• Thessaly - Begin your journey from your accommodation in Athens and explore Central Greece and Thessaly. Thessaly is both a traditional geographic and a modern administrative region of Greece, encompassing much of the ancient area of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, it was known as Aeolia, as mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey. Thessaly is a region of stunning beauty, featuring mountains, rivers, beaches, the renowned Plastira Lake, Tempi Valley, and the unique Meteora, Greece’s most photogenic spiritual site. Archaeological sites, Byzantine monasteries and churches, traditional villages, and ski resorts make it a favored holiday destination. According to Homer’s epic, the Odyssey, Thessaly is the home of Achilles, and the hero Odysseus visited the kingdom of Aeolus, the ancient name for Thessaly. The Plain of Thessaly is situated between Mount Oeta/Othrys and Mount Olympus.
• Kastraki - Kastraki is located in the western part of Meteora, built amphitheatrically among towering cliffs, and is a municipal district of Kalabaka. Its history is lost over time. In the eastern part, there is the old picturesque district of the village, and above it, a small but impressive spindle due to its form and support position. It serves as a base for climbers from around the world who come to admire the stunning landscape formed by the towering rocks. Kastraki boasts a rich local tradition, customs, and folk songs, all unique. The breathtaking landscape with canyons, plateaus, and the ghostly figures of “sacred rock” emerges through the lush scenery, striving to touch the heavens. Today, the village and the entire region of Meteora have been declared a Monument and World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It has become a delightful place for recreation with camping, taverns, and guest houses, offering pleasant relaxation.
• Meteora - Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece, hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are constructed on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area.

Meteora monasteries; the miracle of Greece. A few kilometers northwest of the town of Kalabaka, the impressive rocks of Meteora rise from the plains of Thessaly, one of the most amazing places in Greece. Many centuries ago, on these gigantic rocks with breathtaking landscapes reaching heights of over 600 meters, one of Greece’s most important monastic communities was formed.

In 1988, the Meteora monasteries were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Meteora-Antichassia area is part of the Natura 2000 network, hosting some rare species of birds and flowers.

• Great Meteoron Monastery - The Great Meteoro (Grand Meteor), also known as the Holy Monastery of the Metamorphosis (Transfiguration of Christ), is a male monastery and is the oldest and largest of all the monasteries of Meteora. Closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (winter season), closed on Tuesday (summer season).

The foundation of the Monastery of Great Meteoron marks the beginning of organized life at Meteora. Situated on the most imposing rock, it holds a commanding position among the monastic complex of Meteora.

As its name implies, it is the largest and most formal of the existing Meteora Monasteries. It was founded shortly before the mid-14th century by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite, who was also its first founder and the first to organize a systematic monastic community.

• Monastery of St. Stephan - St. Stephen was inhabited by monks in the late 12th century. The construction of the monastery, founded in the 14th century, was completed in the 15th and 16th centuries. The first founder of the monastery is the monk, later abbot, Antonios Kantakouzenos. According to some researchers, Antonios was the son of the Serbian Despot of Epirus Nikephoros II (1359) and a descendant of the great Byzantine family. The second founder is Monk Philotheos “ex Sklatainas”.

Theophilos erected a new, now Catholic, building, constructed the cells and other facilities of the monastery. During his time (1545), the monastery became stavropegic and retained this privilege until 1743. In 1798, a new church was built dedicated to Saint Charalambos, who in the 17th century was referred to as the second patron of the monastery. In the 18th and 19th centuries, several buildings and the abbey were constructed, giving it the form it has today. (Closed on Mondays)

• Varlaam Monastery - The Varlaam Monastery owes its name to the hermit-anchorite Varlaam, who first inhabited the rock in the 14th century. The history of the monastery begins substantially from the early 16th century when the rock was settled and their priory was organized by the Ioannina brothers Theophanes and Nektarios Apsaras.

In 1518, the Apsaras brothers fundamentally renovated the chapel of the Three Hierarchs, which was built on the site of the original Catholic monastery by Varlaam. In 1536, they built the winch tower, and in 1541, they constructed the present church dedicated to All Saints. In 1627, the chapel of the Three Hierarchs was rebuilt in place of the Old Catholic monastery built by the Apsaras, and in 1637, it was decorated by the artistic crew of John priest and children, who came from Kalabaka.

The monastery is distinguished for its spiritual prosperity and its participation in national struggles in recent years. (Closed on Thursdays-Fridays winter season & Fridays summer season)

• Holy Monastery of Rousanos - Saint Barbara - The Holy Monastery of Rousanou was founded in 1529 over the ruins of older buildings by the monks Ioasaf and Maximos, who came from Ioannina. (Closed on Wednesdays)

The monastery of Rousanou is an impressive four-story complex that reached its main form during the third decade of the 16th century. The Church of the Transfiguration was built from scratch in its present form from the extinct and destroyed by the ravages and neglect of time Old Catholic monastery around 1530 AD.

• Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas Anapafsas at Meteora - The Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapafsas is located close to Kastraki village. The rock is imposing, elegant, and cramped, but it is definitely eye-catching.

The monastery was renovated in the early 16th century. The second floor is occupied by the church of the monastery, which was painted by the renowned Cretan painter Theophanes Strelitzas, who was the founder of the Byzantine Cretan School of hagiography.

• Kalambaka - Kalabaka is a town and the seat of the municipality of Meteora in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The city of Kalampaka is built at the foot of the Meteora and is on the left side of the river Pinios. It is the starting point for visitors who wish to explore the monuments and magnificent sites of Aspropotamos of Hasia, Koziakas, and the Meteora. Kalampaka is renowned worldwide for the famous monasteries that exist atop the rocks of the Meteora. Every year, millions of visitors come from all over the world to admire and honor them. Kalampaka is a city rich in history and important monuments. One of the most significant is the Holy Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, located in the northeastern part of the city under the very high rock of Aea. Free time for lunch (not included)
• Thermopylae - Thermopylae is a place in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. It derives its name from its hot sulfur springs. In Greek mythology, the Hot Gates is one of the entrances to Hades. The Battle of Thermopylae took place in 480 BC between the Greeks and the Persians, coinciding with the Naval Battle of Artemision. The Persian Army, led by Xerxes, reached the passageways of Thermopylae. The Greeks chose this strategic spot to confront the Persian attack. Xerxes commanded Leonidas, the leader of the Greek Army, to surrender his armory, but he replied, ‘Come and get them.’ For two days, the Greeks fought heroically. On the third day, Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks, showing the Persians the passageway to get behind the Greeks. Consequently, the Persian Army surrounded the Greeks. Leonidas remained at the battle site with 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians, and 400 Thebans, loyal to his homeland’s laws. He fell dead from Persian arrows.
• Leonidas Monument - Why did the Battle of Thermopylae become one of the most world-famous battles? The Thermopylae battle is a perfect example of selflessness, sacrifice, and obedience to the laws of the country. The resistance in the passage is a result of rigorous military training, superior gear, and strategic use of the land to enhance defense capabilities.

Where is the Thermopylae Memorial? The passage of Thermopylae (which literally means “Hot Gates”) no longer exists, as the mud deposition by the Spercheios River moved the beach and the sea a few kilometers away. Near Thermopylae, next to the national road connecting Athens to Thessaloniki, there is a memorial statue of King Leonidas and his soldiers with an inscription saying:

“Ὦ ξεῖν’, ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις ὅτι τῇδε κείμεθα, τοῖς κείνων ῥήμασι πειθόμενοι”, which means: “Stranger, tell Spartans that we lay here, staying faithful to Sparta’s laws.”

• Private tour
• Bottled water included
• Professional English-speaking tour driver
• Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle transport
• Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in Athens

• Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museum
• Gratuities
• Food and drinks
• English-speaking licensed tour guide (We can arrange for a tour for you with an extra cost)

Don’t let the opportunity to explore Greece’s breathtaking cliff-top Byzantine Monasteries slip by with our comprehensive day-long private tour to Meteora. Journey across the picturesque Thessaly plain to reach Kalambaka and unveil the second most significant monastery complex in Greece, after Athos.

Key features of the all-day Meteora excursion

• A private 12-hour journey traversing the stunning landscapes of Central Greece
• Witness the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Meteora rocks and the Byzantine Monasteries of Meteora
• A world heritage site as recognized by UNESCO
• Experience Greek cuisine with an optional traditional Greek lunch in Kalambaka
• Assistance from a professional English-speaking guide
• Convenient pick-up and drop-off service from your Athens hotel at 07:00 A.M

• Dress code is formal
• Athens International Airport transfers can be arranged on request at an extra cost!
• Important note: You will have a professional English-speaking driver with good knowledge of the history and culture of Greece, to guide you till you enter archaeological sites and museums according to the program. Tour drivers are not licensed to companion you inside the archaeological sites and museums. If you’d like to have one, we can arrange it for you at an additional cost. Licensed by the state tour guides are freelance and it is subject to availability on bookings day!
• There are 6 monasteries on Meteora you could visit. Every day there is one or two closed. On this tour, you will have the chance to visit two monasteries, and if you are fast and fit, then a third one!
• Piraeus port transfers can be arranged on request at an extra cost!

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