Athens: Meteora Monasteries, Caves & Coastal Stopovers with Lunch
Overview
Available languages
14 hours
Mobile ticket
Join us for a unique day trip from Athens to Meteora that blends sacred heritage with the beauty of the Greek coastline. Unlike other tours that stop at highway gas stations, we take you to peaceful seaside villages for brunch and dinner, right by the water. Enjoy your coffee or meal with a sea breeze and stunning views.
Your day begins with a comfortable bus ride from Athens through the countryside. Midway, we stop at a coastal village for an optional seaside brunch. In Meteora, a local guide leads you through three monasteries, with photo stops at all six, and shares the stories behind this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll also explore the hermit caves of Badovas and enjoy an optional lunch at a traditional taverna in Kastraki.
On the way back, we stop again—this time for an optional sunset dinner at a beachfront restaurant in Kamena Vourla. It’s the perfect end to a day full of nature, history, and authentic Greek charm. Arrival in Athens is around 22:30.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Dress Code for Monastery Visits: Please note that a modest dress code is enforced to enter the monasteries. For women, skirts below the knee or longer are required. Pants, shorts, or sleeveless shirts are not allowed. For men, sleeveless clothing and shorts above the knee are also prohibited.
Rain or Shine: This tour will take place regardless of the weather conditions. Please come prepared with appropriate clothing and accessories to ensure a comfortable experience.
Climbing Steps to Monastery Tops: Please be aware that reaching the top of the monasteries involves climbing steps. There are no elevators available, so please consider this if you have any mobility concerns.
Please make sure you have cash for the monasteries 5 euro each entrance. There is no ATM machine in the area.
Supplier is not responsible if you miss the bus please be there on time (15 minutes before the departure)
Tour is guided in English only. Additional languages (Spanish, French German, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese) are available on a free SMART audio guide.
At midday, you will enjoy a relaxing break in the picturesque village of Kastraki, where you can savor a delicious traditional Greek meal at a local restaurant. You will have the option to choose from 10 authentic Greek dishes, catering to all dietary preferences: Meat & Poultry Options: Chicken baked in the oven with potatoes Meatballs in red sauce (Soutzoukakia) Pastitsio (Greek-style lasagna) Moussaka Vegetarian Choices: Greek salad Spinach and feta cheese pie Cheese pie Vegan Options: Stuffed peppers & tomatoes with risotto (Gemista) Briam (Greek-style roasted vegetables) Giant beans baked in the oven (Gigantes) Bread and water are included with the meal. If you prefer, you can also choose and pay for your meal directly at the restaurant.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Athens
Experience one of Greece’s most captivating landscapes in a single, enriching day. Your journey begins in Athens with a scenic drive through the heart of the country, aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned coach.
Kamena Vourla
Coastal Brunch Stop: Unlike typical tours that pause at highway rest stations, our tour offers a peaceful seaside brunch break in the scenic small town of Kamena Vourla, where mountains and sea beautifully blend. Relax with fresh air and stunning sea views while enjoying optional meals and drinks that can be easily pre-ordered through our onboard app for a hassle-free experience.
What‘s Included
Audio guide: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese Russian, Polish, Korean, Chinese, Japanese
Coastal stopovers for brunch and dinner at beachfront restaurant
the water will be offer during the tour at the monasteries and not at the transport.
Transport by air-conditioned vehicle with free WiFi & USB chargers
Visit the interior of 3 most beautiful monasteries
Greek lunch including vegetarian options (only with the Day Trip + Lunch rate)
Local English speaking tour leader
Discover the hidden hermit caves — an exclusive experience available only on this tour.
State Licensed guide, inside the monasteries
Meteora Monastery x 3 ( Roussanou or Nicholaos or Great Meteoro)
Coastal beach front Brunch (optional, not included in the price)
Coastal sunset dinner at Beach front retaurant (optional, not included in the price)
Options
Extended Stay with Overnight
2-DAY TOUR: If a single day feels too rushed, consider booking the 2-day tour with an overnight stay for a more enjoyable experience.
Itinerary for Day 1: 08.00am Transfer from Athens arriving to Meteora at 12.30pm. Sunset tour in the afternoon. Overnight stay in 3* hotel
Itinerary for Day 2: Breakfast. 09.00am Meteora Half day guided tour visiting 3 monasteries. Transfer to Athens arriving at approx. 22.30pm
- Inclusions: 1 night stay in 3* hotel with breakfast. Sunset tour the first day. Half day guided morning tour with 3 monastery visits
It also includes: transfers from Athens in 50-seater coach. Transport in 19-seater minibus for the local tours in Meteora.
- Exclusions: hotel tax, entrance fee to the monastery (3€ per person per monastery), meals. State licensed guide inside the monasteries.
Shared Tour without lunch
Group Day Trip: This day trip option is in a shared tour and does not include meals
Shared Tour, Including Lunch
Group Day Trip with Lunch: Lunch includes a main dish, a seasonal salad, bread, and water. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.
Private Tour(Shared transfer)
Private Day Trip: This private day trip is only for your party (except for the transfer from Athens which is in a shared bus)
Lunch is not included
Reviews
1,442 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
If you want dramatic scenery and history, it is right here waiting to be seen.
Barbara J,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00First what I did not like: meeting at Larissa Station was most inconvenient since we were staying near the Acropolis. Secondly. Leaving Athens it was not adequately explained that we would pick up a guide closer to the site. But other than that, the trip was excellent. The site was unbelievably dramatic. The weather was great and the driver and guide were personable and helpful. All of the was perfect.
Fantastic Meteora Tour! Thank you Maria and Helen!
Eun T,,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Maria tour guide and Helen driver are amazing! We enjoyed our Meteora tour with both of them. The sights are surreal and ethereal. Thank you for the wonderful time together!
Very organized. Awesome...
Yvonne S,,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very organized. Awesome trip and had a lot of fun. Cool to see and so much history to discover. Very happy that I found this company to make this trip so awesome
UNESCO site including Meteora Monasteries and Caves
Phil D,,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A great trip with a good informative guide. The coach trip with stops took 4 hrs from Athens which seems a lot but no pain no gain. We stopped off for lunch which was included in the price and on our trip was excellent plus the restaurant staff were very helpful. Everything cannot be on your door step and if you have any adventure in you and you want to learn and experience a fantastic Unesco sight which is the second most popular visited attraction besides the Acropolis in Greece You don't want to miss it. You only live once.
A dream place
MONSERRAT M,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The departure was at the marked and organized time, the driver drove very well, the guide super friendly and explained very well, even also spoke Spanish, we were taken to eat in a typical place with very good seasoning. Everything was perfect
First of all Maria our...
CarenJane G,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00First of all Maria our tour guide was amazing! We met her when we reach the town (Kalabaka I think, near the monastery). She wasn’t with us during the whole ride to and from Athens. She is very funny, kind and smart. She also has cat food with her for the monastery cats. Thank you Maria. The only down part of this trip is that its very long. We left Athens at 8am and came back 12am already literally the next day. Nobody has updated us during the long ride. I guess there were road closures but still nobody told us. They would just briefly say how many minutes to spend in the stop. The driver drives slower than usual and he was talking to his colleague during the whole ride. We were very disappointed with the hours we wasted in the bus.
Simply stunning!
Emily M,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Our guide Demetri was excellent, the monasteries were absolutely stunning and worth visiting. If you do it prepare for a very long day and lots of travelling on a bus - made even longer by the road blockades due to the farmers strike but so glad we made the effort! Words can’t describe how breathtaking they were!
Best of best guide and tour!
Ashwin S,,Jan 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide is absolutely switched on, extremely knowledgeable, witty and friendly. The location with the monasteries is simply out of this world. The driver is very friendly and negotiated alternative routes in light of closure of major highways. Thoroughly recommend this tour.
Spectacular if company can get you there
Rob K,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00If the farm protests dont stop you then broken bus will- its spectacular once we got there - rushed thru venues as closing
Amazing views and wonderful tour
Maria C,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely amazing tour guides and tour. You will need euros for the monasteries. Lunch was delicious.
From €73.00
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Operated by Visit Meteora