The Prehistoric Cave Of Theopetra

The Prehistoric Cave of Theopetra – 130,000 Years of Human History Near Meteora

Long before Meteora’s cliffs became sacred ground for monks, they sheltered something even more ancient: Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens. The Theopetra Cave, just 5 km from Kalabaka, is one of the oldest known archaeological sites in Europe, offering a direct window into the dawn of civilization.

The prehistoric Cave of Theopetra, which is located only 4 km away from Meteora, is indeed a very unique archeological site. Over the past few decades, it has revealed many of Mankind’s secrets of prehistoric origins in Greece. During excavations, archaeologists were able to find many burials, stone tools, pottery, animal bones, as well as the oldest known man-made structure on earth, officially dated to this day.

The prehistoric Cave of Theopetra’s location offers great advantages for survival. It has superb access to fresh water and different food sources, it provides access to raw materials, and its vantage point served as a magnet for early inhabitants who recognized immediately these key advantages. As a result, various groups of Neandertals and Homo Sapiens used it continuously for more than 130.000 years.

Archaeological Findings

Fossilized human footprints from children ~135,000 years ago
Burial remains, flint tools, pottery, and animal bones
Neolithic evidence of agriculture and settled life
Multi-layered excavation sections showing cultural evolution through millennia

Theopetra isn’t just a cave — it’s Europe’s diary of human resilience and ingenuity.

How to Visit the Cave and Museum

Located just outside Theopetra village, 15 minutes from Kalabaka
Museum Visiting Hours and Days: 8.00 am – 15.30 pm (Tuesday closed) – Find more info here
Museum exhibits:
Artifacts from the excavations
Interactive 3D reconstructions
Educational displays for schools and families

Customize Your Half-Day Private Tour – Include Theopetra’s Prehistoric Wonders

Want to go beyond the monasteries? Add a visit to the Theopetra Cave Museum — home to the oldest human-made structure in the world — as part of your private Meteora tour.
Whether you’re a history lover, a family with curious kids, or just seeking something unique, our team can tailor the experience just for you.

Contact us now to customize your half-day itinerary and walk through 130,000 years of human history.

300€

Private Half-day Sightseeing Tour 42 reviews

Cultural 4 hours

Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens

Its uniqueness from an archeological perspective is that it contains, within a single site, the records of two immensely significant cultural transitions: The replacement of Neanderthals by modern humans 40.000 BP, and the later transition from hunter-gathering to farming after the end of the last Ice Age. The cave consists of an immense 500 square meter rectangular chamber at the foot of a limestone hill, which rises to the northeast above the village of Theopetra, with a huge entrance 17m wide by three meters high.

It lies at the foot of the Chasia mountain range, which forms the natural boundary between Thessaly and Macedonia prefectures. At the same time, the Lithaios River, a tributary of the Pineios River, flows in front of the cave. In addition, the small Lithaios River flowing literally on the doorsteps of the cave meant that cave dwellers had always easy access to fresh, clean water without the need to cover long distances daily to find it.

The latest cave findings published in 2012 by the lead scientist and her team responsible for the excavations, Paleoanthropologist Dr. Ekaterini (Nina) Kyparissi-Apostolika, have raised the time records of the cave’s dwelling to 135.000 BC.

In 2010, it was announced that according to an optical dating test known as Optically Stimulated Luminescence, which was performed to date a recently excavated stonewall and applied to quartz grains nested within the stones, it surprisingly revealed the oldest known artificial structure. The stone wall in front of Theopetra Cave, which is approximately 23,000 years old, was likely built by ancient humans. To protect its residents from cold winds at the height of the last ice age, it ranks among the oldest known examples of a man-made structure!

The Theopetra Cave Museum

You can find the documentation and training center near the cave, which hosts the finds from the excavations that took place in the cave from 1987 to 2008. The purpose of the small Museum is to promote the cave’s cultural wealth and allow visitors to familiarize themselves with the notions of archaeology and prehistory.

The boutique Museum of Theopetra exhibits many artifacts, stone tools, burials, jewelry, pottery, seeds, and animal bones. The Cave and the Museum remain open daily except Tuesdays, from 08:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The entrance fee/ticket is 5 Euros per person with special rates for children/students/elderly. You can access the museum and the cave on the same ticket.

Location of The Prehistoric Cave of Theopetra on the Map

FAQ - Theopetra Cave

Is the Theopetra Cave open to visitors?

The Cave and the Museum remain open daily except Tuesdays, from 08:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The entrance fee/ticket is 5 Euros per person with special rates for children/students/elderly. You can access the museum and the cave on the same ticket.

How far is Theopetra from Kalabaka or Meteora?

Roughly 5 km from Kalabaka, about 10–15 minutes by car or transfer.

Can I visit it as part of a tour?

Yes — we offer custom cultural and archaeological tours that include a visit to the museum, and optionally pair it with the Byzantine Church of Kalabaka, St. George Madilas, or modern monastery sites.