Karditsa – Trikala – Kalambaka – Kastraki – Meteora Monasteries – Athens
Highlights of Private Tour to Meteora
- A 12-hour private tour through a scenic drive in Central Greece
- The stunning natural wonder of the Meteora rocks and the Byzantine Monasteries of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Savor the authentic flavors of Greece with a typical Greek lunch at Kalambaka
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Experience the ultimate convenience with pick-up and drop-off services directly from your hotel in Athens
Thermopylae – Kalambaka
Starting in the morning from Athens, the full-day private tour to Meteora drives you through the scenic route that leads you to central Greece, passing by towns with historical and natural interest, such as Karditsa, Lamia, and Trikala.
The first stop of the tour takes place in Thermopylae, which became widely known abroad due to the movie “The 300”. Thermopylae is a place where a glorious page of Greek history was written when King Leonidas of Sparta and his 300 Spartans fought against the thousands of Persians who wished to conquer Greece. It is a site where Greeks proved their bravery and abnegation.
After a short stop in Thermopylae, the private tour will drive you to Kalambaka, the town that lies beneath the breathtaking rocks of Meteora.
The Byzantine Monasteries of Meteora
The Byzantine monasteries of Meteora are perched on the top of sandstone towers, which have been providing a safe and inaccessible refuge for the monks and nuns for centuries.
The monasteries of Meteora you can visit are six: The Monastery of Great Meteoron, the Monastery of Varlaam, the Monastery of Rousanou, the Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas, the Monastery of St. Stephen, and the Monastery of Holy Trinity, which is the hardest to reach.
The intriguing history of the monasteries and the incredible landscape make this a truly worth-doing tour! Keep in mind that not all monasteries are open every day, therefore you will be informed in advance of the monasteries which can be visited depending on the day when you will be taking the tour. If you are planning to visit a certain monastery, make sure to ask so as not to miss the day!
After the visit to the Monasteries, you will enjoy a fully flavored typical Greek lunch at Kalambaka, and then the driver will take you back to Athens, early in the evening.
Tour Type
- Shore Excursion – Private tour
- Activity level: Moderate
Included in the tour
- Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz vehicle or similar appropriate for the size of your group
- Your tour will be accompanied by a professional English-speaking driver or escort possessing in-depth knowledge of Greece’s history and culture. They will provide insightful commentary throughout the journey, guiding you until the entrance of archaeological sites and museums. However, please note that drivers are not licensed to accompany you inside these venues.
- If you desire a licensed state tour guide to escort you within the archaeological sites and museums, providing comprehensive insights and explanations, we can gladly arrange one for an additional cost. These licensed guides are freelance professionals, and their availability is subject to your tour date.
- When a licensed tour guide or English-speaking tour escort accompanies a group, the professional driver may not necessarily speak English fluently. Their role is focused on providing safe transportation.
- Pick up and drop off at your hotel in Athens. Extra charge for hotels outside Athens.
- Pick up and drop off at Piraeus Port or Athens Airport.
- Pick up and drop off at our terminal: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 37, 117 43 Athens, Greece.
- Accommodation is based according to availability (for multiple-day tours only)
- Road tolls and all local taxes
Excluded from the tour
- Wine tasting fee (for wine tours)
- Olive oil tasting fee (for olive oil tasting tours)
- Optional Gratuities
- Food and beverage
- Your private chauffeur/guide will discuss a program best suited to your interest and mobile abilities. Option for a professional tour guide with a state license at an extra cost. Read more for the Differences between a Tour Guide and a Tour Driver
Cancellation Policy
Additional info
- Dress Code: When visiting religious sites, shoulders and knees must be covered out of respect for the cultural norms.
- Please review our Terms & Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions
- Upon booking, an electronic voucher will be emailed to you containing our contact information, tour details, and all necessary instructions. This voucher serves as your ticket and proof of purchase. Please present a printed or digital copy of the voucher on the day of your tour to redeem your activity.
- City Tax for Hotel Stays: Effective from January 1st, 2018, a City Tax for hotel overnights is applicable and not included in our excursion rates. Clients will need to pay this tax directly at their hotel upon check-out. The amount per room is as follows: 5-star hotel: €4/overnight || 4-star hotel: €3/overnight || 3-star hotel: €1.50/overnight
- Opening Hours and Entrance Fees for Archaeological Sites and Museums in Greece
- Entrance Fees for Children from Non-EU Countries: Starting November 1st, 2019, children aged 6 and above from non-European Union (non-EU) countries will be required to pay the full entrance fee for Museums and Archaeological sites. For children from EU countries, the existing rates remain in effect. However, it is crucial to have their passports readily available to prove their nationality.
Persons with Disabilities
- Due to uneven surfaces, certain sites are not recommended for persons with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. Such sites are the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, Mycenae, Delphi and Meteora
- In all cases, we recommend comfortable flat-solid walking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
