Full-Day Meteora Tour from Thessaloniki by Train
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Full-Day Meteora Tour from Thessaloniki by Train
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
Safety measures
13 hours (approx.)
Offered in: English
Overview
Experience the dramatic clifftop views and inspiring solitude of Meteora on this full-day train trip from Thessaloniki. Ride the rails through the countryside to the town of Kalambaka, where a driver whisks you away in a Mercedes van to the UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit ancient monasteries built at astonishing heights up in the cliffs and learn the legends behind these sacred places from your guide.
- Train tour to Meteora from Thessaloniki includes round-trip fare and lunch
- Visit three active monasteries at the UNESCO World Heritage site
- Take in sweeping panoramic views of clifftop monasteries and hermit caves
- Learn the fascinating, ancient history of Meteora from a guide
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The full-day adventure begins at the Thessaloniki railway station, where you'll catch a morning train with provided tickets. Relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Grecian countryside on the journey, stopping to switch trains at Paleofarsalos station. After arrival at Kalambaka, the closest town to Meteora, you’ll be greeted by an English-speaking driver at the station and transported to the monasteries in a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter van.
Visit three of Meteora’s captivating, UNESCO-listed monasteries, built directly into the cliff face at dizzying heights by monks in search of solitude and safety. Learn the history and legends behind these sky-high sanctuaries as you tour them with your guide (entrance fees not included). You'll also see the hermit caves of Badovas and admire the exteriors of neighboring monasteries; be sure to keep your camera handy while traveling through a dramatic landscape of ancient stone jutting out of a lush valley.
Say goodbye to your driver and guide at the Kalambaka train station in the late afternoon. You will have about an hour of free time to walk in the town’s center. Then trace the route back to the Thessaloniki train station.
Visit three of Meteora’s captivating, UNESCO-listed monasteries, built directly into the cliff face at dizzying heights by monks in search of solitude and safety. Learn the history and legends behind these sky-high sanctuaries as you tour them with your guide (entrance fees not included). You'll also see the hermit caves of Badovas and admire the exteriors of neighboring monasteries; be sure to keep your camera handy while traveling through a dramatic landscape of ancient stone jutting out of a lush valley.
Say goodbye to your driver and guide at the Kalambaka train station in the late afternoon. You will have about an hour of free time to walk in the town’s center. Then trace the route back to the Thessaloniki train station.
Itinerary
Kastraki is indeed a most picturesque place with an authentic, local character. Feeling closer to the local lifestyle in the Greek province, enjoying the proximity to nature and finding peace of mind are some of the major assets of this place that urge visitors to book accommodation in this traditional, beautiful village.
Duration: 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
The Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas is the first Monastery that we encounter on our way to the Holy Meteora and was founded at the end of the 14th century.
For the name Anapafsas there are numerous interpretations two of which are the most popular. The first one is that the name Anapafsas was attributed by one of the monastery’s benefactors, while the second explanation has to do with the monastery’s position being the first to be encountered on the way up and probably served to the pilgrims and other visitors as a resting place before continuing on.
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.
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
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.
Duration: 45 minutes
Admission Ticket Not Included
The Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada) is the most difficult to reach, but once you get to the very top the panoramic view of the surroundings is simply captivating!
This Monastery is very close to the Saint Stephen’s Nunnery and it is perched on a steep and magnificent rock. It had already been organized Monastery since the year 1362 as indicated in a document by Symeon Uressis Palaeologos. Visitors have to follow a pathway that directs them initially to the foot of the rock, before they start walking up about 140 steps.
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.
St. Stephen’s Monastery includes two cathedrals; the old 16th century chapel which was severely damaged during WWII and the consequent Greek Civil War, and the 18th century main cathedral that is dedicated to Saint Charalambos and includes his holy relics.
Duration: 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Not Included
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