2 Days
Specific Tour
19 people
English
Embark on an immersive two-day journey from the vibrant city of Athens to the mystical landscapes of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, by train. This thoughtfully designed tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration, scenic train travel, and ample time to soak in the awe-inspiring beauty of Meteora’s monastic wonders.
NOTE: Train services in the region have ceased, prompting the transportation between Athens and Meteora to be provided by bus.
Your adventure begins at the Athens railway station, where you'll have to board (on your own) a comfortable train heading to Kalabaka. As the train departs, you'll traverse through diverse landscapes, from the Athenian urban sprawl to the picturesque Greek countryside. Arriving in Kalabaka, the gateway to Meteora, you'll be greeted by a local tour leader who will lead you to your accommodation. After settling in at your hotel, the afternoon will be dedicated to exploring the town and its surroundings with an amazing sunset tour.
Wake up to the breathtaking views of Meteora and enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on a morning tour of the monastic complex. Visit several of the monasteries, each with its own unique history, architecture, and panoramic vistas. Marvel at the monastic life and the spiritual serenity that permeates these ancient sanctuaries. The afternoon allows for further exploration or leisure time. As the day concludes, board the return train to Athens, reflecting on the cultural and natural wonders witnessed during your Meteora adventure. The train journey back provides a tranquil opportunity to savor the memories of Meteora and the changing landscapes outside your window. This two-day tour offers a harmonious blend of history, nature, and relaxation, providing a deeper understanding of Greece's cultural and spiritual heritage against the backdrop of the awe-inspiring Meteora.
You are entitled to 75% of the booking amount up to 48 hours and 50% of the booking amount up to 24 hours.
Visitors and pilgrims must adhere to a dress code in order to enter the monasteries. Women are required to wear skirts that extend below the knee and ensure their shoulders are covered. Similarly, men should wear long pants, preferably, or shorts that also reach below the knee, with their shoulders covered. This dress code is enforced to maintain the sanctity and reverence of the monastic environment.
You will have to board the train from the departing city yourself. Our tour leader will be waiting for you at Kalampaka's Railway Station, holding a sign with your name.
We will send you the train tickets by email a few weeks before the tour. Keep in mind that you should check your spam folder of your email address often, given that the tickets will be a PDF file attached to the email.
We suggest that you print the tickets, in addition to having a digital version of them - in order to avoid any issues that may arrise (e.g. running out of battery etc.).
We suggest that you arrive at the train station at least 20 - 40 minutes early.
Of course! There is a cafeteria on the train where you can get water, coffee and snacks.
First-class seats are quieter and more comfortable. They are arranged in 6-seat rooms, which affords you more privace and easy access to the cafeteria, given that the latter is usually in the next coach.
Our tours run as normal, unless the weather conditions are extreme. In this case, you have the option of either changing the date or activity or canceling and getting a full refund.
Of course you can!
Your reservation can be made whenever you wish, even at the last minute. However, there is a high chance that there might not be (an) available seat(s) for you on the train, given that the train is almost always fully booked at the last minute.
On this tour, you get to see all 6 monasteries and visit 3 of them. However, the monasteries we visit are not always the same, given that each monastery has its own visiting hours and is closed once a week.
Visitors and pilgrims are required to follow a dress code in order to enter the monasteries. Women must wear a skirt (reaching below the knee) and have their shoulders covered. Men must wear long pants (preferably) or shorts (reaching below the knee) and have their shoulders covered, as well.
All monasteries have, on average, 200-250 steps each (with the exception of The Nunnery of St. Stephen, which has only a small bridge). Please, be mindful that even though we will try to modify the tour to make it easy for you, it is not guaranteed that the Nunnery of St. Stephen will be visited (depending on the day and/or other special occasions/circumstances).
Each monastery has an entrance fee of 3€ per person. Children up to 12 years old do not pay an entrance fee.