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The stone tiers of the ancient Thorikos theatre, with an elongated planRab Lawrence from Aberdeen/Scotland · CC BY 2.0

What to do · Cape Sounion

Thorikos theatre and Lavrio Archaeological Museum

Visit · 2 h · The ancient elongated theatre of Thorikos and the museum with slabs from the Sounion frieze, 10 km from the cape

Information
Duration
2 h
Season
All year; confirm by phone beforehand
Who it's for
Adults and teenagers interested in archaeology

What it is

Lavrio, about 10 km north of the cape, was the town of the silver mines that financed Athens's fleet. Beside it, on the hill of Thorikos, is one of the oldest theatres in Greece: its tiers do not form a semicircle but an elongated, almost rectangular curve that fits the slope. The Lavrio Archaeological Museum, on Fleming Street, holds pieces from Thorikos and the mining area and some slabs from the frieze of the temple of Poseidon.

How to visit

Museum hours change by season and sources disagree: call beforehand on +30 22920 22817. The Thorikos theatre is north of the town, beside the harbour road; out of season it is worth asking at the museum whether you can go in.

When it fits

If you sleep at Sounion, it is the perfect next morning before returning to Athens or the airport. From Lavrio the ferry also leaves for Kea and some Cyclades.

Tips

  • Call the museum first That way you will not find the door closed.

With teenagers

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

A table laid under the pines with the temple of Poseidon in the background, above the cape© Grecotel Cape Sounio

Aegean Grill, at Cape Sounio

Restaurant · Sounion · €€€€

What to order: grilled fish or meat with the house salads, at midday, to see the temple in daylight

The covered dining area of the taverna, with wooden tables and red geraniums in front© Aegeon Beach Hotel

Aegeon Taverna and The Veranda

Restaurant · Sounion · €€€€

What to order: something grilled and a salad on the terrace, before or after going up to the temple

To stay nearby

The temple of Poseidon on the cape, with sailing boats in the bay and the resort on the slope opposite© Grecotel Cape SounioHotel

Cape Sounio, Grecotel

Facing the temple · villas with private pools · three private beaches · spa

Why we like it: A resort of bungalows, suites and villas with private pools on a pine-covered slope facing the temple of Poseidon, with three beaches and eight restaurants and bars.

The hotel garden with sunbeds and umbrellas facing the sea and an islet© Aegeon Beach HotelHotel

Aegeon Beach Hotel

On the beach · rooms with a temple view · family rooms

Why we like it: A hotel on the shore of Sounion bay, at the foot of the temple, with rooms with a sea or temple view, taverna, terrace and beach bars.