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‘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
Local English speaking tour leader
Greek lunch with 10 dishes, including vegetarian options (only with the Day Trip + Lunch rate)
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)
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.
Options
Shared Tour without lunch
Group Day Trip: This day trip option is in a shared tour and does not include meals
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
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, 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.
Reviews
1,272 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent tour
Melinda T,
Sep 7, 2025
- Viator
5.00Amazing day visiting Meteora and the monasteries. Guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommend.
Great views, nightmare tour organiser
Michael G,
Sep 7, 2025
- Viator
1.00Incredibly poor organisation. A total mess. Multiple buses, each with a passenger list, and passengers just have to line up and wait to get to the front to see if they’re on that bus or if they need to line up again. The destination is beautiful but find a better tour operator to go with
Private guide is a must for a good experience
Abigail A,
Sep 6, 2025
- Viator
3.005/5 stars for Meteora itself, 5/5 stars for our private driver/guide, and 1/5 stars for the tour company’s transparency about the itinerary and bus experience traveling to and from Meteora. The Bad: We never received a pre-tour/day before email or message as we have with every other tour experience in Greece. It was unclear if and when we would get 3 meals that day until we were boarded. The bus ride was misery—only 1 bathroom stop at a halfway point and you’re essentially forced to dehydrate yourself to not need to use the bathroom any more than 1 time on the drive to Meteroa. The breakfast and dinner food options at Camino are convenient in that you can order ahead on the bus, but the restaurant at the halfway point is middling at best and it’s unfortunate you feel like you have to eat there. The restaurant only has 4 bathroom stalls to accommodate 2 bus loads of people leading to insanely long lines, which seems crazy. I understand this tour used to use trains which are no longer in service and had bathrooms on board—that makes far more sense than this situation—but I guess the company is trying to make a bad situation better. The Good: The cheese pies at Efrosino, the restaurant the tour company uses for the group lunch has incredible cheese pies/spanikopita. If you do this tour, getting the private guide option is an absolute must because it keeps you away from the worst of the crowds. Our guide was friendly, super informative and kept us ahead of the awful bus loads of people that crowd into the monasteries without any crowd control in 90 degree heat. Recommend getting cheese pies to go at the restaurant with the help of your private guide and skipping the sit down meal so you can get your tour underway. Meteora was gorgeous with breathtaking views and our guide ensured we left feeling like we saw absolutely everything, and got some great photos. He even left time so we could see the amazing hermit caves and to help us get delicious gyros at the local town instead of eating *again* at Camino. Truly he saved the day and is the reason why we felt this was a worthwhile experience despite the dreadful bus/tour company’s organization.
I had a wonderful...
WJ J,
Sep 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00I had a wonderful experience. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. Our tour guide was excellent - very friendly, knowledgeable, and made the day enjoyable from start to finish. I highly recommend this tour.
Don't miss this tour
Walter M,
Sep 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00As others have mentioned, it's a bit confusing to find the bus that you are assigned to, but I don't think anyone truly gets left behind as long as you show up on time. Its about a 4 hour drive from Athens to Meteora. There is a stop in a beach community where you can sit by the water and have coffee and a snack halfway into the drive. Once you arrive in Meteora you are met by your guide. In my case, we were incredibly lucky to have Apostolos. He was terrific, and he guided us to three monasteries and to lunch (if you don't purchase the lunch option, there are plenty of options for you). He was engaging and answered all questions. Keep in mind there is quite a bit of walking up stairs and hills. There were people of all sizes and ages. It was more challenging for some than others. Take your time and do what you are able to do. Everyone enjoyed just being there. After an exhausting and exhilarating day, we headed back to Athens, with a food stop in that same beach community. The total time from beginning to end was 15 hours. It was time well spent and we were very happy to have experienced this magnificent place.
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Operated by Visit Meteora