Cape Sounion is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sites around Athens. This majestic site played a strategic role in ancient Athens. What’s more, this temple dedicated to Poseidon is set in exceptional natural surroundings. A visit to Cape Sounion is a must on any trip to Athens.
1- How to get to Cape Sounion
Cape Sounion lies some sixty kilometers south of Athens. There are several ways to get to Cap Sounion:
By bus
This is the cheapest solution. The orange KTEL buses take you to Sounion in a 2-hour drive. They leave every hour (or half-hour depending on the season) from the center of Athens, from Egiptou pedion aeros square (22 mavromateon street). Round-trip tickets cost €12.60 and can be purchased directly on the bus (credit cards not accepted). Find out more here.
Or with a multi-stop sightseeing bus: Sights of Athens buses cross the Athenian Riviera and take you as far as Cape Sounion. Find out more here.
By car
This is certainly the most practical. It’s a 1h15-hour drive. We recommend you take the seaside road. It’s a little longer than the expressway, but the landscape is sublime. Once there, you can park directly in the parking lot in front of the site. If you need to rent a car, take a look at the RentalCars website, where you’ll find some interesting offers.
Taxi
- by taxi with Welcome Pickups: Enjoy the services of an English-speaking cab with Welcome Pickups, a serious company with quality services and good value for money. In the destination box, write “Archaeological Site of Sounion”. Book your Half-day Trip from Athens to Cape Sounion (4 hours) or Your Day Trip Athens + Cape Sounion (8 hours).
- another solution with an english-speaking driver: You benefit from a round-trip transfer from Athens to Sounion with a driver who picks you up at your hotel + 1.5 hours of free time on site. From €44/pers. Find out more here.
With a guided trip from Athens included transport and visit of Cape Sounion
- a full-day excursion with AlternativeAthens
- this Cape Sounion afternoon tour
- or this Half-day trip to Cape Sounion from Athens.
2- What’s the best time of day to visit?
Many people recommend going to Sounion at sunset. It’s true that the site is very pretty at this time of year, but it’s also the time when the tourist buses arrive.
Personally, we prefer to visit Cape Sounion early in the morning, when the site opens. At this time of the day, it’s not as hot as in the middle of the day, the tourists haven’t arrived yet and the light is magnificent.
What’s more, after visiting the archaeological site, you can spend a lovely day by the sea. Below, we recommend our favorite beaches and tavernas to extend your visit.
3- Rates and opening times for the Sounion archaeological site
The archaeological site of Sounion is open daily from 9:30 am to sunset. Entry is possible until 20 mins before closing time.
Regarding entry fees:
- full price: €10 (from April 1 to October 31) and €5 (from November 1 to March 31)
- reduced rate: €5 (this rate applies in particular to EU citizens over 65, on presentation of their identity card or passport for verification of age and country of origin).
- free for children and under-25s from EU member states, on presentation of their identity card or passport to verify their age and country of origin, and for children up to 5 years old from non-EU countries, on presentation of their passport.
Admission is free on the following days:
- March 6 (day dedicated to the memory of Melina Mercouri)
- April 18 (International Monuments Day)
- May 18 (International Museum Day)
- the last weekend of September each year (European Heritage Days)
- October 28
- Every first Sunday of the month from November 1 to March 31.
Sounion is closed on January 1, March 25, Orthodox Easter Sunday, May 1 and December 25 and 26.
If you need more information, here’s the website and telephone number: +30 22920 39363.
4- Practical information for a perfect visit of Cape Sounion
Here are a few tips drawn from our own experience. We hope you find them useful when visiting Cape Sounion:
- make sure you have good shoes. Avoid flip-flops and opt for sneakers or sandals with non-slip soles;
- Remember to bring sunglasses and a hat or cap, as the sun is strong and there is little shade on the site;
- the heat is generally bearable because it’s windy;
- there are no toilets on the site itself, but there are in the café just before the entrance. Please take precautions before entering the site, because if you leave, even to use the toilet, you won’t be able to enter again. All exits are final.
- you’ll find a small souvenir store off-site.
5- Our favorite restaurants around the site
To eat near Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, here are our favourite tavernas and restaurants:
- The two tavernas at the bottom of the archaeological site: Akrogiali and O Ilias. Enjoy simple, traditional Greek cuisine on the seafront, overlooking the Temple of Poseidon. Expect to pay around €15 per person.
- The Aegeon hotel restaurant on the beach at the foot of Sounion. Mediterranean cuisine on the terrace is more refined than in the taverns. Prices are also a little higher €€. Lovely view and refined setting.
- To Syrtaki: A very pleasant taverna, 2 minutes’ drive from the archaeological site, situated along the road but with a lovely sea view. Terrace dining features cuisine inspired by the sea: squid ink risotto, shrimp pasta, fresh fish and, of course, Greek salads and mezzes. Neat service, cloth tablecloth, reasonable prices €€.
- The Sounion site café: located right in front of the site, it’s perfect for a quick lunch.
6- Our favorite beaches in Sounion
The ultimate dream: swimming after a cultural tour. The sea around Sounion is transparent, the colors magnificent… it’s a moment of pure happiness. So grab your bathing suit and towel and enjoy the beautiful beaches:
- the beach at the Aegeon Hotel The beach is located literally at the foot of the archaeological site, and offers a view of the Temple of Poseidon. The price is rather high (around 20 euros for a parasol with two deckchairs). But it does allow you to enjoy all the facilities (toilets, showers, indoor children’s play area, shaded seating, etc.). What’s more, the freddo is good! Another option is to set up camp right next to the beach, laying your towel in the sand.
- Kape Beach: one of Attica’s prettiest little beaches. A real pearl with transparent waters. Not furnished.
- Legraina beach: another pretty sandy beach, wild and undeveloped. Remember to take water and sun protection.
- A little further afield, some 20 km away, is the Ever Eden Beach Resort, with inflatable water games for children.
7- Hotels nearby
- Cape Sounion Grecotel Exclusive Resort: a top-of-the-range hotel featuring bungalows-style accommodation (with or without private pool), surrounded by Mediterranean plants and ideally located on the seafront. Idyllic setting and exceptional view of the Temple of Poseidon.
- Aegeon Beach Hotel: a hotel with an exceptional location, right on the seafront and just below the archaeological site. Meticulous service.
Where can I find the Sounion archaeological site?
Updated February 14, 2024
