Athens: Meteora Monasteries, Caves & Coastal Stopovers with Lunch

Overview

Available languages

German

Russian

Korean

Portuguese

Japanese

English

Chinese (China)

Italian

Polish

French

Spanish

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.

Admission Not Applicable

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.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

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

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

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.

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.

Reviews

4.69

1,418 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1148

174

Meteora monetary tour
Debasis D,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
Meteora is probably the best destination to be seen in Greece. However the farmer strike and police action did not help the tourists. Each way journey was extended by at least one hour each, causing a miss of the biggest monetary. Otherwise fantastic tour.
Apostolis is the Best!
Courtney B,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Interesting tour, be prepared for a long bus ride. Apostolis, the tour guide was knowledgeable and professional!
Amazing!
Thomas H,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Even though it was a really long ride, the experience was totally worth it. The view was amazing and the guide told us some really interesting facts about the area.
I will return someday
Nicole K,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The views are incredible and they share wonderful knowledge inside the bus. We had a long drive not sure to their fault and we missed the regular experience. We arrived late to Meteora and they gave us options and we still were able to see everything to make it a great trip! We had clear skies and a great guide. I would have loved more explanation upon entering the bus in the morning on want to expect but they didn't speak good english. The guide hops on at Meteora so it's a long quiet ride there and back. I wish I had taken a train ride there as the bus was long or had stayed overnight and split it into two or three days there.
Not worth it, waste of a day
Rachael B,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00
Turned out to be over a 16 hour day and got back well past midnight. We were behind schedule all day. Got to Meteora over 2 hours late and had to rush through only 2 of the 3 monasteries because the sun was going down. Didn’t get to see the 3rd or the caves since we were behind schedule. Had to skip lunch so had a real meal at 5:30pm. Then we were told we were having another dinner at 9:00pm on the way home because every 2 hours the bus driver needs a 45 minute break. Waste of day.
Beautiful, nice trip (they need to spray for Flys)
Alejandro M,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
I'll try to give an honest review. The tour was incredible and a must see. I totally recommend it. The instructions where clear. And even if there were other 4 or 5 buses. Our driver was out and helping and directing people. We didn't struggles finding it. The driver was counting people before starting on every stop to make sure he was not leaving people behind. After sometime we picked up Dmitri whoa was out guide. He was knowledge and friendly. We stopped for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And had 45 minutes per monastery visiting all the places they said. On our way back they gave us bathroom brakes and everything was good. I wish I spent 2 days instead of one because this is a beautiful place. The way back was exhausting because they closed the roads. So we took extra 2.4 hours. Wishes we didn't stopped for dinner to save some time. Then we started noticing that the bus was not as comfortable. A little more space than a comercial ariplane. I wish the bus even if it was good it was not luxury. They will need to upgrade their bus withing the next year or so. I took a star off because of that and because the bus was full of flys. They really need to spray that bus.
Absolutely perfection. Do not forget to tip your guide!
Crystal L,,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It was me and my 10 year old daughter and it was absolutely perfection start to finish! PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO TIP YOUR TOUR GUIDE!
Well worth the long ride
June B,,Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It was a magical place.This tour had a stop in a seaside village which was beautiful.So choose this one. There were not so many steps.The guide, Jim , was very good and drivers competent.The food looked quite good but as I get motion sick I just had tea.I wasnt sick though. The monastries are genuine and raise money this way and are so well kept.This is early December and the colours were so lovely, the weather was mild and dry.Best time of year to see cities and ruins.Summer is too hot and too crowded. Greeks are fun people and freindly.So its well worth the long bus ride.
Wow! What a view!
Karen R,,Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
So many WOW! moments throughout the day. We enjoyed learning a little bit of history while seeing the stunning landscape. It is a lot of stairs, but so worth it!
It’s a long bus ride...
Randy L,,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It’s a long bus ride that’s for sure, but it’s definitely worth seeing all the monasteries. The history and the culture you feel from the tour inside is absolutely remarkable. The views from the top of the mountain are indescribable and just so amazing.