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Greece
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Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace
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Central Macedonia
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Thessaloniki
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Polichni
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Tours & Activities
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Meteora Sunset Tour from Kalambaka
4 h
Sunset & Sunrise
About this activity
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Meteora, Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00 Greece
Meteora is an area that covers few square kilometers, where an ancient monastic community and a rare geological phenomenon of huge rock pillars coexist in absolute harmony. Located at the northwest tip of the plain of Thessaly, Meteora today has become one of the most popular destinations of mainland Greece. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an archeological site and an officially declared holy place! At the foothills of the rocks, there are 2 settlements, the town of Kalabaka and the village of Kastraki.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Byzantine Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary, Kalambaka Greece
It is a must-see church, not only for its age and precious 11th century Byzantine frescoes, but also because of the construction material of its walls. Relics of an ancient Greek temple dedicated to God Apollo have been embedded in the wall. In its interior one can also pay attention to the older mosaic floor that is revealed in specific spots beneath the current floor. This is definitely one of the most precious early Christian basilicas around Greece and even now days serves as an active church for the locals.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Agios Stefanos, Kalambaka Greece
This is the most accessible monastery, where instead of steps you simply cross a small bridge to reach the entrance. It is ideal for visitors who cannot use the steps and yet they wish to have a real experience of a Meteora monastery.
The beginning of monastic life on the rock of Agios Stephanos dates back to early in the 12th century. Hosios Antonios, in the first half of the 15th century, and Hosios Philotheos, who renovated or rather rebuilt from its foundations the old small and elegant Catholicon, the present church of Agios Stephanos, in 1545 are mentioned as its founders.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Great Meteoron Monastery, Kalambaka 42200 Greece
The Great Meteoron Monastery is the biggest and oldest one of all. It was called the monastery that was “suspended in the air” (meteoro), because of the formation of the gigantic rock on top of which it was built.
The Great Meteoro Monastery was founded by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite who was the first founder of the monastery and the organizer of the systematic koenovion. For this reason, the foundation of this monastery is considered to be a turning point, or even better, the beginning of the organized monastisicm in Holy Meteora.
Pass By: Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada), Kalambaka Greece
The Great Meteoron Monastery is the biggest and oldest one of all. It was called the monastery that was “suspended in the air” (meteoro), because of the formation of the gigantic rock on top of which it was built.
The Great Meteoro Monastery was founded by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite who was the first founder of the monastery and the organizer of the systematic koenovion. For this reason, the foundation of this monastery is considered to be a turning point, or even better, the beginning of the organized monastisicm in Holy Meteora.
Pass By: Roussanou Monastery, Kalambaka Greece
The Holy Monastery of Roussanou has received the name of the first probable hermit who settled on the rock. The main cathedral was founded at the end of the 16th century and was decorated thirty years later.
Compared to other rocks where monasteries were built, the one of Roussanou has a lower elevation, which makes it more accessible. The monastery was initially founded by monks and it suffered severe damage during World War II. It became a convent in 1988.
Pass By: Varlaam Monastery, Kalambaka Greece
The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is the second biggest monastery. It is located opposite of the Great Meteoro Monastery and it was founded in the mid 14th century by the exercitant Hosios Varlaam.
The elegant monastery Catholicon was built in the honour of Agioi Pantes in 1541-42, by two brothers from Ioannina, the priest-monks Hosioi Theophanes and Nectarios the Apsarades. The main church was decorated in 1548. Based on stylistic criteria, this magnificent wall-painting is attributed to the famous hagiographer from Thebes, Frago Catelano.
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This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Meteora, Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00 Greece
Meteora is an area that covers few square kilometers, where an ancient monastic community and a rare geological phenomenon of huge rock pillars coexist in absolute harmony. Located at the northwest tip of the plain of Thessaly, Meteora today has become one of the most popular destinations of mainland Greece. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an archeological site and an officially declared holy place! At the foothills of the rocks, there are 2 settlements, the town of Kalabaka and the village of Kastraki.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Byzantine Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary, Kalambaka Greece
It is a must-see church, not only for its age and precious 11th century Byzantine frescoes, but also because of the construction material of its walls. Relics of an ancient Greek temple dedicated to God Apollo have been embedded in the wall. In its interior one can also pay attention to the older mosaic floor that is revealed in specific spots beneath the current floor. This is definitely one of the most precious early Christian basilicas around Greece and even now days serves as an active church for the locals.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Agios Stefanos, Kalambaka Greece
This is the most accessible monastery, where instead of steps you simply cross a small bridge to reach the entrance. It is ideal for visitors who cannot use the steps and yet they wish to have a real experience of a Meteora monastery.
The beginning of monastic life on the rock of Agios Stephanos dates back to early in the 12th century. Hosios Antonios, in the first half of the 15th century, and Hosios Philotheos, who renovated or rather rebuilt from its foundations the old small and elegant Catholicon, the present church of Agios Stephanos, in 1545 are mentioned as its founders.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Great Meteoron Monastery, Kalambaka 42200 Greece
The Great Meteoron Monastery is the biggest and oldest one of all. It was called the monastery that was “suspended in the air” (meteoro), because of the formation of the gigantic rock on top of which it was built.
The Great Meteoro Monastery was founded by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite who was the first founder of the monastery and the organizer of the systematic koenovion. For this reason, the foundation of this monastery is considered to be a turning point, or even better, the beginning of the organized monastisicm in Holy Meteora.
Pass By: Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada), Kalambaka Greece
The Great Meteoron Monastery is the biggest and oldest one of all. It was called the monastery that was “suspended in the air” (meteoro), because of the formation of the gigantic rock on top of which it was built.
The Great Meteoro Monastery was founded by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite who was the first founder of the monastery and the organizer of the systematic koenovion. For this reason, the foundation of this monastery is considered to be a turning point, or even better, the beginning of the organized monastisicm in Holy Meteora.
Pass By: Roussanou Monastery, Kalambaka Greece
The Holy Monastery of Roussanou has received the name of the first probable hermit who settled on the rock. The main cathedral was founded at the end of the 16th century and was decorated thirty years later.
Compared to other rocks where monasteries were built, the one of Roussanou has a lower elevation, which makes it more accessible. The monastery was initially founded by monks and it suffered severe damage during World War II. It became a convent in 1988.
Pass By: Varlaam Monastery, Kalambaka Greece
The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is the second biggest monastery. It is located opposite of the Great Meteoro Monastery and it was founded in the mid 14th century by the exercitant Hosios Varlaam.
The elegant monastery Catholicon was built in the honour of Agioi Pantes in 1541-42, by two brothers from Ioannina, the priest-monks Hosioi Theophanes and Nectarios the Apsarades. The main church was decorated in 1548. Based on stylistic criteria, this magnificent wall-painting is attributed to the famous hagiographer from Thebes, Frago Catelano.
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off to/from Kalambaka or Kastraki
- Visit the Byzantine Church of Virgin Marry.
- Visit the hermit caves and the hidden monasteries.
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Local English speaking tour leader
- Bottled water
- Small size groups.
- Great Photo oportunities
- Avoid the crowds
Not included
- Entrance fees (approx. 5 euros)
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Entry/Admission - Byzantine Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary
- Entry/Admission - Agios Stefanos
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Saint Steven Monastery is closed on Mondays. Due to this fact, on this day of the week Rousanou Monastery will be visited
- The monasteries have a strict dress code: men must wear trousers and long sleeves, women must wear a long skirt. If you do turn up in shorts, trousers and skirts will be provided.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
Features
Tourism
90%
Cultural
55%
Nightlife
15%
Reviews
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Excellent tour of Meteora and the temple in Kalambaka! We thoroughly enjoyed it and even the boys had fun. The guide Vaggelis was very knowledgeable, passionate and ready to answer all our questions. We recommend this tour to anyone who would like to know more about the area, whether Greek or foreigner. Thank you for an enjoyable tour!
This tour was amazing!
We had the most amazing time on this sunset tour! We were so worried because it had been raining earlier in the day but the skies cleared and we saw the most beautiful sunset! The tour guides were awesome and visiting the monasteries were great. Our only regret was that we didn't spend more time in this beautiful area during our vacation in Greece!
The site is breathtaking, the Monestaries were stunning and Dimitrius was knowledgable, extremely friendly, accommodating and just passionate about his job. You can listen to him for hours. Please excuse the all the adjectives but if you can't tell I truly enjoyed it. Thank you
If you have extra time in Greece, go to Meteora....It's a special place. Arrange a tour of your choice with Viator and spend a night there. Don't try to do a visit in one day....it will be too exhausting. It takes 5 hours to get there from Athens, both ways, either by train or bus. Train feels like it takes forever....bus is more pleasant with a 20 minute stop to get off bus and unwind with food and/or drink. We did sunset tour which was very good and well organized. Tour guide spoke English and was very informative. At the end of tour you'll be ready to relax with dinner and/or drinks at center of town. I would book again with Viator for other vacation tours. P.S. If Greece wishes to have tourists visit Meteora, I strongly suggest a faster way to get there and return from Athens.
Excellent service! Guide and driver picked me up at the train station and even stopped on the way so I could get a take out lunch. Very friendly and informative guide and the bus was comfortable. You will probably want to stay in the area and spend an extra day so you can walk some of the Meteora trails.