What to do · Cape Sounion
Sunset over the Saronic Gulf from the cape
Information
- Duration
- 1 h
- Season
- All year; in winter the site closes with the sun
- Who it's for
- All ages
Sunset is the reason half of Athens comes to Sounion. The temple stands on the cliff edge, about 60 metres above the sea, and from the esplanade you watch the sun sink towards the Saronic Gulf, with the islands on the horizon.
Inside or outside the site
Inside you have the temple a few metres away, but the site closes at sunset and last entry is 20 minutes before: go in with an hour to spare. If you arrive late, Sounion beach, in the bay at the foot of the cape, has the temple above you and the sun in front; the terraces on the shore are the other place to watch it.
When there are fewer people
In July and August coaches arrive at that hour and the car park fills. In spring and in October the light is the same and there are far fewer people. In winter the sun sets before 17:30, so the site closes early.
Tips
- Get to the car park early In summer, an hour before sunset it is already hard to park.
- Stay ten minutes more The sky changes colour after the sun has gone; from the bay you see it well.
As a familyWith teenagers
