Meteora Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Meteora. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Athens: Meteora Monasteries, Caves & Coastal Stopovers with Lunch

• Meteora Monasteries & Caves Day Trip from Athens with Greek Lunch

• 4-Day Classical Greece Tour: Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora

• Athens: Meteora Monasteries, Hermit Caves Tour with Pickup

• Meteora Sunset with Monastery & Hermit Caves Tour in Small Group

Tickets to visit the monasteries at Meteora cost €5 per adult (children under 12 enter for free). Expect to pay this same fee at each monastery, so if you want to visit more than one, be prepared to pay €5 in cash at each. Alternatively, guided tours offer the convenience of round-trip transportation and the chance to learn about the area’s history: Small-group, half-day tours start at US$35, e-bike tours begin around US$50, and full-day tours are from about US$60.

Yes, Meteora is worth visiting—this cluster of 15th-century monasteries, perched atop tall rock formations, offers striking views, especially at sunset. Consider joining a guided tour to maximize your time at this UNESCO World Heritage Site and learn about Meteora's history, without the hassle of driving from Athens. 

Per one customer who booked the Meteora Sunset with Monastery & Hermit Caves Tour in Small Group, "Our guide, Maria, and our driver were amazing. They hit every highlight on the tour, but the tour didn't feel rushed. Maria was fun and informative, and her enthusiasm for the subject matter was infectious. Would highly recommend this tour."

No, but an expert local tour guide can be beneficial for arranging transportation, planning the most efficient routes, purchasing Meteora tickets to enter the monasteries, visiting off-the-path attractions such as caves, and explaining the history. But, provided you comply with Meteora's modest dress code, you can explore independently at your own pace.

Hiking is the best way to discover Meteora's stunning views. While it's theoretically possible to whizz round all six monasteries in a day, it's better to allow two—and enjoy both sunset and sunrise. The monasteries follow different schedules and can close without warning, but usually, all are open on Saturday and Sunday.

As often in Greece, shoulder seasons are the best times to visit Meteora. Late spring (April–May) and early fall (September–October) bring mellower temperatures and fewer crowds than the summer peak (June–August)—perfect for hiking. Ceremonies around Greek Orthodox Easter in March or April draw hordes of pilgrims, so check the calendar.

Meteora has a strict dress code: sleeveless shirts are a no, while men should wear long pants, and women's skirts should be at least knee-length. Don't use drones, photograph monks or nuns, or take photos inside the churches. You should generally behave quietly and respectfully. Note that alcohol is also banned in the valley.

Yes. You'll need decent shoes, a water bottle, and a hat, but Meteora has a wealth of hiking trails, and exploring on foot is more fun than sitting in high-season traffic—and most monasteries have enough steps to provide a decent workout. Staying in Kastraki is better than starting from Kalambaka.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Meteora. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Athens:

• Acropolis

• Parthenon

• Odeon of Herodes Atticus

• Acropolis Museum

• Temple of Olympian Zeus

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in and around Athens.