What is the best time to hike in Meteora?

Spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) offer the best weather—cool mornings, clear skies, and fewer crowds. Summer hikes start early to beat the heat.

Do I need prior hiking experience?

Not at all. Beginners are welcome on easy routes. Your guide will tailor the pace and offer support as needed.

Can I hike Meteora without a guide?

Yes, but trails can be hard to follow without signs, and some require permits. Guided tours make your experience easier with logistics being taken care of.

What should I pack for the hike?

Bring water, sun protection (hat, sunscreen), a light jacket, snacks, cash, and a small backpack. Sturdy shoes are essential.

What’s included in the hiking tour?

Typically: hotel pickup/drop-off (usually Kalambaka/Kastraki), professional mountain guide, bottled water, monastery entrance fees (per monastery), and sometimes snacks or lunch.

How long is the hike and total tour?

Standard tours run 4–5 hours.

Can I take photos inside the monasteries?

Photography is generally allowed outside the monasteries with restrictions inside. Guides recommend checking each monastery’s rules.

Is water and restroom access available?

Yes, monasteries typically have taps (for refills) and basic restrooms. Bottled water is often provided or recommended.

Book Now: Meteora Hiking Tour with Expert Guide

From happy customers

Loved by 42 million+

Jose

United States

Jul 2025

5/5

The guide Maria is an excellent person, the stop at the restaurant cafe ". Camino" was great, as well as the pizza for dinner. In Meteora the food in "Eufrosino" super rich and The Monasteries are great, a tour that is a must when traveling to Greece.

Bence

Hungary

Jun 2025

5/5

+1 more

I liked the service provided by the tour guide, the drivers and the company as a whole. Eva was so kind, considerate , and hospitable. She made sure everyone's needs were met. She answered all our questions with kindness. The tour itself was worth the long bus ride, the views from the bus were breathtaking. Meteora now holds a special place in our hearts. Its beauty and history is something to behold and remembered.

Rumyana

Jul 2025

5/5

+2 more

Excellent orginasation, very knowledgable tiur guides, attentive and polite bus driver, we'll do it again! You made our visit unforgettable. Thank you all!

Jacek

Aug 2025

5/5

+1 more

Eva was a great guide! She showed us the best places, explained everything with great knowledge. The day of many wonders. Thank you for this exceptional professional trip! 🤩🗺️✨ #Guide #Places #Knowledge #Wonders #Trip

Jose

United States

Jul 2025

5/5

Rumyana

Jul 2025

5/5

+2 more

Excellent orginasation, very knowledgable tiur guides, attentive and polite bus driver, we'll do it again! You made our visit unforgettable. Thank you all!

Ankit

Jun 2022

5/5

Meteora is an amazing place, and Chris was a really good guide. This is absolutely an experience you should have if you get the chance.

Shanmukha

United Kingdom

Apr 2025

4/5

The trip was good. Guide Mr Nick have shown and explain about the monastery. It was not easy to find out the bus to Meteora as no one there to identify the bus. It has to be improved and helpful to the customer. Finally got it.

What to Carry and Wear?

General

Comfortable hiking shoes or trail sneakers: Grippy soles are key. Meteora trails can be uneven, rocky, or slippery in places.
Light backpack or daypack: Enough to hold your water, camera, snacks, and a light jacket.
Water bottle: Refillable preferred. There are taps at some monasteries, but it’s best to carry at least 1–1.5L.
Sun protection: Hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen are essential, especially in spring/summer.
Weather-appropriate layers: Morning hikes may start chilly even in summer. Bring a light jacket or windbreaker; in cooler months, pack fleece or thermal wear.
Rain gear (seasonal): A compact poncho or light rain jacket is smart if traveling in spring or fall.
Cash (€): Needed for monastery entrance fees (typically €3 per site, cash only) and small local purchases.
Snacks: Energy bars, nuts, or fruit, especially helpful for mid-hike energy.
Camera or smartphone with space: The views are spectacular, don’t miss capturing them!

For Monastery entry

Monasteries require visitors to be covered in modest clothing— knees and shoulders to be covered. This can include long skirts (below the knees), long pants, and sleeved T-shirts or shirts.
Many tours provide wraps at entry, but it's safer to bring your light scarf or sarong.

Read more about the monastery dress code rules in Meteora

Optional but helpful

Walking sticks/trekking poles (if you have knee concerns)
Portable power bank
Local map or offline navigation app like Maps.me for navigation
Tissues/wet wipes for restrooms

Enjoy an overnight Meteora tour from Athens featuring all six monasteries, a cozy hotel stay, and flexible hiking or sightseeing options.

Day out to: Your two-day journey begins with a departure from Athens’ Larissa Railway Station, where you’ll board a luxury, air-conditioned coach with reclining seats, free Wi-Fi, and panoramic windows. Travel through central Greece’s storybook scenery, from vineyard-covered plains to misty mountain passes, before arriving in Meteora just in time for golden hour.
Travel tip: You will need to make a small cash offering of €3 to €5 per person for entry to each monastery.
Day 1: Join a 4-hour Meteora sunset tour, guided by a professional English-speaking expert, and visit monasteries like Agios Stefanos or St. Nicholas Anapausas. Stop at the Hermit Caves of Badovas, then head to the Byzantine Church of the Virgin Mary, a 1,000-year-old treasure built atop an ancient Greek temple. Cap the day at a secluded sunset viewpoint with sweeping vistas over Meteora’s cliffs and valleys. Spend the night in a 3-star or 4-star hotel in Kalabaka or Kastraki.
Day 2: On the second day, choose between a 4-hour sightseeing tour with guided commentary, or a 5-hour hiking tour led by a professional mountain guide. Your ticket includes entry to all six Meteora monasteries (as per rotating availability), photo stops, and hotel pickup and drop-off for both tours.

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

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.

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

Venture off the beaten path on a guided Meteora hike with forest trails, dramatic views, and monastery visits along the way.

Day out to: Your adventure begins with a convenient hotel pickup from Kalabaka or Kastraki, followed by a scenic ride in a VIP Mercedes minibus to the trailhead near Doupiani Rock. Meet your expert mountain guide in the ancient settlement of Mesochori, a stone-built hamlet nestled beneath Meteora’s towering cliffs, then set out on your 5-hour journey, mostly on foot, along paths once traversed by monks, hermits, and pilgrims centuries ago.
Travel tip: You will need to make a small cash offering of €3 to €5 per person for entry to each monastery.
Everything you get: The ticket includes a professional mountain guide fluent in English, with French or Italian-speaking guides available on select days. With just 12 people per group, the pace stays relaxed and personal, with time for stories, rest stops, and spontaneous viewpoints. You'll also visit one monastery, typically Great Meteoron or Varlaam, and enjoy panoramic views of all six from spots unreachable by road.

Inclusions

Round-trip hotel transfers from Kalabaka or Kastraki by VIP Mercedes minibus
Guide meeting point at Mesochori (Ancient Settlement of Kastraki)
Meteora hiking tour with panoramic views of all 6 monasteries
Small group size (up to 12 guests)
Professional English-speaking mountain guide
French and Italian-speaking guides (depending on availability)
Entry to 1 monastery (likely Great Meteoron or Varlaam, depending on their rotating schedules)
Bottled water onboard

Exclusions

A small offering of €3 to €5 per monastery
- Guide inside the monasteries
- Food and drinks
- Tips for the guide (optional)
- Personal travel insurance

Meet your guide at Mesochori (Ancient Settlement of Kastraki), near the Doupiani Rock trailhead, just beneath the Pantokrator Monastery ruins.
Depending on the day and schedule, you’ll visit between 2 to 4 monasteries. Each monastery closes one day per week ( Great Meteoron on Tuesdays, Varlaam on Fridays).
Meteora is not wheelchair accessible. All monasteries involve stairs or uneven paths. For easier access, consider visiting St. Stephen’s Monastery, which has a paved walkway and fewer steps.
Transport between sites is provided by a local minibus or coach. While distances are short, the roads can be steep and winding.
There are no toilets on the bus, but a scheduled rest stop is included midway for snacks and bathroom breaks.
Guided commentary is not allowed inside the monasteries.
Bring earphones and a smartphone if you’d like to use the audio guide app during your visit.
All monasteries follow a strict dress code. Men must wear trousers, and women must wear long skirts and cover their shoulders. Wrap skirts and shawls are typically available at entrances, if needed.
Wear closed, comfortable walking shoes; paths are uneven and often steep.

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

Go on a hike to discover the “hidden trails” of Meteora and visit ancient ruins and monasteries on the way.
A worry-free transportation experience awaits as you get hotel transfers in a luxury VIP minibus included in the ticket. All you need to do is look forward to the day of!
A local mountain guide will be present during the tour to help you make the most of this hike.
The hike begins on the foothills of Meteora and the trail itself has historic significance since it has been used for 15 centuries by the earliest monks who took this path.
Visit the ruins of St. Dimitrios and the monastery of Great Meteoron or Varlaam with your guide who will tell you about the history and legends of these landmarks.
On this tour, you will also visit the Ypapanti Monastery which is set in a cave further back as you go into the hills.
Don’t forget to take pictures while you visit the most spectacular Eastern Orthodox monasteries on your hike, in addition to the flora and fauna that contribute to breathtaking views on Meteora.

Inclusions

Hotel transfer (in a luxury VIP minibus)
English speaking local mountain guide
Wifi (on the bus)
All taxes

Exclusions

Entrance fees to each monastery

Guided tour inside the monasteries

Strict dress code: Men must wear long trousers and women must cover their shoulders and wear long skirts in the monasteries.
Skirts are provided at the entrance of each monastery.

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

Enjoy an overnight Meteora tour from Athens featuring all six monasteries, a cozy hotel stay, and flexible hiking or sightseeing options.

Day out to: Your two-day journey begins with a departure from Athens’ Larissa Railway Station, where you’ll board a luxury, air-conditioned coach with reclining seats, free Wi-Fi, and panoramic windows. Travel through central Greece’s storybook scenery, from vineyard-covered plains to misty mountain passes, before arriving in Meteora just in time for golden hour.
Travel tip: You will need to make a small cash offering of €3 to €5 per person for entry to each monastery.
Day 1: Join a 4-hour Meteora sunset tour, guided by a professional English-speaking expert, and visit monasteries like Agios Stefanos or St. Nicholas Anapausas. Stop at the Hermit Caves of Badovas, then head to the Byzantine Church of the Virgin Mary, a 1,000-year-old treasure built atop an ancient Greek temple. Cap the day at a secluded sunset viewpoint with sweeping vistas over Meteora’s cliffs and valleys. Spend the night in a 3-star or 4-star hotel in Kalabaka or Kastraki.
Day 2: On the second day, choose between a 4-hour sightseeing tour with guided commentary, or a 5-hour hiking tour led by a professional mountain guide. Your ticket includes entry to all six Meteora monasteries (as per rotating availability), photo stops, and hotel pickup and drop-off for both tours.

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

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.

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

Venture off the beaten path on a guided Meteora hike with forest trails, dramatic views, and monastery visits along the way.

Day out to: Your adventure begins with a convenient hotel pickup from Kalabaka or Kastraki, followed by a scenic ride in a VIP Mercedes minibus to the trailhead near Doupiani Rock. Meet your expert mountain guide in the ancient settlement of Mesochori, a stone-built hamlet nestled beneath Meteora’s towering cliffs, then set out on your 5-hour journey, mostly on foot, along paths once traversed by monks, hermits, and pilgrims centuries ago.
Travel tip: You will need to make a small cash offering of €3 to €5 per person for entry to each monastery.
Everything you get: The ticket includes a professional mountain guide fluent in English, with French or Italian-speaking guides available on select days. With just 12 people per group, the pace stays relaxed and personal, with time for stories, rest stops, and spontaneous viewpoints. You'll also visit one monastery, typically Great Meteoron or Varlaam, and enjoy panoramic views of all six from spots unreachable by road.

Inclusions

Round-trip hotel transfers from Kalabaka or Kastraki by VIP Mercedes minibus
Guide meeting point at Mesochori (Ancient Settlement of Kastraki)
Meteora hiking tour with panoramic views of all 6 monasteries
Small group size (up to 12 guests)
Professional English-speaking mountain guide
French and Italian-speaking guides (depending on availability)
Entry to 1 monastery (likely Great Meteoron or Varlaam, depending on their rotating schedules)
Bottled water onboard

Exclusions

A small offering of €3 to €5 per monastery
- Guide inside the monasteries
- Food and drinks
- Tips for the guide (optional)
- Personal travel insurance

Meet your guide at Mesochori (Ancient Settlement of Kastraki), near the Doupiani Rock trailhead, just beneath the Pantokrator Monastery ruins.
Depending on the day and schedule, you’ll visit between 2 to 4 monasteries. Each monastery closes one day per week ( Great Meteoron on Tuesdays, Varlaam on Fridays).
Meteora is not wheelchair accessible. All monasteries involve stairs or uneven paths. For easier access, consider visiting St. Stephen’s Monastery, which has a paved walkway and fewer steps.
Transport between sites is provided by a local minibus or coach. While distances are short, the roads can be steep and winding.
There are no toilets on the bus, but a scheduled rest stop is included midway for snacks and bathroom breaks.
Guided commentary is not allowed inside the monasteries.
Bring earphones and a smartphone if you’d like to use the audio guide app during your visit.
All monasteries follow a strict dress code. Men must wear trousers, and women must wear long skirts and cover their shoulders. Wrap skirts and shawls are typically available at entrances, if needed.
Wear closed, comfortable walking shoes; paths are uneven and often steep.

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

Go on a hike to discover the “hidden trails” of Meteora and visit ancient ruins and monasteries on the way.
A worry-free transportation experience awaits as you get hotel transfers in a luxury VIP minibus included in the ticket. All you need to do is look forward to the day of!
A local mountain guide will be present during the tour to help you make the most of this hike.
The hike begins on the foothills of Meteora and the trail itself has historic significance since it has been used for 15 centuries by the earliest monks who took this path.
Visit the ruins of St. Dimitrios and the monastery of Great Meteoron or Varlaam with your guide who will tell you about the history and legends of these landmarks.
On this tour, you will also visit the Ypapanti Monastery which is set in a cave further back as you go into the hills.
Don’t forget to take pictures while you visit the most spectacular Eastern Orthodox monasteries on your hike, in addition to the flora and fauna that contribute to breathtaking views on Meteora.

Inclusions

Hotel transfer (in a luxury VIP minibus)
English speaking local mountain guide
Wifi (on the bus)
All taxes

Exclusions

Entrance fees to each monastery

Guided tour inside the monasteries

Strict dress code: Men must wear long trousers and women must cover their shoulders and wear long skirts in the monasteries.
Skirts are provided at the entrance of each monastery.

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

Day Trips

NEW

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

Enjoy an overnight Meteora tour from Athens featuring all six monasteries, a cozy hotel stay, and flexible hiking or sightseeing options.

Day out to: Your two-day journey begins with a departure from Athens’ Larissa Railway Station, where you’ll board a luxury, air-conditioned coach with reclining seats, free Wi-Fi, and panoramic windows. Travel through central Greece’s storybook scenery, from vineyard-covered plains to misty mountain passes, before arriving in Meteora just in time for golden hour.
Travel tip: You will need to make a small cash offering of €3 to €5 per person for entry to each monastery.
Day 1: Join a 4-hour Meteora sunset tour, guided by a professional English-speaking expert, and visit monasteries like Agios Stefanos or St. Nicholas Anapausas. Stop at the Hermit Caves of Badovas, then head to the Byzantine Church of the Virgin Mary, a 1,000-year-old treasure built atop an ancient Greek temple. Cap the day at a secluded sunset viewpoint with sweeping vistas over Meteora’s cliffs and valleys. Spend the night in a 3-star or 4-star hotel in Kalabaka or Kastraki.
Day 2: On the second day, choose between a 4-hour sightseeing tour with guided commentary, or a 5-hour hiking tour led by a professional mountain guide. Your ticket includes entry to all six Meteora monasteries (as per rotating availability), photo stops, and hotel pickup and drop-off for both tours.

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Free cancellation

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

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Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

48 hr.

Guided tour

Transfers included

Hotel pickup

Discover Meteora’s Trails & Monasteries by Hiking Tour

From happy customers

Top things to do in Athens

Why Choose A Meteora Hiking Tour?

Essential Tips For Your Hiking Adventure

What to Carry and Wear?

General

For Monastery entry

Optional but helpful

Frequently asked questions about Meteora hiking tour

Get Help 24/7

Headout

Discover Meteora’s Trails & Monasteries by Hiking Tour

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

From Meteora: Guided Hiking Tour with Monastery Visit

Hidden Trails of Meteora Hiking Tour