Cape Sounion Tours

The sheer cliffs, sweeping views, epic sunsets, and photogenic ruins of Cape Sounion (also written Cape Sounio) form one of the most popular Athens day trips. Built in 444 BC, the Temple of Poseidon with its elegant white-marble columns is the star of the show, but there’s a small beach on-site and a wealth of dining options nearby.

The Basics
While there are plenty of hotels and villas in the area, international travelers most commonly visit Cape Sounion as a day trip or half-day trip from Athens. Outside of the select calendar days when admission to Greek heritage sites is free (and attractions get crazy busy), you’ll need to pay for a ticket. Under-18s, EU students, and people with disability certificates go free, while non-EU students and EU nationals over the age of 65 enjoy a discounted rate.

The easiest way to visit the cape is on a tour. Cape Sounion tour options include sunset tours, which make the most of views that span islands and the Peloponnese, and sailing cruises, which enable you to admire the temple from below then ascend for a closer look, as well as bus tours and private tours.

Things to Know Before You Go

• One of the most iconic sights in mainland Greece, Cape Sounion is a must for photographers, Instagrammers, and history buffs.
• The 19th-century poet Lord Byron carved his name into one of the columns here. Please don’t follow his example, although plenty of travelers have.
• The site includes a café-restaurant, a gift shop, and restrooms.
• Slopes and uneven terrain present some challenges, but it’s possible to get close to the Temple of Poseidon using a wheelchair. The steep beach path is not wheelchair-accessible.

How to Get There
Cape Sounion overlooks the Aegean Sea, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) southeast of downtown Athens; most tours follow the scenic coast road. Though KTEL operates buses from the Mavromateon Terminal with stops in downtown Athens, most travelers find a tour is quicker and more convenient.

When to Get There
The Temples at Cape Sounion
In a strategic position at the southernmost tip of Attica, Cape Sounion has been occupied since prehistoric times and is mentioned by Homer. While it’s the 5th-century Temple of Poseidon, the sea god, that draws travelers to the cape, the site is also home to a smaller and much more ruined temple of Athena, a fortified settlement, and a port.