2-Day Private Tour: Delphi, Thermopylae & Meteora from Athens

Three of Greece's most significant sites in two days, without arranging transport yourself

A 2-day private tour from Athens visiting Delphi, Thermopylae, and Meteora with fast-track entry to the Delphi archaeological site and museum. Day one covers Delphi's ancient sanctuary and the Thermopylae monument to King Leonidas, ending with an overnight in Kalambaka or Kastraki. Day two explores the hanging monasteries of Meteora before returning to Athens.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Delphi, Thermopylae and Meteora visit

• Pickup from designated location
• Drive to Delphi
• Explore Delphi archaeological site
• Visit Delphi Archaeological Museum
• Lunch overlooking Itea and Amfissa
• Drive to Thermopylae
• Visit Gates of Fire and King Leonidas monument
• Explore Thermopylae museum
• Drive to Meteora
• Check in at hotel
• Visit Hanging Monasteries
• Explore Kalambaka and Kastraki villages
• Enjoy Meteora sunset
• Late lunch or early dinner at traditional taverna
• Stroll village shops
• Overnight at Kalambaka or Kastraki

Day 2: Meteora monasteries and return to Athens

• Breakfast at Meteora
• Visit remaining Hanging Monasteries
• Lunch at traditional Greek taverna
• Enjoy coffee
• Drive back to Athens
• Return to hotel or accommodation in Athens

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Athens hotel, Airbnb or port and heads to Delphi, where the ancient sanctuary once served as the seat of the Pythia oracle: consulted throughout the classical world on matters of importance. The Delphi archaeological site holds the Temple of Apollo, the Ancient Theater, the Stadium, and the Athenian Treasury. Fast-track entry gets you past the line at the gate. The museum houses major artifacts from the excavations, including the famous Charioteer statue, the Naxian Sphinx from 560 BC, and the Omphalos stone that marked the center of the earth in Greek belief. Lunch overlooks the Caldera at Delphi, with views toward Itea and Amfissa.

From Delphi, the route continues to Thermopylae, the narrow coastal passage where King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans made their stand against the Persian Empire in 480 BC. You'll see the brass monument to Leonidas, erected in 1955, and the Thermopylae museum dedicated to the battle that shaped the course of western civilization. The drive then takes you to Meteora, where you check in for the night in Kalambaka or Kastraki and experience the sunset over the hanging monasteries before a late dinner at a traditional taverna.

Day two begins with breakfast at Meteora, then visits to the monasteries themselves: St Nicolaos, Roussanou, Varlaam, Metamorphosis Sotiros, St Trinity, and St Stefanos perched on the rock formations. Lunch is at a traditional Greek taverna in Kalambaka or Kastraki, followed by time to browse village shops for handmade souvenirs. The private vehicle with Wi-Fi and air conditioning returns you to your Athens accommodation by late afternoon.

What’s included

• All transportation by private first-class vehicle with Wi-Fi and air conditioning.
• professional tour drivers with in-depth knowledge of ancient and modern Greek history.
• fast-track entry tickets for the Delphi archaeological site and museum.
• pickup and drop-off from your Athens hotel, Airbnb or port.
• bottled water throughout the tour.

Information

Lasts 2d, runs every day at 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00, from € 639 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30 and 10:002 earlier ›

GroupPrivate8 group tours ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to12h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Ancient Greece Tours & Transfers

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Athens without a rental car or prefer not to drive the mountain roads to Delphi and Meteora yourself. The private vehicle and included fast-track entry mean you skip the gate queues at Delphi while the driver handles the full route across three major sites in two days.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

37 verified traveler reviews

5 ★37

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What exactly is inside the Delphi archaeological museum?

The Delphi Archaeological Museum houses major artifacts from the site's excavations, including the famous Charioteer statue (part of a four-horse chariot complex), the Naxian Sphinx from 560 BC with a lion's body and woman's head, metopes from the Athenian Treasury showing scenes of Theseus and Heracles, the Omphalos stone signifying the center of the earth, the kouros statues of Kleobis and Biton from the 7th century BC, and the Statue of Antinoos from the 2nd century AD.

How many monasteries do you visit at Meteora?

You visit between one and four monasteries on day one depending on time and interest, then return on day two to see the remaining ones from the full list: St Nicolaos, Roussanou, Varlaam, Metamorphosis Sotiros (the Grand Monastery), St Trinity, and St Stefanos.

What happened at Thermopylae that the monument commemorates?

Thermopylae was the site of the 480 BC battle where King Leonidas of Sparta and his 300 warriors made their legendary stand against the Persian Empire of Xerxes. The brass monument to Leonidas, created by sculptor Vasos Falireas and erected in 1955, honors this pivotal moment in Greek and western history. The Thermopylae museum tells the full story of the battle.

Is overnight accommodation included in the tour price?

Overnight accommodation in Kalambaka or Kastraki is not included in the tour price, but the operator can suggest hotels and make reservations upon request. You check in after arriving on day one and depart on day two after breakfast and the monastery visits.

What's included in the vehicle and what do I need to bring?

The private vehicle includes Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and bottled water. Fast-track entry tickets to the Delphi archaeological site and museum are included. Food and drinks beyond what's noted in the itinerary, airport transfers, and a licensed guide to accompany you inside the sites are available at additional cost on request.