Athens 14-Hour Day Trip to Meteora Monasteries, Caves & Coastal Stopovers with Lunch
by Visit Meteora Travel
Choose from 4 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€172Overview
This 14-hour day trip departs from Athens by air-conditioned bus with free WiFi and USB chargers. The trip begins with a drive through the Greek countryside to the coastal town of Kamena Vourla, where there is a stop for an optional seaside brunch at a beachfront restaurant. Meals and drinks at this stop can be pre-ordered via an onboard app. After the coastal stopover, the tour continues to the village of Kastraki near Meteora for a traditional Greek lunch at a local taverna. The lunch includes a choice of ten dishes covering meat, vegetarian, and vegan options, with bread and water included. A restroom break is available here. Following lunch, the group visits Meteora with a local English-speaking guide. Three monasteries are entered, typically the Great Meteoron Monastery, Varlaam Monastery, and Agios Stephanos Monastery, while six monasteries are viewed from the outside. The tour also includes an exclusive visit to the Badovas hermit caves to see the remains of hermit dwellings. An audio guide in multiple languages supplements the commentary. Entrance fees to the monasteries are not included and must be paid in cash. On the return journey, there is a final stop in Kamena Vourla for an optional dinner at a beachfront restaurant timed to coincide with sunset. Bottled water is provided throughout the tour. Modest dress is required for monastery visits. The tour operates rain or shine and returns to Athens at approximately 10:30 PM.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Coach ride from Athens
The day begins with a comfortable air-conditioned coach ride from Athens through the Greek countryside.
Coastal brunch stop in Kamena Vourla
A 30-minute break in the coastal town of Kamena Vourla offers a seaside setting for optional brunch. Guests can order meals and drinks via an onboard app and enjoy views of the sea and surrounding mountains.
30 min
Lunch and break in Kastraki village
Upon arrival in Kalabaka, the group spends about 40 minutes in Kastraki village for lunch and restroom access before starting the Meteora monastery visits.
40 min
Varlaam Monastery visit
The second largest monastery, Varlaam was founded in the mid-14th century by Hosios Varlaam. Its main church, dedicated to Agioi Pantes, was built in 1541-42 and features wall paintings attributed to hagiographer Frago Catelano.
45 min
Great Meteoron Monastery visit
The largest and oldest monastery in Meteora, Great Meteoron is built on a towering rock and was established by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite, the first to organize the monastic community there.
Badovas hermit caves exploration
For 25 minutes, visitors explore the remote Badovas caves where hermits once lived, seeing the remains of their dwellings and learning about their solitary lifestyle.
25 min
Agios Stephanos Monastery visit
This monastery is accessible via a small bridge without climbing steps. Founded in the early 12th century, it has two cathedrals, including an 18th-century main church housing relics of Saint Charalambos.
30 min
Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas Monastery visit
The first monastery encountered en route to Meteora, founded at the end of the 14th century.
10 min
View of Kalampaka town
A 10-minute stop to take in panoramic views of the town of Kalampaka.
10 min
Roussanou Monastery visit
Founded in the late 16th century and decorated thirty years later, this monastery sits at a lower elevation than others. It suffered damage during World War II and was converted into a convent in 1988.
10 min
Holy Trinity Monastery visit
The hardest monastery to reach, located atop a steep rock near Saint Stephen’s Nunnery. Visitors climb about 140 steps to reach the site, which has been a monastery since at least 1362.
10 min
Sunset dinner by the sea
During the return trip, there is a stop at a coastal town where an optional seaside dinner is available. Guests can relax and enjoy Greek dishes while watching the sunset over the water.
45 min
Meeting point
The bus will depart from Larissis train station in Athens at 08:00am. We request you to be present at the exit of the Larissa metro/subway station on Deligianni str, directly opposite the Athens train station Everest cafe, by 07:45am.
End point
The bus will depart from Larissis train station in Athens at 08:00am. We request you to be present at the exit of the Larissa metro/subway station on Deligianni str, directly opposite the Athens train station Everest cafe, by 07:45am.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Athens 14-Hour Day Trip to Meteora Monasteries, Caves & Coastal Stopovers with Lunch
by Visit Meteora Travel
Choose from 4 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€172Overview
This 14-hour day trip departs from Athens by air-conditioned bus with free WiFi and USB chargers. The trip begins with a drive through the Greek countryside to the coastal town of Kamena Vourla, where there is a stop for an optional seaside brunch at a beachfront restaurant. Meals and drinks at this stop can be pre-ordered via an onboard app. After the coastal stopover, the tour continues to the village of Kastraki near Meteora for a traditional Greek lunch at a local taverna. The lunch includes a choice of ten dishes covering meat, vegetarian, and vegan options, with bread and water included. A restroom break is available here. Following lunch, the group visits Meteora with a local English-speaking guide. Three monasteries are entered, typically the Great Meteoron Monastery, Varlaam Monastery, and Agios Stephanos Monastery, while six monasteries are viewed from the outside. The tour also includes an exclusive visit to the Badovas hermit caves to see the remains of hermit dwellings. An audio guide in multiple languages supplements the commentary. Entrance fees to the monasteries are not included and must be paid in cash. On the return journey, there is a final stop in Kamena Vourla for an optional dinner at a beachfront restaurant timed to coincide with sunset. Bottled water is provided throughout the tour. Modest dress is required for monastery visits. The tour operates rain or shine and returns to Athens at approximately 10:30 PM.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Coach ride from Athens
The day begins with a comfortable air-conditioned coach ride from Athens through the Greek countryside.
Coastal brunch stop in Kamena Vourla
A 30-minute break in the coastal town of Kamena Vourla offers a seaside setting for optional brunch. Guests can order meals and drinks via an onboard app and enjoy views of the sea and surrounding mountains.
30 min
Lunch and break in Kastraki village
Upon arrival in Kalabaka, the group spends about 40 minutes in Kastraki village for lunch and restroom access before starting the Meteora monastery visits.
40 min
Varlaam Monastery visit
The second largest monastery, Varlaam was founded in the mid-14th century by Hosios Varlaam. Its main church, dedicated to Agioi Pantes, was built in 1541-42 and features wall paintings attributed to hagiographer Frago Catelano.
45 min
Great Meteoron Monastery visit
The largest and oldest monastery in Meteora, Great Meteoron is built on a towering rock and was established by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite, the first to organize the monastic community there.
Badovas hermit caves exploration
For 25 minutes, visitors explore the remote Badovas caves where hermits once lived, seeing the remains of their dwellings and learning about their solitary lifestyle.
25 min
Agios Stephanos Monastery visit
This monastery is accessible via a small bridge without climbing steps. Founded in the early 12th century, it has two cathedrals, including an 18th-century main church housing relics of Saint Charalambos.
30 min
Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas Monastery visit
The first monastery encountered en route to Meteora, founded at the end of the 14th century.
10 min
View of Kalampaka town
A 10-minute stop to take in panoramic views of the town of Kalampaka.
10 min
Roussanou Monastery visit
Founded in the late 16th century and decorated thirty years later, this monastery sits at a lower elevation than others. It suffered damage during World War II and was converted into a convent in 1988.
10 min
Holy Trinity Monastery visit
The hardest monastery to reach, located atop a steep rock near Saint Stephen’s Nunnery. Visitors climb about 140 steps to reach the site, which has been a monastery since at least 1362.
10 min
Sunset dinner by the sea
During the return trip, there is a stop at a coastal town where an optional seaside dinner is available. Guests can relax and enjoy Greek dishes while watching the sunset over the water.
45 min
Meeting point
The bus will depart from Larissis train station in Athens at 08:00am. We request you to be present at the exit of the Larissa metro/subway station on Deligianni str, directly opposite the Athens train station Everest cafe, by 07:45am.
End point
The bus will depart from Larissis train station in Athens at 08:00am. We request you to be present at the exit of the Larissa metro/subway station on Deligianni str, directly opposite the Athens train station Everest cafe, by 07:45am.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.