tours in meteora

Tours to Meteora

Discover the best tours in Meteora! Meteora is one of the most stunning places to visit in Greece! Being a World Heritage Monument, Meteora receives visitors from all over the world. What makes Meteora such a unique place to visit is the huge rock formations on the top of which stand beautiful monasteries. What’s more, thanks to its peculiar geology, Meteora is the perfect place for nature exploration and hiking.

Booking a tour in Meteora is a must if you want to explore this magical place in depth!

Tour to Meteora from Thessaloniki

You might have seen photos of Meteora sometime in the past, as they constitute one of the most breathtaking natural settings worldwide - so in case you are visiting Thessaloniki, you must definitely jump at the chance to see for yourself this unique landscape!

Meteora tour from Halkidiki

During your stay in Greece don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Meteora Monasteries. Meteora is a geological miracle of extraordinary beauty, with gigantic rocks of a height around 400m, on top of which monasteries are built.

Special Offer: 10.00% discount for early booking (-60 days).

Two days tour to Meteora monasteries, from Athens

This two-day experience toward Delphi and Meteora offers you the chance to see imposing monasteries and spectacular sights first-hand.

Three days tour to Delphi and Meteora, from Athens

This three-day trip will take you to the archaeological site of Delphi, the mesmerizing town of Kalambaka, and the Meteora rock formations.

Four days classical tour with Meteora, from Athens

This fascinating guided trip will give you the chance to visit several of significant sights, including Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, and the awe-inspiring Meteora.

5 Days classical tour, from Athens

This five-day trip includes visits to some of the most significant remnants of Greek ancient history, including Epidaurus, Mycenae, Delphi, and the Archaeological Site of Olympia.

Grand cultural tour, from Athens

The Grand Cultural Tour, starting from Athens, covers a wide spectrum of historically significant sites in the Peloponnese, the Sterea region, Thessaly, and Macedonia in the course of seven days.

Meteora Full Day Private Tour

Take a private guided tour from Corfu to Meteora, a rock formation with old monasteries built on top of them, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience an amazing view at one of the most beautiful landscapes in Greece.

Five days tour to northern Greece, from Athens

This five-day tour to northern Greece includes visits to Delphi, the Meteora rocks, the city of Thessaloniki, the waterfalls of Edessa, the ancient city of Pella, and the Archaeological Park of Dion.

Self-drive classic route

Explore Greece by car on this self-drive classic route. Give your self the change to see the capital of Greece, Athens, and the most important archaeological sites of the country at your own pace!

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Tours and Excursions in Meteora

Four Day Classical Greece Tour: Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora

Two Day Delphi & Meteora Tour from Athens

Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Thessaloniki

Half-Day Meteora Tour

Meteora Half-Day Sunset Tour

Meteora Day Trip from Athens

Two Days Rail Tour to Meteora from Athens

Full Day Meteora Trip from Thessaloniki

Day Trip to Meteora Monasteries from Chalkidiki

About meteora.

In a region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, monks settled on these 'columns of the sky' from the 11th century onwards. Twenty-four of these monasteries were built, despite incredible difficulties, at the time of the great revival of the eremetic ideal in the 15th century. Their 16th-century frescoes mark a key stage in the development of post-Byzantine painting. The nearest town is Kalambaka. Metéora is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The most important monasteries of Meteora are:

• The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron. It is the biggest of the Meteora monasteries. The church 'Katholikon', honouring the 'Transfiguration' of Jesus, was erected in the middle of 14th century and decorated from 1483 to1552. The old monastery is used as a museum, nowadays.
• The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is the second biggest in size monastery. The church, honours the three Bishops. It was built in 1541 and decorated in 1548. The old refectory is used as a museum while North of the Church we can see the parekklesion of the Three (Bishops) built in 1627 and decorated in 1637.
• The Holy Monastery of St. Stephen is one of the most attainable one as we don't have to cope with innumerable stairs to reach it. The small single-nave church of St. Stephen was built in the middle of 16th and decorated in 1545.

The entrance to the monasteries is requiring appropriate clothing with long trousers and skirts.

Top Tours in Meteora, Greece

Meteora tours.

• Private Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Photography Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Literary, Art & Music Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. The Top Meteora Greece Private Day Tour from Athens

2. 27 Day Grand Circle Tour of Mainland & Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini

3. Private Meteora Photo Shoot with a Professional Photographer

4. All Day Private Meteora Photo Tour

5. 15 Day Private Tour in Ancient Greece, Mykonos and Santorini

6. 8 Day Tour in Delphi, Meteora & Tour in Santorini from Athens

7. 2-Day Private Tour to Delphi and Meteora from Athens

8. BEST 4-Day CLASSICAL GREECE: Corinth Epidaurus Delphi Meteora

9. 2 Days Private Tour at Delphi and Meteora

10. Private Tour of Meteora from Halkidiki

11. 6-Day Private Tour of Olympia, Zagorochoria, Meteora, Delphi

12. 6-Day Apostle Paul Footsteps Private Tour in Greece

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Sunset Tour: Discovering Meteora's Secrets in a Small Group

Meteora Panoramic Morning Small Group Tour with Local Guide

Meteora: Morning Half Day Sightseeing and Monasteries Tour

Half-Day Meteora Cultural Tour from Kalambaka train station

Morning Monastery E-bike Tour

Arachthos white water river Rafting at Tzoumerka

4-Hour Tour Morning Highlights of Meteora on E-Bike

Hiking Tour to Meteora from Kalambaka - Local Agency

Sunset Meteora Tour on E-Bike

Kalambaka's Train Station: Meteora Monasteries Tour with Lunch

2-days rail trip from Athens to Meteora

Meteora Sunset eBike Tour

Rafting in Aliakmonas, close to Meteora

Hike Mt.Olympus highest peak (Mytikas 2918m) in 1 day!

Tzoumerka villages tour (1 day)

Truffle Hunting at Meteora

Breath-taking Meteora Sunset Tour

Private Winter Hiking to Skolio peak at Mt Olympus

What travellers are saying.

10 Things to Know Before a Meteora Tour for a Magical Trip

Are you dreaming of going on a Meteora tour? This was a highlight of my first trip to Greece, and I highly encourage anyone who can take a trip to Meteora to do so! We have detailed guides to how to visit Meteora from Athens and from Thessaloniki, so if you’ll be leaving from these cities take a look at our guides. This post covers things you need to know before visiting the monasteries so that your tour of Meteora goes smoothly!

How to Book a Guided Tour of Meteora

There are a lot of companies that resell guided tours in Greece, from hostels to hotels to online platforms. We personally use (and therefore recommend) you book through GetYourGuide . We prefer using them for a couple of reasons:

• They let you know who the tour operator will be so you can independently verify the tour company’s reviews on sites like Trip Advisor. 
• In our travel experiences, tours booked through accommodations tend to be overpriced.
• I personally had an awful tour experience in Dresden, Germany, and I was able to use GetYourGuide’s customer service when the tour company wouldn’t help me at all. I got a full tour refund within just a few days.

There are several options for going on a guided Meteora tour. Here are the most common circumstances.

From Kalabaka (Kalambaka)

For travelers who come to Kalambaka on their own and stay in local hotels or guest houses, you can book a guided monastery tour that will take you around the monasteries and explain the history of each. They also will take you to some of the best photography viewpoints in the area.

Even if you want to visit some of them independently, a guided tour is a great way to start your visit. Then you can continue your travels afterward to the ones you missed. 

There are different kinds of tours that you can go on. Here are the main three.

Monastery Tour

Most people who come to Kalabaka to tour Meteora choose to go on a  Half Day Monastery Tour .  This tour includes hotel pick-up, touring three of the monasteries, and seeing all six from the different vantage points across the landscape. Great for anyone who wants to learn about the history of the monasteries and also wants to be driven to them as opposed to walking up on your own from Kalabaka. 

>> Book a Half Day Monastery Tour or Check Tour Reviews <<

Hiking Tour

If you’re excited about exploring some of the amazing hiking that you can do here while also visiting the monasteries, you can go on a  5-Hour Hiking Tour of Meteora .  On this hike, you’ll see all six monasteries (going inside one or two) while learning about the history and see some of the secret places that can only be seen from the hiking trails. 

>> Book a 5-Hour Hiking Tour of Meteora or Check Tour Reviews <<

Sunset Monastery Tour

If you’re an avid photographer and you’ll be staying overnight in Kalabaka, then a  Meteora Sunset Tour   is a great opportunity to see the sunset in one of the most beautiful places in the world. On the tour, you’ll go inside one or two monasteries while seeing all six. The tour includes hotel pick-up, so you won’t have to walk back down the rocks after sunset in the dark.

>> Book a Meteora Sunset Tour or Check Tour Reviews <<

From Athens

Visiting Meteora is an ambitious day trip from Athens , but it can be done. Most people who choose to come on a guided Meteora tour from Athens will go on a   Meteora Full-Day Trip from Athens by Train   (this is the way that I chose to visit Meteora).

For more about the logistics of how to do this day trip, read my guide:  How to Go from Athens to Meteora on a Perfect Day Trip

>> Book a Meteora Full-Day Trip from Athens by Train or Check Tour Reviews <<

If you’ll be based in Athens and are trying to decide whether to visit Delphi or Meteora (my two favorite Athens day trips ), you’ll be glad to know that you can actually do both! I did them as two separate day trips, but you could book them as a single  Delphi and Meteora 2-Day Tour from Athens .  On this tour, you travel from Athens to Delphi by bus, tour Delphi, and then spend the night in Kalabaka. The second day you tour Meteora and Thermopylae and then return to Athens. 

>> Book a Delphi and Meteora 2-Day Tour from Athens or Check Tour Reviews <<

From Thessaloniki

If you’ll be traveling from Thessaloniki, Allison wrote up her entire experience on how to do a day trip from Thessaloniki to Meteora . She went on this Guided tour of Meteora from Thessaloniki,   which included hotel pick-up and drop-off. In Meteora, the tour visits two of the monasteries with photography opportunities to see all six.

>> Book a Guided tour of Meteora from Thessaloniki or Check Tour Reviews <<

Things to Know Before Your Meteora Tour

Here are the things we wish we knew before our Meteora tours.

1. The monasteries have a dress code…and they enforce it

The monasteries are important religious sites to Orthodox believers. The official dress code of the monasteries is: 

No entry for men wearing shorts and for women wearing trousers, shorts, or sleeveless.

Make sure you have dressed appropriately. However, if you’ll also be coming as a day trip from Athens or Thessaloniki then you also need to dress comfortably for the long bus or train rides. I chose a dress with leggings, but it’s up to you what you wear so long as you follow the dress code. 

2. What happens if you show up and you aren’t following the dress code?

Women who aren’t dressed appropriately will be given wraps to put around your legs (or arms if you’re sleeveless). You can see in the picture what they hand out in one of the monasteries.

I have no idea what they do if men show up in shorts, so I wouldn’t test it. 

3. Wear comfortable shoes that can handle slick staircases

You’ll be walking up and down lots of staircases, many of which are slick if the weather is wet at all from rain or snow. You’ll be happy in shoes that have rubber soles or ones with some grip. I wore tevas, and Allison wore her sneakers. 

4. Even if you go on a guided tour, you need to bring some cash

Your tour price does not include the cost to get into the monasteries (three Euros), souvenirs, or a tip for your guide. You’ll want to bring cash with you so that you can get in. Each monastery has a gift shop (and there are also booths outside some of them).

5. Guided tours will go to a few of the monasteries, but it’s nearly impossible to visit all six in one day

First, not every monastery is open every day, so it is literally impossible to go inside all of them unless you stay the night. The opening hours for each monastery changes from season to season, so if you’ll be going on your own you want to check the updated monastery schedules. 

Most tours visit two or three monasteries, but they all show you where all six of them are and give you time to take photographs of them from the outside. 

6. You can tour Meteora year-round & each season has advantages

I went in October when the hills were still green and lush, but there weren’t very many tourists. Allison went to Meteora in winter and got some beautiful photos of the monasteries in the snow. Spring is also a great time to visit because the weather is great but the crowds haven’t flocked to the country yet. In fact, April is one of my favorite months to be in Greece no matter where in the country I am.

We have an overview of when is the best time to visit Greece , but the bottom line is that it’s beautiful year-round. Summer is hot and crowded, but it’s also when the tourism industry is in full-gear and more monasteries are open longer. Autumn and spring are great weather with moderate crowds. Winter might bring you some gorgeous snow to enhance the scenery even more. I mean, you really can’t go wrong. 

7. Pay attention to your guide…and tip them at the end of the tour

Greek tour guides are some of the best in the world, and the reason is that (surprise) Greece has a lot of rules and bureaucracy about who can be a tour guide. This is why tours can be a tad more expensive than in other parts of the world, but you also come away from your tour with so much more information!

In Greece, it is standard to tip between two and five Euros per person per tour for public tours. Private tours usually have larger recommended tip rates (from ten to twenty Euros per person).

8. How to behave in the monasteries

Remember that this is a holy place. Follow any rules that your tour guide tells you. Be respectful, especially since many of the tourists are Orthodox believers, and this is a holy site to them.

Unlike Orthodox churches I’ve been to in Moldova and the Caucasus, women are not required to cover their heads with a scarf before entering. 

9. Things to know about photographing Meteora

Most tours will show you the best photography sites. Some of the monasteries don’t allow photography inside the actual churches, though, so be respectful of the rules of photography in each one. If you forget and accidentally snap a picture, you may be asked to delete it. 

Light during golden hour and sunset is the best, but if you’re on a guided tour you can’t always control when you’ll be there. Just keep this in mind for what tour time you pick (though coming from Athens or Thessaloniki means you don’t have any options on tour times).

10. Ten things to put in your day bag

You don’t want a huge, heavy day bag, but there are some essentials that you need to bring with you:

• Sunscreen 
• Camera (I was happy to have a good zoom lens on mine for pictures of the monasteries that are further away)
• Cell Phone (for normal pics and you know you want some selfies)
• Back-up charging bank to keep your cell phone changed since you’ll be taking tons of photos
• Phone charging cable
• Hand Sanitizer
• Your tour voucher (print a hard copy or download it onto your phone if digital tickets are allowed)

Meteora Tours Mentioned in This Post

Here are all the tours we mentioned in this post in an easy-to-reference list. You can also read about our personal experiences taking Meteor tours in our posts about traveling from Athens to Meteora and from Thessaloniki to Meteora.

From Kalabaka (Kalambaka)

Half Day Monastery Tour

5-Hour Hiking Tour of Meteora

Meteora Sunset Tour

Meteora Full-Day Trip from Athens by Train

Delphi and Meteora 2-Day Tour from Athens

Guided tour of Meteora from Thessaloniki

Where to Stay in Kalambaka

If you plan on staying overnight, you will want to book your accommodations in Kalabaka and Kastraki. For our hotel recommendations, budget means hostel beds for around $40 a night and singles/doubles for around $60, mid-range is from about $50-100 per night, and luxury will cost over $100 per night. However, note that availability, time of year, and how much in advance you book will play a role in how much accommodations cost near Meteora.

Budget:  If you want a budget room in Kalabaka, check out the much-loved  Aeolic Star Hotel . This two-star hotel is located in the middle of town, just steps from the train station. Each room has a private bathroom, and the terraces have great views of the rocks.

>> Book a room at Aeolic Star Hotel or Check Hotel Reviews <<

Mid-Range:  For a comfortable and relaxed stay in Kalabaka at mid-range prices, stay at the Theatro Hotel Odysseon .  Each room is inspired by a different play, so you don’t know what’s in store for you until you’re in your room. The hotel features stunning views, a garden, and a restaurant on-site. Located less than a kilometer from the train and bus stations. 

>> Book a room at Theatro Hotel Odysseon or Check Hotel Reviews <<

Luxury:  If you’re looking for luxury, stay at the four-star  Meteora Hotel at Kastraki .  You can enjoy the amazing views, swim in the hotel pool (which also features great views), and large, bright rooms which are great to relax in after a long day of hiking or exploring the monasteries. 

>> Book a room at Meteora Hotel at Kastraki or Check Hotel Reviews <<

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

I’m sure you’re aware that  travel insurance  is essential for traveling in Greece, the Balkans, or anywhere in the world! Allison and I have both been paying customers of  World Nomads  for the last three years. We love the peace of mind it gives us in case of emergencies, accidents, illnesses, theft, or trip cancellation or disruption. 

While Greece is perfectly safe to travel around, there’s always a risk inherent in everyday travel like theft or injury, so it’s better to play it safe. The saying goes “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel” is true!

Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here.

Greece Travel Resources

Headed to Greece? We have some great travel resources to help you with your trip. First read our guide to  planning a trip to Greece , which covers visas, budgets, vaccines, and much more. We also have a  Balkan currency guide  which explains how money works in Greece and local tipping customs.

We have a lot of resources for visiting Meteora, including how to visit Meteora from Athens and from Thessaloniki . You can also read why we love visiting Meteora in winter.  

If you are still trying to figure out your itinerary, check out our guides on  where to go in Greece  and when is the  best time to visit. 

If you’ll be spending time in Athens, check out our  Athens Instagram Guide  and our complete  Athens hotel guide.  If you’re looking for more suggestions for day trips, here is our guide to the best  Athens day trips.

We publish new content about the Balkans almost every day! For more information about traveling to Greece and the Balkans, bookmark our  Greece  and  Balkan  travel pages so you can find out what’s new before your trip.

Stephanie has been living in and traveling around the Balkans for the past three years. She’s written for National Geographic Online , appeared on CNN Arabic and in the New York Times , and ridden more Balkan buses than is good for a person.

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A Super Efficient Guide to Visiting Meteora, Greece in 2024

The mountaintop monasteries at Meteora, Greece are a marvel of human creativity. Can you believe people saw these enormous sandstone pillars and thought, “I’m going to live up there!”? That’s exactly what happened centuries ago, and today you can visit the monasteries that are still inhabitied by 60 monks and nuns. Originally there were 24 monasteries, where today only six remain.

Read on for my guide to visiting Meteora, including when is the best time to visit, which monasteries are worth seeing, where to stay, places to eat, and many more tips to make your trip super efficient!

Before you go

Here are a few tips that will make your trip to Meteora in 2024 easier:

• Entry to each monastery is 3€ – This means that in total, you will spend 18€ per person to visit all six monasteries.
• Know the (dress) code – Women are required to wear a long skirt and cover their shoulders, whereas men are not allowed to wear shorts. In practice, I saw a few men in shorts but all women were enforced to wear a skirt (which, if you don’t have one, is provided at the entrance to every monastery free of charge).
• It’s not really possible to “beat” the tour busses – Most monasteries open at 9am, and by 9:30am there are already busses at their doorsteps. The easiest way to avoid the crowds is to travel in the off season or to spend your time at monasteries which are more difficult to access (learn about this below).
• This region of Greece is subject to a lot of rain! – In an instant, you can go from sunshine to pouring rain. Be prepared by checking the weather report, bringing an umbrella, and being prepared to keep your things (e.g. camera, bag) dry.
• Stay in Kastraki instead of Kalambaka for easier parking and driving – Driving in Greece can be a little fun and a lot of chaos. If you want an easier time, try booking a hotel or guesthouse in Kastraki. It’s just as close and convenient as Kalambaka with a fraction of the population.
• You can easily reach Meteora from Athens or Thessaloniki via guided tours . You can go for anything from a full-day trip to a four-day excursion. This particular train tour from Athens is a bestseller with over 150 positive reviews.

Sunrise in Meteora, as seen from our balcony at Hotel Meteora Kastraki .

Looking for a full-blown guide for Northern Greece? Check out my Northern Greece Travel Guide and Itinerary for things to do near Meteora. I’ve also written about how to spend three days in Athens if you’ll be arriving in Meteora from the south.

Interesting facts about Meteora

• It was used as a filming location for the James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only .
• Meteora also inspired the backdrop for Game of Thrones when Tyrion is being held in the Eyrie.
• The Linkin Park album Meteora got it’s name from…well, Meteora.
• During World War II, the Germans occupied Meteora and burned down some of the precious artifacts. In Grand Meteora you can see images of people throwing a Nazi off a cliff from a monastery.

The more you know 🌈 Onto the itinerary!

Meteora Monasteries

Duration 2.5 days Dates visited June 18-20 Recommended accomodation Hotel Meteora Kastraki – Has an unbeatable view, good air conditioning, nice selection for breakfast, and a swimming pool you didn’t realize you needed. And affordable! Recommended dining We enjoyed Taverna To Paramithi in Kalambaka the most during our stay. They even had live, traditional music played by a pair of old Greek dudes with live instruments! Recommended guidebook This Greece travel guidebook was super helpful planning our entire trip through Northern Greece.

Opening hours

Every monastery is closed on a different day of the week, except Fridays where two monasteries are closed. This means that if you want to visit all of them, you need to visit over a two day period of time.

Suggested itinerary for visiting the monasteries

Legend   ♦♦♦ Must visit   ♦♦ Recommended   ♦ If time permits

Great Meteoron (mid-1300s) ♦♦♦

Great Meteoron is by far the largest and oldest monastery, the first to be founded. Like every monastery on this list, it has a katholicon (the part of the monastery where monks pray) with paintings of martyrs being tortured and of the final judgement. You should know that orthodox christians were widely persecuted during the Ottoman Empire, so many of the art references this fact. Some special features of Great Meteoron:

• Three distinct museums, including a library containing a copy of the Suda , a 10th-centry Byzantine encyclopedia that references many ancient sources that have since been lost.
• Gallery of art made by a contemporary artist who mimics the style of the period in which the monasteries are founded.
• Only squat toilets 👎 Head to Varlaam for modern ones!

Holy Trinity (1475) ♦♦♦

• This is the monastery that was featured in the 1981 James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only .
• The stairs to reach this monastery number over 130! You will definitely feel the burn after climbing all these stairs 🔥
• Has a great lookout point where you can climb and take some photos of monasteries in the distance.

Varlaam (1641) ♦♦♦

Varlaam is the second biggest monastery in Meteora, and considered one of the nicest. What I liked about this place is that you thought you were finished exploring it, and then you discover a new corner where something is still waiting for you! Here’s what you should know about Varlaam:

• Has a great, compact museum about the history of Meteora. It’s a great way to frame your trip by starting there and learning a bit about the history of the area and how the first monks came to dwell in the cliffs.
• First class toilets 👌 As I mentioned, we were surprised to find that Great Meteoron Monastery only had squat toilets and subsequently regretted not taking advantage of the fancy onces at Varlaam.

Roussanou (mid-1500s) ♦♦

Monastery of Rosanau is dedicated to St. Barbara, a women who dedicated her life to Christianity and was subsequently beheaded by her father. Today she’s the patron saint of coalminers, and this nunnery in her name has 13 nuns in residence. According to this blog post about the meteora monasteries , Roussanou is both the most beautiful and least visited of all the monasteries.

TIP : You can access this nunnery from both above and below. Above you get a great view over the valley, and it’s probably shorter to walk, however there is less parking available.

St. Stephen’s nunnery ♦♦

• This nunnery is one of the busiest we went to! Perhaps owing to how easy it is to access, St. Stephen’s was packed with people and perhaps one of the least comfortable to visit.
• Very impressive chanedlier and frescos. Lots of similar motifs appear between the different monasteries, including the final judgement and brutal torture of saints from the time of Christ to the Turkish occupation.

St. Nikolaos Anapfsas ♦

Of all the monasteries, I have to say that St. Nikolaos of Anapafsas is the most underwhelming. It’s quite small and for some reason, the stairs to get there were some of the most exhausting! That said, it’s not very crowded, as I’m guessing most tour busses tend to skip it.

Read my article about my travel photography camera kit , which I use to take all the photos you see on the blog!

Best lookout points in Meteora

Almost anywhere you look, there’s an awesome view to be had over the valley. That said, a few places stand out as the best spots to take photos – two main lookout points:

• Psaropetra lookout
• Lookout near Varlaam

Both of these lookpoints are marked in the map at the beginning of the article. We also found a great lookout point on our way to the lookout point, which isn’t a lookout point but you can pull over and block the road briefly while you take a photo 😉 That point isn’t on any map but is featured in the image above!

The photo below was taken at the Psaropetra lookout point.

When to go to Meteora, Greece

As I shared above, during the high season it’s practically impossible to beat the busses – they are out in force first thing in the morning. However, even with the tour busses, most monasteries didn’t feel cramped and I only really needed to wait in line for one.

For that reason, I do think that June was a good choice for when to visit Meteora. It’s hot but not sweltering, and the busses are there but they actually had a rather small impact on us.

There are also a lot of gorgeous photos of Meteora in Autumn , so I would certainly love to come back and see the valley in fall foliage.

Where to stay near Meteora

We booked Hotel Meteora Kastraki , which is located on its own road a bit outside of Kastraki. This made parking really straightforward, while driving into Meteora took something like ten minutes topcs. The room are rather basic, but the balcony is huge and you can book a room with a view of Meteora (which makes it really easy to get sunrise photos!). The price was also quite affordable at around 80€ per night when we booked.

Guided tours of Meteora, Greece

Even though we drove ourselves in Meteora, I could definitely see how it would be engaging to have a tour guide explain the history to you as you weave around these majestic rock formations. Sometimes you don’t realize how cool something is until you know the history. Adding a trip to Meteora is a feasible option is you’re planning to visit Athens or will be traveling in Northern Greece .

If you prefer to do a guided tour, perhaps because you won’t have a car in Greece or you just want that personal touch, here are three of the top-rated tours in Meteora.

From Athens: Full-Day Meteora Trip by Train – This is the top-rated and most-reviewed one-day trip from Athens. You get to take the train to and from Athens (included in the price), and then do a full-day tour of Meteora by mini-bus.

From Thessaloniki: Full-Day Bus Trip to Meteora – If you’re traveling within Europe, you can get veeeeery cheap flights to Thessaloniki, making it a great place to start trips around Northern Greece.

Majestic Sunset on Meteora Rocks Tour from Kalampaka – Sunset in Meteora is something you MUST not miss out on. This certified tour goes to 1-2 monasteries interiors and then stops at the best lookout point in Meteroa for sunset.

If you’re considering Meteora as an Athens day trips , I would encourage you to see if it’s possible to stay overnight at least one night. Or, at least, ensure that you’ll be in Meteora for sunset .

Have you ever been to Greece? Where would you like to visit most?

I’ve got an upcoming guide to some off-beat parts of Greece and a northern Greece itinerary, so stay tuned!

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About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

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• Visit Meteora – Home

Top Rated Meteora Tours

• Meteora Outdoor Activities
• Meteora Half-day Tours
• Train Tours to Meteora
• Meteora Private Tours
• Transfer Services
• The Monastery of Great Meteoron
• The Monastery of Varlaam
• The Monastery of Roussanou
• The Monastery of Agios Stefanos
• The Monastery of Holy Trinity
• The Monastery of Agios Nikolaos
• Kalabaka Town
• Kastraki Village
• Old Habitation of Kastraki Village
• The Hidden Monastery of Ypapanti
• The old Chapel of Doupiani
• St. George Madilas
• The Hermit Caves of Badovas
• The Rock of Holy Spirit
• The Rock of Great Saint
• Gavros Village
• The Prehistoric Cave of Theopetra
• The Byzantine Church of Kalabaka
• Meteora Natural History Museum and Mushroom Museum
• Hellenic Culture Museum
• Meteora History and Culture Digital Projection Centre
• Library of Kalampaka
• Aspropotamos Region
• Elati and Pertouli
• Lake Plastira
• Athens to Meteora
• Thessaloniki to Meteora
• Getting to Meteora by Train
• Getting to Meteora by Bus
• Getting to Meteora by Car

Meteora Best Tours

Half-day tours  

Multi-Day tours

Private tours, outdoor activities.

Ready to experience the best that Meteora has to offer? Our top-rated tours are the perfect way to do just that. With carefully crafted itineraries that highlight the region’s most iconic sights, our tours are designed to give you a truly immersive experience. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or adventure, we have the perfect tour for you.

Whether from Athens or Thessaloniki, you have the opportunity to organize a fabulous day trip to visit Meteora! You can check below to find the day trip tours we offer at the best possible prices.

Why to book a Day-Trip with us

• Quick & Easy Purchase Process! Full Refund Available up to 24 Hours Before Your Tour Date.
• You will learn about the culture and history of the place on a deeper level from a local’s perspective.
• Daily tour departures any day you want, 365 days a year whether you are traveling on your own or in a group.
• Local expertise and 24/7 help and assistance during your trip

Day Trip from Athens to Meteora by Train 4.5 of 5 bubbles 483 reviews

Full Day Private Tour to Meteora from Athens

Private Meteora Day Trip from Athens by Train

Half-day tours.

This awesome place has become one of the most ideal travel destinations in Greece. Join top-rated Meteora tours and engage in memorable experiences.

Why to book your Half-day tour with Visit Meteora

• Excellent reviews on TripAdvisor. You get to meet people from around the world. Small size groups.
• Full Refund Available up to 24 Hours Before Your Tour Date.
• Enjoy spectacular views – Visit monuments of great historical importance in comfort – At the best possible prices!

Meteora Sunset Tour 5 of 5 bubbles 510 reviews

Meteora Half-day Sightseeing Tour 5 of 5 bubbles 213 reviews

Meteora Mid Day Tour from Train 5 of 5 bubbles 90 reviews

Let us do all the work of your travel arrangements for you to relax and enjoy the best possible Meteora experience! 

Why to book a Multi-day trip with us

• Tours & Tickets are Selling Out Fast. Book Now to Avoid Disappointment.
• Our free cancellation policy means you don't have to stress if your travel plans change.
• By booking a train tour through Visit Meteora you are free to travel at your own pace with no tour leaders or set schedules.
• Local expertise and 24/7 help and assistance during your trip.

Two Days Tour to Meteora from Athens by Train 5 of 5 bubbles 98 reviews

3 Days Tour from Athens to Meteora by Train 5 of 5 bubbles 37 reviews

3 Days Tour from Athens to Meteora and Delphi by Train 5 of 5 bubbles 62 reviews

 Enjoy personal care and attention by choosing to book the tours and activities you wish on a private basis.

Why choose Visit Meteora to book your Private tours

• A flexible start time, picked by you to enjoy Meteora best tours
• Customise Your Tour! Our Private Tours offer you the opportunity to design and customize your experience. You will experience Tailor-made itineraries according to your specific preferences and wishes.
• Every question you have, answered by a personal guide! Your guide will be prepared to deal with any queries you may have, and will inform you about any matters you wish to explore further.

Meteora Private Sunset Tour

Private Half-day Sightseeing Tour 5 of 5 bubbles 42 reviews

One of the best ways to truly appreciate Meteora is by getting off the beaten tourist paths, away from the big crowds.

Why to book an outdoor activity

• You will go to secret local spots that the vast majority of other travelers will never experience.
• Discover the caves of the hermits and follow the footsteps of the first monks to experience the splendor of nature and man.
• As a destination, Meteora offers nowadays some of the best outdoor activities one can do in one of the most incredible sceneries in the world!

Meteora Hiking Tour 5 of 5 bubbles 393 reviews

Hiking and Scramble Tour of Great Saint 5 of 5 bubbles 58 reviews

Hermit Caves Sunset Hiking Tour 5 of 5 bubbles 108 reviews

If you need any help, get in touch with one of our travel experts, why you should book with us.

Still not convinced? Check out ten good reasons to make your booking now!

Travelers’ reviews!

Travelers’ reviews and photo reviews highlight all the best places that our customers have shared. You can also share your feedback at Trip Advisor, Facebook, and Google+

Peace of Mind!

We do not deal with big-size group bookings. Our small-size tours guarantee a personalized approach.

Book with the locals!

Unlike many travel operators dealing with trips and holidays to Meteora, we are actually located here, in Meteora! All the members of our team have an intimate knowledge of this region and can share their first-hand knowledge and experience with you. We are locals ourselves, wishing to share with all visitors the beauty of our homeland! Contact us as soon as you arrive here and let us help you with sorting out any unforeseen issues that may occur.

Exclusive online Specials & Early-bird Savings!

We have our ‘Best Price Guarantee’ and we have exclusive specials and early-bird booking specials to ensure that booking with Visit Meteora provides you with the best value, anywhere around the world! Our specials are updated regularly on our website so that you can see how much your tour is going to cost immediately!

Unique itineraries!

Many of the tours on our site and all of our trips are unique in Visit Meteora. They have been thoroughly designed by us to ensure that your tour goes smoothly and they are updated regularly to include new accommodation, attractions, and travel ideas that reflect our customer feedback.

Customisable tour options

Our tours are designed to show you the very best areas and sights, but we’d be happy to alter your tour with extra nights, additional activities, and special diversions to suit your travel wish list. Trust us to design your dream itinerary.

Flexible cancelation policy

Unexpected weather or events? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We offer full refund up to 24 Hours Before Your Tour Date for the half day tour and day trips and up to 48 hours for the multi day tours.

Prompt service and email replies!

There is nothing more annoying than taking the time to fill out an inquiry form, or Emailing a travel company and not getting a response for days – and sometimes not at all! It is a great priority for us to get back to all of our clients as quickly as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Meteora The Monasteries

The opening hours often change from year to year, so beware when relying on information provided in guidebooks or general web sites. We will try to do our best in keeping the timetable of visiting times and days of monasteries up-to-date. Check the opening hours of Meteora monasteries  here .

Before we answer this question we have to specify that everything should be taken into account. It depends on how fit you are, the transportation and time available, weather conditions ect. Most people are able to visit between 2 to 4 monasteries per day. The few visitors who visit all 6 of them within one day are missing out a magical, more slow-paced adventure. We recommend at least 2 days stay in Meteora.

Appropriate clothing for everyone is required to enter the monasteries. Sleeveless clothing and shorts over the knee for men are prohibited and you‘ll be denied access if dressed that way. For ladies skirts and shawls are available to borrow or buy at the entrance of monasteries in case they don’t have such clothing to cover themselves.

The Monastery of the Holy Trinity and Great Meteoro are the less accessible (over 300 steps). Rousanou, Varlaam and Saint Nicolaos have an average number of 140. Some of the monasteries apart the staircases requires uphill walking in paved paths. The Holy Monastery of St Stephen is connected with a walking bridge, thus making it more accessible than any other monastery.

In each monastery there is an entrance fee of 3 euro per person. Kids up to 12 years old they don’t pay entrance fees in the monasteries.

There are many reasons not to want to drive while exploring Meteora — like if you’re not confident driving on the opposite side of the road, your spouse is a terrible copilot and you just want to have fun instead of arguing; or if you want to enjoy the scenic road and not to feel stress about the narrow and curvy roads. Lack of parking space outside the monasteries is especially frequent phenomenon during the pick period in the summer. So by joining one of our tours might save you a lot of headaches and unwanted distractions.

Let our delighted customers do the talking – we prefer to let their reviews speak for themselves.

2400+ Excellent reviews on TripAdvisor See the reviews

Comfort Plus Hotels

Hotel Doupiani House

Hotel Archontiko Mesochori

Hotel Kastraki

Hotel Dellas Boutique

Hotel Meteoritis

Hotel Kaikis

Alsos House

• USE DISCOUNT CODE "EarlyBird24" FOR A 10% DISCOUNT ON SELECTED TOURS!

Meteora Thrones – Travel Center

Authentic Hiking Meteora Tour

Best rated tour on tripadvisor, tour language, starting time.

Small Groups

Pick up / Meeting Point

Your Hotel in Kalabaka or Kastraki

• Enjoy the nature of a unique geological phenomenon
• Incredible Panoramic Views
• Expert in the area, Professional Hiking Guide
• Runs 365 days
• Small groups – personalized attention

Tour Description

Go hiking in Meteora and you’ll experience a unique convergence of nature and spirituality unlike anyplace else in Greece. 

Discover the paths of the first monks and see this unique geological phenomenon walking at its heart. Hiking in Meteora gives you the opportunity to see the monasteries and landscape from an entirely new perspective. 

The views of Kalabaka , Kastraki , and the Meteora valley throughout the walk are simply stunning. Have also the chance to visit inside 1 monastery ( Great Meteoron or Varlaam ).

Our Professional Hiking Guide will be with you to give you all the information you need about the area.

Transported with comfort and safety, by our luxury air-conditioned LIMO VIP Mini Bus to the starting point.

Combine this tour with our Panoramic Morning Meteora Tour or the Majestic Sunset Meteora Tour and have the absolute Meteora experience.

We start the pick up from the hotels.

The exact pick up time depends on where your hotel is located.

Discover the paths of the first monks and see this unique geological phenomenon walking at its heart.

Visit inside 1 monastery. Plenty of photo opportunity stops

We drop you of back to your hotel or in a nice restaurant for your dinner.

• Pick up from your hotel / AirBNB in Kalabaka or Kastraki
• Follow the Authentic Hiking path of Meteora
• Visit inside 1 main monastery
• Professional Hiking Guide
• Upon request French,Italian,Russian,Spanish (extra cost)
• Best stops for panoramic views and photos
• Free Panoramic Meteora Map
• Entrance fees of Monasteries (3 euro each)
• Licenced Tour Guide – Guidance inside the Holy Monasteries
• Meals and soft drinks
• Gratuities (optional)

Useful info

• Distance : about 8 km
• Duration : 4 hours
• Difficulty level : Easy
• Meeting point : Your hotel in Kalabaka or Kastraki
• Starting time : 09:00
• The exact pick up time depends on where your hotel is located

Appropriate clothing for everyone is required to enter the monasteries. For ladies skirts by the knee or longer are required. No pants for ladies, no shorts, no sleeveless shirt. For men sleeveless clothing and shorts over the knee are prohibited.

We highly advice you to read our F.A.Q. page for more information.

Cancellation Policy

• LAST MINUTE – Cancellation received more than 24 hrs before the tour will get a full refund
• Cancellation received within 24 hrs before the tour will incur a penalty of 100% per person (no refund)

SPECIAL RATES

• Child ( 4-12 yrs ) : 25 €
• Infant ( 0-3 yrs ) : FREE

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