Kalambaka and Meteora Monasteries

Arriving at the port of Volos with your cruise, the guide will be waiting at the meeting point, identified with the Shore2Shore sign, to start our tour. 

We will head towards Meteora, one of the most spectacular places in Greece. The immense smooth stone pinnacles that make it up are ancient geological formations, and on top of these, the monasteries enhance this unique landscape.

The name Meteora comes from the adjective meteoros, which means "suspended in the air." The word meteorite has the same root; just one look is enough to understand this extravagance of nature, a fantastic forest of rocks.

These granite rocks rise to great heights, and many of them are crowned by monasteries built more than six hundred years ago.

In the past, access was only possible by baskets with ropes (which functioned as elevators), transporting the monks to the summit.

This is undoubtedly a magical and unforgettable place. On these granite rocks, the monks took refuge and protected themselves against bandit raids.

Their communities were established along the lines of the sacred mountain of Athos. Most of the monasteries were destroyed during World War II, and of the original twenty-four monasteries, six are uninhabited and two have been transformed into convents for nuns.

We will visit two of these monasteries: Agios Stefanos and Varlaam.

• In the event that on-site queues prevent the visit to one of the two planned monasteries, the guide will agree with the group to visit an alternative monastery with easier access.

At the end, we will return and offer you the option of lunch at a restaurant ten minutes from Kalambaka or free time in Kalambaka (each guest chooses at the moment what they prefer to do, as there are no sufficiently large restaurants in Kalambaka itself).

Return to the port of Volos, concluding the excursion.

• Dress code. Please remember that we will visit places of worship. Women may not wear shorts, white, transparent, or tights. Clothing should be loose and long for both women and men.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• INCLUDES ASSISTANCE AT THE PORT AND ON THE BUS, TRANSPORTATION, AND GUIDE
• DURATION: BUS AND GUIDE AVAILABLE FOR UP TO 8 HOURS
• THE SERVICE INCLUDES FREE TIME OF APPROXIMATELY 30-45 MINUTES THAT CAN BE ENJOYED AT THE END OF THE EXCURSION.

​SUPPLEMENT TO BE PAID ON SITE

• Entrance €3.00 per person for each Monastery.
• In case the queues on site prevent the visit to one of the 2 monasteries planned to visit, the guide will agree with the group on visiting an alternative monastery with easier access.
• Dress code. We remind you that we will visit places of worship. Women may not wear shorts, white, transparent clothing, or tights. Clothing should be loose and long for both women and men.
• ​Entrance prices are indicative and may change without prior notice by decision of the relevant authorities. In any case, you can check the official price at the ticket offices on the day of the excursion.
• Filming videos or taking photographs inside the monasteries is not allowed.
• There are approximately 180 steps to climb. Wheelchair access is not possible.

REMARKS

• Medium Level/Panoramic/Cultural.
• It is advisable to wear comfortable footwear.
• This excursion is not recommended for people with reduced mobility, people who require the use of a wheelchair, or those traveling with baby strollers, due to the uneven terrain.

OUR PERSONNEL WILL BE IDENTIFIED WITH A SHORE2SHORE SIGN AND WILL BE LOCATED AT THE EXIT GATE.

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIND THE BUS BY YOURSELF. PLEASE LOCATE OUR PERSONNEL AND THEY WILL GUIDE YOU TO THE BUS.