The marble columns of the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion against a deep blue sky

Heritage · Sounio, Lavreotiki (Attica)

Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon

A 5th-century BC marble temple to the sea god on a cliff at the southern tip of Attica

Ambient sound · similar settingA tree full of cicadas on a Greek summer day

Photo: Vasilis Caravitis (@epicuros) / Unsplash

Discover Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon

At the very end of the Attica peninsula, the land rises to a rocky promontory and stops abruptly above the sea. Here, in the mid-5th century BC, the Athenians built a temple to Poseidon, god of the sea, and its white marble columns still stand against the sky, visible to ships long before they reach the coast.

The drive from Athens along the Athens Riviera is part of the pleasure, with coves and bays all the way. Most visitors time their arrival for late afternoon, walk around the temple and the remains of the sanctuary, then wait for the sun to sink into the sea behind the islands, when the columns glow gold and red.

Don’t miss

01The surviving Doric columns of the Temple of Poseidon on the cliff edge
02Sunset over the Aegean and the nearby islands
03Remains of the sanctuary of Athena on the lower hill
04Sweeping sea views across the Saronic Gulf
05Small swimming coves below the headland

History & culture

The story of Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon

Sounion was a sacred place long before the present temple. The building you see was constructed in the mid-5th century BC, around 444-440 BC, during the age of Pericles, probably by the same architect who designed the Temple of Hephaestus in the Ancient Agora of Athens. Its Doric columns have fewer flutes than usual, a feature seen in other seaside temples. A sanctuary of Athena stood on a lower hill nearby.

Legend ties the headland to the story of King Aegeus, who is said to have thrown himself into the sea here when he believed his son Theseus had died, giving the Aegean its name. The temple's sculpted friezes showed the labours of Theseus and battles with Centaurs and Giants; some pieces are in the Lavrio Museum, and the marble kouroi found here are in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. Two columns fell in 1825, and drums from the temple ended up as far away as England.

Local life & traditions

Sounion is a popular escape for Athenians, especially at weekends, when families drive down the coast to swim and eat fish by the sea. The headland is linked in Greek culture with seafaring and myth, and watching the sunset from the temple is something many Greeks do at least once, often with visiting friends and relatives.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Plan around two hours at the site, or longer if you want to swim. Many travellers combine the visit with a drive or bus ride along the coast, stopping at beaches and seaside villages on the way, then stay for sunset at the temple before returning to Athens in the evening.

Photographers often walk a little way along the slope from the temple to frame the columns against the sea, and the lower hill with the remains of the sanctuary of Athena gives a different angle on the headland.

When to go

Late spring and early autumn are ideal: the sea is warm enough for a swim, the air is clear and the evenings are long. Sunset is the busiest time of day, particularly in summer, so arrive early to find a good spot. The headland can be very windy, so bring a light layer even in summer.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Monument: Temple of Poseidon, built in the mid-5th century BC at the southernmost tip of Attica Source: visitgreece.gr ↗
Getting there: Suburban KTEL Attica buses link Sounio with Athens, departing mainly from Pedion Areos or the southern coastal suburbs Source: visitgreece.gr ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Check the closing time on the day of your visit; in some seasons the site closes around sunset.
The bus along the coast takes longer than driving; allow plenty of time and check the last return departure.
Wear sturdy shoes, as the paths around the temple are rocky and uneven.
Bring water and sun protection; there is little shade on the headland.
Expect strong winds on the cliff top and hold on to hats and phones.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon: food, markets & places to stay

The coast road from Athens passes resort areas such as Vouliagmeni, Varkiza and Lagonisi, with beaches and fish tavernas. The mining town of Lavrio, a short drive north, has a small archaeological museum with finds from Sounion.