Meteora From Athens Trip 2024: How To Reach + Activities
Are you planning a trip to Meteora from Athens?
This destination was one of the highlights of my first vacation to Greece in 2021! The scenery of the monasteries and the history of this location were unbelievable. With that in mind, a visit to Meteora should be included in any Greece vacation!
When it comes to reaching the region from starting in Athens, there are several different transportation options you can choose from.
This post will provide the information you need to get to Meteora by train, bus, rental car, and popular activities at the destination.
Going On A Trip To Greece? Check Out These Resources!
🛌 Accommodations: I always use Booking.com for my lodging.
🚘 Car Rentals: To find the best prices, I use Discover Cars!
✈️ Flights: To find great flight prices, I check on Skyscanner.
📍Tours: I use Viator to find memorable experiences.
How to Get from Athens to Meteora
The three main transportation methods for getting from the Greek capital Meteora are train, bus, or rental car. Ultimately, the best option will depend on your preferences. There are different pros and cons to each method.
Athens to Meteora: Train
One direct train and several indirect trains run between the two destinations. The train station in Athens is Larissa Train Station, which you can reach by metro or taxi.
The FREENOW app is a reliable way to grab a taxi in Athens. You can also use Uber to order a taxi in Athens.
The last station you will get off at is the Kalambaka Train Station (a.k.a. Kalabaka or Kalampaka).
Once you are at Kalambaka Station, you can reach Meteora through private hotel transfers. Conversely, you can also catch a bus from the nearby KTEL Bus Station. The bus to Meteora departs three times a day.
Taking one of the earliest trains from Athens is best if you go to Meteora on a day trip. The journey will take around 4 hours and 10 minutes both ways. Due to the short exploration time this would leave you with in Meteora, I recommend staying at least for a night or two.
Train tickets are available through Train OSE or in person at the train station. There is no set price for tickets; they can vary between 20-40€ ($22-40).
👉TRAVEL TIP: The train schedules are subject to change between the busy season and the off-season.
Athens to Meteora: Bus
You can also use public transportation through the KTEL bus. However, this option is more complex than the train for a few reasons.
First, there is no direct bus to Meteora. A transfer to Kalambaka will be needed at the Trikala train station.
Second, KTEL buses are divided between districts, making navigating harder. Last, the journey is longer in comparison to the train.
The KTEL bus for Meteora will leave from Liosion Bus Station in Athens and travel to Trikala Station. This will be a total trip of around 4 hours and 30 minutes. After arriving at Trikala, transfer to the Kalambaka Bus Station, and the journey will take around 30 minutes.
Bus tickets are available on the KTEL website. Costs will be about 30-40€ both ways.
Athens to Meteora: Car
Are you not a fan of public transportation options, or do you want more flexibility? Then driving a rental car may be the best option for you. This is the way I chose to venture to Meteora.
I went to Greece towards the end of the tourist season in October, so there were fewer public transportation options. The drive was very wholesome, and we enjoyed every second of it!
The drive will take around 4 hours, but you may take longer than that. This is due to the commute being incredibly scenic.
The drive contains the Greek countryside, multiple mountain tunnels, and breathtaking landscape views. My friend and I probably added another hour and a half to our trip due to constantly stopping to catch drone footage.
Getting a rental car from the Athens International Airport is easy. I recommend getting a rental car at the airport versus the city center. Traffic in Athens can make driving there feel intense and overwhelming.
🚗Book your rental car through Discover Cars!
(This is the company I use)
In addition, cars with GPS will come in handy; we had Greek SIM cards but did lose service a couple of times.
Driving to Meteora was undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments of my trip to Greece! It was by far one of the most scenic road trips of my life.
👉TRAVEL TIP: Prepare to pay for tolls! It will be beneficial to have around 20€ for the fees. Cards are not valid payment methods.
How Far is Meteora from Athens?
The distance between Meteora and Athens is 222 miles (357 kilometers). While this may seem long, the journey there is picturesque and is a part of the experience of journeying from Athens.
All three main methods of transportation will take between 4 and 5 hours to reach Meteora. That being said, it’s recommended to stay overnight in Meteora for at least one day; however, it is still possible to do a Meteora day trip.
Guided Tours to Meteora
The easiest option for traveling to Meteora is through an organized tour. That way, all the logistics are already figured out for you!
Even better, there are options for a Meteora day trip from the Greek capital or a 2-day trip.
For a stress-free journey, check out these Meteora tours:
➡️Full-Day Meteora Tour by Train
➡️Meteora Day Trip from Athens by Bus with Optional Lunch
Is Meteora Worth Visiting?
Are you overwhelmed with the options of places to see in Greece? Or are you wondering if Meteora is worth a visit? The answer is, without a doubt, yes!
When planning my Greece trip, I had no idea Meteora existed. Meteora might not cross your mind due to places like Santorini and Mykonos.
Of course, nothing beats Santorini caldera views or the moon-like beach of Sarakinko on the beautiful island of Milos. However, there is a unique gem located on Greece’s mainland that cannot be missed!
This destination is sought after due to the monasteries that sit on stunning rock formations. Visitors can also explore outdoor activities and small towns. You will encounter some of the most jaw-dropping views on your trip to Greece.
Interesting Facts about Meteora
- The Monastery of the Holy Trinity was used in the James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only. Only the monastery’s exterior was used due to objections from the monks to film inside.
- The Meteora landscape was again used as a CGI backdrop in Game of Thrones when Tyrion was held at the Eyrie’s sky cells.
- Meteora has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since the year 1988.
- Many monks have left the area due to increased tourism, which disrupts monastic peace.
- Each monastery faces the east, making the sunrises captivating to see.
Meteora Monasteries
Now, let’s skip to the good part: the monasteries! The word “Meteora” literally means “suspended in the air”, and that makes sense once you land your eyes on the monasteries.
These jaw-dropping rock formations that the monasteries sit on top of are the product of 60 million years of natural earth movements.
The first monks started residing in Meteora as early as the 11th century. The largest of the remaining monasteries, The Great Meteoron, was built in the 14th century.
Between that time and the 16th century, 24 monasteries were built. This was done using assembled ladders and attaching baskets to ropes to transport goods and materials.
Lucky for you, the 1920s witnessed the carving of stairs out of the rock along with bridges for easier access.
Now, only six of these monasteries remain. This is due to continuous foreign invasions during the 17th century. Today, nearly 60 monks and nuns still call these monasteries their homes.
👉TRAVEL TIP: Each monastery has an entrance fee of 3€, accepted only in cash.
Here are the six remaining monasteries that you can still visit, along with some helpful info:
The Monastery of Great Meteoron
As mentioned, the Great Meteoron Monastery is the oldest and largest of the six. Saint Athanasios, the Meteorite, around the year 1340, founded it.
There are several noteworthy sites you can view at the monastery. This includes outstanding frescos, a shelf of the skulls of previous monks, and the kitchen that the monks once used.
Remember that this is one of the more difficult monasteries to access. There are a little over 300 stairs before the entrance. Despite this, the views are worth it!
✔️Opening Hours: 09:00-15:00 (Summer); 09:30-14:00 (Winter)
✔️Closed on: Tuesdays (Summer); Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (Winter)
The Monastery of Varlaam
Second, in terms of size, is the Monastery of Varlaam. The monastery derives its name from a hermit monk named Varlaam, the only person who resided at the site in the 14th century. Eventually, after nearly 200 years of neglect, the brothers Theophanes and Nektarios founded the monastery in 1517. Today, seven monks remain at the monastery.
A few of the highlights of this monastery include frescoes, a museum, and the chapel of the Three Hierarchs. You will need to climb around 195 steps to reach Varlaam.
✔️Opening Hours: 09:00-16:00 (Summer); 09:00-15:00 (Winter)
✔️Closed on: Fridays (Summer); Thursdays and Fridays (Winter)
The Monastery of Roussanou
Founded in the 16th century by brothers Ioasaph and Maximus, the holy monastery of Roussanou is one you can’t miss on your trip to Meteora. The monastery is in honor of Saint Barbara. December 4th celebrates her memory.
Roussanou is a three-story building spread across steep rock, making this one of Meteora’s most picturesque monasteries.
Eventually, once you have climbed more than 140 steps, the monastery offers one of the best panoramic views of the landscape. In the present day, the monastery inhabits around 15 nuns.
✔️Opening Hours: 10:00-16:00 (Summer); 10:00-14:00 (Winter)
✔️Closed on: Wednesdays (both seasons)
The Monastery of Agios Stefanos (St. Stephen’s)
Next, we have the most accessible of the monasteries. That’s right, the monastery of St. Stephen’s requires no stairs! Visitors can reach St. Stephen’s by crossing a short bridge. This allows those with mobility issues to experience the structures still up close.
The monastery’s foundations date back to the 12th century. The official construction of St. Stephen’s began in the 15th century.
There are several sites for you to admire while visiting St. Stephen’s, including Byzantine art, a museum, and incredible views of the Thessalian Valley.
✔️Opening Hours: 9:00- 13:30, 15:30-17:30 (Summer); 9:30- 13:00, 15:00-17:00 (Winter)
✔️Closed on: Mondays (both seasons)
The Monastery of Holy Trinity
The monastery of the Holy Trinity is one of the most photogenic of the six, even used as a backdrop in the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only.
The monastery rests on a piece of monolithic rock over 400 meters high. However, it is essential to note that this is also the most difficult of the monasteries to access from its steep journey of 140 steps.
The Holy Trinity has existed since the 14th century. Visitors can view frescoes and paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Furthermore, you can capture a unique, jaw-dropping view of the surrounding monasteries.
✔️Opening Hours: 10:00-16:00 (Summer); 10:00-16:00 (Winter)
✔️Closed on: Thursdays (both seasons)
The Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas (St. Nicholas)
Founded in the 14th century, the Monastery of St. Nicholas was constructed in the 16th century. It stands three stories tall due to the limited space available on the steep rock.
When venturing from the main town, this is the first monastery you will reach. Visitors will find beautiful frescoes and paintings at St. Nicholas that began in the 14th century.
The three separate levels are split between the Church of St. Anthony on the first, the Catholicon for St. Nicholas on the second floor, and the Holy Table on the third level.
✔️Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (Summer); 9:00-16:00, Sundays 9:30-1600 (Winter)
✔️*Open every day (both seasons)
These UNESCO World Heritage Sites will be some of the highlights of your entire visit to Greece.
Here’s a great Meteora tour of all six monasteries!
➡️Panoramic Meteora and all Monasteries Tour
Meteora Monasteries Dress Code
There is a strict dress code for everyone to follow when visiting the monasteries of Meteora, as they are places of worship. You will be denied entry for failing to follow the dress code.
Male visitors are to wear pants extending past the knees and shirts with sleeves.
On the other hand, women are to wear skirts that go beyond the knees and sleeved shirts covering the shoulders. No pants are allowed.
👉TRAVEL TIP: For ladies, there is no need to worry if you forget or are unaware of the dress code. Appropriate clothing is available for you to purchase or borrow at the entrance of the monasteries.
Additional Things to Do in Meteora
Aside from the monasteries, there are several other enjoyable things to do during your trip to Meteora. Next, we’ll look into some exciting activities you can do.
Paragliding
What better way to spend time in Meteora than to be literally “suspended in the air”? Paragliding is an option and can be booked through Meteora Fly Adventures.
Prices per person for tandem paragliding start at 120€ for a 20-minute flight, 180€ for a 40-50-minute flight, and 240€ for a 60-minute flight.
Motorized paragliding is also available, with prices per person starting at 80€ for a 10-minute flight, 100€ for a 15-minute flight, and 120€ for a 20-minute flight.
Hiking
While this method isn’t as fast to maneuver through Meteora, hiking is a unique way to visit the monasteries. Additionally, there are guided tours that can assist you and help you learn more about Meteora
This is the hiking tour that I recommend for Meteora:
🌄Meteora Hike with Transport from Kalambaka
Multiple trails start from Kalambaka and Kastraki that will give you one-of-a-kind views.
👉TRAVEL TIP: It is recommended to download offline Google Maps if you choose to hike the trails. The service in Meteora becomes increasingly unreliable as you journey up to the rock formations.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is the opportunity if you want to be like the original monks that climbed the majestic rocks. Meteora has over 800 routes catering to new and experienced rock climbers.
White Water Rafting
If you want to dig deeper into the Meteora’s nature, white water rafting is another great activity!
Multiple tours are available that go through the Venetikos and Aliakmonas rivers. This experience is full of beautiful views you will surely not forget.
➡️Here is a great Meteora Rafting Trip!
Vineyard
Visiting one of Meteora’s wineries is a great thing to do outside the monasteries. Loudas Winehouse is a great vineyard offering tasty wines. This family-owned winery will not leave you disappointed!
What is the Best Time to Visit Meteora?
To assist you in planning your trip, it’s worth mentioning the best time to visit Meteora.
The best months to visit Meteora are in the shoulder season months of spring (April- June) and fall (September- October). However, a visit during winter may offer the opportunity to see the monasteries in a snow cover!
Going during this time will help you avoid loads of tourists, which are the worst during the peak season months of July and August. In addition, you will experience pleasant weather conditions to enjoy exploring the monasteries and other outdoor activities.
Can You do a Meteora Day Trip from Athens?
As previously mentioned, yes, it is possible to do a Meteora day trip from Athens.
However, the total travel time would be between 8-10 hours minimum. Given that, staying at least one night in Meteora is recommended. This will give you time to explore the towns of Kalambana and Kastraki in addition to the monasteries.
Once you finally witness the captivating views from the six monasteries spread across the land, you’ll quickly want to stay longer. Together with its natural beauty, this location has numerous outdoor activities to give you plenty of things to do.
Where to Stay in Meteora
If you are planning to stay overnight during your trip to Meteora, it will be best to book your accommodation in Kalambaka or Kastraki.
Kalambaka offers more eateries and entertainment, while Kastraki is a quiet, charming village located closer to the monasteries. Both are excellent options; you can’t go wrong with either when booking your Meteora hotel.
Different types of budget, mid-range, and luxurious stays are available in Meteora. You will indeed find something to cater to your preferences.
📍Hotel Doupiani House is one of the most recommended hotels and is where I also chose to stay. It’s on the outskirts of Kastraki; however, it is a short walk to the village. The views from this hotel were insane! Be sure to request a room facing the monasteries for the best available views.
Meteora Hotels in Kalambaka
📍Divani Meteora is a splendid 4-star hotel with a pool, select rooms with views of the Meteora rocks, a bar, and breakfast options. After a long day of touring the monasteries, the jacuzzi and the sauna will provide you with the perfect relaxation.
📍Monastiri Guesthouse is a notable 3-star hotel located very close to the center of Kalambaka. Together with cozy rooms and sweeping views of Meteora, Monastiri also has a pool and traditional Greek breakfast.
Meteora Hotels in Kastraki
📍Meteora Hotel at Kastraki is a luxurious 4-star hotel that boasts a modern and traditional aesthetic mix. The remarkable hotel has a pool, breakfast, a bar, and phenomenal scenery views.
📍Dellas Boutique Hotel is a 3-star hotel offering spacious rooms, a buffet breakfast, a bar, and great views. The hotel also has an optimal location at the base of the Meteora rocks and is right next to Kalambaka.
Remember Travel Insurance!
You should get travel insurance if you’re going on a day trip or a longer one. It’s always better to be on the safe side.
It’s better to be prepared if something unfortunate happens on your trip, such as a sudden illness or injury. Since your home country’s insurance most likely will not cover you while abroad, add travel insurance to make your life easier!
Here is the travel insurance I both use and recommend:
➡️Safety Wing Travel Insurance
To Sum Up: Trip to Meteora from Athens
Meteora is a great location to visit. Meteora has everything if you want to explore the outdoors or see breathtaking views.
While things like a flying dress photo shoot in Santorini will draw your attention, you do not want to miss out on this location! There are enough things to do in Meteora between a day trip or an extended stay.
There is so much rich history to enjoy at this destination. I hope my advice helps you on your trip to Meteora from Athens!
