Greece

5 of the Best Meteora Tours from Athens

by Allie d'Almo  |  Published December 29, 2022

Showstopping Meteora is just a four-hour train or car journey from the heart of Athens. For a more affordable and efficient way to travel, it’s worth opting for a tour from Athens. 

Best Meteora Tours from Athens

Meteora is one of Greece’s most popular attractions (Photo: Get Your Guide)

Perched on pillars at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly, the extraordinary rock formations of the Meteora region are a spectacular sight. Most visitors hotfoot here to explore its sprawling monasteries, which monks and nuns still inhabit today, though there’s plenty to explore in nearby Kalabaka and Kastraki too. Arranging private transfers can be expensive, but a tour offers an affordable alternative. The one or two-day trips include round-trip transfers and local guides, some with lunch and admission fees included too. We’ve selected five of the best Meteora tours from Athens based on price, customer reviews and itinerary. 

Full Day Rail Tour to Meteora with Hermit Caves 

This full-day tour to Meteroa is the cheapest we’ve seen, but it comes highly rated by over 320 happy customers. The price includes round-trip train tickets from Athens to Kalambaka, an English-speaking tour guide and a tour of Meteora by luxury minibus. The experience kicks off with a four-hour train journey through rolling vineyards to Kalambaka, followed by visits to three monasteries that are each still active today. Then comes a trip to the Badovas caves, where the last hermit monks of Meteora lived some two centuries ago. After an hour of free time in Kalambaka, the return train to Athens awaits. From £85.12 per person. 

Book at GetYourGuide.com

Meteora 2-Day Trip by Train with a Local Guide

This two day trip includes two tours (Photo: Get Your Guide)

This two-day tour is an excellent option for those who prefer to take their trips at a more leisurely pace. The train from Athens arrives in Kalabaka at midday, just in time for lunch and check-in at a charming hotel. In the afternoon, a licensed guide will collect you for a magical tour of Meteora at sunset. The following morning includes a four-hour tour or hike of Meteora and its holy monasteries, with time to explore the town at your own pace before the train departs in the evening. The tour price includes round-trip train tickets, accommodation in a 3 or 4-star hotel and a local tour guide. From £137.39 per person. 

Book at GetYourGuide.com

2-Day Delphi and Meteora Tour from Athens

This two-day tour combines trips to two blockbuster destinations: Delphi and Meteora. First comes a scenic bus trip to the classical ruins of Delphi, once considered the centre of the world. From here it’s a short bus journey to explore the medieval rock monasteries of Meteora with a licensed guide. The tour price includes transportation by air-conditioned bus, overnight accommodation in a 3 or 4-star hotel, breakfast, dinner and hotel pickup. Customers rave about the efficiency and friendliness of staff too. From £164.68

Book at Viator.com

Meteora Monasteries Tour from Athens 

This day trip is an excellent option for small groups travelling together (Photo: Get Your Guide)

This day trip might seem pricy at first glance, but if you’re planning on making the journey with six friends or family members, it’s remarkably affordable. Unlike most tours, a licensed tour operator will meet you at your hotel in Athens and spend the entire day with you. The first stop is the battlefield of Thermopylae and the Hot Gates, followed by a scenic drive through Trikala, Karditsa, Kalambaka and Kastraki, before reaching the Meteora monasteries. Here, you can visit three monasteries, followed by a delicious lunch at a local taverna. From £601.82 for seven people. 

Book at GetYourGuide.com

From Athens: Meteora Private Day Tour with a Local Guide 

This full-day private tour is an excellent option for those who would prefer to shape the day themselves. The trip begins with a scenic 4.5-hour drive from your hotel in Athens to Kalabaka, where a steaming cup of coffee awaits. For the next four hours, you can explore the monasteries of Meteora with a local guide who will provide historical context and little-known trivia about the sites. The rounds off with a relaxing lunch in Kalabaka or Kastraki – your choice – before heading back to Athens. From £730.79 for two people. 

Book at GetYourGuide.com