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
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)
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
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.
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
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
1,392 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Tour
Kyaw W,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was truly unforgettable. The bus was very comfortable, clean, and perfectly punctual, which made the whole trip relaxing and enjoyable. Our guide, Maria, was outstanding professional, informative, and incredibly friendly. She shared so much interesting history and made the experience even more special. The only part that could be improved was the lunch, which wasn't as great as expected. However, the overall tour more than made up for it with the breathtaking views and excellent service. Highly recommend this tour!
Excellent tour, great value for the price
sam642000,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour is a very good value for its cost. It's a lengthy tour, we returned back to Athens at 10:30pm. The drivers and guide were very friendly; the guide gave a lot of information and helped us at every location. There are lots of difficult steps at the monasteries so be prepared. We chose the option with lunch (vegetarian) which was delicious. I highly recommend this tour.
Amazing Scenery, Mixed Experience with Tour Stops
799danielan,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nov 2nd was the travel date. The weather was very nice , a little cloudy but very pleasant. The first stop at the seaside restaurant was okay, though overpriced in my opinion. Behind the restaurant, there is a very big supermarket. The second stop, which was for lunch, was a super cute restaurant. It was off-season, so it wasn’t busy. I think the prepaid option was overrated; I could have bought the food at the restaurant on my own. I actually think the tour company increased the price for the food on purpose. The tour itself was great, very nice views. Apotolis was our tour guide, and he was passionate and knowledgeable. However, the stops probably didn’t make much sense. We missed many opportunities to take pictures of the beautiful monasteries. The first stop took too long and involved difficult hiking, in my opinion. I still think it was an excellent tour, but if I do it again, I’ll go with a smaller tour so it’s easier to stop for pictures. With a big bus like this one, it’s hard to stop and park, and we missed many opportunities. Demitrus was our driver, and he was excellent too.
Love at first sight!
Martha Q,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We LOVED Meteora and can’t wait to return! Both of our drivers were experts and our tour guide was fun, knowledgeable and shared so much great history. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes because it is a challenging environment but all worth it. The rest areas had good food options and restrooms were clean.
Great excursion, but a bit rushed at the monasteries
Giane D,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Positive: We had a great time with the excursion in general, starting with the trip from Athens to Meteora (~ 4 h). In general, we enjoy bus rides in which we get to see more of the countryside, and this trip definitely offers good views of the cities, mountains and coast. It was nice to have a break at Camino to have a coffee/dinner before and after going to Meteora. The driver was very kind and helpful by taking photos of us. The area of Meteora is just astonishing, it is easier to take dozens of photos there. The landscape is very beautiful and unique. The monasteries offer great views, but it was also very nice to understand it’s history and see the beautiful architecture and afrescos inside. Finally, the tour guide Apostolis is quite knowledgeable and approachable. Negative: the lunch place they have chosen is terrible. The food is tasteless, and there is lack of information about how it works. It was also a bit annoying that we had so little time in the places: 5 min here, 20 min in the monastery A, 15 in monastery B, etc. I am aware that we need to keep track on time, but it would be nice to know beforehand how many stop it will be for photos and visitation (so that people can know it will be more stops for photos).
Beautiful destination, exhausting long trip
Lama B,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Meteora is beautiful. Chose a day trip because I didn't have a lot of time. I personally would not recommend doing it in one day because you're spending over 9 hours in a bus (and in my case with sick passengers who were coughing and sneezing the whole way) but our guide Maria was great
A must see!!
Mike R,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00There are some hills and stairs and a lot of walking so be prepared. But, this was amazing. The scenery, the history - fabulous. And our tour guide was fantastic!!
Well worth it
marianmU9686AO,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour. Our guide Apostolis, was excellent. Very informative and entertaining. Lunch was good. I highly recommend
Fantastic (big) day out at Meteora
Cheryl F,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing scenery with a very well organised tour operator. Great selection of monasteries to visit. Guide was know land personable.
A must event for all tourists !!!
DamonH509,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great tour of monasteries. Be prepared for about 4 1/2 hour ride. Break at 1/2 way point. Lot's of stairs and don't look for an elevator !
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Operated by Visit Meteora