Athens to Meteora Day Trip

Recommended stops

You can visit all the places from the list or pick only the ones you like. Just inform your driver about your choice before the ride. During the stops you can do whatever you want: visit the landmarks, take pictures e.t.c. Take as much time as you want within the overall time limit of the trip.

Athens / Starting point

Your Welcome driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Athens at a convenient time of your choice.

Leonidas of Sparta & 300 Momument

The Battle of Thermopylae was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I.

Meteora

The Meteora is a rock formation and a World Heritage site, hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries.

Kalabaka

Kalabaka is a town and a municipality in the Trikala regional unit, where the Meteora Monasteries are located.

About the ride

Your day will begin with a personal pickup by your English-speaking driver from your hotel or apartment in Athens. After a quick introduction, you will board your private ride and begin your journey through the Thessaly region, to the stunning geological phenomenon of Meteora.

- Hotel pickup and dropoff from a professional English Speaking driver / local guide

- 100% Customisable & Private

The 4-hour drive will take you through the picturesque Greek lands, allowing you to enjoy the various landscapes, before finally reaching your destination in the town of Kalambaka.

You will also have the chance to see the statue of 2Leonidas of Sparta & 300 Momument in Thermopyles as we stop to take some pictures. Throughout the journey, your driver will share his local knowledge and suggest photo stops of all the important landmarks along the way. However, as this tour is completely customizable, you may choose where and for how long you wish to stop at each place.

Once you arrive in Kalambaka you will be taken to the very top of the towering cliffs, to visit two of the fantastic monasteries that are perched high upon the steep rocks of 3Meteora. On this part of the tour, you will be taken back in time to the dark ages, where you will learn the story of the monks who first braved the steep climb up the dark jagged rocks and laid the foundations of what is now the monastic community of Meteora. Only 7 of the original 30 monasteries are currently active, and these have been declared as World Heritage Monuments by UNESCO.

After exploring the historic monasteries, you will then slowly make your way back down to the town of Kalambaka, where you will be able to soak up some of the northern Greek cultures and sit down to enjoy an authentic Greek lunch. From Kalambaka, it is easy to see the sheer magnitude of the Meteora rock formations. The enormous, almost black sandstone rocks rise up out of the ground covering the sky, making it a perfect place to get those once in a lifetime photos and really absorb the outstanding natural beauty of Greece.

A visit to Kalabaka is never complete without visiting the 5Theopetra Cave, a unique archeological monument. The formation of Theopetra limestone has been dated in the Upper Cretacious period (137.000.000 - 65.000.000 years before present). The cave has started being inhabited since the Middle Paleolithic period (which started at about 100.000 years before present).

After you have had your fill of the local delicacies, you will then be taken back towards Athens, with one last stop at Kamena Vourla, before we safely head back to your accommodation in Athens.

Please, note that long pants, covering knees and foot are required to enter the Monasteries for men and long skirts for women.

Enjoy your travel to a maximum

Private

You will be picked up by a personal driver at a convenient place and time

Comfortable

Enjoy your trip in a nice air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi

Customizable

Pick the stops and the time you spend on each one

Efficient

Spend less time finding locations and waiting, and more time enjoying your travel

Professional

We hand-pick the best, friendliest and most knowledgeable drivers in the city

Reliable

Our customers rate us excellent on Tripadvisor and other platforms

Travelers' reviews

Welcome Pickups

Our drier Thodoris was simply phenomenal. Meteora is really a great destination and a must visit when in Greece. Actually, I was looking forward to this for a long time and to choose Welcome paid off.

Lena

12 July 2019

Included in the price

Fuel and Tolls
Water and Snacks
Hotel pickup and dropoff
Free wifi onboard
Personal English-Speaking professional Driver
All charges and fees

Not included

Entrance fees for all attractions
Tips and gratuities
Official Tour Guide - Our drivers are English Speaking and very knowledgeable of the places visited
Beverages and meals

Frequently asked questions
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Do I need to be in a good physical shape?

The drivers are trained to adapt the experience depending on the type of participants. Whether you have kids or elders participating, the drivers know exactly how to handle special requests and provide an enjoyable experience accordingly.

What happens after I book?

Once you complete your booking you will receive an email with more details about the A trip to Delphi tour, your Welcome driver, and any more information you need to know regarding this experience. Feel free to reach out to our customer service team at hello@welcomepickups.com for any specific questions regarding the experience.

Can I customize the tour based on my needs?

Of course, that is one of the main benefits of having a Welcome experience. You can customize every last bit of the experience, from points of visit to time spent per landmark to adding in an extra food stop.

Will there be an official tour guide?

An official tour guide is not included because the overall experience is centered around the driver and the local’s perspective. Although the drivers are very knowledgeable regarding the points of visit, at no point can they be compared with a licensed tour guide who can give more in-depth information regarding historic facts and information. If you would like to include an official tour guide in the experience please let us know via email after the booking is completed.

Useful tips
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Dress Modestly for Religious Monuments

When visiting religious monuments please dress modestly, or bring extra layers to cover up at that particular point of the tour.

Comfortable Clothes & Shoes

We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and good walking shoes since certain areas, may have uneven or rocky ground.

Be aware of the summer heat

In the summer months, the Greek sun is especially strong (even on cloudy days) so we recommend that you wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself. Also be sure to drink enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

Local Currency

Bring cash in the form of local currency (Euros), as many of the local vendors don’t accept card payments.

Bring your Camera

Make sure you bring your camera fully charged, or bring a spare battery, as there are many photo opportunities on this tour you won’t want to miss.

Accessibility & Special Needs

Please let us know if anyone in your group has special needs or specific accessibility requirements, and we will be sure to accommodate your needs and tailor the tour accordingly.

Terms of service
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Please note that the Welcome Drivers are not licensed to be your official tour guide at the local attractions and therefore will not accompany you into the sites. You may, however, hire a professional tour guide at an extra cost.
Your Welcome Driver will provide you with their local knowledge and personal recommendations between stops. Since your safety is Welcome’s top priority, please refrain from distracting the driver during demanding driving conditions.
Your Welcome Driver will drop you off and pick you up as close as possible to your stop whilst always respecting local traffic laws.