Where is the Temple of Poseidon? | Journey beyond Athens to Cape Sounion

Location

Where is the Temple of Poseidon located?

Address: Cape Sounio, Sounio 19500, Greece
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The Temple of Poseidon is located on a clifftop overlooking the Aegean Sea at the archaeological site of Cape Sounion. It is around 77km from Athens. The temple is situated on the southernmost peninsula of the Attica, offering glorious views of the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean Sea.

Nearby attractions: Temple of Athena Sounias, Sounio Beach, and Archaeological Museum of Lavrion

Getting to the Temple of Poseidon by public transport

By bus

Best for: Budget-travelers
Travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Closest stop: Archaeological site of Cape Sounion
Timings: around 9:30am or 10am

The KETL buses arrive once or twice a day at the Mavromateon Terminal on the western side of Pedion Areos Park, near the Victoria metro station on the M3 line. These buses head south towards Posidonos Avenue and pass through several coastal towns like Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Voula, and Varkiza. All passengers sitting on the western side of the bus can enjoy breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea and the Saronic Gulf. After crossing Varkiza, the bus goes towards the scenic Athinion Souniou road, which directly reaches your destination.

Getting to the Temple of Poseidon by car

Coastal route

Highway route

Mixed route

Via: Posidonos and Athinion Souniou road
Travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Directions: This route takes slightly longer than others but offers the most picturesque views of the Aegean Sea. Head south on the Posidonos Road after leaving the city. Merge with the Athinion Souniou road and head towards Cape Sounion. The western side of the road offers the best views of the landmarks along the way.

Landmarks along the way:

Temple of Zeus: Known for its massive Doric columns and housing a giant gold and ivory statue of the King of Olympian gods.
Acropolis: Features the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and other UNESCO Heritage sites.
Varkiza Beach: A popular beach with sandy shores, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities.

Via: A6/E94 and EO91
Travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Directions: The Highway route is the fastest and most direct way to reach the Temple of Poseidon. However, you have to pay toll charges to go through the A6 highway. After leaving the city, head towards the A6 or E94 highway, going towards Markopoulo. Merge onto EO91 to reach Cape Sounion. Upon reaching the archaeological site, park your car near the visitor center or cafe, at the foot of the hill.

Landmarks along the way:

Markopoulo: Renowned for its wine, vineyards, and cafes.
Lavrio: Known for its ancient silver mining history, the archaeological site of Lavrio, and Mineralogical Museum.
Sounio National Park: Offers lush vegetation and walking trails, perfect for hiking and exploring.

Via: Vari, Voula, and Varkiza
Travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Directions: This route offers the best of both worlds. Enjoy scenic views of the Aegean Sea as well as take advantage of the faster, inland roads to reach Cape Sounion. Start from Athens and head towards Vouliagmenis Avenue. Continue towards Vari and then go through Voula. Join the coastal road at Varkiza and continue through Varkiza along the Athinion Souniou road to reach the Temple of Poseidon.

Landmarks along the way:

Glyfada Beach: A vibrant coastal stretch with upscale restaurants and water activities.
Vouliagmeni: Houses the Vouliagmeni beach, known for its stunning luxury resorts.
Varkiza: A commercial hub with seaside restaurants, cafes, and pubs.

Tips to note when traveling to the Temple of Poseidon

Re-fuel during the journey: There are only a few petrol stations along Athinion Souniou Road. The highway A6 route has a few more stops. It is best to stop at regular intervals and re-fuel the engine.
Arrive by late afternoon: Start early in the morning and reach Cape Sounion by late afternoon. This will allow you to explore the Temple of Poseidon, the smaller Temple of Athena Sounias, and the Sounio Beach comfortably, without feeling rushed. You will also have enough time to select a picturesque spot and soak in the glorious sunset views.
Pack light: Avoid bringing large backpacks and suitcases on your trip to Cape Sounion. There is no cloakroom near the Temple of Poseidon. And, the walk up to Poseidon’s Temple is on a rugged terrain, steep and uneven, not suitable for strollers of any kind.
Use restrooms before walking up: The visitor center and cafe near the foot of the hill close by 5:30pm. You won’t be able to use restroom facilities after getting down from the top after 6:30pm, hence if you need to, use the washroom before climbing up.
Bring a jacket: The top of the cliff gets quite chilly around sunset hours, as the night slowly sets in. Bring a light jacket to combat the windy weather.

Frequently asked questions about getting to the Temple of Poseidon

Where is the Temple of Poseidon located?

The Temple of Poseidon is situated around 77km from Athens. The temple ruins are at Cape Sounion, the southernmost tip of the Attica. It juts out into the Aegean Sea, providing a beautiful backdrop for Poseidon’s Temple. The site is renowned for its stunning views during sunset hours.

How do I get to the Temple of Poseidon?

You can either travel to Cape Sounion by public KETL buses, rent cars, or opt for tickets including round-trip transfers. The KETL buses depart once or twice a day from Mavromateon Terminal on the western side of Pedion Areos Park. If you are driving to Cape Sounion, you can either choose the highway A6 route, which will require you to pay toll charges, or go through the scenic Athinon Souniou, which has no tolls but will take you an extra 15 minutes to reach the site.

How long does it take to reach Cape Sounion from Athens?

No matter which mode of transport you choose, it will take you at least 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the Temple of Poseidon from Athens. If you drive along the Athinion Souniou road, it may take you an extra 15 minutes. We recommend you pick the longer, scenic route, as you can catch glimpses of several heritage sites like the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the archaeological site of Thorikos along the way.

What is the fastest way to get to the Temple of Poseidon from Athens?

The quickest way to reach Cape Sounion from Athens is to book Temple of Poseidon tickets including direct, round-trip transfers. These cars ruin along the highway A6 route, which passes through Markopoulo and merges with E091 to get to Sounion. However, please note that this route requires you to pay toll charges.

What is the cheapest way to get to Cape Sounion from Athens?

One of the most affordable ways to get to the Temple of Poseidon from Athens is to board the KETL buses. These buses depart from one of the KETL Attica bus stops, also known as the ‘Mavreomateon Terminal’ on the western side of Pedion Areos Park. Even if the buses are scheduled to depart at 10am, we recommend you reach the bus ‘shelter’ around 9:30am to ensure you do not miss the bus.

Can I park at the Temple of Poseidon?

There are no specific demarcated spaces. As you approach the archaeological site of Cape Sounion, you will be greeted by a series of cars parked near the visitor center along the road. You can park your car at the foot of the cliff.