More about: Day Trips to Meteora and Delphi from Athens
With over 3,000 years of history, Athens is the symbol of Western culture and a fascinating city whose wealth of monuments attracts visitors from all corners of the globe.
However, Greece is much more than its capital. During your holiday, I recommend setting aside some time to take a trip to Delphi and Meteora from Athens, two spectacular sites in Greece with a long history and beautiful landscapes that will leave you speechless. Don't miss it!
Delphi Day Trip from Athens
Discover Delphi at the best price with a day trip from Athens
Discover Greek history and enjoy exploring this wonderful city, full of landscapes and archaeological monuments. Travel back in time to Ancient Greece with the comfort of an excursion.
Considering that Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet, the great thing about taking an organised trip to Delphi from Athens is that you will have the opportunity to discover a UNESCO World Heritage Site without having to worry about anything other than enjoying the experience.
You will depart from Athens for Delphi, a charming tourist village located on the southern slope of Mount Parnassus and one of Greece's most prominent destinations. Accompanied by an expert local guide, you will visit the archaeological site, monuments such as the Temple of Apollo and the Delphi Archaeological Museum.
After visiting the museum, one of the most valuable in the country due to the collections it houses, you will have free time to explore the places that have caught your attention the most before heading back. On the way back, you will make a brief stop in Arachova and Livadiá, two towns that you can also explore at your leisure, while you wander through their narrow streets or buy some souvenirs.
Why I like this option: you can discover one of the most famous destinations near Athens, accompanied by a professional guide and without having to worry about a thing.
Recommended if... you want to make the most of your stay in Athens and discover one of the cradles of Ancient Greece that gave rise to modern civilisation.
Meteora Day Trip from Athens
Travel to Meteora by train from Athens with an expert guide
If you have limited time for travelling, this is the fastest (and most economical) option, allowing you to discover Meteora in a single day. You won't regret it!
Meteora, in the region of Thessaly, is a very special place that, due to its morphology, seems to have been created to be close to God. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this unique place combines the natural beauty of the territory with ancient Orthodox monasteries built on the rocks.
The day trip to Meteora from Athens will begin with a train ride to Kalambaka, a small village built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks where the Meteora monasteries are located. The journey takes approximately 4 hours but seems short because you can admire the beauty of the Greek countryside along the way. In Kalambaka, a driver will be waiting to take you to the monasteries of Meteora.
Once there, you will have the opportunity to visit the hermit caves of Badovas and three of these monasteries, which are almost 700 years old. In the past, there were up to 24 active monasteries, of which only 6 are inhabited by monks today.
At the end of the day, you will return to Kalambaka where, before boarding the train back to Athens, you will have some free time to explore this charming little village and have lunch if you wish to recharge your batteries.
Why I like this excursion: with this option, you can make the most of your travel time, getting more out of your visit to Meteora and even having time to explore it at your leisure in the afternoon.
Recommended if... you don't have much time in Greece but don't want to miss out on discovering this unique place in the world on a very comfortable organised excursion at the best price.
Summary of the best excursions to Meteora and Delphi from Athens
- Meteora Day Trip from Athens
- From €72
- 14h 30 min
- Includes return train ticket to Kalambaka and entrance to a monastery
- Small group tour
- No meals
- Book now
- Meteora Private Day Trip from Athens by Train
- From €200
- 2 p.m.
- Includes return train ticket to Kalambaka and entrance fees to 3 monasteries
- Private excursion for your group
- Meals not included
- Book now
- Meteora Day Trip from Athens by Train
- From €104
- 2 p.m.
- Includes return train ticket to Kalambaka and entrance fees to 3 monasteries
- Small group excursion
- Meals not included
- Book now
- Delphi and Meteora 2-Day Trip from Athens
- From €224
- 2 days
- Includes admission to two monasteries and the archaeological sites of Delphi
- Excursion in medium-sized groups
- Breakfast and dinner included
- Book now
Why an excursion to Meteora is worthwhile
Meteora is a beautiful site in the Thessaly plain and one of the most striking landscapes in Europe. It is a fascinating place, with large sandstone cliffs crowned by Byzantine monasteries, which is reason enough to take a trip to Greece.
Meteora means 'rocks in the air' and when you see the Thessaly plain, you understand why hermit monks retreated to this place to cultivate their spirituality, as according to their beliefs, these cliffs seemed to have been sent by God to Earth to be closer to Him.
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988, there were once more than twenty active monasteries in Meteora, of which only about six remain today with small communities of monks. On the day of the excursion, you can visit the monasteries of Great Meteoro and Varlaám.
Book the excursion to Meteora, it iswell worth it, not only to get to know the interior of these communities and their charming churches, but also to enjoy the unique views from the top of these rocks formed millions of years ago.
Things to keep in mind when visiting Meteora
Something very important to know when taking a trip to Meteora is that to visit the Orthodox monasteries, you must comply with a dress code as they are places of worship. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to enter.
Sleeveless shirts, skirts or trousers that expose the knees are not permitted. In other words, both men and women must cover their shoulders and legs as a sign of respect.
Isabel's Traveller Tip
In Meteora, stop at the viewpoints to admire the landscape. When fog covers the tops of the rocks, it looks as if the monasteries are suspended in the air.
Why a trip to Delphi is worthwhile
Athens is the cradle of Western civilisation, but beyond it there are many other wonderful places to visit. We usually focus on the capital because of its historical and cultural significance, but Greece has many other treasures throughout its geography that are well worth discovering.
A good example of this is Delphi, a charming little village on the southern slope of Mount Parnassus with beautiful views of the valley and the sea, which for the ancient Greeks was the centre of the world and a spiritual retreat. This is where the famous Oracle of Delphi is located! Booking a trip to Delphi is essential for understanding classical Greece.
What to see in Delphi
- The archaeological site of Delphi,
- The theatre and the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, whose oracle was visited by pilgrims from all over Greece seeking advice on important decisions.
- The stadium that hosted the Pythian Games, one of the four Panhellenic games along with the Isthmian Games, the Nemean Games and the Olympic Games.
- The Archaeological Museum of Delphi, one of the most important in Greece, which houses valuable pieces in its collection, such as the Argos twins, the Sphinx of Naxos and the statue of Antinous, among others.
Where to eat during your visit to Delphi and Meteora?
If you choose to visit Meteora in one day, lunch is on you, but don't worry. Here are the best options so you can't go wrong. Juicy meats, tasty vegetables and delicious Greek-style cheeses are just some of the delicacies you can try during the excursion. They cook with care and put a lot of passion into their dishes, which is why we all love Greek cuisine. Bon appétit!
- Taverna to Paramithi: This is a cosy and affordable restaurant that stands out for its delicious food and fast service. The owner is very attentive and makes you feel at home. Traditional Greek music played in the background during the meal and the atmosphere was very relaxed. The lamb kebab and tzatziki are a must.
- Meteora Restaurant: This is one of the best restaurants in Kalambaka and one of the oldest, having been open since 1925. The waiters are very friendly and the atmosphere is very pleasant and peaceful. The dishes are generous and the desserts are delicious. We highly recommend the moussaka, meatballs, Meteora salad and Greek yoghurt with plums.
- Panellenion Restaurant: This restaurant is located in the heart of Kalambaka and has a rustic aesthetic with a large terrace and very attentive service. The dishes are homemade and generous. The rice-stuffed peppers, lamb and Greek salad are very good.
- Where to eat when you visit Kalambaka: In this small town, you will find many restaurants where you can enjoy Greek food and try some local specialities at much more affordable prices than in other parts of the country.
Other places of interest in Greece...
There is no other place like Athens to immerse yourself in the magic of classical culture.
A tour of the historic centre of the Greek capital will take you on a journey back in time to the cradle of Western civilisation to discover its mythology, majestic buildings and great temples that have amazed travellers from all over the world for generations.
If you liked this excursion to Delphi and Meteora, in the article The best tours and excursions from Athens you will find other great tours to explore the city.