Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 162 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch worth booking?
Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch is a 12-hour experience in Athens, Greece, from $347 per person. It scores 82 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 162 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 82 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (162)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $347 per person
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Meteora, a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries on this private, full-day excursion from Athens. Travel in private, air-conditioned vehicles and get around all the sites your group is interested in visiting within the extensive mountain complex before returning comfortably to Athens. • Walk around the rock formations and visit up to three of the monasteries for an up-close look at ancient hermit life • Take photos and create lifelong memories at this picturesque yet imposing natural beauty • Enjoy authentic Greek food in Kastraki village • Return to Athens via Thermopylae, hearing battle tales along the way where 300 Spartans fought 100,000 Persians
What you get
About this experience
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Meteora, a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries on this private, full-day excursion from Athens. Travel in private, air-conditioned vehicles and get around all the sites your group is interested in visiting within the extensive mountain complex before returning comfortably to Athens. • Walk around the rock formations and visit up to three of the monasteries for an up-close look at ancient hermit life • Take photos and create lifelong memories at this picturesque yet imposing natural beauty • Enjoy authentic Greek food in Kastraki village • Return to Athens via Thermopylae, hearing battle tales along the way where 300 Spartans fought 100,000 Persians
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Athens hotel/ Piraeus port/ Athens airport pick-up and drop-off
- Bottled water
- On-board WiFi
- Professional drivers with deep knowledge of history (not licensed to accompany you in any site)
- Lunch (With Greek Traditional Food option)
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Licensed tour guide
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Athens
We start our tour early in the morning from Athens till Meteora. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel/ apartment or the airport/ port. The travel time is about 4,5 hours.
270 minutes here
Kalabaka is a town and seat of the municipality of Meteora in the Trikala regional unit, part of Thessaly in Greece. The population was 12,000 at the 2011 census, of which 8,330 in the town proper. The Meteora monasteries are located near the town.
Pass by without stopping
Meteora
We arrive at Meteora and visit up to three Monasteries. Breathtaking at first site, the Monasteries are of great cultural and natural importance. Split from earthquakes, weathered from the wind and the water over millions of millions of years, these immense rocks are an authentic masterpiece of mother nature. The Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries. The six (of an original 24) monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the name means "lofty", "elevated", and is etymologically related to meteor. Please be modestly dressed. Women are suggested to wear long skirts & long sleeves. If you do not have, you will be given a skirt on your way in.
180 minutes here
Meteora
Free time for lunch at a traditional Greek tavern with your friends and family or shopping at Kastraki, a picturesque village near Meteora.
60 minutes here
Thermopylae
Thermopylae is a place in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. It derives its name from its hot sulphur springs. In Greek mythology the Hot Gates is one of the entrances to Hades. Thermopylae is the site of a battle between the Greek forces and the invading Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides of Ceos in the famous epitaph, "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here obedient to their laws we lie." Thermopylae is the only land route large enough to bear any significant traffic between Lokris and Thessaly. To go from north to south along the east coast of the Balkan peninsula requires use of the pass, and so Thermopylae has been the site of several battles.
Pass by without stopping
Campo della battaglia delle Termopili
As we leave the magnificent Meteora behind us, let us not overlook the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BCE, which has long been the topic of cultural motivation, as it is perhaps the most famous military last stand of all time. The monument of the Great Leonidas, King of Sparta, in Thermopylae, will grace our path on our way back to Athens in the late afternoon. Thermopylae is world-famous for the battle that took place there between the Greek forces (notably the Spartans, Lakedemonians, Thebans and Thespians) and the invading Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides in the famous epitaph, "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here obedient to their laws we lie."
15 minutes here
Leonidas Monument
Leonidas was a king of the Greek city-state of Sparta, and the 17th of the Agiad line, a dynasty which claimed descent from the mythological demigod Heracles and Cadmus. Leonidas was son of King Anaxandridas II. He succeeded his half-brother King Cleomenes I to the throne in c. 489 BC. Leonidas had a notable participation in the Second Persian War, where he led the allied Greek forces to a last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC) while attempting to defend the pass from the invading Persian army; he died at the battle and entered myth as the leader of the 300 Spartans. While the Greeks lost this battle, they were able to expel the Persian invaders in the following year.
15 minutes here
Athens
We start our way back to Athens late in the afternoon. The drive is about 4,5 hours.
270 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
With Greek Traditional Food
Lunch: Enjoy authentic Greek cuisine and traditional foods. Pickup included
Without food
Lunch: We will make a stop for lunch anyway, but it is not included in the price. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- My Athens Transfers
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Our drivers are not official tour guides, but they are knowledgeable and can provide fascinating commentary in fluent English. Although they will not enter the sites with you, they can answer all of your questions about the places you visit with this tour.
- Third party activities and especially extreme sports are not allowed during the tour. This can be a cause for immediate cancellation of the tour.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 157 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
157 verified traveler reviews for Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Two Nights in Meteora
We created a custom 3 day tour from Athens to Meteora and My Athens Transfers did a great job! We wanted more than a day trip to Meteora, and stayed at a beautiful local hotel for two nights. This gave us plenty of time to enjoy the area. Dimitris was our personable and knowledgeable driver, and was flexible with what we wanted to do and see. We got to visit five amazing monasteries, more than we could have hoped for, thanks to Dimitris’ familiarity with the area. We highly recommend My Athens Transfers!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful review! We’re delighted that My Athens Transfers could help create a personalized three-day journey from Athens to Meteora that matched exactly what you were looking for. Staying two nights in the area is a fantastic way to experience Meteora at a more relaxed pace, and we’re thrilled that you had the opportunity to visit five of its incredible monasteries. We’re especially happy to hear that Dimitris made your experience even more special with his local knowledge, flexibility, and personable approach. It’s wonderful when a customized itinerary allows our guests to discover more than they initially imagined! Thank you for recommending My Athens Transfers. We truly appreciate your trust and hope to welcome you back to Greece for another unforgettable journey!
via Tripadvisor
Malmquist meet Meteora
Our guide had a wealth of knowledge he was so positive so happy and so patient with us. It was hands-down, our favorite part of the entire trip. His kindness and his representation of this beautiful country was five star.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that your Meteora tour was the highlight of your trip. It is especially rewarding to know that your guide’s knowledge, enthusiasm, patience, and kindness made such a lasting impression. We truly appreciate your kind words about his representation of Greece. Thank you for choosing My Athens Transfers, and we hope to welcome you back to Greece for another memorable experience!
via Tripadvisor
Meteor was the most beautiful place we have been!
We had an excellent private excursion to Meteora and would highly recommend it! Our driver, Aris, picked us up right at our hotel in Athens and was extremely personable and knowledgeable. The drive to Meteora is quite long, but Aris made the journey so enjoyable with his interesting conversations and knowledge of Greece. Meteora itself was absolutely breathtaking, and the entire day was one of the highlights of our trip to Greece. Thank you, Aris, for such a memorable experience!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that your private Meteora excursion was one of the highlights of your trip to Greece. Meteora truly is a breathtaking destination, and we’re delighted that you enjoyed the journey as much as the destination itself. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Aris. It’s fantastic to know that his knowledge, conversation, and personable approach made the long journey so enjoyable. Thank you for choosing My Athens Transfers and for recommending us. It was a pleasure to be part of your Greek adventure, and we hope to welcome you back to Greece again someday!
via Viator
Meteora - a must see!
We had an excellent private excursion to Meteora and would highly recommend it! Our driver, Notis picked us up right at our hotel in Athens and was extremely personable and knowledgeable. The drive to Meteora is quite long, but Notis made the journey so enjoyable with his interesting conversations and knowledge of Greece. Meteora itself was absolutely breathtaking, and the entire day was one of the highlights of our trip to Greece. Thank you, Notis for such a memorable experience!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that your private Meteora excursion with My Athens Transfers was one of the highlights of your trip to Greece. Meteora is certainly a spectacular destination, and we’re especially happy that Notis made the long journey from Athens enjoyable with his knowledge, great conversation, and personable approach. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with him! Thank you for choosing My Athens Transfers and for recommending the experience. We hope to welcome you back to Greece for another memorable journey in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Easy Way to Visit Meteora
This transportation/tour option to Meteora work out well for us, as it allowed us to decide how long to spend at each of the Monasteries, and provided the most comfortable and quickest way to get to the Monasteries on a one day trip. At Compo della batteglia della Termopili stop, and we chose not to watch the short film, but used the stop to get out of the car for a couple minutes. In general this stop and the Leonidas Monument/Thermopylae Area did not seem to add anything of interest to the trip, as other than the area in general there was no actual historical sites to see in the areas include on this tour. The drive to and from the Monasteries was long, but the car was very comfortable. The driver was very good, but was not a tour guide. He did answer our questions, and pointed out few things when traveling to Meteora. We followed our drivers advise as to which Monasteries to visit and he told us a little information on each of the Monasteries. Although we explored the Monasteries we visited in detail, we choose not to spend too long at any of the Monasteries. So, we had the time to visit another Monastery, but choose not to visit the fourth Monastery that day in part due to the stairs involved. The Monasteries are beautiful, but there were a lot of people visiting, so without a driver we would of had much longer walks from the parking areas used be cars and some buses. Our driver was able to drop us off and pick us up at the entrance gates, which saved us a lot of time. We choose not to purchase the lunch ahead of time, but our driver recommend a restaurant that had very good food and seemed reasonably prices. The company provided good communication ahead of our tour date, and our driver picked us up at out hotel at our selected time of 7:30. Even though we say 3 of the Monasteries and had a leisurely lunch our driver got us back to the hotel around 18:30.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review of your Meteora experience. We’re delighted to hear that the private transportation worked well for you and gave you the flexibility to explore the monasteries at your own pace. We’re especially pleased that you appreciated the comfort of the vehicle, our communication before the tour, and the convenience of being dropped off and picked up directly at the monastery entrances. These details can make a significant difference on a long day trip to Meteora. We’re also glad that our driver’s recommendations helped you make the most of your time, including his restaurant suggestion for lunch. We’ll be sure to share your kind comments with him. We’d also like to clarify one important point you mentioned: this experience is operated as a private sightseeing tour with a professional driver, not as a licensed guided tour. Our drivers are knowledgeable about the destinations, can answer questions, provide general information and assist with the itinerary, but they do not provide the detailed historical guiding of a licensed tour guide. Guests who prefer a fully guided experience can arrange a licensed guide as an additional service. Thank you again for choosing My Athens Transfers and for sharing your experience in such detail. We’re very happy that, despite the long journey, you were able to enjoy three of Meteora’s remarkable monasteries at a comfortable pace and return to Athens on schedule.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $347 to $659
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 57
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by My Athens Transfers, who run 16 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 75.3 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything My Athens Transfers runsWhy this scores 82
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Athens.
How much does Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch cost?
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Prices start at $347 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Athens usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch take?
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Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Athens is not rushed.
Is Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 82 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 162 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Athens, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch?
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Around 57 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Athens can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Athens and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Athens within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Athens?
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On Outty we rank every Athens experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Athens Scenic Bike Tour with Regular or Electric Bike + Acropolis, Athens Small Group E-Bike Tour, Acropolis E-bike Tour With Entrance Tickets. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Athens?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Athens?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch?
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Included: Private transportation; Athens hotel/ Piraeus port/ Athens airport pick-up and drop-off; Bottled water; On-board WiFi; and Professional drivers with deep knowledge of history (not licensed to accompany you in any. Not included: Licensed tour guide; and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 551 listed pickup locations in and around Athens. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Athens. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch?
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Across 162 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Meteora Full Day Private Tour from Athens including Lunch?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including With Greek Traditional Food, Without food. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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