Cape Sounion: 8 tips for visiting the Temple of Poseidon near Athens

The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion is located at the southernmost tip of the Attica Peninsula, where the Greek mainland ends and the Aegean Sea opens up to the south. Even from a distance, the view is impressive: the white marble columns tower high above the sea, and the backdrop is truly striking. But then comes the letdown.

For a 20-euro entrance fee, you get 15 marble columns on a rocky outcrop and a tour that’s over in half an hour. The sunset here, however, is truly unique.
Tom & Ella

No endless fields of ruins, no sprawling grounds with theaters and temples like on the Acropolis, but a barren rocky outcrop with 15 slender marble columns and plenty of tour buses in the parking lot. Sounion is smaller than expected, and the line at the ticket office can sometimes be longer than the tour itself.

For history buffs and photography enthusiasts, a visit is definitely worth it, especially at sunset at Cape Sounion, which is considered one of the most beautiful in all of Greece. Everyone else can save themselves the admission fee and admire the temple from afar; the view from the coastal road is hardly any less spectacular.

Here’s what you need to know about your trip to Cape Sounion and whether it’s worth the visit:

#1 Getting There: How Do I Get to Cape Sounion?

Cape Sounion is located at the southern tip of the Attica Peninsula, about 70 km south of Athens. The rocky promontory marks the end of the Greek mainland, where the Aegean Sea opens up to the south and east. On a clear day, you can see the Cyclades islands of Kea, Kythnos, and Serifos on the horizon from the tip of the cape.

How far is it to Cape Sounion?

• Athens to Cape Sounion: approx. 70 km, approx. 1.5-hour drive
• Athens Airport to Cape Sounion: approx. 45 km, approx. 45 min drive
• Corinth to Cape Sounion: approx. 150 km, approx. 2-hour drive
• Patras to Cape Sounion: approx. 280 km, approx. 3.5-hour drive
• Thessaloniki to Cape Sounion: approx. 600 km, approx. 7.5-hour drive

You can reach Cape Sounion either by car or by bus. A rental car is the easiest way to get there, but depending on the route and time of day, you should expect traffic. There are two routes from Athens to the cape.

The coastal route along the Athenian Riviera via National Highway 91 is the more scenic option, about 70 km long. This will take you at least an hour and a half, more likely two, as you’ll pass through several resort towns with traffic lights, and there’s often heavy traffic along the coast, especially on weekends. Athenians use this route frequently for day trips to the Riviera beaches.

The inland route via Highway 6 to Markopoulo—a region worth seeing with olive groves and vineyards—and then on via State Road 89 toward Lavrio is slightly longer at about 75 km, but generally faster. You should also plan for about 1.5 hours of driving time here. There are daily delays around Athens during rush hour, but the highway is fairly empty on weekends.

Is it worth renting a car for Cape Sounion?

We recommend renting a car for Sounion. A car is almost always worth it for a trip to Cape Sounion, especially if you also want to explore the Athenian Riviera or the region around Lavrio with the Theater of Thorikos. If you’ve just landed, you can pick up your rental car right at Athens Airport and then take a leisurely drive along the southern tip of Attica. To avoid waiting times at the counter, it’s best to book your rental car online right away.

You can find affordable car rental deals for Athens and Attica through our partner Discover Cars*:

➲ View offers on Discover Cars*

It’s about 45 kilometers (45 minutes) from Athens Airport to Cape Sounion. If you’re already in Athens, you’ll need to decide whether you feel confident driving a rental car through the city center. It’s fine on weekends, but during the week, National Highway 91—which runs from downtown toward Piraeus and the Athenian Riviera and has up to eight lanes in some sections—is chaotic.

What is the parking situation like there?

There are two parking lots at Cape Sounion. The main parking lot is right at the entrance; this is also where tour buses stop and maneuver. An overflow parking lot is located about 100 meters further ahead. The number of spaces is limited, especially during peak season. Please do not park in no-parking zones, as this is prohibited in some areas along the roadside and is regularly enforced. Be careful when pulling out, as the road gets very narrow when the buses are maneuvering.

Right at the entrance, you’ll find the Naos Cafe & Restaurant with mixed reviews (but perfectly fine for a drink), restrooms, and the Sounio Museum Shop with simple replicas and correspondingly high prices. If you’re hungry after your tour, we recommend heading to one of the taverns or cafes outside of Sounion. You can find our tips for this under point #7.

Bus to Cape Sounion

There is actually a public bus from Athens to Cape Sounion, which runs one to four times a day depending on the season. The Attica KTEL Sounio Intercity Bus Terminal stop is located on the western edge of Athens’ Pedio tou Areos city park, near the statue of King Constantine I.

The bus ride to Cape Sounion takes about 2 hours. The typical departure time from Athens is 10:30 a.m., and the return trip from Sounion is at 4:45 p.m. In the summer, there are additional morning departures and return trips at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The schedules are posted at the bus stop. Bus tickets to Sounion cost approximately 15 euros round-trip; payment is cash only, directly to the driver.

→ Information and current schedules for KTEL buses are available at ktelattikis.gr

Taking the bus to Sounion is the cheapest option, but it’s really only for experienced bus travelers. The buses are often late, the schedules aren’t always up to date, and the fleet is roughly from the early 2000s. Alternatively, you can join a guided day tour to Cape Sounion. The tours can be booked through our partner GetYourGuide*:

➲ View organized bus tours*

#2 Admission and Opening Hours for Sounion

Cape Sounion is open year-round from 9:00 a.m. until sunset. In winter, the site is open from 9:30 a.m. until sunset. This makes Sounion particularly attractive for sunset visits. Last admission is approximately 30 minutes before sunset. Since there are usually only one or two ticket windows at the entrance, we strongly recommend booking a ticket online in advance; otherwise, you’ll quickly find yourself in a long line during peak season.

You can purchase an online ticket through GetYourGuide* and skip the line at the entrance to the Temple of Poseidon:

➲ Get your skip-the-line online ticket*

Admission prices for the Temple of Poseidon

• Sounion ticket for adults: €20
• Sounion reduced-price ticket: €10 for seniors over 65
• Free admission to Sounion: EU citizens under 25 and non-EU citizens under 18

Free admission days for Cape Sounion
:

• March 6 (in memory of Melina Mercouri)
• April 18 (International Day for Monuments and Sites)
• May 18 (International Museum Day)
• Last weekend in September (European Heritage Days)
• Every first and third Sunday from November 1 to March 31
• October 28 (National Holiday)

Sounion Opening Hours

• April 1 through October 31 from 9:00 a.m. until sunset
• November 1 through November 30 from 9:30 AM until sunset

Closed at Cape Sounion: January 1, March 25, Good Friday (shortened hours 12:00 PM–5:00 PM), Holy Saturday (shortened hours 9:30 AM–3:30 PM), Easter Sunday, May 1, December 25, December 26

→ You can find all the latest information on the official website of the Greek Ministry of Culture: odysseus.culture.gr

#3 Tour of the Archaeological Site

Plan at least an hour at Cape Sounion—or two if you’re in the mood for photos and want to catch the sunset. The path is well-marked, there are a few park benches to rest on, and photo spots with breathtaking ocean views open up every so often. What’s unfortunately in short supply: shade. Even in the late afternoon, the sun beats down on the exposed rocky cape. So bring water and don’t forget sunscreen.

If you drive to Sounion in a rental car, you can avoid the bus groups and explore the temple at your own pace. Most tours arrive around noon or in the early afternoon. By late afternoon, the crowds thin out noticeably; if you stay until just before closing time, you’ll have the temple almost to yourself. If you’re visiting in spring or fall, be sure to pack a jacket for the evening, as a cool breeze blows.

The rocky plateau is incredibly barren. The few shrubs are no taller than a meter, and trees are rare. Nevertheless, you may encounter animals such as lizards or even small tortoises while walking. Rock partridges are also at home here. When startled, they make a distinctive sound and fly away. From the parking lot at the restaurant, the path leads a few meters westward uphill to the highest point of the cape, which lies 60 meters above sea level. Here stands the approximately 5,000 m² Sanctuary of Poseidon, the centerpiece of the complex.

The Temple of Poseidon

Of the original 34 Doric columns, 15 remain, and not even all of them stand side by side. Their rugged silhouette against the shimmering sun and blue sea is the image most associated with Sounion. The Temple of Poseidon is visible from every part of the grounds and offers ever-changing perspectives depending on the time of day and the angle of the light. In the morning, the temple appears rather cool and empty; in the evening, when the golden light casts long shadows from the columns, it is at its most spectacular.

On the east side of the temple, fragments of a relief frieze made of Parian marble can still be seen. On one of the irregular columns is the temple’s most famous graffito: Lord Byron carved his name into the marble in 1810. What is considered vandalism today was, however, common practice in the romantic travel tradition of the 19th century. Unfortunately, you can’t get close enough to see it clearly. Information panels in Greek and English provide details about the temple, which was built between 444 and 440 B.C.

Fortress walls and ancient settlement

Around the temple, the ancient fortress walls invite you to take a stroll. They stretch about 400 meters along the north side of the cape and offer ever-changing views of the sea. From the higher vantage points, you look directly into Sounion Bay (Ormos Souniou). On the slopes between the temple and the bay lies the settlement of Demos Sounion, the former center of the community. Narrow alleys branch off to the left and right, forming regular blocks of houses, of which only the foundations remain.

From the temple plateau, a long staircase with a gradient of about 10 percent leads straight through the settlement ruins down to the sea. Alternatively, there is a concrete path along the coast on the western flank of the steep cliff. Once at the bottom, the water shimmers in a magnificent turquoise-blue. On the rocky coast at the entrance to the bay, ancient traces are still visible: two ramps carved into the rock, over which ships were pulled ashore.

The port of Sounion, which once occupied the entire bay, served the city-state of Athens as a forward naval base and, at the same time, as a trading post for the nearby silver mines of Lavrion. Access to the water itself, however, is blocked in several places by broken edges, and scattered marble debris lies on the shore.

For those who want to swim, Sounion Beach further north is recommended. Several footpaths, one of which leads from the overflow parking lot, take you there in a few hundred meters. And that’s basically it for the temple grounds. From the sea, you take the same path back up to the temple, snap a couple of souvenir photos in front of the columns, and after 45 minutes to an hour, you’ve seen it all. There isn’t much more to discover, but if you’re lucky, you can catch the sunset at the cape.

Sanctuary of Athena

About 400 meters northeast, on the access road to the cape, lies the Sanctuary of Athena. Only the foundation walls remain of the once-imposing temple complex. The temple was dismantled during the Roman era and transported to Athens as building material. The view of the Temple of Poseidon from there isn’t the best either. To be honest, this part of Sounion is really only worth a detour for die-hard history buffs.

To the disappointment of many culture enthusiasts, there is no museum at Cape Sounion. The significant artifacts from Sounion are housed in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. A real drawback for Sounion, but at the same time a good reason to explore Athens extensively as part of a city trip.

History buffs should definitely join a guided tour, either as a group or private tour, bookable online at GetYourGuide*:

➲ View guided tours*

Cape Sounion Viewpoints

South of the Naos Café, several trails lead to partially unsecured viewpoints right at the edge of the cliffs. The view of the rocky promontory and the temple is spectacular, but the cliffs drop 50 meters straight down. If you want to photograph the temple against the impressive seaside backdrop, there is a great viewpoint outside the site, right on the access road from Athens (GPS 37.656486, 24.014031). The view of Cape Sounion is just as good, but there is no danger to life here.

#4 Guided Tours to Cape Sounion

In addition to guided walking tours on-site, you can also visit Cape Sounion as part of an organized day trip from Athens. This is especially worthwhile for those without a rental car or for anyone who wants to conveniently combine the trip with other sights in Attica. Depending on the provider, Sounion tours usually last about 4 to 6 hours, while sunset tours often take a bit longer. On the sunset tours at Cape Sounion, you won’t be back in Athens until around 10 p.m. in the summer.

Prices generally start at around 25 to 40 euros per person; more extensive excursions with multiple stops or smaller group sizes are correspondingly more expensive. The price usually includes transportation from Athens by air-conditioned bus, the services of a guide or audio guide, and, in some cases, free time at the destination. Admission to the Temple of Poseidon is not always included, so this should be checked before booking.

All information about the guided bus tours to Cape Sounion is available through our partner GetYourGuide*:

➲ Day tours from Athens*

➲ Small-group tours*

➲ Sunset tour to the cape*

#5 Interesting Facts and History of Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion is the ultimate draw in the Athens hinterland and is now one of Greece’s most visited attractions. There are good reasons for this, as the significance of this place extends far beyond its spectacular location. The southern tip of Attica was of crucial strategic importance to the city-state of Athens. From here, Athens controlled the sea passage to the Aegean and access to Piraeus, its main port.

At the same time, not far away lay the Lavrion Peninsula with its rich silver mines, whose revenues in the 5th century BCE made Athens the leading maritime power of the Greek world. Graves on the cape have been known since the Early Bronze Age, the 3rd millennium B.C. The settlement of the area thus dates back much further than the temple visible today would suggest.

Homer mentioned Cape Sounion in his Odyssey as the “sacred cape of the Athenians,” which dates the sacredness of the site to at least the 8th century BCE. Herodotus reports on a major festival held every four years in honor of Poseidon, to which official representatives of Athens even traveled on a sacred ship. The tragedians Euripides and Sophocles, as well as the comic playwright Aristophanes, also mention the sanctuary.

At the end of the Archaic period, construction began on a limestone temple, which was, however, destroyed by the Persians in 480 BCE before it was completed. The present-day temple was built on these foundations between 444 and 440 BCE. Even the travel writer Pausanias, in the 2nd century AD, was unsure to which deity the temple was dedicated. He believed it to be a temple of Athena, a mistake that was not corrected until 1900, when inscriptions were discovered during excavations.

Starting in the 17th century, European adventurers and scholars traveled to the cape. The columns still standing made it famous under the name “Kavokolones,” derived from “Kavo” (cape) and “Kolones” (columns). In 1810, the British poet and explorer Lord Byron carved his name into the temple’s marble, as he did at numerous ancient sites. Romantics called it a spirit of adventure; today it is called vandalism. The travelogues of that era read like declarations of love, and Sounion gradually became a place of longing for an entire generation of romantically inclined Europeans.

Scientific research began in 1884 under Wilhelm Dörpfeld of the German Archaeological Institute. Valerios Staes conducted systematic excavations from 1897 to 1913, funded by the Archaeological Society of Athens. Restoration work has been ongoing since 1875, and the temple’s current condition is the result of work carried out by the Greek Archaeological Service in the 1950s. Between 2011 and 2013, all monuments in the area were restored and made accessible with EU funding.

#6 Hotels near Cape Sounion

In recent years, several hotels have opened in the immediate vicinity of the Temple of Poseidon. The nearest village, Kato Sounion—a former farming and fishing village about 2 km to the northeast—has grown significantly. Prices in the Sounion area are quite high, as demand is high but available guest rooms are scarce.

Most visitors come to Cape Sounion just for a day trip. However, staying overnight is worth it—you’ll have the temple almost to yourself in the early morning and can enjoy the sunset in peace without the long drive back to Athens ahead of you. Click the links for more information on hotels at Cape Sounion from our partner Booking.com*.

Our accommodation tips for Cape Sounion

Aegeon Beach Hotel (Paralia Souniou)

Located below the temple on Paralia Souniou, the Aegeon Beach Hotel takes up almost the entire beach, but it’s highly recommended. The rooms are modern and the breakfast is excellent. We recommend booking a room on the upper floor with a balcony, as the view of the bay and the offshore islet of Archi is breathtaking.

➲ Book the Aegeon Beach Hotel*

Cape Sounio Grecotel Resort (Cape Sounion)

This 5-star luxury resort with a direct view of the Temple of Poseidon is the top destination in the region. Multiple pools, an excellent restaurant, and elegant rooms with ocean views. Definitely recommended for a special occasion or an undisturbed wellness vacation in an impressive setting.

➲ Book the Cape Sounio Grecotel Resort*

Poseidon Apartments & Villas (Cape Sounion)

Simple, functional rooms and apartments located right near the temple. The price is quite high for the standard offered, but the location is unbeatable. Well-suited for anyone looking for simple, practical accommodations in close proximity to Cape Sounion.

➲ Book the Poseidon Apartments*

Sea Satin Sounio (Kato Sounion)

Chic apartment with a sea view in the village of Kato Sounion, about 2 km northeast of the temple. Modern design, quiet location, and a truly stunning view of the Aegean Sea. Ideal for couples or small families looking for a bit more privacy.

➲ Book Sea Satin Sounio*

Art Sounion, Seafront Elegance (Kato Posidonia)

A lovingly furnished seaside accommodation with its own swimming area in the village of Kato Posidonia. If you’re looking for something special and intimate without paying the 5-star price of the Grecotel, this is the place for you.

➲ Book Art Sounion Seafront*

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#7 Restaurants at Cape Sounion

At Cape Sounion, almost everything revolves around the fast-paced daily business. Few visitors actually stay overnight, so many establishments have adapted accordingly: traditional Greek cuisine is scarce, souvlaki and gyros dominate the menus, and prices are significantly inflated. A word of warning: the two taverns right on Sounion Beach are not recommended. Our tips for cafes and restaurants at Cape Sounion:

Meze by Poseidon – the in-house restaurant of the Poseidon Apartments and one of the most pleasant surprises on the southern tip of Attica. The cuisine is typically Greek, and the view of the Aegean Sea is breathtaking. The service is friendly and attentive; you get an appetizer and dessert on the house, plus a shot of ouzo to finish. If you want to enjoy a good meal after visiting the temple without sacrificing the sea view, this is the place for you.

Artemis Tavern – A family-run tavern in Kato Sounion, about 2 km northeast of the temple. The owners are very welcoming; they let you taste the wine before ordering and bring out bread and olives on the house as an appetizer. All dishes are homemade and delicious. To finish, you’ll get a small chocolate cake or ice cream on the house.

Aithrio – Village tavern in the hamlet of Legrena, about 5 km from the cape. Authentic Greek hospitality, which is sometimes missing at the tourist-crowded Cape, making it the ideal place to stop on the way there or back. Rustic decor and friendly owners. Souvlaki and bifteki come in generous portions, and the bread is from the local bakery. Plus, a complimentary dessert, such as a nut cake soaked in syrup and Greek liqueur.

Ta Legreina Bakery – a village bakery in the hamlet of Legrena, the perfect spot for anyone who wants to explore Cape Sounion without the hassle of a big restaurant. They serve good coffee, sweet and savory pastries, fresh bread, baked goods, and ice cream. Be sure to try the bougatsa. Fair prices, friendly service, no tourist surcharge. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

#8 Things to See Around Sounion

Many highlights around Cape Sounion can easily be incorporated into your trip there or back. You should plan about an hour for the Temple of Poseidon itself, or a bit longer depending on your photography mood and the sunset atmosphere. If you stay at the cape until evening and your accommodation is in Athens, be sure to allow two hours for the return trip. With our excursion tips for Sounion, you’ll enjoy a beautifully rounded day trip to the southern tip of Attica.

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Athens Riviera

The Athenian Riviera refers to the stretch of coastline south of Athens, extending from Palaio Faliro through Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni almost all the way down to Cape Sounion. Spanning about 70 kilometers, it combines urban flair with beach vacations and is considered one of the most beautiful coastal roads in Greece. Along the route lie elegant Athenian suburbs and popular Greek vacation resorts. Glyfada is the Riviera’s most famous beach resort, with numerous beach clubs, cafés, and coastal city parks, and is perfect for a break during a city trip to Athens.

All the way to Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, the coast still has a very urban character. Further south near Lagonisi, Saronida, and Anavyssos, the atmosphere becomes more relaxed and family-friendly. The drive along the coast is an experience in itself and can be perfectly combined with a trip to the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. Especially during the week, despite the Riviera’s popularity, you can often still find quiet spots where you can relax and enjoy the sea, sun, and coastal scenery.

→ Overview of the most famous beaches on the Athenian Riviera:

• Glyfada Beach
• Voula Beach
• Paralia Kavouri
• Akti Vouliagmeni
• Varkiza Beach
• El Pouda Beach
• Saronida Beach
• Agios Nikolaos Beach (Our favorite!)
• Anavissou Beach

Vouliagmeni Lake

On the southern outskirts of the seaside resort of Vouliagmeni lies one of Greece’s most unusual swimming lakes: Lake Vouliagmeni, also known as Limni Vouliagmenis. Depending on the light, the small lake shimmers in an interesting greenish-blue hue and is connected to the sea by an underground channel. The water maintains a constant temperature of around 22 to 29 degrees Celsius year-round, fed by hot thermal springs beneath it.

Lake Vouliagmeni is considered to have healing properties, and in fact, our friend Liza from Syros has already told us about its positive effects on joint pain and skin conditions. The lake is home to small doctor fish that nibble at the skin, providing a natural spa experience you simply wouldn’t expect. Admission costs a few euros, but that includes lounge chairs in the well-maintained park and changing rooms. The restaurants on the premises are not recommended. It’s best to head to BlueFish or Sardelaki me Thea in the town of Vouliagmeni.

Ancient Theater of Thorikos

North of Lavrio, right on the outskirts of town, lies the Ancient Theater of Thorikos, one of the oldest and best-preserved theaters in Greece and a hidden gem on the way to Sounion. Occasionally, small tour buses carrying history-loving Greeks stop here, but that’s the exception. The unusual, slightly elliptical shape of the auditorium sets the Theater of Thorikos apart from the round theaters of classical design, such as Epidaurus in the Peloponnese.

From the upper tier, you can see an ancient funerary monument to the left of the theater, and behind it, a beautiful view of the sea opens up. In the spring, the abundance of flowers makes this place particularly idyllic; from June onward, however, it becomes very barren. In September, the landscape in South Attica already resembles that of the Cyclades islands. The entrance is sometimes guarded by a friendly attendant who is happy to explain more about the site to interested visitors.

If you come at the right time, you’ll have the site all to yourself. Admission to Thorikos is free. There is no restaurant, no restrooms, and no gift shop. Instead, there is peace and quiet and the satisfying feeling of knowing a place that most Sounion visitors simply miss. For us, Thorikos is a must-see on the way to the cape. If you’re already in the area, be sure to stop by the convent in honor of the Apostle Paul (built in 1980), just 5 minutes further north.

Silver Mines of Lavreotike

Less a classic archaeological site and more a roughly 3-kilometer-long hike through history are the archaeological silver mines of Drymos near Lavrio. With its ancient shafts and tunnels, the region looks back on a mining history spanning nearly 5,000 years. You can reach the old silver mines only via gravel paths, either from Kato Sounion or Lavrio.

The forest through which the route passes is slowly recovering from the devastating fires of recent years (see article: Forest Fires in Greece) and is beginning to turn green again. Geology enthusiasts will be fascinated by the caves, shafts, and ancient mine tunnels. Along the route, information boards explain the sophisticated separation methods used in antiquity and the minerals found there. The site is open only in the summer, and admission is free.

Lavrio

While Lavrio isn’t an architectural highlight and bears the industrial mark of centuries of mining, there’s no reason not to make a quick stop. The Port Cafe right on the harbor serves one of the best freddo cappuccinos in the region. The promenade along the modern marina in southern Lavrio has a relaxed, unpretentious charm away from the tourist crowds. At the KALEO Greek Gastronomy restaurant, you can enjoy a fine meal with a view of the yachts.

Above all, however, Lavrio serves as the gateway to the Western Cyclades. From here, there are daily ferries to Kea, Kythnos, Serifos, and Sifnos. This makes it easy to plan a visit to the cape before or after a trip to the Western Cyclades. The ferry ride to Kea takes about an hour, and to Kythnos about an hour and 45 minutes. You can easily book your ferry tickets online through our partner Ferryhopper*.

Keratea and Markopoulo

If you take the inland route from Athens to Sounion, you’ll pass through Keratea, a typical Greek small town with around 8,000 residents and a genuine village atmosphere. Old stone houses still hide among the concrete buildings, and there are several good taverns to stop at around the chic Agios Dimitrios Church. Our favorite is Lazo, open year-round, serving excellent Greek cuisine with a unique twist. The small outdoor terrace is very popular in the summer, while the interior has a quaint, rustic charm.

Further north lies Markopoulo, after which Highway 6 begins back toward Athens. Markopoulo itself isn’t necessarily worth seeing, but you can take a break at the Bistro Theatraki on the village square. The region is one of Greece’s most famous wine-growing areas. The dry, barren soils of marble and limestone offer ideal conditions for viticulture. If you’d like to taste an Attica wine before visiting the cape, we recommend the Papagiannakos Winery or the Nikolou Winery.

Is a trip to Cape Sounion worth it?

Sounion is a true mecca for photographers and anyone who loves mysticism, especially at sunset. When the last rays of the sun bathe the white marble columns in orange, violet, and pink and the sun sinks behind the Cyclades, a truly magical atmosphere envelops this place. In the evening, the tour buses leave, and for a brief moment, the cape is almost all yours. That is the moment that makes the long drive worthwhile and truly makes Sounion worth the trip.

Anyone expecting a sprawling archaeological site like the one in Olympia will quickly realize: Sounion is not that. When you weigh the travel time and admission price against what’s on offer, for some vacationers it’s nothing more than a pretty photo spot with a hefty markup.

The temple looks cool, but if you’re not particularly into history, you’ll be done in half an hour. To put it simply: you can definitely see old stones elsewhere in Greece—and for less money. If you’re traveling from Athens in your own car or a rental, you can easily plan a trip to Sounion and turn it into a nice road trip through South Attica.

→ You can find more travel tips for the Attica region and the area around Athens here:

• Greece Regions
• Athens Blog

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