Aegeon Taverna and The Veranda
What to order: something grilled and a salad on the terrace, before or after going up to the temple
geocalia
Day itinerary · 37.65° N · 24.02° E
Day trip to Sounion from Athens: a swim on the way and the sun dropping behind the temple.
A half-day from Athens along the coast road: a swim in Lake Vouliagmeni, a beach at the foot of the cape, the Temple of Poseidon at sunset and dinner in the bay.
Leaving from
Direct flight to Atenas fromBarcelona 3 h 15Bilbao 3 h 45Madrid 3 h 45Málaga 4 h
Part of Cape Sounion
Add to my trip
Total time8 h
By car1 h each way
From Athens65 min by car · 2 h by KTEL
TicketTemple €20
On footLittle: a short climb to the temple
DifficultyEasy
Best timeApril – June · September – October
The plan
The day at a glance
Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.
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Leave Athens 1 h by car
along the coast: Faliro, Glyfada and Vouliagmeni
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1
Swimming in Lake Vouliagmeni, on the way to Sounion
A swim in water between 21 and 29 °C · book loungers the day before
- 45 min by car45 km
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2
The coast road from Athens to Sounion
Varkiza, Lagonisi and Saronida with the sea on your right
- 5 min by car3 km
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3
Sounion beach, at the foot of the temple
A swim at the foot of the cape
- 5 min by car2 km
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4
Temple of Poseidon and Sounion sanctuary
€20 · last entry 20 min before sunset
- Carry on on foot
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5
Sunset over the Saronic Gulf from the cape
The sun behind the Saronic islands
- 5 min by car2 km
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6
Aegeon Taverna and The Veranda
A terrace on the shore, with the temple above
Km 68 de la avenida Atenas – Sunión, 19500 Sounio · +30 22920 39200
Restaurant €€€Book -
Back home
Return via Lavrio and the Attiki Odos; in Athens around 23:00
Approximate cost
About €35–60 per person
Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.
The route
Swimming in Lake Vouliagmeni, on the way to Sounion
The classic Athens afternoon: head for the coast after lunch, swim on the way and reach Cape Sounion to watch the sun set behind the Temple of Poseidon. It is about 70 km and a little over an hour by car from the centre, along the road that hugs the Saronic Gulf.
The afternoon, hour by hour
14:30 · Leave Athens. Towards Faliro and Poseidonos Avenue, via Glyfada and Vouliagmeni.
15:00 · Lake Vouliagmeni. A brackish lake at the foot of a rock, between 21 and 29 °C, with a platform and sun loungers. A good two hours of swimming. Loungers are booked on its website, never on the same day.
17:30 · The coast. Continue past Varkiza, Lagonisi and Saronida with the sea on your right; stop at any viewpoint.
18:30 · Sounion beach. The bay at the foot of the cape: a quick swim with the temple above.
19:15 · Temple of Poseidon. Park next to the entrance, pay the €20 and climb up. The Doric temple of the mid-fifth century BC, Byron's signature on a column and, on the hill opposite, the foundations of the Temple of Athena. Last entry is 20 minutes before sunset.
20:00 · Sunset. The sun sinks behind the islands. Stay until they invite you to leave.
20:45 · Dinner in the bay. At the Aegeon Taverna, on the shore, or on The Veranda terrace of the same hotel.
22:00 · Return. At night, go up via Lavrio and Keratea to the Attiki Odos motorway: faster than the coast.
And in winter?
The site opens all year, but closes with the sun, which in December sets around 17:10. Leave Athens at 13:00, go straight to the cape and leave the lake for another day.
Time2 h 30
Change the route
Where to eat
Where to eat?
Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.
Aegean Grill, at Cape Sounio
What to order: grilled fish or meat with the house salads, at midday, to see the temple in daylight
Map
The stops, in order
With where to park at each one.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Getting there
By car or without one?
When to go
When to go to Cape Sounion
The times are for spring and early autumn, with the sun setting around 20:00. From November to February the sun sets around 17:15 and the site closes with it: bring everything forward two hours and leave the swim for summer. It opens daily all year.
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Best timeGood timeLow season
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Arrive with time to spare
Last entry is 20 minutes before sunset.
- 2Jacket
It is windy at the cape and cools down when the sun goes.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Athens to Sounion?
About 65 minutes by car and about two hours by KTEL bus.
How much is admission?
€20; reduced, €10.
Can you do it without a car?
Yes, on the KTEL bus, without the lake stop.
What if I arrive late?
If you arrive after last entry, watch the sunset from the bay: the temple can be seen above.
More plans like this
Other days of walking and good food
geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/cape-sounion/itineraries/vouliagmeni-coast-and-temple-of-poseidon
Prices, opening hours and times are approximate: check them before you go. Each place has its own page on Geocalia.