---
title: "Athens: Meteora Monasteries, Hermit Caves Tour with Pickup"
lang: en
type: tour
city: Athens
country: Greece
price: 76
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.54
reviews: 744
duration_minutes: 840
languages: [de, ru, pt, ko, ja, en, zh-CN, it, pl, fr, es]
free_cancellation: "true"
rank_in_category: 22 of 22 (Meteora Tours)
schedule_checked: 2026-10-22
data_updated: 2026-10-22
canonical: https://guidekin.com/greece/athens/tours/athens-meteora-monasteries-hermit-caves-tour-with-pickup/
---

# Athens: Meteora Monasteries, Hermit Caves Tour with Pickup

In our comparison: #22 of 22 in Meteora Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

Embarking on the Meteora Day Trip from Athens by bus offers a distinctive journey into one of Greece's most awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This tour provides the convenience of round-trip transportation from Athens in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus, allowing travelers to relax and enjoy the scenic Greek countryside en route to Meteora. Upon arrival, participants have the opportunity to join a small group and visit 3 of the 6 historic monasteries, each perched atop towering rock formations, offering panoramic views and a glimpse into centuries-old monastic life. An optional traditional Greek lunch in the nearby village of Kastraki enhances the cultural experience. The inclusion of an audio guide enriches the journey with historical insights and stories about the monasteries and the surrounding landscape. This combination of seamless transportation, guided exploration, and cultural immersion makes this tour a unique and enriching way to experience the wonders of Meteora.

## Before you book

- Hotel pickup: no car needed
- Entry ticket not included: buy it separately
- Starts 07:45: one departure a day
- Food included: see what is included

**Pickup:** Hotel pickup included

## Key facts

- Price: from €76 per person for the Tour only (excluding lunch) option; other options up to €88
- Duration: 14h
- Rating: 4.54/5 from 744 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Operator: Keytours - Greece
- Group: Shared tour
- Guide languages: English
- Tickets: Admission not included, pay on site
- Start times: 07:45
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-10-22

## Reviews

4.54 from 744 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
89% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 665 of 744.

- 5 stars: 547 (74%)
- 4 stars: 118 (16%)
- 3 stars: 35 (5%)
- 2 stars: 22 (3%)
- 1 star: 22 (3%)

## Tour options

Prices are the operator's current list price for two travellers (whole euros); options sold only to bigger parties say so; pick the option on the booking page.

| Option | Price | Guide languages | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour only (excluding lunch) | €76 / person | Russian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, French, Italian, Polish, Japanese, Chinese, German | Pickup included |
| Tour with Greek lunch | €88 / person | Russian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, French, Italian, Polish, Japanese, Chinese, German | Traditional Greek lunch: Book this option to join a group tour of Meteora and enjoy a traditional Greek lunch at a local restaurant. Pickup included |

## What's included

- Greek lunch with 10 dishes, including vegetarian options (if option is selected)
- Local English speaking tour leader
- Roundtrip transfer from Athens to Meteora
- Coastal stopovers for brunch and dinner at beachfront restaurant
- Visit the interior of 3 most beautiful monasteries
- Visit to the hermit caves
- Pickup service from centrally located hotels in Athens
- Multilingual Monasteries audio tour
- Free map and bottle of water

## Not included

- Drop-off service in Athens
- Guided tour inside the monasteries (audio guide available for free)
- Entrance fees of the Meteora Monasteries (per person per monastery)

## Itinerary

1. **Athens** (pass by, no stop) - Discover one of Greece’s most awe-inspiring landscapes on a single, unforgettable day trip. Departing from Athens, you'll travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach, taking in the scenic beauty of the Greek countryside as you make your way to the breathtaking monasteries...
2. **Kamena Vourla** (30m) - Seaside Brunch Stop: Skip the busy highway rest areas—enjoy a peaceful brunch by the sea, just steps from the water. Sip your coffee or savor a light meal with ocean views and fresh coastal air. Meals are optional and can be pre-ordered via our onboard app for a hassle-free...
3. **Kastraki** (40m) - Upon reaching Kalabaka, we'll begin the adventure with a leisurely lunch and a convenient restroom break in the charming village of Kastraki. Take this opportunity to refuel and prepare for an awe-inspiring exploration of the breathtaking Meteora region
4. **Varlaam Monastery** (45m) - Visit the impressive Varlaam Monastery, the second largest of Meteora’s monasteries, perched high on a rocky pinnacle. Your guide will share the fascinating history of its 16th-century construction and the lives of the monks who once hauled materials up by rope. Admire the...
5. **Great Meteoron Monastery** (pass by, no stop) - The Great Meteoron Monastery is the largest and oldest of all the Meteora monasteries. Built atop a towering rock formation, it earned the name “meteoro,” meaning “suspended in the air.” Founded by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite, it became the first organized monastic...
6. **Meteora** (25m) - Be amazed by the secluded hermit caves of Badovas, a powerful reflection of the solitude and spiritual dedication of Meteora’s earliest monks. As you explore these remote cliffside shelters, you’ll uncover the stories of the hermits who once lived here and see the traces of...
7. **St** (30m) - Stephen’s Monastery is the most accessible of all the Meteora monasteries, requiring no stairs—just a short walk across a small bridge to reach its entrance—making it ideal for visitors with limited mobility who still want an authentic monastic experience. Monastic life on...
8. **At the end of the day, our expert escort will transfer you back to Kalambaka,...** (1h) - At the end of the day, our expert escort will transfer you back to Kalambaka, where you will have the time to stroll around. At 5:35 p.m. the bus departs from Kalambaka, and arrives at 9:58 p.m back to Athens.
9. **Agios Nikolaos Anapaphsas** (10m) - The Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas is the first Monastery that we encounter on our way to the Holy Meteora and was founded at the end of the 14th century.
10. **Kalambaka** (pass by, no stop) - Enjoy the panoramic view of the town Kalampaka
11. **Roussanou Monastery** (10m) - The Holy Monastery of Roussanou is believed to be named after the first hermit who settled on its rock. Its main church was established in the late 16th century and beautifully decorated around thirty years later. Unlike some of the more elevated Meteora monasteries,...
12. **Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada)** (10m) - The Holy Trinity Monastery is the most challenging to access, but the breathtaking panoramic views from the top make the climb well worth the effort. Situated near St. Stephen’s Nunnery, this monastery sits atop a striking, steep rock formation. To reach it, visitors follow a...
13. **Kamena Vourla** (45m) - Sunset Dinner by the Sea: On the way back, enjoy an optional dinner stop in a picturesque coastal town. It’s the ideal setting to relax, enjoy authentic Greek dishes, and take in a stunning sunset by the water—an unforgettable end to your day.

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 07:45
- Schedule last checked: 2026-10-22
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

## Meeting point

You need to be at the opposite side of the Athens Railway Station at 07:30 am. You can reach the Athens Railway Station by metro, getting off at the Larissis Metro Station.

Ends: back at the meeting point

## Good to know

- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Infants (ages 3 and under) are free
- To enter the monasteries, appropriate clothing is required. Women should not wear short skirts and must have long sleeves. Men are not allowed to wear shorts.
- Amendments are serviced based on the availability
- The tour requires customers to climb stairs upon their approach to the monasteries. If someone finds climbing stairs challenging, it is possible to wait at the parking area where some benches are.
- Customers do not need to buy the monasteries tickets ahead of time. They pay in cash on the spot.
- The bus that will drive the customers to Kalambaka is only for the travel group.

## Compared with other Meteora Tours

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #22 of 22** | €76 | 14h | 4.54 (744) | shared |
| [Meteora Monasteries Private Full Day Trip From Athens](/greece/athens/tours/meteora-monasteries-private-full-day-trip-from-athens/?format=md) | €290 | 11h | 4.97 (433) | private |
| [Thermopylae, Meteora and Delphi Private Full Day Tour](/greece/athens/tours/thermopylae-meteora-and-delphi-private-full-day-tour/?format=md) | €250 | 14h | 4.94 (346) | private |
| [Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch](/greece/athens/tours/meteora-full-day-private-tour-from-athens-including-lunch/?format=md) | €303 | 12h | 4.94 (163) | private |

Ranked #22 of 22 in Meteora Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €38 to €659, median €205; typical length 14h. 9 of 22 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/greece/athens/meteora-tours-from-athens/?format=md

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