Meteora Thrones

Who they are

Meteora Thrones is a local travel agency, with an office at 28 Trikalon Street, in Kalambaka, the village spread at the foot of the Meteora rocks. It is listed in the register of the Greek tourism authority with the number MHTE 07.27.E.60.00.00404.0.1 and in the GEMI commercial registry with 132386953000. The website does not give the year of founding or the owners' names; on its team page it presents about ten people: five tour leaders, four drivers and one office worker. It presents itself as a company of local people, with service every day.

What tours it organises

Its offer splits in two. For those already sleeping in Kalambaka or Kastraki, it runs short half-day tours of the monasteries: a morning overview, from 9:00 to 13:00; another at sunset, from 16:30 to 21:00, and a walking route along the old paths between the rocks. It also organises climbing and private visits. For those coming from elsewhere, it sells one- or two-day tours from Athens and Thessaloniki, by bus or combined with the train, and a private minibus trip from Volos aimed at cruise passengers. The day trips from Athens include a local guide, Greek lunch and a visit to the hermits' caves.

There are six active monasteries at Meteora, with hours that change between winter and summer, and not all open every day. That is why the tours see all six from outside and go inside one or several, depending on the programme.

Groups, tickets and rules

Regular departures are in a small group, with no published number; private minibuses carry up to 18 people. Admission to each monastery costs €5 per person and children under 12 do not pay. The monasteries require suitable clothing: men may not enter in shorts or sleeveless, and women must wear a skirt below the knee; skirts and shawls are sold at the monastery entrances. The website sets no minimum age for the tours; for the walking route, closed, comfortable shoes are best.

Booking, cancellation and languages

You book on its website, by phone (+30 24320 78455 or +30 697 2812430) or at [email protected], and you can pay by card, bank transfer or in cash. Cancellations are requested by email and the charges depend on how far ahead, the type of booking and the suppliers' terms; if the weather forces an activity to be suspended, they offer an alternative at no cost. Regular tours are offered in English and Spanish, and private ones also in French, Italian and German.

Tips

If you arrive by train at Kalambaka and go back the same day, the agency has a train-to-train tour leaving at 13:45, for €35, with the train tickets on your own. The half-day departures from Kalambaka and Kastraki cost €30 each. Ask when you book which monastery is visited inside that day and bring cash for any tickets not included.