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Thessaloniki: Full-Day Bus Trip to Meteora

1. Thessaloniki: Full-Day Bus Trip to Meteora

Embark on a full-day bus trip to Meteora from Thessaloniki. Explore this UNESCO world heritage site and admire the unique landscape. Depart Thessaloniki in the morning and journey to the amazing monastery complex of Meteora to visit 2 of the 6 holy monasteries, depending on their operating schedule. Get access to holy sites such as the women's Monastery of Agios Stefanos with its impressive wood-carved iconostasis, or visit the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, perched on the top of a rocky precipice over 400 meters high. Alternatively, discover the tower of the old preserved net at the Monastery of Varlaam, or explore the largest of the monasteries at the Monastery of Great Meteoron. Take in panoramic views of these incredible structures and the stunning landscape. Enjoy a traditional Greek lunch in Kastraki, near the city of Kalampaka, before heading back to Thessaloniki.

From Thessaloniki: Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer

2. From Thessaloniki: Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer

Enjoy a private tour to the stunning Meteora rocks from Thessaloniki. Discover magnificent monasteries built between the 14th-16th centuries, and marvel at how the monks even managed to construct them in the first place. After convenient pickup at your accommodation in Thessaloniki, make your way toward Meteora. As you arrive through narrow winding rows, catch an awe-inspiring first glimpse of the Great Monastery, as it is commonly known. Try to fathom the majesty and size of a building constructed atop a huge sandstone column. Upon arrival, drive up to the monasteries in the cooler morning hours, giving you time to see as much of the site as possible. As you climb up the hill toward the first monastery, wonder how on earth the monks managed to build this incredible place. Building materials could only be brought up by a system of ropes, baskets, and pulleys, and the same went for getting provisions in and out of the community. One of the monasteries you will visit is the Holy Trinity, which is the most isolated and most difficult to reach. For this reason, it makes sense to choose to tackle the 140 steps to reach it first. Revel in the reward of phenomenal panoramic views, and see why Holy Trinity was given a starring role in the James Bond film, “For Your Eyes Only.” St. Stephen's is probably the most accessible monastery as it's situated on the plain, rather than perched on a vertiginous clifftop. Join the friendly cats who love to bask on the sun-drenched walls outside this little monastery. Admire the carved door furniture and the way the sun hits the stone and casts long shadows, and get a glimpse into monastic life through the little, open monk's cell at St. Nicholas. On the way out of the Grand Meteoron Monastery (the largest of the 6), don’t forget to follow a time-honored tradition by slipping a little note into the crack in the rocks. Finally, end your tour in Kalampaka for lunch, and relish finger-licking meals fresh from the farms around. The tour concludes with drop-off back at your accommodation in Thessaloniki.

From Halkidiki: Thessaloniki City Tour with Transfer

3. From Halkidiki: Thessaloniki City Tour with Transfer

Explore the port city of Thessaloniki on a guided trip departing from the Halkidiki area. Take a panoramic drive through the Old Town to discover the remnants of its Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history, then visit a couple of major landmarks to get a deeper understanding of the city's heritage. Depart early in the morning from your location in Kassandreia or Sithonia and begin the city tour with a panoramic drive around the White Tower. Keep driving toward the main landmarks of the city, including the Galerius Arch, the Rotunda monument, the Old Town, and the City Walls. Receive an insightful commentary from your expert guide as you look at each of these buildings, then move on to your first stop. Visit Agios Demetrius Byzantine Church, the most important one in Thessaloniki for religious, historical, and artistic reasons. See the ancient underground crypt. Before going back, stop at the Archaeological Museum, which holds different artifacts from the archaic, classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods, mostly from the city of Thessaly.

7-Day Grand Tour of Greece: from Prehistory to Modern Times

4. 7-Day Grand Tour of Greece: from Prehistory to Modern Times

Day 1 Leave by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then proceed to the town of Nafplio (short stop), drive on to Mycenae and visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then depart for Olympia through Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Arrive at Olympia, the cradle of the ancient Olympic Games (dinner and overnight). Day 2  In the morning visit the archaeological site with the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the ancient stadium, the spot where the torch of the modern Olympic Games is lit and the Archaeological Museum. Then drive on through the plains of Ilia and Achaia until the magnificent bridge that crosses the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea, arrive in Delphi (dinner and overnight). Day 3 In the morning visit the archaeological site and the Museum of Delphi, the most famous oracle of the ancient world. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town located at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, the gigantic rocks that rise steeply from the plain of Thessaly (dinner and overnight). Day 4 Visit the Meteora: perched on top of huge rocks, which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Depart from Kalambaka to Thessaloniki, driving through the astonishing valley of the longest river in Greece, Aliacmon. Arrival at Thessaloniki, the second largest and the most vibrant city in Greece (dinner and overnight). Day 5 In the morning visit the city that throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire was the “co-reigning” city, second in population and prestige after Constantinople. Visit unique monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian world as well as the Museum of Byzantine Culture. The rest of the day is free to enjoy time in the lively center of the city (dinner and overnight). Day 6 Depart in the morning for a unique approach to historical Macedonia. First stop at picturesque Edessa to see the town's famous landmark, the Waterfalls. Then proceed to Naoussa, a site of exceptional beauty and importance: Aristotle's School. This is the picturesque site where the great philosopher taught the doctrines of morals and politics to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youth. Then drive to Vergina (ancient Aigai), to experience a visit to the unique museum, created in the Great Tumulus covering the royal tombs of Macedonia. See the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander's father, and feel the thrill of the greatest discovery of the 20th century. Only a few miles away is Veria (Biblical Beroea) to visit Saint Paul's Bema, and then stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the colorful market area. Return to Thessaloniki (dinner and overnight). Day 7 Drive to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great. See the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4th century B.C. villas, in situ as well as in the new museum. Then proceed and visit the Archaeological Park of Dion (sacred city of the Macedonians, at the foot of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and house of the 12 gods of Greek mythology). On the way back to Athens, drive through the striking plain of Thessaly and the Valley of Tempi, admire the gigantic figure of Mount Olympus, pass by Lamia, Thermopylae (see the Leonidas' Monument) and Thebes, arrive in Athens late in the afternoon.

Meteora 2-Day Tour by Train from Thessaloniki

5. Meteora 2-Day Tour by Train from Thessaloniki

Start the tour at Central Railway station of Thessaloniki where the train departs at 8.00 AM. Pass by the foothills of the mythical Mt Olympus, which was the residence of 12 Olympian Gods. End at the Paleofarsalo train station where you will have to change train and wait 1 hour, until you board the train that leads to Kalampaka. Palaiofarsalos is near where the ancient Mirmidones tribe originated from, the legendary ancient warriors lead by Achileus who played an important role in the Trojan War.  Hop on another train to Kalambaka No 882 where you will be met by a guide to welcome you. Begin your breathtaking tour of Meteora rocks and marvel at the breathtaking geological formations at sunset. After this, you will be driven back to your hotel in Kalambaka for free time to explore the city and your overnight stay.  On the second day, choose between a midday tour or a hiking tour. After the tour, you will be driven back to Kalambaka where you will have free time to spend under the shadow of the giant rocks.

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What people are saying about Thessaloniki

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 194 reviews

The trip was great because you get to see something different but also unique. The natural beauty is out of this world. The story of the monks & monasteries very interesting. Our guide, George, was great in giving information & telling the story of the area & monasteries. He was polite & very professional. I definitely recommend this tour

Very good transportation, if I had booked an earlier time, I would have probably seen all 6 monasteries, but even with a later start time my guide was able to get me to see most of the Monasteries, which was really awesome.

It was a great trip to Meteora. There were only two of us and our guide Georg responded to our wishes. He explained a lot about the history of the monasteries and was extremely friendly.

George was prompt, full of information, engaged. We had a wonderful day. Highly recommend.