Greece Blog – Part 2: Delphi & Meteora: Ancient Ruins and Endless Stairs
Exploring temples by day, chasing sunsets by evening, and toasting the gods of Delphi by night.
After our unexpected bonus day in Santorini, we finally made it back to Athens. By the time we arrived, it was late, so we grabbed a cheap hotel near the bus station for the night. It wasn’t glamorous, but it did the job — and it meant we were ready to catch an early bus the next morning.
Our next stop was Delphi — about a three-hour bus ride from Athens. We caught the morning bus at Athens’ Liosion Bus Station (Terminal B), operated by KTEL Fokidas. Tickets were around 15 euros, and the first bus filled quickly, so we had to wait for the next one.
When we reached Delphi, we arrived too early to check in at Hotel Kouros, a budget-friendly spot within walking distance of the main sites. The staff kindly let us leave our bags in storage until the afternoon, so we set off right away to make the most of the day.
Just another scenic bus break in the middle of Greece’s breathtaking mountain roads.
Racing the Clock
Delphi’s archaeological site and museum close early in winter — 3 p.m. — and we knew we had no time to waste. Tickets are cheaper during the low season, so we grabbed a map and started exploring.
At first, Liza and I wandered together, taking in the ruins and trying to make sense of the layout. After a while, we realized we’d only seen a fraction of the site — and time was running out. I told her I’d hurry ahead to reach the stadium before closing, promising to take photos so she could see it later.
When I finally reached the top, there were hardly any other visitors. Standing in the quiet stadium, surrounded by mountains, felt surreal — like stepping into another time.
On my way back down, we met near the exit and explored more together: the theatre, the Temple of Apollo, and the sweeping view across the valley. The whole site felt ancient yet alive — the crisp air smelled faintly of pine, and the wind carried a stillness that made it easy to imagine what Delphi once was.
Of course, I couldn’t resist a little fun — I stood dramatically and pretended to be the oracle of Delphi, ready to deliver ancient prophecies.
We actually left closer to 3:30 p.m. because we couldn’t resist taking tons of selfies along the way (yes, with a selfie stick!).
Racing the clock to see the ancient stadium of Delphi — made it just in time (sorry, Liza!).
Sunset Without the Crowds
After leaving the site, we followed a random gravel road that wound along the hillside. It turned out to be one of the best finds of the trip. From there, we watched the sun dip behind the mountains, painting the sky orange and pink.
Unlike Santorini, where we’d been surrounded by a huge crowd for sunset, here it was completely quiet — just us, the mountains, and the fading light.
Sometimes the best moments aren’t on the itinerary — just like this sunset outside Delphi.
Flags of Delphi
On our way back into town, we stumbled across a small outdoor flag gallery. Dozens of flags fluttered in the breeze, a colorful contrast to the ruins we’d just left behind. It was a reminder that Delphi still feels connected to the wider world, even after all these centuries.
Every direction from Delphi feels like a postcard — even this quiet viewpoint by the flags.
Souvenirs & Gyros
After the sunset and flag gallery, we headed back to Hotel Kouros to finally check in and unwind. Later in the evening, hunger set in, so we wandered out again. On the way to find food, we browsed the little shops, picking up souvenirs before finally stopping for gyros — cheap, delicious, and exactly what we needed.
We didn’t stay up late — we thought we had a bus in the morning at 10:30 a.m. and wanted to be ready.
Delphi at dusk — twinkling lights, mountain silhouettes, and the calm after a busy day.
Bus Confusion & Bonus Ruins
The next morning, we packed up and made our way to the bus station, expecting to catch the 10:30 a.m. bus to Meteora. At least, that’s what the internet had promised.
When we arrived, we learned the truth: the only bus was leaving later in the afternoon. We weren’t the only disappointed tourists standing there with luggage, realizing the online schedules were wrong.
With hours to spare, we decided to make the most of it. We walked down to see the Tholos of Athena Pronaia and the nearby ancient gymnasium. Both sites were completely empty. It wasn’t necessarily better than Delphi’s main ruins, but it was nice to see more history without the crowds.
By the time the bus finally arrived, the sun was already slipping behind the mountains. As the road wound north, I watched olive groves fade into misty cliffs. We didn’t know it yet, but the next stop would feel like stepping into a fantasy world.
Sometimes travel mishaps work in your favor — catching unexpected views like this one.
A Hostel Surprise
We rolled into Meteora after dark, tired and hungry, and needed to figure something out quickly. Because of the delayed bus from Delphi, we knew we wouldn’t make it to our original guesthouse before check-in closed, so I’d already canceled the reservation while we were still on the road.
Luckily, some backpackers on the bus overheard us talking and told us about a place they were heading to — Meteora Central Hostel — so we decided to tag along and check it out.
When we arrived, Liza peeked inside, took one look at the dorm setup, and immediately said nope. She wanted to see if we could find something else. So, we started walking around town, trying other hotels — but everything was either sold out or way too expensive.
In the end, we didn’t have a choice. Back to Meteora Central Hostel we went. For me, it was just another stay. For Liza, this was her first real hostel experience — shared dorms, shared bathrooms, strangers coming and going at all hours. Compared to Santorini’s private “soft hostel” with our own room and shower, this was a whole new reality check.
A spontaneous stop at Meteora Central Hostel — clean, comfy, and right in the center of town.
The Magic of Meteora
I’m so glad we stopped at Meteora. It wasn’t originally high on my list, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of the whole trip. These monasteries are perched high on massive rock pillars, looking like they’re floating in the sky. From below, they seem almost unreachable — which, for centuries, they were.
At first, I thought we might try climbing up to one or two monasteries on our own, but taking the guided tour turned out to be the best decision. It was quicker, gave us the chance to see more in a single day, and honestly wasn’t that expensive. I don’t remember the exact price, but I do remember it being well within our budget. Plus, it saved us from trying to navigate all those endless steps on our own.
Listening to the guide describe how pilgrims once had to climb up rope ladders or be hauled in nets to reach the top made me appreciate the journey even more. Standing there, it’s hard to imagine the kind of devotion it must have taken to risk dangling hundreds of feet in the air just to pray. Thankfully, modern stairs have been carved into the cliffs — though even those feel like a small pilgrimage.
Meteora has also been a backdrop for pop culture — from James Bond: For Your Eyes Only to Game of Thrones. Standing among those surreal landscapes, it’s easy to see why filmmakers chose it. The place looks like something straight out of fantasy.
Inside, the monasteries were filled with frescoes, icons, and centuries of history. Outside, the views stretched for miles — a mix of cliffs and valleys that made us feel impossibly small.
And of course, we had fun with it too — two Canadians in matching Olympic gear, posing against the otherworldly backdrops. Goofy, yes, but those pictures are still some of my favorites from the whole trip.
Perched high above the valley — Meteora’s monasteries are unlike anything else in Greece.
Next Stop: From Mountains to Myths
After exploring Meteora’s cliffside monasteries, we were officially “ruined out” — and ready for a change of scenery. Our next plan? Mount Olympus, home of the gods.
But, true to Greek adventure style, getting there was anything but simple. Between bus transfers, mismatched train schedules, and long waits at chilly stations, what should’ve been a short trip turned into a full-day trek. By the time we finally reached our guesthouse that night, the rain had started — a sign that the gods might have a sense of humor after all.
From sacred cliffs to mythic peaks — onward to Mount Olympus.
💡 JD’s Tip: Navigating Central Greece
Delphi’s museum and site close early in winter (around 3 p.m.) — plan ahead!
Buses to Meteora often list Trikala or Kalambaka — that’s the town right at the base of the cliffs.
Never trust online schedules — always confirm times at the station.
If you’re visiting both in winter, leave room for weather delays and bus surprises.
