Cape Sounion

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

Cape Sounion is open from morning to sunset seven days a week, closing on January 1, March 25, May 1, December 25 and 26, and Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday, with reduced hours on Greek Orthodox Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Most tours visit in the afternoons, so arrive early on a weekday morning for your best chance of a quiet site. Avoid weekends, Greek holidays, and days when Greek heritage sites offer free admission.

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.

Ways to explore

While there are hotels and villas in the area, international travelers most commonly visit Cape Sounion as a day trip or half-day trip from Athens. While visiting the area is free, you’ll need to pay for a ticket to see the archaeological site. 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. Tour choices include bus tours and private tours.

Accessibility

Slopes and uneven terrain present some challenges, but it’s possible to get close to the Temple of Poseidon using a wheelchair.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Hat, water bottle

What to wear

Social media mavens will want to get the floaty frocks out, but stick with comfortable shoes and natural fabrics.

Not allowed

Famed British poet Lord Byron carved his name here during the 19th century, but don’t even think about following in his footsteps.

Amenities

Café, gift shop, restrooms

Address

Cape Sounion overlooks the Aegean Sea, about 38 miles (61 kilometers) south of downtown Athens; most tours follow the scenic coast road.

Driving

To take a road trip to Cape Sounion from Athens, the most straightforward route is to pick up the EO91 highway by the Temple of Olympian Zeus or on the coast, then follow it south.

Public transportation

KTEL runs several buses a day to Sounion from the Mavromateon terminal, but most travelers find a tour is quicker and more convenient.

Best times to visit

Cape Sounion is open daily from 9:30am to sunset, closing on January 1, March 25, May 1, December 25, December 26, and Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday, with reduced hours on Greek Orthodox Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter.

Best days to visit

Visit midweek for a calmer experience and avoid days when Greek sites offer free admission.

Best months to visit

Come in May and September for clear skies and warm temperatures—and fewer sunset crowds compared to the summer peak.

Special events

Admission is free on March 6, April 18, May 18, October 28, the last weekend of September, and the first and third Sundays from November through March.