🏛️ Journey to Meteora, Greece (Plus Delphi and Thermopylae) - Essential 2 Day Guide
Meteora in Thessaly, Greece
Meteora in Thessaly, Greece, is famously known as the place where monasteries are "suspended in the sky." In reality, these incredible monasteries are built atop massive rock formations, but they truly do look majestic and defy gravity. This UNESCO World Heritage Site frequently appears on lists such as 1000 Places to See Before You Die and Lonely Planet guides.
Though this destination wasn't originally on my personal travel list, seeing pictures inspired a determination to make the visit happen. This post details how we organized a spectacular 2-day trip covering Meteora, but also the historic sites of Delphi and Thermopylae.
Great Meteoran Monastery, Meteora, Thessaly, Greece
How to Get from Athens to Meteora?
Most travelers to Greece arrive via Athens. From there, we need a plan to reach Meteora. We weighed our options:
Giant Tour Buses: Sounded miserable for a long journey.
Rental Car: It could be stressful navigating unfamiliar Greek roads.
We decided on a private 2-day tour with Ancient Greece Tours. We had no idea what to expect, but the entire trip of historical stops—including Delphi, Meteora, and Thermopylae—far exceeded our expectations.
Day 1: The Oracle of Delphi
Four of us were picked up from our hotel in a comfortable Mercedes van, complete with Greek cookies and treats (I wished I'd gone easy on the hotel breakfast!). The drive to Delphi takes about four hours, but we made a few stops along the way, and our private guide provided fascinating stories and history lessons.
Delphi was not originally on our bucket list, but we highly recommend it to anyone visiting Greece. To get the most out of the experience, our guide advised starting at the museum before heading to the ruins. We highly recommend this approach. Otherwise, it's just a cool, ancient site perfect for Instagram photos without understanding the historical context.
Temple of Apollo, Delphi, Greece
Sanctuary of Athena Pronea, Delphi, Greece
We visited in September, which we found to be an optimal time—it was busy but not overly crowded, and warm but not hot. The same place could be amazing or miserable depending on the weather and crowd levels, and I imagine a hot, crowded summer day would not have been the same experience.
Late lunch/early dinner was at a cliffside restaurant called Patrico, featuring stunning views and a delicious Greek meal. We stayed the night in Kalabaka. The accommodation suggested by the tour company was perfectly fine, though in hindsight, I wished I had done a bit more research on a potential hotel upgrade.
Day 2: The Monasteries of Meteora, Thessaly, Greece
The next day, we finally made it to Meteora. This place is truly spectacular! No picture can truly capture how majestic these formations are, but you quickly understand why so many religious sites were built on top of these rocks "in the sky."
You can visit the six still-active Meteora monasteries, but check their operating schedules, as they are open to tourists on different days. If you have a specific one in mind, ensure it's open before you go.
Meteora Dress Code
There is a strict dress code, especially for women. We were originally told shoulders and knees needed to be covered (men included), assuming capris or pants would suffice. We quickly learned that at some sites, women are required to wear a skirt or dress (and they didn’t even care if the knees showed in that skirt or dress!). The good news is that if you are unprepared, they will sell you attire. My recommendation is to wear a modest skirt or dress that is still comfortable for walking.
Monasteries We Visited
We didn’t have any specific monasteries in mind, but we ended up visiting three monastaries:
The Monastery of the Holy Trinity: A steep climb, but the views are well worth the effort. James Bond fans will recognize it from For Your Eyes Only. No skirts/dresses were required here.
The Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Meteora, Thessaly, Greece
Holy Monastery of St. Stephan: This site is an easy walk in and out and boasts beautiful gardens. They kindly provide skirts for women who are not wearing one.
Holy Monastery of St. Stephan, Meteora, Thessaly, Greece
Great Meteoran Monastery: This is the oldest and largest monastery. It is beautifully maintained and features an informative museum detailing the history of the monasteries in the area. If you can only stop at one, I suggest this one. The walk is steep, but manageable, and wraps can be purchased at the entrance.
Great Meteoran Monastery, Meteora, Thessaly, Greece
After visiting the monasteries, we headed back to Kalabaka for lunch at To Paramithi. The lunch was good, standard Greek fare. The restaurants on our 2-day tour were selected by our driver/guide, which simplified planning and was perfect for our group.
Final Stop: The History of Thermopylae
After lunch, we drove back toward Athens, making a stop at Thermopylae. A visit here is best if you understand the context and history of the famous Battle of Thermopylae. The movie 300 provides a relatively entertaining fictional version of this history.
We visited the marked Thermopylae historical sites and monuments, as well as the thermal bath with the healing (and sulfur-stinky) waters.
Thermal Baths at Thermopylae, Greece
These historical and stunning places were not on my travel bucket list. Which is why I am incredibly grateful to have people in my life (in this case, my brother-in-law) who provide the inspiration and fresh ideas for amazing places to see and things to experience. This is precisely why we share our travel stories and experiences!
đź’¬ Share your favorite Greek destination or travel inspiration in the comments below!
