Meteora and Delphos Day Trips from Athens
Meteora and Delphi are places you will never forget. If you want to know how to get there on an excursion from Athens, read on!
©Clement Souchet
With more than 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 you set aside some time to take a trip to Delphi and Meteora from Athens, two spectacular sites in the Hellenic country with a long history and beautiful landscapes that will leave you breathless. Don't miss out!
Delphi Day Trip from Athens
Discover Delphi at the best price with day tour from Athens
Discover Greek history and enjoy a tour of this marvellous city, full of archaeological monuments and landscapes. Travel back in time to Ancient Greece in the comfort of an excursion.
Considering that Greece is one of the most touristy countries on the planet, the great thing about taking an organised excursion to Delphi from Athens is that you'll have the opportunity to discover a UNESCO World Heritage Site without having to worry about anything but enjoying the experience.
You will depart Athens for Delphi, a charming little tourist village on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus and one of Greece's top destinations. Together with an expert local guide you will visit the archaeological site, monuments such as the Temple of Apollo and the Archaeological Museum of Delphi.
After visiting the museum, one of the most valuable in the country for the collections it houses, you will have some free time to explore the places that have caught your attention before heading back. On the way back, you will make a short stop in Arachova and Livadiá, two towns that you can also explore at your own pace, while you explore their narrow streets or buy some souvenir handicrafts.
Why I like this option: you will get to know one of the most famous destinations near Athens, with a professional guide and without having to take care of anything.
Recommended if... you want to make the most of your stay in Athens and get to know one of the cradles of Ancient Greece that gave birth to today's civilisation.
Meteora Day Trip from Athens
Travel to Meteora by train from Athens with an expert guide
If your travel days are limited, this is the quickest (and cheapest) option, which will take you to discover Meteora in one day - you won't regret it!
Meteora, in the region of Thessaly, is a very special place whose morphology seems to have been created to be close to God. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this unique site combines the natural beauty of the area with the ancient Orthodox monasteries built on the rocks.
The day trip to Meteora from Athens will start with the train to Kalambaka, a small village built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks where the Meteora monasteries are located. The journey takes about 4 hours, but it is a short one, as you will be able to admire the beauty of the Greek countryside along the way. In Kalambaka, a driver will be waiting for you to take you to the Meteora monasteries.
Once here you will have the opportunity to visit the hermit caves of Badovas and three of these almost 700 year old monasteries. In the past there were up to 24 active monasteries of which today only 6 are inhabited by monks.
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 town and have lunch if you wish to recharge your batteries.
Why I like this tour: with this option you will be able to optimise your travel time, making the most of your visit to Meteora and even having time to discover it at your leisure in the afternoon.Recommended if... you don't have much time in Greece but you don't want to miss this unique place in the world in a very comfortable organised tour at the best price.
Why is a trip to Meteora worthwhile?
Meteora is a beautiful site in the plain of Thessaly and one of the most stunning landscapes in Europe. It is a fascinating place, with large sandstone crags crowned by Byzantine monasteries, which is reason enough to make a trip to Greece.
Meteora means 'rocks in the air' and looking at the Thessalian plain it is easy to understand why hermit monks would retreat here to cultivate their spirituality, for according to their beliefs these crags seemed to have been sent by God to Earth to be closer to Him.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, Meteora once had more than twenty active monasteries, of which only about six survive today with small communities of monks. On the day of the excursion you can visit the monasteries of Great Meteora and Varlaám.
Book a trip to Meteora iswell worth it, not only to see 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 consider when visiting Meteora
An important thing to know when visiting Meteora is that a dress code is required to visit the Orthodox monasteries as they are places of worship. It is not permitted to wear sleeveless shirts, skirts or trousers that expose the knees, i.e. shoulders and legs. In other words, shoulders and legs must be properly covered for both men and women as a sign of respect.
Isabel's Traveler Tip
At Meteora, head to the lookout points to take in the scenery. When the mist covers the rocky peaks, the monasteries seem to be suspended in mid-air.
Why it's worth a trip to Delphi
Athens is the cradle of Western civilisation, but beyond it there are wonderful places to visit. We usually focus on the capital for its historical and cultural significance but the Hellenic country hides many other treasures throughout its geography that are well worth a visit.
A good example of this is Delphi, a charming little village on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus with beautiful views of the valley and the sea that for the ancient Greeks was the centre of the world and a spiritual retreat, home to the famous Oracle of Delphi! Booking an excursion to Delphi is a must if you want to understand classical Greece.
What to see in Delphi
- The archaeological site of Delphi,
- The theatre and the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, to whose oracle pilgrims from all over Greece came to seek advice on important decisions.
- The Stadium which 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 in its collection valuable pieces such as the twins of Argos, 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 your own, but don't worry. Here are the best options so you can make the right choice. Juicy meats, tasty vegetables and rich Hellenic-style cheeses are just some of the delicacies you can try during the tour. They cook with care and passion and that's why we all love Greek cuisine. Bon apetit!
- Taverna to Paramithi: A cosy and inexpensive restaurant that stands out for its delicious food and fast service. The owner is very attentive and makes you feel at home. During the meal, traditional Greek music was playing in the background and the atmosphere was very relaxed. The lamb kebab and the tzatziki should not be missed at the table.
- 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 quiet. The dishes are plentiful and the desserts are delicious. The moussaka, meatballs, Meteora salad and Greek yoghurt with plums are highly recommended.
- Panellenion Restaurant: A rustic restaurant in the centre of Kalambaka with a large terrace and very attentive service. The dishes are homemade and plentiful. The peppers stuffed with rice, the lamb and the Greek salad are very good.
- Where to eat when in Kalambaka: In this small village you will find many restaurants to enjoy Greek food and to 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 learn about the mythology, the majestic buildings and the great temples that have amazed travellers from all over the world for generations.
If you enjoyed this trip to Delphi and Meteora, check out our Best Tours and Excursions from Athens article for more great tours to explore the city.