Welcome to Meteora
The World Heritage–listed Meteora is an extraordinary place and one of the most visited in all of Greece. The massive pinnacles of smooth rock could be the setting for a futuristic science-fiction tale, or an ancient one. The monasteries atop them add to the strange and beautiful landscape.
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Meteora activities
Greece 4-Day Tour Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora
Day 1: Athens - Corinth Canal - Mycenae - Epidaurus - Nauplia/Olympia (D) Leave Athens behind and head west to Corinth Canal - your first stop of the day! Linking the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf, the canal is narrow, and the ancient ships that once passed through have been replaced with bungee jumpers. After exploring, continue on to Mycenae for a walking tour. Learn about the development of Classical Greek culture as you walk through this fascinating archeological site. After lunch (own expense) in Mycenae, travel to Epidaurus for a tour of its archaeological site and visit its famous natural theater famous for its acoustics. Continue to the pretty seaport town of Nauplia or Olympia (depending on your travel dates) to spend the night in a hotel. Overnight: Amalia (4-star hotel) in Nauplia or Olympia Day 2: Nauplia - Olympia - Antirion - Delphi (B, D) After breakfast, set off with your guide by luxury coach, and visit the Archeological Site of Olympia. Home to the Atlis (Sanctuary of the Gods), the site was a mecca for ancient Greeks who came here to worship Zeus. See incredible ruins like the Stadium of Olympia, where the country’s ancient Olympic Games were held. In the afternoon, board your coach for a scenic drive to Antirion, passing the towns of Patras. Cross over the Rion-Antirion Bridge - considered a landmark of 21st-century Greece . Finish your day with a relaxing meal at your hotel in Delphi. Overnight: Parnassos or Hermes (3-star), or Amalia (4-star) in Delphi Day 3: Delphi - Kalambakka (B, D) Rise early and meet your guide to explore Delphi - one of the most important archaeological digs in Europe. As you walk around this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site with your guide, see monuments like the Sanctuary of Athena. Head inside the Delphi Archeological Museum and encounter numerous artifacts and relics that date back to 15th century BC. Watch out for the Charioteer of Delphi and the intriguing Sphinx of Naxos. After spending most of your day in Delphi, head to Kalambakka by coach, traveling through the eye-catching towns of Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala. Enjoy dinner at your hotel and then relax at leisure. Overnight: 4-star or 3-star hotel in central Kalambakka Day 4: Kalambakka - Meteora - Athens (B) Leave your hotel to visit the rock towers of Meteora - incredible sandstone peaks topped with 11th-century monasteries. With your guide, make your way up the walking trails to visit these monasteries. After spending the morning exploring Meteora, head back to Athens by coach, stopping in the town of Thermopylae. Arrive back in Athens in the evening.
Meteora Day Trip by Train from Athens
Catch the train of 8:20 am to Kalambaka in the morning from the Athens Railway Station and enjoy a trip that will give you the chance to admire the beauty of the countryside. Arrive around 1:30 pm in Kalambaka, a small town built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks, and crowded by the Meteora Monasteries.Arriving in Kalambaka, our English speaking driver will be waiting you holding a signboard with your name on it and will transfer you to the Meteora Monasteries. For three hours you will have the time to explore at least two or three Monasteries. Meteora is included on the UNESCO world heritage monument list. The monasteries are perched on top of towers of sandstone, which for centuries provided totally inaccessible retreats for the monks. The most visited Monastery is the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, which is the largest of the monasteries located at Metéora. It was erected in the mid-14th century and was the subject of restoration and embellishment projects in 1483 and 1552. The building serves as the main museum for tourists. The Katholikon (main church), consecrated in honour of the Transfiguration of Jesus was erected in the middle of 14th century and 1387/88 and decorated in 1483 and 1552.At the end of the day, our driver will transfer you back to Kalambaka, where you will have the time to scroll around and have a light lunch (not included). At 17:22 p.m. the train departs from Kalambaka, and arrives at 22:15 back to Athens.
Kalambaka to Meteora Sunset Tour with Church of Virgin Mary
Start your sunset tour with a pickup from your Kalambaka hotel, and travel to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage site of Meteora, a short distance away. Meteora is busy with visitors during the peak daytime hours, but your tour is perfectly timed to arrive at the site when the day crowds are leaving. The historical site was once home to more than 20 rock monasteries, clustered precariously on top of Meteora’s sandstone cliffs and etched into the rocks as caves dwellings. With your guide, visit one of the six remaining monasteries and hear fascinating facts and trivia about the monks who once called Meteora their home. After exploring the monastery, continue to one of the caves (or ‘hermitages’), high up in the cliffs, near the remote St Nicolas Badovas Monastery. Originally inhabited by hermits, these intriguing caves later became havens for monks seeking safety around the time the Roman Empire started its demise. See inside the caves, and then visit an old Byzantine church nearby — a site often considered as one of the finest examples of an early Christian church. Continue your tour to a little-known vantage point and relax as you watch the sun sink below Meteora, casting an ethereal glow on the rocky vistas that stretch out in front of you. Soak up the tranquil sight, and then return to your minivan to travel back to your Kalambaka hotel. You will go to secret local spots that the vast majority of other travelers will never experience. You will learn about the culture and history of the place on a deeper level and from a local’s perspective. You will learn about etiquette and behavior (especially important at religious sites). You will be able to ask as many questions as you want. You help support a local economy. Daily departures depart any day you want, 365 days a year Excellent reviews on trip advisor You get to meet people from around the world Small size groups.
Kalambaka or Kastraki to Meteora Half-Day Tour
Meet your guide and air-conditioned minibus outside your Kalambaka hotel to begin your 4-hour tour of the UNESCO-listed Meteora. Translated as ‘suspended in the air,’ ‘middle of the sky’ or ‘in the heavens above,’ Meteora is located just over three miles (5.4 km) from central Kalambaka and is a remote region of sandstone peaks where, from the 11th century onward, monks settled. By the end of the 15th century, 24 monasteries had been systematically built on top of the towering rock formations. On arrival in Meteora, discover the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the sandstone pillars and spend a few minutes snapping photos. With your guide at your side, visit three of the remaining monasteries. As you explore the sites, listen to fascinating stories about the first hermits and monks who settled in Meteora, and discover their motivations for building the monasteries atop the sheer rock spires.During the tour, stop in spots with panoramic views and learn about the local traditions, myths and history. After exploring the monasteries, board your air-conditioned minibus and relax on the journey back to Kalambaka. Your tour concludes at your hotel in the afternoon.
Panoramic Meteora and all Monasteries Tour from Kalabaka
Travel a few miles northwest of Kalabaka, to Meteora following your hotel pick-up location. See impressive rocks of Meteora rise from the plains of Thessaly, one of the most amazing places in Greece. Enjoy breath-taking landscape reaching heights of close to 2000 feet (600 m), one of the most important monastic communities of Greece. Meteora is a great place to experience spectacular landscapes and byzantine monasteries perched on top of steep rocks that house priceless artifacts and wall paintings. During your morning tour, safely and comfortably transport by luxury air-conditioned mini-bus towards the cliff-top monasteries. View six active monasteries, operated by a small number of monks and nuns who reside on Meteora. Take delight in viewing all 6 monasteries and have the chance to visit inside 3 of them.Create numerous photo opportunity stop along the way, so to record your memories. Take pleasure in short walks during the excursion, as well. Return to your hotel just after noon, leaving the rest of your day free for other activities.
2-Day Delphi and Meteora Tour from Athens
Day 1: Athens – Delphi - Kalambaka (D)Arrive at Delphi at around noon. Famous for its ancient ruins including a theater and the Temple of Apollo, Delphi was considered the center of the earth and universe, and played a central role in the classical Greek world.On arrival, visit the the mountainside archaeological site and view the Temple of Apollo, famous for its oracle.In the afternoon, after lunch (own expense) travel through central Greece and the city of Lamia. After a short stop in Lamia, continue to the city of Trikala for a short stop and cross the Thessalian Plain to Kalambaka, a small town built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks crowned by the Meteora monasteries.Following a short stop for souvenir-shopping, stay overnight in Kalambaka at your choice of a centrally located 3- or 4-star hotel in the town.Overnight: 3-star Orfeas Hotel or 4-star Divani Meteora KalambakaDay 2: Kalambaka – Meteora – Athens (B)Leave in the morning for a tour of nearby Meteora’s monasteries. Visit two different Byzantine monasteries built on rocktops and commanding fantastic views over the plain.Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Built on the top of sandstone pillars, the monasteries provided monks with totally inaccessible retreats for centuries. Meteora is considered one of the most beautiful area of mainland Greece, and its monasteries are one of its most unusual and distinctive attractions.During your return to Athens, enjoy an optional visit to a factory making Byzantine-style icons, and stop for photos at the monument to the heroic Leonidas, King of Sparta, at Thermopylae. Your tour returns to Athens in the late afternoon.