A Day at Cape Sounion

Location: Cape Sounion, Lavrio [37° 39' 1.040" N - 24° 1' 28.474" E ]
Temple of Poseidon opening hours: 10 am till sunset.

Cap sounion is located about 70 km (43 mi) from Athens in the southernmost tip of the Attika peninsula. There lies on the top of the hill the twenty-four hundred years old temple of Poseidon. Legend says that it is at Cap Sounion, the tragic story of Theseus took place. Coming back from Crete, victorious Theseus over the Minotaur, forgets to switch the black sail of his ship to a white one. King of Athens, Aegeus, seeing the black sail believes his son Thesus dead and leaps over the hill into the sea, named Aegean after him.


To reach Sounion, the seaside route is recommended. On your way, you'll enjoy splendid views of the Saronic Gulf and its offshore islands, passing through Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, Lagonisi, Saronida and Anavisos towns.

Cap Sounion is very well known for its beautiful sunset, sunrise and moonrise. Making it an inspiration place for photographers and astronomers. Below are links to pictures taken by astronomer Anthony Ayiomamitis with the temple in the foreground:

Near the temple there is a restaurant where you can eat or drink a coffee with a view of the sea and the temple.  An alternative, is the Cape Sounio Resort  for those who want a more luxurious environment.

In summer, you can combine your visit of the temple of Poseidon with a swim at the nearby beaches. 

Bus Lines to Sounion


Two KTEL (ΚΤΕΛ) bus lines are available to Sounion, these are:

  • The 'Paraliakos' line which is the seaside route to Sounion (Athens - Glifada - Agia Marina - Saronida - Anavisos - Sounion). This is the recommended route to Sounion. The one way trip is about 2 hours.
  • The 'Mesogiakos' line which is the interior route to Sounion (Athens - Paiania - Koropi - Markopoulo - Lavrio - Sounion)

The bus terminal in Athens is located at Mavrommateon Street, Pedion tou Areos (map).
Further information and timetables can be found at the KTEL Attikis website ([pdf] Greek only).

Buses Timetable from Athens to Sounion (seaside route):


  • 06:30 - 07:30 - 08:30 - 09:30 - 10:30 - 11:30 - 12:30 - 13:30 - 14:30 - 15:30 - 16:30 - 17:30 - 18:30 - 19:30(*)
  • 21:00 to Anavisos only

Buses Timetable from Sounion to Athens (seaside route):

  • 08:00 - 09:00 - 10:00 - 11:00 - 12:00 - 13:00 - 14:00 - 15:00 - 16:00 - 17:00 - 18:00 - 19:00 - 20:00 - 21:00(*)

(*) The above timetable is subject to changes, further information is available at Sounion Bus Information phone number: +30 210 880 8081 (extension 1)






500px Photo Gallery


Poseidon Temple by Michel Z on 500px.com

Temple of light by Kostas Kondylis on 500px.com

Sounion cape II by Ana Tramont on 500px.com

Temple of Poseidon by Julien ITURRIA on 500px.com

Temple of Poseidon by Last R. on 500px.com



Comments

  1. Cape Sounion is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen! Thanks for sharing these amazing photos with us! I think that it's also one of the most romantic places during the sunset, isn't it? Your photo with the moon is stunning. I hope to see the same scene with my own eyes one day. Probably it will be the best day of my life :) Menwhile, I'd like to advise you reading this article http://www.agsinger.com/prettiest-places-in-greece/. It contains the list of the prettiest places in Greece. Have you seen any of them?

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