Are monastery entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees aren’t covered in the tour cost. Each monastery asks visitors for a small cash donation of €3–€5, which goes toward monastery upkeep. Keep cash handy since only bills and coins are accepted.

Do tours run in winter?

Yes, tours run year-round, even in winter. In winter, expect frosty mornings, snowfall, and shorter monastery opening hours on major holidays. If you don’t mind such weather, the advantage is fewer crowds and quieter visits.

Yes. Every itinerary includes at least an hour for independent exploring. Whether that’s photography, shopping in Kalabaka, or enjoying the scenery. You’ll also have a dedicated lunch break and evenings free to relax in town.

Is the trip suitable for children and senior citizens?

Yes, since it’s spread over 2 days. Kids over six usually enjoy the trip, and seniors are welcome too. But expect plenty of steps at the monasteries and some uneven paths, so comfortable shoes are a must.

How much walking is involved?

Plan on 2–4 miles across two days. Most of this is climbing monastery steps (150–300 per site) and walking along stone paths or gentle dirt trails. Sturdy shoes with grip will make the experience much easier.

Can the itinerary be customized?

Yes, on the second day. You can choose a sightseeing tour of 2–3 monasteries, such as Great Meteoron or Varlaam, or opt for a hiking tour. The hike follows old monk trails through shaded forests and up to quiet cliffside viewpoints rarely visited by buses.

Only the hotel breakfast is included. Lunches and dinners are not, but there’s ample time to enjoy local tavernas and bakeries in Kalabaka or Kastraki. You’ll get enough time to enjoy lunch or dinner at local tavernas in Kalabaka or Kastraki.

Is Wi-Fi and charging available on the bus?

Yes. The tour buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi and USB charging ports, so you can stay connected or recharge your phone between stops.

Is the tour offered in other languages?

No, the 2-day Meteora guided tour is currently offered only in English. This ensures consistency across the group.

2 Day Trip to Meteora from Athens | Scenic Sunset & Monastery Tours

From happy customers

Loved by 47 million+

Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5

Talal

Oct 2025

Was good organised and nice hotel

Juan

Aug 2025

The organization of the 2-day tour was excellent, complying with the schedule and the programmed plan. The guide of the first activity (Ioannis) gave us very detailed and interesting explanations (in English). The hotel was correct. The visits to the monasteries are extraordinary. Only comment that for the activity of the second day (in Spanish) from 13:00 to 18:00, they did not leave any break for lunch and they should have warned about it in advance.

Andrea

May 2025

This was a fantastic trip from start to finish. Great communication at all points of the trip made the journey seamless. We opted for the 3 star hotel which was a great hotel with very good breakfast included. The two included tours, run by Meteora Thrones, were excellent. It was a bit foggy for our sunset tour but our guide Yannis made it fun and was very informative and flexible to suit the weather. We had opted for the hike on day 2 but due to the weather we couldn't do it. This actually worked out very well! We did the Monastery Tour in the van in the morning and then asked to be dropped in Kastraki when the tour ended. We then had about 4 hours free time so we hiked up to Holy Trinity Monastery (which was not on our tour) starting from Kastraki and hiked back down to Kalabaka to finish, eat and meet the minivan. In the end, we felt we had the best of both worlds. The minivans were excellent as were our drivers and guides (sorry, I can't remember the name of the young lady guide on Day 2). Would definitely recommend this tour and doing two days.

Mario

Dec 2025

Abdulfattah

Dec 2025

Sonia

Nov 2025

Sirine

Oct 2025

Mingxi

Sep 2025

Top things to do in Athens

Acropolis Tickets

from

€29.90

Delphi Tickets

from

€26

Temple of Poseidon & Cape Sounion

from

€19.32

National Archaeological Museum Tickets

from

€26

Temple of Olympian Zeus

from

€26

Ancient Agora of Athens Tickets

from

€19

Museum of Illusions Athens

from

€12.50

Athens To Mycenae Tours

from

€26

Athens Mega Pass

from

€79

Athens Turbopass

from

€83.90

City Sightseeing Athens Hop-on Hop-off Tours

from

€22

Ancient Olympia Tickets

from

€26

Why choose a 2–day guided Meteora tour?

More time at the monasteries: Explore 6 monasteries at a relaxed pace instead of squeezing in just 2-3 on a single-day trip.

Overnight stay included: Rest in a comfortable 3–4 star hotel with breakfast, making the journey smoother.

Less travel fatigue: Break up sightseeing over two days, avoiding the long, same-day return to Athens.

Local immersion: Spend an evening in Kalabaka or Kastraki, with time to enjoy tavernas and authentic Greek hospitality.

Expert local guidance: Hear stories of hermit monks, Ottoman sieges, and hidden frescoes by a guide.

Tour group at Meteora rock formations during 1-day train trip from Athens.

What to expect on a 2-day Meteora tour

Things to know before booking your Meteora experience

Tour departure time: The luxury AC bus leaves from Athens at 8am. The round-trip transfer takes about 4 hours each way. Internal transfers within Meteora are also included.
Guided tours: On day one, you’ll join a sunset tour that includes the Byzantine Church of the Virgin Mary. On day two, choose between a sightseeing tour of 3–4 monasteries or a guided hike along monk trails to hidden viewpoints.
Accommodation: Choose between a 3-star or 4-star hotel in Kalabaka, with breakfast included. If you prefer to arrange your own stay, select the tour-only option. This does not include hotel pickup or drop-off.
Meals: Breakfast is covered. For lunch and dinner, you’ll have free time to try local tavernas. This is great for sampling Greek classics.
Monastery donation fees: Each monastery asks for a small donation of €3–€5, paid in cash. This is not covered in the tour during the time of booking and must be done only in person at the monastery gate.
Dress code: Modest attire is required inside the monasteries; men should wear long pants, women should wear skirts below the knee, and everyone must cover their shoulders.

Meteora 1-day vs 2-day trip

Feature	1-day trip	2-day trip with overnight stay at Meteora
Duration	12-13 hours round-trip from Athens.	Split over 2 days with overnight stay.
Travel time	3 hrs 30 minutes each way, same day return.	3 hrs 30 minutes each way, return on the second day.
Monastery visits	2-3 monasteries.	Up to all 6 monasteries, explored at leisure.
Experiences	Daytime sightseeing with limited options focusing on only monasteries or hiking tour or sunset tour.	Includes an option between visiting monasteries or taking on a hiking tour on the second day.
Free time	Limited, mostly guided.	Time to explore Kalabaka/Kastraki, dine at local tavernas.
Accommodation	Not included.	3 or 4 star hotel stay with breakfast included. If you prefer to book your own accommodation, select the tour-only option instead.
Best for	Travelers short on time.	Anyone wanting the full Meteora experience without feeling rushed
Value	Good for a quick visit.	Best balance of comfort, depth and authentic experience

See Meteora the slow way

Why settle for a quick photo stop when two days with a guide mean golden sunsets, hidden monasteries, and stories you’d never hear on your own?

Highlights of your Meteora 2-day trip

Kalabaka

Arrive in Kalabaka by early afternoon and check into your chosen 3-star or 4-star hotel, set against Meteora’s striking rock formations. Take a moment to settle in and freshen up before your first guided tour.

Kalabaka also works well as your base: you’ll find bakeries that open early, plenty of spots for meals, and ATMs for monastery entry cash. Amenities are within walking distance, while taxis and local minibuses gather in the center for quick rides to monasteries and viewpoints.

Monasteries

Climb stone steps to cliff-top terraces at Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Roussanou, Holy Trinity, St. Stephen, and St. Nicholas Anapafsas, then duck into small museums and chapels with Byzantine frescoes, icons, and simple cells. Outside, you can spot old winch towers, rope nets, and cisterns that explain how monks built and supplied these eyries.

Byzantine Church of the Virgin Mary

Founded in the 10th century, this middle-Byzantine parish church likely rises over an earlier early-Christian basilica. Its brick-and-stone walls use a cloisonné pattern with reused marble blocks from older buildings. Frescoes came in layers, refreshed by post-Byzantine artists in the 16th–17th centuries under Ottoman rule. Through it all, the church anchored parish life, picking up quiet repairs and modest restorations along the way.

Hiking tour

You can also join a professional hiking guide for a 5-hour trek that takes you deep into Meteora’s forests, caves, and centuries-old ruins. The route reveals the hidden Ypapanti Monastery, carved into the rock face, and opens up to panoramic viewpoints that road travelers rarely reach. With fewer crowds on the trails, you’ll get a closer feel for the raw landscape and its quiet history.

Hermit Caves of Badovas

Visit the Hermit Caves of Badovas, where early monks lived in small, wooden rooms. These caves are older than the monasteries at Meteora and mark the beginning of quiet prayer, solitude, and daily religious routines. The sandstone caves once sheltered Christian hermits from the Byzantine era, around the 9th to 11th centuries. You can see tiny cells, small chapels, and traces of wooden lofts that show a simple, early monastic life when people used ladders and ropes to get inside.

How to make the most of your 2-day trip

Best time to visit: Aim for April–June or September–October. The days are mild, the skies are clear, and you won’t be dealing with heavy crowds.
Dress code: Monasteries are strict about modest dress. Men must wear trousers, women must wear skirts that cover the knees, and everyone must cover their shoulders.
Footwear matters: Each visit means climbing 150–300 steps, wear grippy shoes.
Other packing essentials: A light jacket for cool evenings, sunscreen for daytime hikes, an extra shawl or wrap-around skirt to cover up inside monasteries, refillable water bottles
Book early: Summer and long weekends get busy fast. Tours can sell out two to three months in advance, so reserve your spot early.
Cash on hand: Monasteries require entry donations (€3–€5 per monastery). This is not included in the tour. Carry cash in hand so you don’t get stuck.
Photography: Skip the flash inside chapels and respect “no photo” signs. Drones are off-limits unless you have written permission.
Meals: Lunch and dinner aren’t included in the tour, but you’ll find plenty of tavernas and bakeries in Kalabaka or Kastraki. Tours allow time for a proper sit-down meal.

Frequently asked questions about 2-day trip to Meteora from Athens

The trip from Athens takes about 4 hours and 10 minutes, whether you’re traveling by car or bus. Most guided tours plan a morning departure, so you’ll reach Kalabaka around lunchtime.

1/5

Day 1: Journey north

Leave from Athens by luxury coach from Larissa Station at 8am. Arrive in Kalabaka by noon, check into your 3–4 star hotel, and enjoy a taverna lunch.

(Pro tip: Try out Lamb Kleftiko since it's a local favorite).

Day 1: Sunset experience

Join your guide for a 4-hour tour that takes you to Meteora’s most dramatic viewpoints. As the sun dips behind the Pindus Mountains, the sandstone pillars glow orange and gold.

Along the way, step inside the Byzantine Church of the Virgin Mary, with frescoes that go back centuries.

Day 1: Evening in Kalabaka

After the tour, walk through Kalabaka’s stone streets. Choose a family-run taverna where recipes have been passed down for generations. Try moussaka with a glass of local rosé before returning to your hotel for the night.

Day 2: Monasteries or hiking trails

Choose your experience: visit 3 to 4 cliff-top monasteries with your guide or join a 5-hour hike along old monk trails leading to panoramic viewpoints. Both options reveal Meteora’s history and hidden corners.

Day 2: Final hours

Before leaving, explore the Hermit Caves, once home to ascetics seeking solitude. You’ll also have free time in Kalabaka to shop for handmade icons or embroidered linens. Enjoy a relaxed lunch, then begin the late-afternoon return to back to Athens!

Kalabaka

Byzantine Church of the Virgin Mary

Hermit Caves of Badovas

From happy customers

Loved by 47 million+

Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5

Talal

Oct 2025

Was good organised and nice hotel

Juan

Aug 2025

Andrea

May 2025

Mario

Dec 2025

Abdulfattah

Dec 2025

Sonia

Nov 2025

Sirine

Oct 2025

Mingxi

Sep 2025

As you exit Larissa train station, head straight across the street. You'll find your 'Meteora Thrones' bus parked on Theodore Diligianni Street, right outside Everest Café.
You’ll typically visit 2 to 4 monasteries, depending on the day and opening schedules. Each monastery is closed one day a week (Great Meteoron doesn’t open on Tuesdays, and Varlaam is closed on Fridays).
Meteora is not suitable for wheelchair users, as all sites involve stairs or inclined pathways. If you have limited mobility, consider visiting monasteries like St. Stephen’s with a paved path and fewer steps.
Tours use minibuses or small coaches to travel between monasteries. The drives are short but often involve narrow, winding mountain roads.
While there are no restrooms on the bus, a scheduled mid-tour stop gives you time for a bathroom break and a quick snack.
Tour guides stay outside the monasteries; use your smartphone and earphones to listen to the included audio guide.
All monasteries follow a strict dress code. Men must wear long pants; women need knee-length skirts and covered shoulders. Wraps and shawls are typically provided at the entrance.
Wear closed, comfortable walking shoes, as many paths are uneven and involve climbing stairs.

Inclusions #

Round-trip transfers to and from Athens by air-conditioned, luxury coach bus
Meteora sunset tour (first day)
Half-day Meteora sightseeing tour or Meteora hiking tour (second day, based on option selected)
Entry to all 6 monasteries (depending on their rotating schedules)
Entry to the Hermit Caves of Badovas
Entry to the Byzantine Church of Virgin Mary (on the sunset tour)
Photo stops for panoramic views
Professional English-speaking tour guide
Professional hiking guide (for the hiking tour)
One night 3-star hotel accommodation with complimentary breakfast (or 4-star hotel, depending on your choice)
Hotel pick-up and drop-off (only for the tours)
Small group size (maximum 20 guests)
Free Wi-fi and USB chargers on the bus
Bottled water onboard

Exclusions #

Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Athens
A small offering of €3 to €5 per monastery
Hotel tax (typically €1.5/room in 3-star hotels & €3/room in 4-star hotels)
Guide inside the monasteries
Food and drinks
Tips for the guide (optional)
Personal travel insurance

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

As you exit Larissa train station, head straight across the street. You'll find your 'Meteora Thrones' bus parked on Theodore Diligianni Street, right outside Everest Café.
You’ll typically visit 2 to 4 monasteries, depending on the day and opening schedules. Each monastery is closed one day a week (Great Meteoron doesn’t open on Tuesdays, and Varlaam is closed on Fridays).
Meteora is not suitable for wheelchair users, as all sites involve stairs or inclined pathways. If you have limited mobility, consider visiting monasteries like St. Stephen’s with a paved path and fewer steps.
Tours use minibuses or small coaches to travel between monasteries. The drives are short but often involve narrow, winding mountain roads.
While there are no restrooms on the bus, a scheduled mid-tour stop gives you time for a bathroom break and a quick snack.
Tour guides stay outside the monasteries; use your smartphone and earphones to listen to the included audio guide.
All monasteries follow a strict dress code. Men must wear long pants; women need knee-length skirts and covered shoulders. Wraps and shawls are typically provided at the entrance.
Wear closed, comfortable walking shoes, as many paths are uneven and involve climbing stairs.

Inclusions #

Round-trip transfers to and from Athens by air-conditioned, luxury coach bus
Meteora sunset tour (first day)
Half-day Meteora sightseeing tour or Meteora hiking tour (second day, based on option selected)
Entry to all 6 monasteries (depending on their rotating schedules)
Entry to the Hermit Caves of Badovas
Entry to the Byzantine Church of Virgin Mary (on the sunset tour)
Photo stops for panoramic views
Professional English-speaking tour guide
Professional hiking guide (for the hiking tour)
One night 3-star hotel accommodation with complimentary breakfast (or 4-star hotel, depending on your choice)
Hotel pick-up and drop-off (only for the tours)
Small group size (maximum 20 guests)
Free Wi-fi and USB chargers on the bus
Bottled water onboard

Exclusions #

Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Athens
A small offering of €3 to €5 per monastery
Hotel tax (typically €1.5/room in 3-star hotels & €3/room in 4-star hotels)
Guide inside the monasteries
Food and drinks
Tips for the guide (optional)
Personal travel insurance

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Day Trips

From Athens: Meteora 2-Day Trip with 2 Guided Tours & Hotels

As you exit Larissa train station, head straight across the street. You'll find your 'Meteora Thrones' bus parked on Theodore Diligianni Street, right outside Everest Café.
You’ll typically visit 2 to 4 monasteries, depending on the day and opening schedules. Each monastery is closed one day a week (Great Meteoron doesn’t open on Tuesdays, and Varlaam is closed on Fridays).
Meteora is not suitable for wheelchair users, as all sites involve stairs or inclined pathways. If you have limited mobility, consider visiting monasteries like St. Stephen’s with a paved path and fewer steps.
Tours use minibuses or small coaches to travel between monasteries. The drives are short but often involve narrow, winding mountain roads.
While there are no restrooms on the bus, a scheduled mid-tour stop gives you time for a bathroom break and a quick snack.
Tour guides stay outside the monasteries; use your smartphone and earphones to listen to the included audio guide.
All monasteries follow a strict dress code. Men must wear long pants; women need knee-length skirts and covered shoulders. Wraps and shawls are typically provided at the entrance.
Wear closed, comfortable walking shoes, as many paths are uneven and involve climbing stairs.

‌

Check availability

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

48 hr.

Guided tour

Transfers available

Meals included

2 Day Trip to Meteora from Athens