What to do · Cape Sounion
Temple of Poseidon and Sounion sanctuary
Information
- From
- €20 per person
- Duration
- 1 h 15
- Season
- All year · 9:30 to sunset
- Who it's for
- All ages; short climb without shade
What it is
At the top of the cape, in the centre of the sanctuary, is the Doric temple of Poseidon, built in the mid-5th century BC over the ruins of an earlier one that the Persians destroyed while it was still under construction. Its frieze showed the fight of Lapiths and centaurs and that of gods and giants, a way of celebrating Athens's victory over the Persians; some slabs are now in the Lavrio Archaeological Museum. On the hill opposite remain the foundations of the temple of Athena, and on the landward side, remains of the wall that made the cape a lookout post for ships heading to Piraeus and for the Lavrio silver mines.
Hours and tickets
Open every day from 9:30 until sunset, in summer and in winter; last entry is 20 minutes before closing. Entry costs €20 (reduced €10) and is bought at the box office or at tickets.hh.gr. It is free on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and, from November to March, the first and third Sunday of each month. Closed on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday and 25 and 26 December.
Getting there
It is at kilometre 68 of the Athens – Sounion road. By car it is about 65 minutes from the centre of Athens; there is parking beside the entrance, with a shop, toilets and wifi. By bus, KTEL intercity buses leave from Aigyptou Square, in Pedion tou Areos, and take about two hours.
Tips
- The best time is the last one Closing goes with sunset: arrive with an hour to spare to see the golden light and not be left outside.
- Bring a layer On the cape it is windy almost always and cools as soon as the sun goes.
- Check the return bus timetable If you come by KTEL, the buses are full when leaving after sunset.
As a familyWith teenagers
