Meteora All Day Tour From Athens

Recommended by 99% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Athens, Greece

12 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

If you’re planning a day trip to Meteora from Athens, your time in Meteora will be limited. Other than fastidiously researching each monastery in advance, having planned transport is the most realistic way to guarantee you’ll actually get to see three of the famous monasteries. With this full-day excursion from Athens, rest assured that you’ll get to share in the wonder of Meteora—instead of risking whittling away all your time as you try to overcome poor planning and logistics.

Easier and safer than driving yourself to and from Meteora in a single day
See this UNESCO World Heritage Site without checking out of your Athens hotel
Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water and Wi-Fi
Stop in at Thermopylae, where 300 Spartans fought 100,000 Persians

What's Included

Private transportation
WiFi on board
Air-conditioned vehicle
Bottled water
English speaking driver

Guide
Lunch
Entrance fee - Meteora

€5.00 per person

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Hotels,Vacation rentals,Main points of interest in Athens

Operating hours
.7:30 am

Itinerary

Your personal chauffeur collects you from your Athens address or the port of Piraeus and heads out of the city to Meteora: There’s onboard Wi-Fi to help you pass the time on the long drive.

The six monasteries follow different opening schedules that change regularly, but your driver knows the timetable so will take you to three monasteries that are open on the day you visit.

Leave your driver to worry about parking, pay the small entrance fee in cash, then explore. There’s plenty of time for photography of the spectacular landscapes.

Once you’ve finished at the monasteries, your driver brings you to the beautiful flower-decked village of Kastraki for lunch (own expense) and shopping. From here, they drive you back to the port or your Athens hotel or vacation rental.

Meteora

4 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Infant seats available

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9

based on 72 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Amazing views!

EllenRenee_P, Oct 2024

The experience was amazing! The views were nothing like I have seen before. Was worth the trip. Our driver was very knowledgeable and he made the trip a pleasant one.

Great day trip from Athens

Nate_I, Oct 2024

Awesome trip, would strongly recommend. Our driver Theo was exceptional! Showed up right in time and was able to accommodate our request to have car seats for our kids. Had a great time visiting the monasteries and appreciated getting to chat with him during the drive.

Great tour !!

YOEL_G, Jul 2024

The tour was very good, the scenery is impressive and a must see. I really recommend doing this site using the private tour so you can manage the places you want to visit and your time. We visited 2 monasteries but passed by all of them, as well as some good viewpoint. Our driver was excellent, gave usefull information and allowed us to plan the tour based on our interest - but he is not a licensed tour guide for the site (which we knew in advance because the booking is very clear on this). He stopped in the best stops to get the best pictures. The van was comfortable, even I would have prefer a sedan for 2 people. We had an incident with the gas but fortunately it was resolved quickly humorously. We had a great time.

Great private tour

James_W, May 2024

We did the private tour so that we would have control of the time-frame of the tour. Theo was awesome and a careful and great driver. He was very informative. We saw two of the monasteries and took lots of photos of the beautiful scenery. Theo picked us up at our hotel and dropped us off at the end. We completed the entire trip in about 10 hours. It worked out perfectly for us since we didn't want an overly long day. Awesome experience!

Awesome

Patricia_D, May 2024

The stone. The caves. The driver. The shrines. To view the stone monuments was an unforgettable experience. The driver’s knowledge made it even more inspiring.

Not much more than a glorified cab ride

Josh_G, Nov 2023

After reading many glowing reviews of excellent drivers who act as guides on the drive and discuss the history and significance of Meteora, my wife and I decided to book this excursion. The word "tour" is vastly misleading, as you're really only paying for a driver for the day, who won't enter the sites with you. We both tried to engage our driver in conversation about the site, life in Greece, even his favorite football team. His responses were short, and would immediately put his headphones back in to signal he didn't want to be interrupted. After seeing our driver was not interested in helping us learn more about the sites like so many other drivers for this excursion seemed to do, we decided to ask for the Wi-Fi information to do our own research. Our driver responded that there was no Wi-Fi for the trip but after pressing him further, he reluctantly called the operator, who instructed him to turn on his mobile hotspot for us to use. His hotspot only lasted 30 minutes, after which it was turned off for the duration of the trip. When we arrived at the site, one of the largest monasteries had switched to winter hours, and was closed for the day, which seemed to catch the driver by surprise. While we could've done more research ahead of time, clearly our trip wasn't planned well by the driver or operator. This information should be published on the booking page - that monastery hours vary, and depending on the season, some may be closed to the public. In hindsight, I should have been more skeptical of this "tour" - the page clearly states that guided tours are excluded, but I incorrectly assumed we'd have one of the same drivers mentioned in the other comments. Ultimately, the monasteries we did see were incredible and we very much enjoyed exploring the sites and taking in the scenery, but this ride was long and overpriced.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

We are sorry that our tour didn't meet your expectations. In the tour inclusions it is clearly stated that a guide is not included and only a private car with driver included. Unfortutely according to Greek law no one except lisenced guides is allowed to guide in sites.If the driver had acompanied you in the monasteries he might had faced legal charges. The drivers are always free to engage conversations during the trip but their main responsibility is to drive you safely and in a timely manner to/from the site.Our company has several drivers and each one has different aproach and that is makinng the tour unique. Indeed Wifi is included on this trip and the driver gave you access once requested. You have to know although that in the whole area of Meteora there is a very weak signal and hardly any webpage is loading if you try to browse. We should had informed you accordingly for that. From November until March indeed the monasteries switch to winter schedule but unfortunately the opening days might vary as these are active monasteries and not just archaelogical sites. That means that the opening times and days might change without notice due to maintenace works or after a request from the monks. Nevertheless as soon as the driver noticed that Grand Meteoro was closed he drove you to the nearby Varlaam monastery which of similar size and also the most impressive of the complex.We thank you for the recomandation to put a note that the opening scedules might vary and we will included on the tour page asap. This tour might seem overpriced but we can assure that is not.You need to take into considertion that the drivers work for 12 hours and the total distance is 800 km . As you probably noticed the fuel prices in Greece are extremly high and there are several tolls on the highway as you saw. We are happy that in the end of the day you admired the incredible site and the monasteries and hope you went back home full of great memories. Thank you once more your feedback

Meteora day trip

Tirthankar_B, Nov 2023

Being able to climb the steps to the monasteries at Varlaam, Rousanou, and St Stephens, and enjoy the view and the ambiance was gratifying. Our guide’s encouragement helped 😊. He is quite a history buff. We enjoyed the conversation with him. He is a foodie and even recommended local food we should try in our trips to other parts of Greece. Overall great experience. One suggestion would be to include a meal in the package.

Spectacular

Jancie_B, Nov 2023

Worth every penny! Our guide Theo was wonderful. He picked us up and n time from our hotel. The van was comfortable and he made the king day enjoyable. Meteora is a site I will never forget. It is spectacular and well worth the drive. We stopped at Thermopylae on the way back which my husband really wanted to see. Highly recommend.

Amazing Meteora trip

Gloria_D, Oct 2023

Dimitri was an excellent driver, very friendly & answer all our questions. He also adjusted schedule for us to see 3 monasteries which gave enough time for the fog to lift & us enjoying the wonderful views of monasteries. Long day but well worth the experience of seeing the amazing Meteora.

Great Side Trip

Kevin_M, Oct 2023

Our driver did a great job explaining the history of the area and monasteries. His driving was excellent and the trip was well worth it

Worth the drive!

Derek_H, Oct 2023

Great trip! Our group’s driver Theofilos got us from Athens to Meteora quickly and was clearly an expert at driving the route and guiding us to great spots for photos and experiences at the monasteries. The views were overwhelming. Theofilos then took us to the town square in Kalabaka and we enjoyed lunch and dessert before heading back. Great experience overall and the long drive was worth it!

Excellent Adventure with Entertaining Guide

Mary_D, Jul 2023

Petros was an excellent driver and guide. He was very polite, entertaining and took good care of us. He knew so much about the monasteries and the best spots for photos. We enjoyed talking with him about life in Greece compared to the U.S. He provided superb advice on a restaurant for lunch. We are grateful! It was an amazing day!

AMAZING!!! Meteora Tour Highlight of Greece <3 <3 <3 DO NOT MISS IT!!!

andreadorr, Jun 2023

Dimitri was an amazing host and guide. He accommodated my request to start early (5 AM) from Athens so that we arrived just before the monasteries opened (9 AM). This trip to Meteora should NOT be missed, and I definitely recommend getting there early before the crowds!! Loved the conversation on the ride to and from Athens as well. This was the highlight of my 9 days in Greece. Greatly exceeded my expectations! THANK YOU!!

Wonderful sights

Jodie_D, Jun 2023

This place is spectacular, both inside the monasteries and the views outside. Our driver peter was very professional and timely.

The views are worth the drive!!!

Evelyn_H, Jun 2023

Drinking in the views!! Meteora is home to 6 UNESO World Heritage Site monasteries and nunneries precariously perched atop massive rock pillars. It was as breathtaking as I had imagined. The journeys these men took and labor of love to build these temples to God is incredible. It was so serene and the breeze was scented with Jasmine at monasteries due to the Jasmine trees! Our driver Petros was awesome! Because we left so early he stopped at a little coffee shop to get a snack. He was kind and professional! I highly recommend this tour!!!

Exceptional

Ken_C, Jun 2023

Theo,our guide was exceptional, tour was unbelievable. Highly recommended breathtaking views. Hotel pick up and drop off was spot on perfect way to spend a day out of Athens.

Family Trip to Meteora

William_S, Jun 2023

We had great private driver for family trip to Meteora! He was very friendly and told us good background information on Meteora. He drove like an ace when rained and bad weather. Do yourself a favor and take private driver when go to Meteora - it saves lots of time!

Knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible driver

Stephalex2001, Jun 2023

Peter was a knowledgeable and friendly driver/guide. He was very flexible about which monasteries we wanted to visit and made the long drive more enjoyable by talking to us and playing music both that we requested and also introduced us to Greek pop music. This tour is well worth it!!

Fun with Petros in Meteora!

Stacy_F, Jun 2023

We had a great day with Petros! He was very professional, thoughtful, funny, and a great driver! And he went out of his way to pre-order our lunch in a lovely little outdoor restaurant because we were short on time. It’s a long day, but if you only have a day to visit Meteora, this is the way to do it. Otherwise, if you had more time, it might be more fun to stay the night in the lovely little town just below the monasteries.

It’s totally worth it!!

Karen_A, Jun 2023

One of the most impressive places I’ve seen !! The ride from Athens is a little long but it’s totally worth it. The monasteries are beautiful band the natural beauty of the area just takes your breath away !!

best way to see Meteora

Maury_A, Jun 2023

Peter was incredible and so informative. This tour was the only way it was possible to see Meteora in a day. so glad we did this!

This was absolutely an...

Bindu_S, Jun 2023

This was absolutely an amazing experience. Lazos, our driver, was fantastic - he picked us up from our hotel on time and was very passionate about the tour. He made excellent food recommendations and stops along the way when needed. The trip to and from Meteora is 4 hours one way - the van was very comfortable and clean. Meteora itself was a breathtaking experience - not to be missed!!! I highly recommend this tour. They were easy to get a hold of and to communicate with.

Private Tour to Meteora

Melody_D, May 2023

It’s a beyond ordinary experience while in Greece. One of the most beautiful sceneries to see from Athens. However, I recommend getting a private tour for this one and not to choose the “ Meteora by train.” Having a private tour will save you a lot of time.

Peter was great!

Robert_p, May 2023

Peter was a terrific driver. He visited with us and was very knowledgeable about Greek history. He was on time and very personable. I reccomend this tour to anyone - just ask for Peter for a positive experience!

Unforgettable Day

Barbara_M, May 2023

Petros arrived right on time, with a pristine vehicle. With this tour, you are paying for a driver, not a guide. Nonetheless, Petros shared some of his knowledge and experience with us. He was exceptionally courteous throughout the 12-hour day (which actually turned out to be 13 hours due to traffic.) This is a very long day, but all four of us felt it was well worth it. The monasteries are beautiful beyond description. It was also a great way to see a little more of Greece....................something other than Athens and the islands.

A nice & comfortable day trip!

Florence_T, May 2023

Meteora is spectacular & amazing scenery. A visit to Greece is not complete without seeing Meteora. We enjoy the private tour but wish there were more time & stops. It is written in the Viator website we would have 4 hours in Meteora but really we only have 2.5 hours up there with a quick half an hour lunch. So, it is not possible to have 4 hours there. The website should amend to reflect correctly.

Response from Host, May 2023

Dear Florence, Thank you so much for your review. We give our travelers the opportunity to have a complete experience at Meteora and visit all available monasteries. We also give the freedom to customize the tour based on your interests and have enough time for lunch. We will take your kind feedback into consideration and we thank you for helping us improve our tour.

Marvellous Meteora

johnlanger98, Apr 2023

Great day to Meteora with our driver, Peter M who was flexible, friendly and considerate. He just wanted to make sure that we had a great day. Meteora is well worth the drive and the scenery is stunning.

Great opportunity to ask...

cynthia_s, Mar 2023

Great opportunity to ask many and varied questions and have great explanations. Great value and trip needed to be switched to another day when our free day was changed. Easy and responsive to our needs.

Don’t miss this one

Edward_J, Feb 2023

Demetrius was great. Very personable and knowledgeable. He was also quite willing to adjust visits to the various monasteries based on our needs.

Memorable Trip.

pohl4540, Feb 2023

The views were amazing! We were very impressed. One of the top highlights of our vacation. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Our driver Theo was friendly and very knowledgeable throughout our whole drive. Even helped us take photos. He helped to make our trip very memorable.

Likely to Sell Out