PRIVATE : Meteora Day Trip from Athens with Private Meteora Tour

We did this tour to get to know the area.Picked up from our accommodation, guide very knowledgeable.

We had Clement from the Meteora Thrones Travel Center. Clement was the epitome of professionalism as a tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable of the sites, local area (being... read more a resident himself), Greek history and Greek Orthodox Religious History. Clement spoke perfectly clear English, having lived in England and Canada. Most of all he was extremely thoughtful, polite, and courteous. When it started to rain hard, he met us outside the monastery to give us umbrellas so we didn’t get soaked walking to the van in the parking lot.

MONASTERY SITE
Unfortunately, the day we went was rainy and foggy/misty so we weren’t able to see all the monasteries from the outside. We visited 3 Monasteries inside and stopped at viewpoints to see 2 others, but again it was somewhat foggy we were unable to clearly see some of them. What we did see inside the monasteries we visited was beautiful and the views from up top stunning. Mondays are good because all are opened, except the one convent/nunnery, otherwise the monasteries alternate openings during the week. The Grand Meteora is closed on 3 weekdays. Winter hours are shorter closing at 4pm or earlier. We liked Grand Meteron and the St Varlaam. Wear SKIRTS inside the Monasteries out of respect. If not you will have to pay for a scarf like skirt at the entrance. The entrance fee is 3 euros per person cash for each monastery. Bring small bills.

3 BONUS Sites: As a result of us not being able to see all the monasteries, Clement offered to take us to one of the first HERMIT CAVES (really something to see, origin of habituating the area and eventually constructing the monasteries on the rocks.) He also took us to see the old BYZANTINE CHURCH that was built on top of Apollo’s Temple and explained the religious aspect inside the church. We also drove to see St Anthony’s Monastery and another ‘more’ recent hermit cave.

Our Tour VAN vehicle was spacious, clean and seemed like a newer Peugeot. Our Driver (sorry didn’t catch his name) drove carefully and safely through the windy roads.

Clement also recommended a restaurant in town that he frequented, when we were waiting for our train back to Athens. After, dinner Clement and driver drove us to the train station. They waited for us in the van while we dined.

TRAIN - Meteora Thrones company was very responsive in answering all questions. Tour company also emailed /WhatsApp our train tickets promptly. Clear instructions, Clement met us at the train station in Kalabaka with a placard of our name. Very well organized. Meteora Thrones Travel Center is probably the largest tour company in this area. The train ride itself was comfortable (Buy the first class cabin, it’s not that much more). Seats inside can slide down so you can lean back. If you have the entire cabin yourself (6seats), you could probably make it into a sleeper bed and lay down. You yourself must board the 7:57am train from Larissa Athens main train station. It’s a 4hr train ride each way and upon return you’ll arrive around 10:30pm back in Athens. However, we were delayed for 40mins (train employees did not specify why) and that made getting back very late. It’s a long day but this way you won’t have the additional day and expense of having to stay overnight in the vicinity of Kalabaka.

Overall, Clement was an excellent tour guide, very good tour (it ended up being a private tour for us even though we booked a small group tour), tour company is well organized and responsive.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND METEORA THRONES TRAVEL CENTER.

Hiking with Meteora thrones - Dimitri & Sarah tour guides made my experience unforgettable. The unique and charming views of Meteora coupled with the personalized approach of Dimitri & Sarah... read more in touring made the whole difference. It felt like hiking with old friends, we laughed, got informed, and enjoyed the sceneries all at the same time. I'm very grateful to them and seems that Meteora Thrones leaders know how to recruit! Best.

We were picked from outside our doorstep right on
time. Thomas was an incredible and very knowledgeable tour guide. He would provide us information and details that where very interesting... read more to know. We had a very nice time and ample time to visit the monasteries. Very much recommended!!

Beautiful scenery and friendly, knowledgeable guides. Be prepared to walk a few flights of stairs to reach the monasteries!

we visited Meteora's monasteries with this tour. Everything was perfect, we were lucky as the 7:20 train from Athens arrived on time in Kalambaka, where the buses were already waiting... read more to take us to the first short stop to get some food before starting the real tour. The guide was very nice and knowledgeable, she provided also some good tips to visit the places as well as plenty of historical information. The time dedicated to each monastery is between 45 and 60 min, hence more than enough to enjoy the visits and to take pictures. The building are true masterpieces, and the panorama and views are unforgettable. For women, remember to bring a long skirt as it is required to enter the monasteries, although some of them may have some spare foulards to be used for the visits. Remember also to bring some water/food as in case of rush the time dedicated to additional stops could be very limited.

Our tour of Meteora was amazing. Yiannis and Costas were both excellent hosts. We would definitely recommend visiting Meteora to anyone who is able to visit!

We would very hard recommend this trip : very well and very professional organized (timing, pick-up hotel, pre-warning, ...), and also Georgos (our guide on... read more the bus) did a great job.
No worries about parking, choose the right monastery, etc.....

Meteors Thornes service is great, they pick up us at the train station, visit all the spots we wish, and the tour guide told us lots of info about the... read more place. Highly recommend!

Beautiful weather, perfect amount of time at each monastery, and good information from Giannis the tour guide

Meteora Thrones as a tour agency for your visit to the magical monasteries is highly recommended. Chris, our tour guide, was a funny big man who has extensive knowledge when... read more it comes to Meteora and Kalabaka/Kalambaka. He did give us a much needed historical significance of the area from where the name arrived along with the circa dates and the legends and stories associated with the rocks. Also, combined with his humor, he informed us about the commercial aspect of the place regarding movie and ad shoots.
They waited for us because our train arrived 40 mins late from Athens, but still managed to cover the trip at a good pace giving us ample time to enjoy the views and stops.

This place gives a heavenly feel and should be on a must visit list when coming to Athens. Train to train tour by Meteora Thrones proves to be an excellent value of money when you book your own train ticket and buy this short tour ticket with them in advance. No hassle.

Amazing views. Maria, our tour guide, was great. She was very knowledgable and fun. There many steps to go up and down to tour the Monasteries, so if... read more you have mobility issues you may want to do only 2 of the 3 tours. I have very bad knees and I still gave the tour a 5 star rating. Two of the tours were much better for me to handle. Don't miss this one!

Very kind guides, financial tour and the view at Meteora so beautiful! I highly recommend it! Inside the bus, the tour guide constantly gave us information about the monasteries and... read more the place.

Giannis the tour guide was a true professional explaining everything in detail and in the best manner.

George was an informative and engaging guide who was very knowledgeable about the area and monasteries. The bus was comfortable with a safe driver and plenty of time was given... read more at all three monasteries to explore. Highly recommend taking a tour with this company.

This was the most knowledgeable, interesting, educated, and entertaining tour guide and tour we have taken to date. Meteora was where he grew up and his father before him. He... read more ensured our very informative and fascinating sunset tour of meteora. We took a sunrise tour with another company the next morning and the sunset tour was by far better than the other. The excellent driver made sure our trip up windy roads was extremely smooth and comfortable. It was well worth the higher price of the other tours. Thank you for such an enjoyable tour!

The tour and guide guy was so nice, stay overnight or 2 in Kastraki village, eat at Gardenia Taverna

The trip from Athen was tiring but worth it. Our tour guide was nice, I recommend it to others as well.