Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion

What it is and what you see

Cape Sounion is the south-eastern tip of Attica, about 65–70 km from the centre of Athens, where the Saronic Gulf opens into the Aegean. At the top of the cliff, about 60 m above the sea, stands the Temple of Poseidon, the god of the sea. The one you see dates from around 444 BC: it replaced another that the Persians destroyed in 480 BC, before it was finished. It is a Doric temple of white marble, with 6.10 m columns still standing on the plan, and with the Parthenon and the Temple of Aphaia on Aegina it forms the so-called sacred triangle.

Look on the columns for Byron's name: the English poet carved it in the early 19th century, and it is the most famous signature among the many left by travellers. Around the site there are also remains of the wall with which Athens fortified the cape in 413 BC to protect the grain route, and, on a nearby hill, the foundations of a temple of Athena.

The view is the reason for the trip: the sea on three sides and the islands on the horizon.

When to go

At the end of the day. It is the classic Athens plan: arrive an hour before sunset, see the temple in golden light and head down when it gets dark. In summer the site fills up at exactly that time, above all with groups arriving by coach; in spring and autumn there are fewer people and the light is just as good. Bear in mind that the site's closing time varies with the season, and in winter it closes before sunset: check the day's closing time before setting out, so you don't arrive to a locked gate.

The morning is also worthwhile: there are fewer people and you can swim afterwards in the coves in the area.

Admission

The ticket is bought at the ticket office or in advance at hhticket.gr, the official portal of the Ministry of Culture, where the current price and hours appear. As at other state-run sites, EU citizens under 25 get in free with ID.

How to get there

By car it is a little over an hour along the coast road (Poseidonos and the Athinon–Souniou avenue), passing Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, with the sea on your right almost all the way. There is parking next to the site entrance, and it fills up in summer at sunset: arrive with time to spare.

By bus, the KTEL Attikis intercity buses leave from central Athens and go along the coast to the cape; the journey takes quite a lot longer than by car. You have the details on the KTEL bus to Sounion page. Check the return timetable before setting out: after sunset the buses are full.

With a driver, the private transfer is the comfortable option if there are several of you or you have small children.

How long

Allow half a day: a good hour out, another back and an hour or a little more at the temple. If you stop to swim on the coast or have a fish dinner in the area, it turns into a whole afternoon.

With children and accessibility

The path from the car park to the temple is a short climb on earth and rock, with no shade. With a pushchair it can be done, though bumpy; with a wheelchair, check with the site beforehand. Children usually like looking for Byron's signature and watching the boats from up high. Keep them close near the cliff edge.