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Visit Majestic Meteora by Train from Athens

    Take a day out of your sightseeing in Athens to visit the spectacular cliff top monasteries at Meteora on this 14-hour excursion by rail.

    Catch the train for Kalambaka at 7:20 AM from Athens railway station and sit back to admire the beauty of Greece’s countryside along the way.

    At 11:30 AM, arrive in Kalambaka, a small town built at the foot of rocky gray cliffs. They are crowned by the incredible Greek Orthodox monasteries of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    On meeting up with your English-speaking driver upon arrival in Kalambaka, who will be holding a sign with your name on it, you will alight a luxury vehicle. You then have around 4 1/2 hours (including a quick lunch break) to explore the marvelous Meteora. Some of the favorite family activities in the area include:

    a. For those interested in Meteora in a nutshell

    • Visit the amazing clifftop monasteries
    • Enter 3 monasteries to see how the monks live 
    • Explore the hermit caves of Badovas
    • Admire the breathtaking views from the ‘Panorama Rock
    • Great photo opportunities

    b. For those interested in hiking (standard hiking tour)

    • See the old renovated monastery of Ypapanti, built on the side of the rock. It’s open to the public Monday to Friday from April till October
    • Walkthrough the forest of Meteora and get away from the crowds
    • Discover places accessible only on foot
    • Visit the monastery of Great Meteoron when open, or Varlaam when the Great Meteoron is closed

    C. For those interested in hiking (Hiking Meteora’s Hermit Caves)

    • See the prison where the monks lived when they were expelled
    • Unique views from the top of the Holy Spirit cliff
    • Visit the cave chapel dedicated to the Holy Spirit
    • Find the hermitage of St. George of “Mandilaras”
    • An afternoon hike off the beaten tourist paths

    D. Private Hiking and Scramble Tour of Great Saint

    • The Via Cordata experience
    • Breathtaking views
    • Great photo opportunities
    • Avoid the crowds

    At the end of the day, you will be transferred back to Kalambaka, where you can enjoy some time exploring the town and having a light lunch (not included in the tour price).

    At 5:15 PM the train departs Kalambaka, arriving in Athens at 9:25 PM.

    Customize your itinerary to meet your interests.

    Families should know

    • The 1st class seats on the train are more comfortable and quieter. They are almost always arranged in a 6-seat-room, offering a higher amount of privacy. In addition, the first-class coach is located next to the train’s cafeteria, offering fast access to the cafeteria should you wish to buy a snack or drink during your trip.
    • You will receive your train tickets via email approximately one month prior to the date of your trip.
    • The one-day train tour to Meteora is not a highly suggested option for families with young kids because the total duration of the trip is 14 hrs.
    • For families with young children, we recommend that you stay one night.
    • The Day trip includes: hotel pick-up and drop-off from Athens Hotel to Athens Train Station, round-trip train tickets, pick-up and drop-off from Kalambaka train station, transportation by luxury air-conditioned vehicle after getting off the train in Kalambaka, local English speaking guide, free map and bottle of water
    • The admission tickets for the monastery is excluded

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    Kids will love

    • The train ride through the ever-changing Greek countryside
    • Having their parents’ full attention during the train journey
    • The impressive rock formations

    Parents will love

    • Relaxing during the train ride and not having to worry about the route
    • Visiting the world-famous ancient monasteries
    • Visiting places in Greece while their base is Athens
    map Explore the map

    Best season to visit

    • summer
    • autumn
    • winter
    • spring
    • All
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    • I would like to plan a visit to Meteora with my 7 person family. I think it would be best to stay one night in Meteora with my family, but I am unsure how this would work logistically. I have a 5, 8 and 10 year old who are inclined to get tired without a place to rest throughout the day. I also have an adult with knee problems in our group. Will you please advise what options are available for a trip like this from Athens? We would leave Athens on 9/29/22 and need to return by 9/30/22. I appreciate your help!

      • Hi Cadi, we can certainly help you with the request. Zoi emailed you more details. All the best!

     
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