Sounio Things to Do

In my personal opinion, the temple of Poseidon is just another place of rubble with still few intact columns. I must say though, the view of the open sea from that hill top is absolutely amazing. If you would like to see this temple after dark when they illuminate it, you will have to stay overnight in the village below. The last bus to Athens is actually at 21.00 hours and they switch on the lights at about the same time, so unless you go during Oct or so, you will have to stay overnight. We went in August and we were hoping to take the pictures after dark but after the guy told us the illumination timings, we grabbed 20.00 hrs bus. I read at many places but to be very honest, you will see much better sunset from tons of other places. Yes, its certainly nice to see the sun setting on ocean horizon, still not the best.
IMHO, its not worth spending time and money if you are there anytime less than 4 days. If you are close-by on your sea and sun vacation then yes, you should make a stop. (The road connecting Athens and Sounion is FULL of sea & sun tourist resorts)

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An archaic Doric Temple in the ancient city of Paestrum, the TEMPLE OF HERA II or better known as the Temple of Poseidon, is one of the best preserved temples in the world.
Constructed 470 to 460 B.B, it measures 60 x 25 metres. Most of the 36 colums have survived and were made of the local travertine, but originally were covered with stucco to give the impression of marble.
Hans and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this wonderful Temple which overlooks the blue waters of the Aegean Sea.

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May 20, 2007
Located 65 km southeast of Athens, along scenic Highway 91, is the wonderful temple dedicated to the God of the Seas TEMPLE OF POSEIDON. Built in the 5th century B.C., at the tip of the Attica peninsula, it is surrounded on three sides by the Sea. It is a popular day excursion for tourists from Athens, with the sunset over the Aegean Sea a sought-after spectacle.
What a thrill it was for us on the sailboats, as we passed the temple.
The earliest literary reference to Sounion is in Homer's poem "The Odyssey".
A temple dedicated to Athena has only the foundation remaining.
One of the temples columns has the English poet Lord Byron's name carved in it

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Sunday May 20. 2007
The 5th century B.C. TEMPLE OF POSEIDON , perched atop the cliffs above Cape Sounion is 65 km (43 miles) south-east of Athens. Cape Sounion is the southernmost point of Attica. Fifteen of the temples's original 34 columns are still standing.
Try to find the spot on one column where Lord Byron carved his name
Open daily 10:00 a.m. to sunset.
Admission: Adults 4 Euros
Students and Seniors 2 Euros

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There is something about the stark majesty of the ruins of the Temple of Posiedon which just beg for a perfect sunset to be viewed through the columns. Unfortunately the custodians no longer allow visitors to access the temple itself (though I do believe if you are lucky and get a cold winter's evening the custodians might not be too bothered).

Whilst the ruins are spendidly photogenic at all times it is at sunset that they become their most resplendent and even on the slightly overcast evening that I visited they are still photographically magnificent.

Most tourist who come to Greece, think of 'island hopping.' Few, other than the avid sailor, would think of renting a small yacht or sail boat from the private port of ' Zeas' in Pireaus and taking a day trip to Sounion. In fact, many private cruises that originate in Pireaus on their way to the islands, make their first stop at Sounion.

Here you can anchor your boat in the lovely little harbour under the famous Temple of Posidon, jump in your dingy and go ashore, where you will find two quaint authentic Greek fish tavernas waiting your hungry appetite to quench. Have some fried squid, grilled octopus, potatoes, some tzaztiki and a carafe of wine from the barrel or a carafe of cool ouzo...some bread, some feta and a few olives...perfect!

Then, it's back to the soft swaying of your private boat to be rocked to sleep until morning's dawn. Slip away on the calm morning sea to the next island and your adventure has begun...Have fun in the Greek sun and sea...See you there:)

Especially when the sun is going down, the views are beautiful. It's really worth visiting! Definetely a must see for all of you travelling through Greek mainland.

Cape Sounio and the temple can be reached quite easily from Athens - both by bus and by car. Special parking lots are available for tourists all over the year to make Sounio easily accessible.

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The sunset reflect the ligth in the most beautiful way on the temple of Poseidon, let down by the people of Athens in the contest with Athena you find his temple around one hours drive down south east of the cost from Athens.

Don't leave Sounio until after you have seen the sunset. My favorite spot is down by the sea at the bottom of the cliff. You can sit and think, enjoy the scenery, and listen to the sounds of the waves crashing on the rocks. It is very peaceful.

Smack dab in the middle of the peninsula is the ruins of the Temple to Poseidon. You can't miss it, although it's rather unimpressive, relatively speaking, especially considering the incredible view of the ocean from the Cape. I can imagine the Temple must have been an amazing sight at it's height of glory in the foci of this amazing vista.