Viator lists 18 tours that enter the Great Meteoron. We read the 18 that pass our review bar in full and recommend these 6.
These six shared tours allow 40 to 60 minutes inside Great Meteoron on open days. Local trips from Kalabaka or Kastraki take four hours by minibus or on foot. Athens coach trips take 14 hours. The compared options start at €35 to €102 per person.
For walking trails, choose the Ypapanti hike with an hour inside and up to 12 people. For three interiors, take the morning monasteries tour with Varlaam and Rousanou. The panoramic minibus allows 50 minutes at Great Meteoron. The Kalabaka hike suits a shorter visit of 40 minutes. From Athens, choose the 07:45 coach for the lower fare without lunch. The 09:00 coach with lunch suits a later start. Both reach the monasteries after lunch. Great Meteoron closes at 15:00 in summer. Avoid Tuesdays for Great Meteoron. Check Wednesday and Thursday opening from November to March. The hikes need moderate fitness. Entrance fees are extra: bring €5 per monastery in cash.
Great Meteoron gets 60 minutes on this walk through the rocks. The route also visits Ypapanti with a local mountain guide. Hotel pickup in Kalabaka or Kastraki is included for groups of up to 12.
Selected option
Meteora Small Group Hiking tour with Transfer and Monastery Visit
From €35 per adult · ages 12 to 99
1 of 6 inside: Great Meteoron. Entrance fees paid in cash at the doors. Tuesday departures cannot enter Great Meteoron. Check Wednesday and Thursday opening for visits from November to March. Bring €5 in cash for Great Meteoron. Its entrance fee is extra. This hike needs moderate fitness and proper walking shoes. Children can join from age six. Give this hike a miss during pregnancy or with back or heart problems. Cover your shoulders. Women need a skirt below the knee and men need long trousers.
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Photos from Visit Meteora
Take this if you want the trails as much as the monastery. You need moderate fitness. Choose a sightseeing tour if you want several of the six interiors.
Pay the monastery fee separately in cash. Tuesday departures cannot enter Great Meteoron.
Language: English.
02
Operator: Visit Meteora · · Up to 18 people
Hotel pickup, three monasteries inside
The hotel pickup with three interiors
Start
09:00
Duration
4 hours
Cancellation
Free, up to 24 h before
Pickup
Kalabaka or Kastraki hotel pickup
Rating
4.8/5 from 77 reviews
Great Meteoron gets 60 minutes alongside visits to Varlaam and Rousanou. Pickup from Kalabaka or Kastraki is included. The group of up to 18 has a live guide in English and a multilingual audio guide.
Selected option
Meteora Monasteries Half-Day Small Group Tour with Transport
From €35 per adult · ages 12 to 99
3 of 6 inside: Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Rousanou. Entrance fees paid in cash at the doors. Tuesday departures cannot enter Great Meteoron. In summer, Rousanou closes on Wednesdays and Varlaam on Fridays. The route changes on closure days. Check Wednesday and Thursday opening at Great Meteoron from November to March. Bring €5 per monastery in cash. Entrance fees are extra. The guide stays outside the monasteries. The live commentary is in English. Cover your shoulders. Women need a skirt below the knee and men need long trousers.
Photos from Visit Meteora
Book this for three interiors without organising transport. Walkers may prefer a hike. Avoid Tuesdays for Great Meteoron.
The guide stays outside the monasteries. Bring cash for the entrance fees.
Operator: Meteora Thrones · Travel Center · · Up to 20 people
Morning minibus, three monasteries inside
The minibus with 50 minutes inside
Start
09:00
Duration
4 hours
Cancellation
Free, up to 24 h before
Transport
Air-conditioned minivan
Meeting point
Kalabaka or Kastraki hotel pickup
Rating
4.8/5 from 77 reviews
Great Meteoron gets 50 minutes on this morning minibus route. Varlaam and Rousanou each get 45 minutes. Hotel pickup in Kalabaka or Kastraki is included for up to 20 people.
Selected option
Meteora Panoramic Morning Small Group Tour with Local Guide
From €35 per adult · ages 13 to 99
3 of 6 inside: Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Rousanou. Entrance fees paid in cash at the doors. An open monastery replaces Great Meteoron on Tuesdays. In summer, Rousanou closes on Wednesdays and Varlaam on Fridays. An open monastery replaces each closed stop. Check Wednesday and Thursday opening at Great Meteoron from November to March. Bring €5 per monastery in cash. Entrance fees are extra. The guide stays outside the monasteries. Cover your shoulders. Women need a skirt below the knee and men need long trousers.
Photos from Meteora Thrones · Travel Center
This suits anyone who wants three interiors and photo stops in one outing. Choose the morning monasteries tour if an hour inside matters more. Another monastery replaces Great Meteoron on Tuesdays.
The guide stays outside. Entrance fees are extra in cash.
Language: English.
Three alternatives for a different day
04
Operator: Meteora Thrones · Travel Center · · Up to 20 people
Hike with one monastery inside
The hike with 40 minutes inside
Start
09:00
Duration
4 hours
Cancellation
Free, up to 24 h before
Transport
Air-conditioned minivan
Meeting point
Kalabaka or Kastraki hotel pickup
Rating
4.9/5 from 10 reviews
Great Meteoron gets 40 minutes on this hike along the monks' paths. Hotel pickup and minivan transfers are included. A local guide leads groups of up to 20.
Selected option
Hiking Tour to Meteora from Kalambaka - Local Agency
From €35 per adult · ages 13 to 99
1 of 6 inside: Great Meteoron. Entrance fees paid in cash at the doors. On Tuesdays, Varlaam or St Nicholas replaces Great Meteoron. Check Wednesday and Thursday opening at Great Meteoron from November to March. Bring €5 in cash for the monastery and bring your own water. The guide stays outside the monastery. This hike needs moderate fitness. Give it a miss during pregnancy or with back or heart problems. Children can join from age four. The child rate needs two paying adults. Cover your shoulders. Women need a skirt below the knee and men need long trousers.
Photos from Meteora Thrones · Travel Center
Book this for a guided walk with one monastery visit on your own. Choose the Ypapanti hike if you want an hour inside. You need moderate fitness.
Bring your own water and cash for entry. On Tuesdays you visit Varlaam or St Nicholas instead.
Language: English.
05
Operator: Meteora Trip · · Up to 35 people
Athens coach, three monasteries inside
The Athens coach without lunch
Start
07:45
Duration
14 hours
Cancellation
Free, up to 24 h before
Transport
Air-conditioned bus
Meeting point
Opposite Larissa station, Athens, 07:45
Rating
4.5/5 from 45 reviews
Great Meteoron gets 60 minutes on the Athens option without lunch. St Nicholas and Rousanou complete the three interiors. The coach leaves opposite Larissa station at 07:45 with up to 35 people.
Selected option
Tour From Athens without Lunch
From €75 per adult · ages 13 to 99
3 of 6 inside: Great Meteoron, St Nicholas, Rousanou. Entrance fees paid in cash at the doors. Tuesday departures cannot enter Great Meteoron. In summer, Rousanou closes on Wednesdays and St Nicholas on Fridays. The route changes on closure days. Check Wednesday and Thursday opening at Great Meteoron from November to March. The €38 option starts at Kalabaka station. Select the Athens option for the return bus transfer. Lunch costs extra on this option. Bring €5 per monastery in cash for entry. The guide stays outside the monasteries. The monastery visits start after the midday lunch stop. Great Meteoron closes at 15:00 in summer. Cover your shoulders. Women need a skirt below the knee and men need long trousers.
Photos from Meteora Trip
Choose this for return travel from Athens with lunch left to you. Pick a local morning tour if you want an earlier monastery visit. The guide stays outside the monasteries.
Lunch and entrance fees are extra. Tuesday departures cannot enter Great Meteoron.
Languages offered: Chinese, Korean, French, Japanese, German, English, Spanish, Italian.
Shared options · From-price per adult, ages 13 to 99
Exact option
Entry included
From
Tour From Athens without LunchCompared above
Select this option for an extraordinary Meteora Tour (without lunch), including Roundtrip Bus Transportation from Athens.
€75
Tour From Athens with Lunch
Select this option for an extraordinary Meteora Tour with Greek Lunch, including Roundtrip Bus Transportation from Athens.
€91
Tour From Meteora with Lunch
Select this option for an extraordinary Meteora Tour with Greek Lunch, starting from Kalambaka Train Station.
€38
06
Operator: Meteora Thrones · Travel Center · · Up to 35 people
Later Athens coach with lunch
The later Athens coach with lunch
Start
09:00
Duration
14 hours
Cancellation
Free, up to 24 h before
Transport
Air-conditioned coach
Meeting point
Opposite Larissa station, Athens, 08:45
Rating
4.6/5 from 556 reviews
The English option with lunch leaves Athens by coach at 09:00. Great Meteoron gets 60 minutes alongside visits to Varlaam and St Stephen. The route adds seaside breaks and views of the Badovas caves.
Selected option
TOUR IN ENGLISH WITH LUNCH
From €102 per adult · ages 13 to 99
3 of 6 inside: Great Meteoron, Varlaam, St Stephen. Entrance fees paid in cash at the doors. Tuesday departures cannot enter Great Meteoron. In summer, St Stephen closes on Mondays and Varlaam on Fridays. The route changes on closure days. Check Wednesday and Thursday opening at Great Meteoron from November to March. Arrival in Kalabaka is around 13:30 and lunch takes 30 minutes. Great Meteoron closes at 15:00 in summer. Meet opposite Larissa station by 08:45. Make your own way there. The €86 starting fare excludes lunch. Choose the English option with lunch for this comparison. Bring €5 per monastery in cash. The guide stays outside the monasteries. Cover your shoulders. Women need a skirt below the knee and men need long trousers.
Photos from Meteora Thrones · Travel Center
Pick this if an early start from Athens is a problem. Choose a local morning tour for more time before Great Meteoron's summer closure. Avoid Tuesdays for Great Meteoron.
Arrival around 13:30 and the lunch stop leave a tight window before the 15:00 summer closure. Entry fees are extra in cash.
Shared options · From-price per adult, ages 13 to 99
Exact option
Entry included
From
TOUR IN SPANISH WITH LUNCH
Group in Spanish with Lunch: Choose this option for SHARED GROUP Meteora Tour in SPANISH including LUNCH + SHARED Bus Tranfer from/to Athens
€102
TOUR IN SPANISH WITHOUT LUNCH
SHARED TOUR IN SPANISH: Choose this option for SHARED GROUP Meteora Tour in SPANISH + SHARED Bus Tranfer from/to Athens.
€87
TOUR IN ENGLISH WITH LUNCHCompared above
Lunch included Group in English with Lunch : Choose this option for SHARED GROUP Meteora Tour in ENGLISH including LUNCH + SHARED Bus Tranfer from/to Athens
€102
TOUR IN ENGLISH WITHOUT LUNCH
GROUP TOUR IN ENGLISH: Choose this option for SHARED GROUP Meteora Tour in ENGLISH + SHARED Bus Tranfer from/to Athens.
€87
Other formats
Other formats that serve the same day: private cars, multi-day trips, combinations.
Private Athens day with Theopetra · EASYEXPERIENCES
Private Athens day with Theopetra
Start
07:30
Duration
13 hours
Cancellation
Free, up to 24 h before
Transport
Air-conditioned vehicle
Pickup
Hotel pickup
Rating
5.0/5 from 2 reviews
Choose this private Athens trip if you also want Theopetra Cave. The route allows 60 minutes inside Great Meteoron and also enters Varlaam and St Stephen.
Selected option
group with max 4 guests
From €800 per group · ages 0 to 120
Entrance fees paid in cash at the doors. The price starts at €800 per group for up to four guests. The five-to-eight guest option starts at €1,000 per group. Tuesday departures are not offered. In summer, St Stephen closes on Mondays and Varlaam on Fridays. Check the replacement route for those days. Check Wednesday and Thursday opening at Great Meteoron from November to March. The cave fee and lunch cost extra. Bring €5 per monastery in cash for entry. This trip needs moderate fitness. Cover your shoulders. Women need a skirt below the knee and men need long trousers.
Photos from Easyexperiences
5.0/5 · 2 reviews
Language: English.
Private car with longer monastery time · Athens Tours Greece
Private car with longer monastery time
Start
06:00 to 07:30
Duration
12 hours
Cancellation
Free, up to 24 h before
Transport
Air-conditioned vehicle
Pickup
Hotel pickup
Rating
4.0/5 from 3 reviews
Choose this if you want 75 minutes inside Great Meteoron with your own driver from Athens. The standard route also allows 50 minutes inside St Stephen.
Selected option
Group up to 3 p. / Sedan
From €680 per group · ages 0 to 99
Entrance fees paid in cash at the doors. The sedan option starts at €680 per group for up to three people. Tuesday departures cannot enter Great Meteoron. St Stephen closes on Mondays. Check Wednesday and Thursday opening at Great Meteoron from November to March. The route allows two monastery interiors. A third depends on your pace and fitness. Bring €5 per monastery in cash. Lunch and a licensed guide inside cost extra. This trip needs a high level of fitness. Cover your shoulders. Women need a skirt below the knee and men need long trousers.
Photos from Athens Tours Greece
4.0/5 · 3 reviews
Language: English.
Before choosing a tour
How much do these tours cost?
Starting prices for these shared options range from €35 to €102 per person. All four local trips start at €35. The 07:45 coach from Athens starts at €75 without lunch. The 09:00 coach with lunch starts at €102 for the English option. Entrance fees are extra. Bring €5 per monastery in cash.
How long is the trip and the visit inside?
Allow four hours for a local tour or 14 hours from Athens. The Ypapanti hike gives you 60 minutes inside Great Meteoron. The Kalabaka hike gives you 40 minutes. The sightseeing tours allow 50 or 60 minutes. Both Athens coaches visit after the lunch stop. Great Meteoron closes at 15:00 in summer. Choose the morning monasteries tour if you'd rather visit earlier.
Can I go inside Great Meteoron on a Tuesday?
No. Great Meteoron is closed on Tuesdays. The Kalabaka hike visits Varlaam or St Nicholas instead. Choose another day if Great Meteoron is the reason for your trip. Check Wednesday and Thursday opening for visits from November to March. Other closures affect the route too. In summer, Rousanou closes on Wednesdays. Varlaam closes on Fridays.
Do I need a car to join a tour?
No. All four local trips include hotel pickup in Kalabaka or Kastraki. Both Athens coaches meet opposite Larissa station. The 07:45 coach leaves earlier. Arrive by 08:45 for the 09:00 coach. Neither includes Athens hotel pickup. With your own car, consider the Ypapanti hike if you want a mountain guide for the trails.
What is included besides transport?
All six trips include a local guide. The sightseeing guides stay outside the monasteries. The morning monasteries tour includes bottled water and an audioguide. Lunch costs extra on the selected 07:45 Athens coach option. Choose the English option with lunch on the 09:00 coach if you want a meal included. Vegetarian and vegan choices are available.
Can children join these tours?
Yes. The Ypapanti hike takes children from six. The Kalabaka hike starts at four. Its child rate needs two paying adults. The morning monasteries tour accepts children from birth. The panoramic minibus has infant seats available. Infants must sit on an adult's lap on the 09:00 Athens coach. At monastery gates, under-12s usually enter free.
How fit do I need to be?
Both hikes need moderate fitness. Give them a miss during pregnancy or with back or heart problems. Choose the morning monasteries tour if you prefer transport between monasteries. You still need to climb Great Meteoron's long staircase. The 09:00 Athens coach also involves steps at the monasteries. There are no lifts.
Can bad weather cancel my tour?
Yes. Bad weather can cancel the panoramic minibus or the Kalabaka hike. The 07:45 Athens coach can also be cancelled for bad weather or too few bookings. Cancel your own booking at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. That deadline applies to all six tours. You get no refund if you cancel later.
What should I bring and wear?
Bring cash for every monastery you enter. Budget €5 per door. Wear comfortable shoes for the sightseeing trips. The hikes need proper walking shoes. Cover your shoulders. Women need a skirt below the knee. Men need long trousers. Wrap skirts are lent at the gates. Bring your own water on the Kalabaka hike. Take a phone and earphones for the 07:45 coach's audioguide.
Which tour would you pick for a first visit?
Choose the morning monasteries tour if you're staying in Kalabaka or Kastraki. It gives you an hour inside Great Meteoron. Varlaam and Rousanou get 45 minutes each on opening days. The group has up to 18 people. Choose the Ypapanti hike if walking matters more than entering several active monasteries. It also allows an hour inside Great Meteoron. Ypapanti is an extra stop.
Going independently
Can I visit Great Meteoron without a tour?
Check the closing day before choosing your date. Great Meteoron closes on Tuesdays. Check Wednesday and Thursday opening from November to March. From Athens, take the train to Paleofarsalos and the connecting bus to Kalabaka. Allow five to six hours each way. Take a taxi from the railway station or walk the paths from Kastraki. Check the bus timetable at the station. Pay €5 in cash at Great Meteoron's door. No advance ticket or time slot is needed.
Hotel pickup and return on local tours from Kalabaka or Kastraki. A local guide for the walk or sightseeing route. Return coach travel from Athens on the Athens options.
I write and edit everything on this site: the monasteries and the days they close, the trains, the tickets, and the tours.
For this page I read the tour listings and compared what each option includes and what it costs.
Closing days and entrance fees come from the notices at the monastery gates, cross-checked against two published timetables at every build. Tour prices, inclusions, group sizes and review counts come from the listings and carry the date they were read.
