The end of the Sounion Peninsula is the home of the Temple of Poseidon, south of Athens. The site is made of white marble and was built in the 5th century BC for the god of the sea, Poseidon.
Sounion in Folklore
This famous area of Greece is mentioned in the Odyssey, Homer’s famous poem. It’s where the Greeks stopped when coming back from Troy. In ancient Athens, visitors to Piraeus saw the Temple of Poseidon for 2500 years. Before the temple, it was a holy area mentioned by Homer and Herodotus in their writings. The Cape of Sounion was also a strategic watching point to guard the passage to Piraeus.
Getting to Sounion
The coastal road to Sounion is also called the Athens Riviera. The drive is scenic and you can enjoy fantastic views of the Aegean sea. There are many places to stop for a swim, and beautiful sandy beaches for a quick break. The nearby town of Lavrio is known for its incredible fish tavernas.
Walking Trails in Sounion
There are various trails and paths leading down to the side of the cliff. It’s worth following one or two of them and spending some time looking out to the sea, especially when it’s close to sunset.
Opening Hours and Entrance Fees
To visit the Temple of Poseidon, it costs 10 euros from April to October, and 5 euros from November to March.
Entrance is free a few days per year:
- Melina Mercouri Day (6 March)
- World Heritage Day (18 April)
- International Museums Day (18 May)
- European Heritage Days (last weekend of September)
- OXI day (28 October)
- Every first Sunday in November, December, January, February and March.
The Temple of Poseidon’s opening hours are from 9:30 to sunset. It’s best during the summer not to visit in the middle of the day, when the weather is the hottest.
The best time to visit the site is in the evening just before sunset, when the sun makes the temple glow. Being at this incredible spot at sunset is a necessary part of any trip to the Attica region.
Walking up to the Temple of Poseidon
The temple is found at the highest part of the hill. It’s not quite as steep at the Acropolis Hill, but it’s a gentle climb to walk to the site. You will be rewarded by the view from the top, and the ancient beauty of the temple. Out of the 34 original marble columns, 15 are still there. On one column is the name “Byron”, which is a sign that Lord Byron supposedly left here.
The Poseidon Temple which you see today is from 440 BC. It was built over another Archaic temple. The white marble used for the temple comes from the silver mining town of Lavrion.
Restaurants Nearby
One of the best restaurants near the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion is “Steki tou Mina” which roughly translates to “Minas’s Spot”. Minas used to have a small taverna in Sounion, the town closest to the Temple of Poseidon. After 33 years of business, the restaurant moved to the town of Lavrio, and it continues to be a popular spot. Some of the best dishes are tasty marinated anchovies and grilled mushrooms. Something unique on the menu is the golden cheese puffs and small shrimp from Symi!
