Meteora Sunset Hiking Tour and Ancient Hermit Caves

494 reviews | 🥇 Recommended by 97% of travelers

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Discover the trails near Kastraki village where the first hermits lived.

Explore Meteora’s Hermit Caves on Foot – Meteora Sunset Hiking

Join us on our Hermit Caves Sunset Tour and discover the hidden gems of this incredible destination! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience the beauty and wonder of Meteora. Book your Hermit Caves Sunset Tour now and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Highlights

Step into the footsteps of Meteora’s first hermits—a guided ascent to the 10th‑century cave chapel where monk Varnavas founded this sacred enclave of solitude.
Explore secret spiritual havens—including the hidden prison cave of hermit monks, perched ruggedly on Agio Pnevma’s cliffs.
Golden-hour grandeur—end your journey on a dramatic outlook as the sun spills across Meteora’s rock monasteries and ethereal landscape.
Small-group immersion (max 12) ensures undivided guide attention, deeper storytelling, and a serene rhythm.
Connect with Meteora’s living history—walk hidden trails with a local mountain guide, unraveling centuries-old legends in the quiet of dusk.

Full Description

Join us for an unforgettable hiking tour through the stunning landscape of Meteora, starting from the charming village of Kastraki. As we trek through the rocky terrain, we’ll have the opportunity to explore the historic hermit caves that were once home to monks seeking spiritual seclusion.

One of the highlights of the tour is the Holy Spirit chapel, which was built inside a cave by the very first hermit of Meteora, Varnavas, in the 10th century. This cave is considered to be the birthplace of the monastic community in the area, making it a significant part of the region’s spiritual history.

Our knowledgeable guide will lead us through the hills and share captivating stories of the legends and traditions of the hermit monks. The hike takes us to the top of Agio Pnevma rock, where we’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the monasteries and rock formations that make Meteora so unique. We’ll also visit the prison cave of the monks, located on the northern side of Aghio Pnevma, and pass by the cave of St. George.

At the end, we will take you to one of the best spots to see the sunset at Meteora and gave at the magnificent views.

This 3-hour hike is an ideal way to connect with nature and learn about the cultural and spiritual heritage of Meteora. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the first hermit monks of Meteora and immerse yourself in the history and beauty of the area.

Inclusions

Expert English‑speaking mountain guide (local specialist)
Immersive small-group hiking experience (max 12 people)
Complimentary bottled water (0.5 L)

Exclusions

Transportation (self‑arranged; meet‑up only; no pick‑up from Trikala)
Tour inside caves beyond viewpoint access
Food, drinks (bring your own)
Gratuities (optional)

Why book with us

Get Inspired

See and learn about our tours from our valued Visit Meteora customers.

We had a wonderful time on the tours with Visit Meteora. The hotel and restaurant selections were fantastic (we had the 3 day package). The tour guides were knowledgeable and personable. We also did the hiking tour and the cave tour, both of which were what I would consider intermediate difficulty, so be prepared for some rugged terrain! It was exactly what we were looking for! We would HIGHLY recommend Visit Meteora!

Jayne and Barbara

United States

My girlfriend and I who have minimal hiking experience did the “Hiking Meteora’s Caves” which was the highlight of our stay in Meteora. Our guide Chris, a local of Meteora, was extremely knowledgeable of the area and the history of the monasteries and hermit caves. Throughout the whole trip he explained to us the significance of what we were seeing and drew our attention old monasteries, wild herbs, and other things we would not have noticed otherwise. Although we are both novice hikers, and the hike itself is definitely challenging at times, we always felt safe and well looked after during the hike. Chris even brought us extra water and snack bars. There were amazing photo opportunities throughout the hike that we would not have been able to find by ourselves, and at the end we had climbed to the top of the rock of the Holy Spirit where the view of the area was absolutely spectacular. I highly recommend doing this hike if you visit Meteora.

Darren

United States

Our local guide Anatolius (forgive me if the name is wrong) gave us a detailed history of the monasteries, from when the hermits dwelled in caves till when they built their mountain towns. He had a very friendly and approachable manner and answered every question in depth. He really made the trip feel more than a guided tour, more like a friend sharing something they're interested in. I was worried that with limited time in Greece on my first holiday that the use of a whole day for travel and a tour would be disappointing, but both my girlfriend and I truly felt this was worth it.

Jack S

United States

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour experience. It was flawless from start to finish - every site we visited was remarkable, the information provided was insightful, and the sunset view was truly breathtaking. The tour itinerary ensured we had ample privacy at each location and arrived at the sunset spot right on schedule. The coordination and organization were exceptional. Above all, our tour guide, Vasilis, was the highlight of the day...

Derrick P

United States

Wow! Book this trip with this company-you will not be disappointed!! We took the Half-Day Tour and the Sunset Tour. As advertised, they covered different monasteries. The driver knew exactly where to stop for the best pictures and navigated the winding roads beautifully. The guides were engaging and thorough in their knowledge. We were appreciative of the complimentary cold water, the air conditioned small bus, and curb side pickup at the hotel. We have several friends traveling to Greece soon and we recommended this company to them.

Julie S

Sacramento, California

We did both a private tour and a sunset group tour, in addition Travel Meteora arranged the train tickets from Athens and the pick up from and back to the train station. The tours were informative, professional, the monasteries are impressive, the culture and tradition are rich, the views are magnificent and the landscape is spectacular.

Carlos Lluch

Malibu, California

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Attractions

Just a few of the beautiful sights you’ll see during your tour

The Rock of Holy Spirit

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Kastraki Village

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to hiking tours in case of rain or bad weather?

In the event of rain or adverse weather conditions, the safety and enjoyment of our guests come first. If the hike is deemed unsafe or significantly affected by the weather, the tour may be cancelled, and you will receive a full refund—no questions asked.

However, we always try to offer flexible alternatives, such as:

Rescheduling your hiking tour for another available time or date,
Switching to a different experience better suited for the weather, such as a cultural or sightseeing tour, or

We’ll communicate all available options in advance or at the meeting point, ensuring you still get the most out of your Meteora visit—rain or shine.

Can I cancel and get a refund if my plans change?

Yes—there is free cancellation. You will receive a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the tour’s start time. However, unused elements of the tour are non-refundable.

How difficult is the hike and is it suitable for children?

The hike is considered intermediate. It involves walking rocky terrain and ascending Aghio Pnevma Rock. The tour is suitable for children aged 7 and older, provided they have moderate fitness.

When and where does the tour start?

The tour starts daily at the Geological Museum in Kastraki village’s central square. The start time varies depending on the season—check the booking widget. The experience runs from March through October.

What is included in the Hiking Meteora’s Hermit Caves tour?

This three-hour guided hiking tour from Kastraki includes visits to ancient hermit caves, the 10th-century Holy Spirit chapel, the monks’ prison cave, the cave of St. George, and panoramic sunset views from the top of Aghio Pnevma Rock. A knowledgeable English-speaking mountain guide and a 0.5 L bottle of water are also included. Pick-up and drop-off services are not included.

How late can I make a booking?

You can make a booking with us literally at the last minute! Just keep in mind that there may be no seats left on the tour if you do that! We recommend booking at least one week in advance, in order to have the best chances of finding availability.