Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch

based on 103 reviews

Duration:12 hours to 14 hours (approx.)
Location: Athens, Greece

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Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Meteora, a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries on this private, full-day excursion from Athens.

Travel in private, air-conditioned vehicles and get around all the sites your group is interested in visiting within the extensive mountain complex before returning comfortably to Athens.

• Walk around the rock formations and visit up to three of the monasteries for an up-close look at ancient hermit life

• Take photos and create lifelong memories at this picturesque yet imposing natural beauty

• Enjoy authentic Greek food in Kastraki village

• Return to Athens via Thermopylae, hearing battle tales along the way where 300 Spartans fought 100,000 Persians

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
We start our tour early in the morning from Athens till Meteora. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel/ apartment or the airport/ port. The travel time is about 4,5 hours.
2.
Kalabaka is a town and seat of the municipality of Meteora in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The population was 12,000 at the 2011 census, of which 8,330 in the town proper. The Meteora monasteries are located near the town.
3.
We arrive at Meteora and visit up to three Monasteries. Breathtaking at first site, the Monasteries are of great cultural and natural importance. Split from earthquakes, weathered from the wind and the water over millions of millions of years, these immense rocks are an authentic masterpiece of mother nature. The Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries. The six (of an original 24) monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the name means "lofty", "elevated", and is etymologically related to meteor. Please be modestly dressed. Women are suggested to wear long skirts & long sleeves. If you do not have, you will be given a skirt on your way in.
4.
Free time for lunch at a traditional Greek tavern with your friends and family or shopping at Kastraki, a picturesque village near Meteora.
5.
Thermopylae is a place in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. It derives its name from its hot sulphur springs. In Greek mythology the Hot Gates is one of the entrances to Hades. Thermopylae is the site of a battle between the Greek forces and the invading Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides of Ceos in the famous epitaph, "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here obedient to their laws we lie." Thermopylae is the only land route large enough to bear any significant traffic between Lokris and Thessaly. To go from north to south along the east coast of the Balkan peninsula requires use of the pass, and so Thermopylae has been the site of several battles.
6.
As we leave the magnificent Meteora behind us, let us not overlook the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BCE, which has long been the topic of cultural motivation, as it is perhaps the most famous military last stand of all time. The monument of the Great Leonidas, King of Sparta, in Thermopylae, will grace our path on our way back to Athens in the late afternoon. Thermopylae is world-famous for the battle that took place there between the Greek forces (notably the Spartans, Lakedemonians, Thebans and Thespians) and the invading Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides in the famous epitaph, "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here obedient to their laws we lie."
7.
Leonidas was a king of the Greek city-state of Sparta, and the 17th of the Agiad line, a dynasty which claimed descent from the mythological demigod Heracles and Cadmus. Leonidas was son of King Anaxandridas II. He succeeded his half-brother King Cleomenes I to the throne in c. 489 BC. Leonidas had a notable participation in the Second Persian War, where he led the allied Greek forces to a last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC) while attempting to defend the pass from the invading Persian army; he died at the battle and entered myth as the leader of the 300 Spartans. While the Greeks lost this battle, they were able to expel the Persian invaders in the following year.
8.
We start our way back to Athens late in the afternoon. The drive is about 4,5 hours.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : 433michall
Fabulous day from beginning to end. Our driver, Petro, was polite, punctual, knowledgeable and friendly. He took care that all our needs are met along the way - water, bathroom stops, etc. Meteora is a magical place. Petro pointed out the highlights, merits and history of everything we saw. I would highly recommend this experience. I would also add that being in good physical shape helps. There are a lot of stairs at the monasteries.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-18 12:20:31

Posted By : natalied170
Wow! This was an incredible, once in a lifetime’s, experience that I highly recommend. Going with a private driver is a little more expensive and was well worth it! Meteora is a place one should experience at your own pace. Peter was wonderful, very accommodating, and personalized our experience how we wanted it. He a good historian on Greek history which added to the overall experience. Lunch was a wonderful stop as well, at a lovely cafe with excellent Greek food. This is a must do excursion!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-12 16:24:44

Posted By : Carol_P
Our guide Petros was also our driver. He was polite and well mannered with extensive amount of knowledge about all things in Greece. He took us to 4 monasteries after the Grand Meteoron was closed for a day. We visited inside 3 of the monasteries. He was one of the best driver we had in the last 6 week of our trip from Italy to Greece. He keep his hand and eyes on the road!!
We would highly recommend this tour especially with Petros.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-12 04:19:48

Posted By : carolpK6523TA
Petros was our guide and driver for the day, he was very polite and well mannered with great knowledge of the history and the area.
It was our last day in Greece after 6 weeks of travelling, originally was going to omit Meteora as it was difficult to get to but we were glad we did this tour. Petros know exactly where to visit, which spot to stop and take pictures and allowing us plenty of time to explore and visit the monasteries.
View was amazing, and really have to experience it in person to appreciate the beauty of it all. Lunch was great and you can order as many dishes as you wish, foods were amazing.
Nothing was too much trouble to ask and we would highly recommend this tour.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-09 11:11:33

Posted By : taja81
Fantastic experience with a great driver, we really enjoyed the trip and the excursion to the monasteries. All perfect
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-07 12:45:59

Posted By : Valentina R
Very knowledgeable, passionate, kind, helpful, well educated truly a nice person!
It gave added value to our day!!
Highly recommended to everyone!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-07 12:45:13

Posted By : ritasM4017YY
We couldn't have spent our last full day in Greece any better way. Peter picked us up from our hotel right on time. He was friendly and informative. His car was clean, comfortable, and well maintained. He had a little cooler of bottled waters which we appreciated. Meteora and the Monasteries were spectacular. Words can't even begin to describe what we saw. Peter let us guide the pace of the day. He didn't rush us and he stopped at a dozen or so places for us to get out and take pictures. He waited patiently while we toured. As if all that wasn't enough he took us down to a quaint place in a little town for lunch. The food and service were the best we've had during our vacation. Portions were huge and prices were low. We had enough to take back to the hotel for dinner. The experience was well worth the cost and time it took to get there and back. The drive was beautiful as well. We highly recommend this tour, this company, and Peter.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-06 10:56:44

Posted By : Tara_D
Bill and Peter were our drivers and did an outstanding job! The drive is 4 hours each way, they made sure we had restroom breaks and provided water. They made sure we saw and visited which monasteries we wanted and we took our time no rushing. When we were finished with one they were right there to pick us up. We did the lunch included, it was delicious we basically ordered whatever we wanted off the menu.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-01 02:10:33

Posted By : Laurie_P
Fotis was an excellent driver and knowledgeable guide. He was prompt and went the extra mile for us returning an item left behind. Meteora is spectacular and worth the long drive there and back to Athens. Great tour!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-30 02:38:36

Posted By : johngG1008RX
The views were amazing! Our driver (Petros) was fantastic. We saw all the monasteries that we wanted and got a lot of great photos
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-29 11:39:34