Delphi, Meteora & Thermopylae Tour
Duration: 2 daysDelphi, Meteora & Thermopylae Tour
Duration: 2 daysABOUT THIS TOUR
This tour combines history and nature. Visit the traditional village Arachova, the oracle of Delphi, the monasteries on the sand rocks of Meteora and last but not least the battlefield of Thermopylae that has inspired generations after generations for the glory of the brave outnumbered Greeks fought against the Persians.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Traditional Village of Arachona
- Delphi Archaeological Site
- Delphi Archaeological Museum
- Athena Pronaia Sanctuary with the renowned Tholos
- The Castalia Spring
- The Temple of Apollo
- The Great ancient theater
- The stadium, where the so called Pythian Games
- The treasuries that the city states erected in Delphi
- The famous statue of Antinoos
- The unique bronze statue of the Charioteer
- Battlefield of Thermopylae
- Meteora, the largest complexes of monasteries in Greece
- Undeniably sublime and breathtaking scenery
- Beautifully formed natural trails
- St. Stephen’s Nunnery
- Great Meteoron Monastery
- Roussanou Monastery
- Holy Trinity Monastery
- Varlaam Monastery
- St. Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery
- Varlaam Monastery
- St. Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery
- The battlefield of Thermopylae
- Thermopylae’s Innovative Centre of Historical Information
- Monument of King Leonidas
We can customize this tour to your needs.
If you want to skip or add something, please let us know in advance.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Your driver will take you early in the morning from your hotel. During our ride, we will have a stop at one of the most picturesque villages in Greece, Arachova. Take your time to explore this beautiful village. Then, we will continue our visit to the navel of the world, Delphi.
Delphi was the most important sanctuary dedicated to God Apollo. There, Pythia, the priestess of the Sanctuary, gave her advice. Due to this, Delphi was a cultural center, where many people sended donations resulted in the creation of a local treasury.
Explore around end see the Temple of Apollo, the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia with the renowned Tholos, the Castalia Spring, the Temple of Apollo, the Great ancient theater and the stadium, where the so called Pythian Games.
It has many interesting to visit the archaeological museum of Delphi. You will have the chance to admire the famous statue of Antinoos and the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dated from 475 B.C.
Before we start our ride to Meteora, you will enjoy a lunch in a traditional restaurant.
After a great ride, we will reach the city of Kalabaka.
Overnight in Kalambaka.
Day 2
Start your day with a visit to Meteora. W
There are only a few sites in the world that can take a person back to the dark ages. Meteora is one of them. Meteora is one of the largest complexes of monasteries in Greece, inferior only to Mount Athos. The cultural and historical value of the site combined with the remarkable natural beauty of these uniquely formed monasteries has established Meteora as a protected site on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the 9th century AD the first monks gathered in the area and began forming a community that since then grew and flourished into the unique and beaming monastic community of Meteora.
You will have the time to visit 3 of the open monasteries on the first day. Of course our tour would not be complete without a short walk among the beautifully formed natural trails.
After having visited Meteora, on the way back to Athens, approx. after 2hrs driving you will reach Thermopylae, widely known for the ballte of 480B.C. that took place there. Today’s visitor can see the monument erected on the sport depicting the Spartan King Leonidas.
The scenery has pretty much changed at the battlefield nowadays. For this reason, “Thermopylae’s Innovative Centre of Historical Information” is a must see on the spot to help the visitor understand the morphology of the ground and the narrow passage of the battlefield, that due to erosion has changed.
Before, we return in Athens, we will have stop at Kamena Vourla, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch.
Your driver will drop you off at your accommodation.
ADMISSIONS FEES
Entrance fees into the archaeological areas of Delphi and its Museum are 12 Euro total pp (combined ticket obtained at the ticket office)
Entrance fees to each monastery are 2 Euros pp
Free admission for:
- Journalists
- Persons under 18 (with current identification to prove age)
- University students from Greece and the E.U
Free admission (for all) on the following dates:
- 6 March
- 5 June
- 18 April
- 18 May (International Museums Day)
- The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
For prices updates please click here
To buy your tickets in advance click here
OPENING HOURS FEES
- Summer Period: 1 April – 31 October
- Winter Period: 1 November – 31 March
Opening hours for Meteora Monasteries:
- Summer period:
- St. Stephen’s Nunnery: Visiting Hours: 9:00 to 13:30 and 15:30 to 17:30. The monastery stays closed on Mondays.
- Great Meteoron Monastery: Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 17:00. The monastery stays closed on Tuesdays.
- Roussanou Monastery: Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 17:45. The monastery stays closed on Wednesdays.
- Holy Trinity Monastery: Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 17:00. The monastery stays closed on Thursdays.
- Varlaam Monastery: Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 16:00. The monastery stays closed on Fridays.
- St. Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery: Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 15:30. The monastery stays closed on Fridays.
- Winter Period
- St. Stephen’s Nunnery: Visiting Hours: 9:30 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 17:00. The monastery stays closed on Mondays.
- Great Meteoron Monastery: Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 15:00. The monastery stays closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Roussanou Monastery: Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 14:00. The monastery stays closed on Wednesdays.
- Holy Trinity Monastery: Visiting Hours: 10:00 to 16:00. The monastery stays closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- Varlaam Monastery: Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 15:00. The monastery stays closed on Thursdays and Fridays.
- St. Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery: Visiting Hours: 09:00 to 14:00. The monastery stays closed on Fridays.
Opening hours for Centre of Historical Information of Thermopylae:
- Jan – Dec: Mon-Fri: 08:00:19:00
- Jan – Dec: Sat-Sun: 10:00-18:00
All sites and museums are closed or have reduced opening hours, on the following holidays:
- 1 January: closed
- 6 January: closed
- Shrove Monday: 08.30-15.00
- 25 March: closed
- Good Friday: until 12:00 closed
- Holy Saturday: 08.30-15.00
- Easter Sunday : closed
- Easter Monday: 08.30-15.00
- 1 May: closed
- Holy Spirit Day: 08.30-15.00
- 15 August: 08.30-15.00
- 28 October: 08.30-15.00
- 25 December: closed
- 26 December: closed
For updates on opening hours please click here
USEFULL INFO
- Comfortable clothing and sensible, flat-soled walking shoes are recommended for most locations. Sun glasses, a hat and sun screen are also suggested since the Mediterranean sun is extremely hot during the summer months.
- Photography is permitted in almost every site throughout the tours and if it is prohibited you will be informed beforehand.
- Local currency (euros) might be needed in order to pay at the spot small entrance fees and small expenses.
- In case one of our guests has some special needs, is under certain medication or has a limited walking endurance you can let us know during the organization of your customized tour and we will make sure that small breaks are incorporated into your itinerary.
- Also it is suggested that you bring with you a small bottle of water or something small to eat in case you need to during the tour.
- Furthermore if an individual has advanced accessibility needs you can let us know and allow us to customize the tour to fit your needs.