Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.
Larissa Station
At 8am, board your luxury coach from Larissa Station and glide through rolling plains, olive groves, and mountain vistas on a peaceful ride to northern Greece. Watch the landscape shift dramatically as the towering rocks of Meteora begin to rise on the horizon.
336 km
3 hours 28 minutes
1
Kalabaka
30 min
Free Admission
Around 12:30pm, arrive in Kalabaka, a charming town framed by Meteora’s soaring cliffs. Your local driver will greet you against a backdrop of surreal, sky-piercing stone pillars.
2.2 km
6 minutes
2
Kastraki
60 min
Tickets included
By 1pm, settle in for a traditional Greek lunch in Kastraki, surrounded by massive rock columns that feel sculpted by gods. The village’s quiet streets and stone houses offer a postcard-perfect pause.
1 km
2 minutes
3
Meteora monasteries
180 min
6 attractions
Tickets included
At 2pm, begin your monastery visits. You'll have the chance to explore 3 to 4 monasteries, depending on the day, as each follows a rotational closing schedule. A small cash offering of €3 to €5 per person is required to enter each monastery. Perched atop vertical stone spires, the sites offer sweeping valley views and glimpses of frescoed chapels, ancient relics, and monastic life suspended in time.
1. Great Meteoron Monastery
40 min
The largest and oldest of the six, Great Meteoron feels like a fortress in the sky. Inside, you’ll find an impressive museum with ancient manuscripts, religious icons, and a former kitchen with medieval tools still intact. The frescoes in the main church are striking and solemn, depicting scenes of martyrdom in vivid detail.
2. Varlaam Monastery
40 min
Varlaam is famous for its massive wooden wine barrel that once held 12,000 liters of wine—it’s still on display! The monastery’s chapel features delicate post-Byzantine frescoes, and its peaceful terrace offers sweeping views of the Pindus mountains. Climbing up, you’ll appreciate how monks once hauled supplies via rope and winch.
3. Rousanou Monastery
40 min
Run by nuns, Rousanou is one of the most photogenic monasteries, perched gracefully on a narrow rock. Its flower-filled courtyard and small chapel create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The relatively easy access makes it a favorite for visitors looking for serenity and charm.
4. St. Stephen’s Monastery
40 min
This monastery feels more like a peaceful convent and is the easiest to reach—no steps, just a bridge. The interior is beautifully maintained, and the chapel of St. Charalambos holds a silver casket with his relics. The panoramic view over Kalambaka and the plains below is simply breathtaking.
5. Holy Trinity Monastery
40 min
Possibly the most dramatic, the Holy Trinity sits atop a narrow pinnacle and requires a bit of a hike to reach—worth every step. James Bond fans might recognize it from For Your Eyes Only! Inside, you’ll find a tiny chapel with stunning icons and a tranquil, monastic stillness.
6. St. Nicholas Anapausas Monastery
40 min
The smallest of the six, St. Nicholas, is packed with artistic treasures. The chapel walls are covered in vivid 16th-century frescoes by renowned painter Theophanes the Cretan. Despite its size, it offers a surprisingly intimate and spiritual experience high above the valley.
2.7 km
6 minutes
4
The Hermit Caves of Badovas
30 min
Tickets included
By 5pm, walk a quieter path to the Badovas caves, where reclusive monks once carved dwellings into rock faces. Gaze up at the sheer walls and hidden ledges used for prayer and solitude.
1.9 km
26 minutes
5
Kalabaka
30 min
Free Admission
Around 6pm, return to Kalabaka for a bit of local flavor. Wander its lively streets, sip a coffee, or watch the rocks catch the warm orange glow of sunset before boarding your coach.
339 km
3 hours 11 minutes
6
Larissa Station
Ditch the hassle. Travel to Meteora with luxury coach transfers and enjoy a Greek lunch in Kastraki.
Ditch the hassle. Travel to Meteora with luxury coach transfers and enjoy a Greek lunch in Kastraki.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Inclusions
Exclusions
Meteora's landscape, rising majestically from the Thessalian plain, is simply out of this world. Towering pillars of rock rise dramatically from the valley floor, with ancient monasteries balancing on their peaks. The sheer scale and beauty of this place are humbling. Every twist and turn offers a new perspective that's more captivating than the last, making it a photographer's paradise.
Duration: 10 - 14 hours
Guide: English/Spanish-speaking tour guide
Transfers: To and from central Athens to Kalambaka station in limo minibus
Recommended ticket: From Athens: Meteora Monasteries Full-Day Guided Tour
Duration: 13 hours
Guide: Multilingual audio guide
Transfers: To and from your hotel in a Mercedes Benz vehicle
Recommended ticket: Private Day Tour to Meteora from Athens with Transfers & Audio Guide
An Athens to Meteora day trip typically takes around 10-14 hours. This includes about 4-5 hours of travel each way and several hours to explore the monasteries. It's a long day, but the experience of seeing Meteora's stunning landscapes and monasteries makes it well worth the effort.
Yes, Meteora is known for its excellent hiking trails that offer stunning views of the rock formations and monasteries. Popular trails include the hike from Kalambaka to the Holy Trinity Monastery and the trail from Kastraki to the Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas.
While Meteora is home to six active monasteries, visiting all of them in one day can be challenging due to their spread-out locations and varying opening hours. Most day trips to Meteora from Athens include visits to two or three monasteries, allowing enough time to explore without feeling rushed.
For a day trip to Meteora, bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and water. Since you'll be visiting monasteries, dress modestly—covering shoulders and knees is required. A camera is a must for capturing stunning landscapes, and a light jacket might be useful if the weather is chilly.
The distance from Athens to Meteora, Greece, is approximately 345 kilometers. The journey takes 4-5 hours by car or train, depending on traffic and conditions.
The best way to travel from Athens to Meteora is by train or on a guided tour. Trains from Athens to Kalambaka (the town at the base of Meteora) take 4-5 hours and are comfortable. Guided tours often include round-trip transfers by an AC vehicle, which makes it even easier as all logistics are handled for you. You can also go from Athens to Meteora by car if you prefer flexibility. Meteora is approximately 345 kilometers from Athens, and the journey takes 4-5 hours by a car.
The best times to go on Meteora day trip from Athens are in the spring season from April to June and the fall season from September to October. These seasons have a pleasantly mild weather, and the Meteora landscape is beautifully green and vibrant. In the summer (July to August), you can enjoy warm weather and clear skies, but be prepared for larger crowds and higher temperatures. On the other hand, winter (from November to March) offers a quieter experience with fewer tourists and the possibility of seeing Meteora blanketed in snow. Just keep in mind that some monasteries might have reduced opening hours.
While there are limited food and drink options around the Meteora monasteries, most Athens to Meteora tours stop in Kalabaka or nearby villages where you can enjoy a traditional Greek meal. It's a good idea to bring water and snacks, especially if you're taking the train or bus, as the trip can be long. Some guided tours also include lunch.
Yes, you can drive from Athens to Meteora! It's roughly 345 kilometers, and the drive usually takes 4-5 hours. One of the best things about driving is that you have the flexibility to explore at your own pace. The route is on well-maintained highways, and you'll get to enjoy some stunning Greek countryside along the way. You might even want to stop by charming towns like Trikala or Lamia. Just keep in mind that as you get closer to Meteora, the roads can become winding and steep, especially near the monasteries.
