How to Organize a Day Trip from Athens to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon

A day trip from Athens to Cape Sounion has always been a favorite for travelers visiting the Greek capital. Cape Sounion is situated on a dazzling peninsula in southwestern Athens that juts out in the azure waters of the Saronic Gulf.

It’s an ideal location for a day trip from Athens due to its very close proximity to the city and because it combines historical sites, sandy shorelines, and exquisite gastronomy.

Below are our tips and recommendations for planning the most amazing day trip from Athens to Sounion.

Why You Should Visit Cape Sounion

Is Cape Sounion a good destination for a day trip from Athens?

This is a question that we hear very often from our readers who are planning their next vacation in Athens. And our answer is always the same: Sounion is an excellent destination for a day trip from Athens!

It will allow you to visit one of Greece’s most famed historical treasures, the Temple of Poseidon, without traveling too far away from the city.

What else could you ask for?

Getting to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon

Getting from Athens to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon is very easy.

You can get there by bus, a rental car (check Rentalcars.com), hire a private taxi service, or join one of the numerous tours that offer half-day trips and day trips from Athens to Sounion.

In addition, if you are planning to travel by taxi, we suggest that you take the tram from the city center and get off at one of the stops in the southern suburbs, like Glyfada or Voula, to make the ride much cheaper.

Tip: If you like to use a taxi or a transfer service, we suggest you click on this page, scroll down to the transfers section, and select one from these services we have already tested for you!

Note that there is no train connection between Athens and Sounion.

How Far is Sounion from Athens?

The distance from the city center of Athens to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon is approximately 78 kilometers (or about 48 miles). Driving from the city center to Sounion would take a little over an hour, depending on the traffic.

Athens to Cape Sounion by Bus

Using public transportation to get from Athens to Sounion is the slowest way but it’s also the cheapest.

If you want to get on a bus (or KTEL as locals call them) to Sounio, you will have to go to the entrance of Pedion tou Areos Park on the corner of Alexandras Avenue and 28is Oktovriou Avenue. The easiest way to get there is by getting to Victoria metro station (green line) and walking for about 5 minutes.

Please note that the bus service (KTEL) offices can be found just a few meters away from the stop, on number 19 of Ioulianou Street. You can buy your ticket on the bus or at the office.

The bus route between Athens and Sounion will take you through central Athens before reaching Poseidonos Avenue, which connects the city center with the coast.

The ride lasts approximately two and a half hours, and a one-way ticket costs 6.30 euros.

A Guided Tour to Cape Sounion

Traveling from Athens to Cape Sounion with a guided tour is not only the easiest and fastest way to get there but it will also give you the chance to witness some breathtaking locations along the way and get invaluable historical insight on the Temple of Poseidon once you get there.

There are countless options for guided tours offering all kinds of itineraries and the choice might seem difficult, but you’re in luck. We have gone over all of your options and we have selected the best guided tours from Athens to Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon.

Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon in Greek Mythology

According to Greek mythology, Cape Sounion was the place where the mythical King Aegeus decided to end his life by falling into the sea from high up the cliffs, thus giving the sea its name, the Aegean Sea.

King Aegeus had come to Sounion waiting for the return of the ship of his son Theseus who had gone to fight the legendary Minotaur at the island of Crete. They had previously agreed that if he won, Theseus would place white sails on his ship. Theseus forgot his promise and let his ship approach Cape Sounion with black sails, resulting in the death of his father.

There is another myth according to which Goddess Athena and God Poseidon had a great dispute as to who would be the patron God of the city of Athens.

They each presented the King of Athens with a gift for the city.

Athena offered an olive oil tree that would go on to live for thousands of years and Poseidon produced a small lake on the hill of the Acropolis.

The King decided that the tree was a promise of eternal glory and chose the Goddess over Poseidon.

Hence, the temple inside the Acropolis was dedicated to Athena, and the Greeks built a temple by the sea in Cape Sounion to honor Poseidon.

Things to Do and See on a Day Trip From Athens to Cape Sounion

Even though Cape Sounion is quite a small place, there are quite a few things to do there. And if you’re wondering whether you will find enough things to do to justify a day trip, don’t worry.

There are some very interesting places you can visit on your way there or back to Athens to fill in your time.

Here is a list of the most intriguing things to see and do in Cape Sounion.

Admire the Temple of Poseidon

Where else would we start?

The Temple of Poseidon is a glorious monument surrounded by the ancient grounds of religious worship perched atop a 65-meter (or 213 feet) cliff above the sea.

Besides its interesting history and beautiful architecture, the famous landmark is a perfect location for watching the sunset.

A little-known fact, on the southern side of the structure, you’ll see the signature of Lord Byron, a famous poet who used to frequent this spot. You’ll also find a souvenir shop and a small cafe on the site.

The entrance tickets to the Temple of Poseidon cost 8 euros in summer and 4 euros during wintertime.

Take a walk through Sounion National Park

This is one of the lesser-known attractions of the region.

It’s not uncommon for tourists to completely neglect its existence. As such, it’s a location that is almost always peaceful even during the busy summer months.

Sounion National Park is not too far from the center of Sounio, right next to the village of Agios Konstantinos.

The lush park is full of pine forests and caves, but there are no shops or eateries nearby, so if you visit, bring everything you need.

Go for a dip at the beach

There are many beaches close to Sounio to choose from.

During summertime, you’ll find many people at most of them and several beach bars, cafes, and tavernas close to the shores.

One beautiful beach is right underneath the Temple of Poseidon, Aegeon beach.

The beach is technically within the premises of Aegeon Hotel (check it on Booking.com) but guests are allowed to enter for a small admission fee.

Get a taste of local gastronomy

Just a few minutes away from the Temple of Poseidon you will find numerous traditional tavernas and restaurants.

Being close to the sea, most of them serve fresh seafood dishes as well as traditional Greek cuisine treats.

If you have traveled to Sounio in your own car, we recommend you take a short ride to the village of Kalyvia, an area very famous for its tavernas that serve all kinds of meat dishes.

Discover the beauty of the Athenian Riviera

To get to Sounion, you must pass the coastal area of Athens, known as the Athenian Riviera, home to beautiful sandy beaches, high-end restaurants, and all kinds of attractions.

If you have the time, make a stop to enjoy a dessert or a coffee at the upscale neighborhoods of Voula, Vouliagmeni, or Glyfada, or explore the grandiose Vouliagmeni Lake.

When to Travel to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon

Both Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon are year-round destinations.

If you visit during summer, you can expect high temperatures and humidity.

On the other hand, visiting during winter is not ideal if you don’t want to be greeted by strong, chilly winds.

We recommend visiting in spring or autumn to enjoy sightseeing in good weather and mild temperatures.

We hope you found our recommendations useful and will take our advice. We’re certain that a day trip to Cape Sounion and The Temple of Poseidon will undoubtedly be one of the best moments of your trip to Athens.

If you’re looking for more options for a day trip from Athens, take a look at the article below.