1 - 8 Persons
Free Wifi
Full Day
In this tour we will visit Meteora, a unique location full both in terms of landscape and christian faith.
The 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 built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. It is located near the town of Kalambaka at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains. Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The name means “lofty”, “elevated”, and is etymologically related to meteor.
By Fingalo – Own work, CC BY-SA 2.0 de
Monasteries
Monastery of Great Meteoron
This is the largest of the monasteries located at Meteora, though in 2015 there were only 3 monks in residence. It was erected in the mid-14th century and was the subject of restoration and embellishment projects in 1483 and 1552. One building serves as the main museum for tourists. The Katholikon (main church), consecrated in honour of the Transfiguration of Jesus was erected in the middle of the 14th century and 1387/88 and decorated in 1483 and 1552.
Monastery of Varlaam
The Monastery of Varlaam is the second largest monastery in the Meteora complex, and in 2015 had the largest number of monks (seven) of the male monasteries. It was built in 1541 and embellished in 1548. A church, dedicated to All Saints, is in the Athonite type (cross-in-square with dome and choirs), with spacious exonarthex (lite) is surrounded by a dome. It was built in 1541/42 and decorated in 1548, while the exonarthex was decorated in 1566. The old refectory is used as a museum while north of the church is the parekklesion of the Three Bishops, built in 1627 and decorated in 1637.
Monastery of Rousanou/St. Barbara
It was founded in the middle of the 16th century and decorated in 1560. Today it is a flourishing nunnery with 13 nuns in residence in 2015.
Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas
The monastery was built in the 16th century, has a small church, decorated by the noted Cretan painter Theophanis Strelitzas, in 1527. There was one monk in residence in 2015.
Monastery of St. Stephen
The Monastery of St. Stephen has a small church built in the 16th century and decorated in 1545. This monastery rests on the plain rather than on a cliff. It was shelled by the Nazis during World War II who believed it was harboring insurgents and was abandoned. The monastery was given over to nuns in 1961 and they have reconstructed it into a flourishing nunnery, with 28 nuns in residence in 2015.
By Napoleon Vier from nl, CC BY-SA 3.0
Monastery of the Holy Trinity
The Monastery of the Holy Trinity is on top of the cliffs. It was built in 1475 and was remodeled in 1684, 1689, 1692, 1741. There were four monks in residence in 2015.
More than a taxi tour
Our licensed tourist guide Vicky will enter with you to all monuments and explain everything concerning the monument or the musuem findings you see. Vicky has a degree in Archaeology from the University of Athens and she’s been working as a guide for 35 years now. She speaks English, French and Italian.
We use luxury Mercedes Taxi, legal and licensed by the Greek National Tourism Organization. (License Number 06ΣΞ00261ΣΟ).
Prices are quoted per car & not per person.
If you prefer without tour guide, our English speaking driver can give you all the historic information while you can watch a video about the tour. The driver is not permitted to enter archaeological sites and museums with you, only licensed guides from the ministry of culture are allowed to do so.
Driver will wait maximum 60 minutes after the indicated pick up time, kindly be on time.
Comfortable clothing and athletic walking shoes are recommended.
Hat, sun glasses and sunscreen to protect yourself are suggested.
We recommend you always keep local currency on you (euro), needed for entrance fees and small expenses
Please note that, if you will be choosing the service with a licensed guide, you will require an additional seat in your vehicle, since your guide will be riding with you.
Photography is permitted throughout the tour and in most historical sites unless otherwise mentioned.
