Home > Athens > Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Half-Day Trip from Athens
USD $56.00
Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Half-Day Trip from Athens
Athens, Greece
Take your own postcard-perfect snaps of Cape Sounion's Temple of Poseidon on a scenic afternoon trip from Athens. Cape Sounion is only 45 miles (70 kilometers) from Athens, making it the perfect lazy afternoon destination.
The road to Cape Sounion passes the idyllic beaches of the Saronic Gulf - Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza - as well as countless caves. The ancient Greeks certainly knew how to choose a temple location, as Cape Sounion is a remarkable site. The Cape's Temple of Poseidon is perched on a rocky hilltop overlooking the sea, a gleaming white beacon for ancient (as well as modern) travelers along this dangerous stretch of coast.
The view across the Aegean is magnificent, extending all the way to Kea and the Peloponnese on a clear day. The Temple of Poseidon was built in 44 B.C., and many of its original Doric columns are still standing. One of the columns has a graffito left by none other than Lord Byron in the early 1800s.
This is a great half-day tour option if you're looking to explore Greece beyond Athens, complete with stunning views and world-class Greek ruins.
Our guide Emma didnt meet our expectations. She had a very heavy accent which was hard to understand...most of the passengers were sleeping. She was hardly audible and even after telling her it wasn't any better. Looks like she is pretty new and I could see the glaring difference an experienced one and an inexperienced guide as we had taken another tour with a deffierent company where the guide wase excellent.
Review by: dluckenbach, June 2018
nice experience if a bit short -most of the time is spent in a bus getting there -might also consider a stop along the way and being there for sunset as we were told by many that having us leave before sunset was a cheat .
Review by: Rushad, June 2018
This was a hidden gem of a place about an hour's drive south of Athens. It makes for a picture-perfect short afternoon tour and you do not really need a guide here. The beauty of the place would perhaps better be captured around sunset and I wish we had the option for that. Besides the Temple of Poseidon, there is not much else to see along the way except a pleasant coastal drive.
Review by: Patricia T, April 2018
Beautiful side of Athens and was comfortable on the airconditioned coach bus. Would have liked more history of The Poseidon Temple from the guide though.
Review by: mkoayc, April 2018
This tour is good but if you are pressed for time, dont bother. Go for the Delphi tour and spend quality time in Athens or the island. Really isnt much to see for the 1.5-2 hrs bus ride.
Review by: jodyp03, April 2018
Easy tour - was good for us and our 3 young children. They enjoyed the coach ride as well as the view from the temple.
Review by: ibleyman, April 2018
It was a good tour and the tour guide was great, but if you don't have too much time in Athens, I would skip this. It's very pretty and interesting, but it's quite a ways outside of Athens. I would recommend some of the other ruins that are a hike away Delphi over this. However, if you are doing it, this was a GREAT tour - very organized, great guide, went at a great pace.
Review by: Sydney N, April 2018
Amazing day out, great tour at the right pace.
Review by: Haijun L, March 2018
The site is too small and simple!
Review by: Sonia P, March 2018
This was a great tour. Nice to have transportation to this place.
Review by: Bjen805, March 2018
This was an amazing tour! I highly recommend Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon. The views are breathtaking and the drive to get there was just beautiful!
Review by: anjan_choudhury, March 2018
This tour is not a very hectic tour. It a half a day light tour and hence an enjoyable one. The view of the peninsula is awesome. Ruins of Poseidon temple is definitely an added attraction. Though we left before the sunset, I presume it must be very good to see sun setting in the sea.
Review by: Jan M, February 2018
The drive along the coast is a bonus for this trip. It is reminiscent of Highway 1 in Northern California. Cape Sounion and the Temple were interesting and beautiful but the weather was bitterly cold and windy. Again, February is not primo tourist season. I heard this tour was cancelled the previous day because of weather so I was happy that ours was not cancelled and I got to experience the Cape and Temple despite the weather. Our guide Emma was EXTREMELY knowledgeable and eager to share her info with us. My personal story is about the tour company, guide, and bus driver: When the tour was completed and I was dropped off at my hotel, I soon realized I left my cellphone on the seat of the bus. Frantic, I had my hotel contact the Tour Company and I said I would take a taxi there to retrieve it, please don't lock up the bus without retrieving my phone! The Tour company located my phone and said the bus driver would return it to me at my hotel shortly. Sure enough, the bus driver arrived by motorcycle and handed me my phone. He would NOT accept any money from me for his efforts despite my insistence. Equally impressive was that I had folded Euros in plain sight in my iPhone case which was still there too. I informed the Tour Company how relieved I was and how impressed I was with their personnel and their company for their honesty, compassion, and efficient service. Yes, I would recommend this tour!
Review by: lorid4761, February 2018
Just stunning!
Review by: Kathleen W, February 2018
This tour was timed perfectly for near sunset. It is an easy half day from Athens. Our guide gave history and context.
Review by: Rachael D, January 2018
I would highly recommend this tour. This drive is a little long but our tour guide filled it with facts about Cape Sounion and the myths surrounding it. The tickets are included in the price and it is well worth the journey. Not only is the temple of Poseidon beautiful. but the surrounding landscape is lovely as well.
Review by: Richard S, January 2018
Beautiful trip two and from as well as at the sight. guide was knowledgeable, informative, and accommodated us with adequate time to explore on our own. I would rate the Accropplis and museum and Delphi the higher priority to visit but would not have wanted to miss this trip as third priority!
Review by: Michelle S, January 2018
This was a nice tour. On the way to and from Cape Sounion, our tour guide told us a bit about Greek history in general, as well as interesting things we passed. At the temple, she told us the history and myths surrounding it, and then we had 20ish minutes to take pictures and visit the shop/ cafe. Definitely not my favorite tour from the trip, but also not a waste of time.
Review by: joshlowe88, January 2018
The trip to Cape Sounion was the best part of my trip to Greece. The views are great..but windy, so pack accordingly. Our tour guide, Mina, was the best. She spoke clearly and was very entertaining, as well as, taught at a level that most people would enjoy. Ask for Mina. The large bus was clean but basic.
Review by: US, January 2018
This was an okay tour. We got there and only had about 45 minutes to explore before heading back.
Review by: Amber O, December 2017
A short trip. But the views were beautiful and calming.
Review by: redsoxgirl04, November 2017
You learn a lot about Athens on this tour. The bus ride is kind of long, but the views are nice. The temple itself is nice and as the sung begins to set it is beautiful. I liked our tour guide, but the speaker on the bus was terrible and honestly our ears hurt by they end.
Review by: Observer Mover, November 2017
The sea around this cape is stunningly beautiful, but there is very little to see of the ruins of this temple.
Review by: Jean H H, November 2017
We were picked up from the Hilton an hour and half prior to the starting of the tour. The person in charge of organizing the pickups was very rude when I asked would we have a hour and half ride in Athens after completion of the tour. However, the tour guide was exceptionally good, well informed, perfect English and easily answered any questions regarding Cape Sounion. Sounion is a must see area in Greece. The bus ride down the coast was also very enjoyable. Tour organizer a 2 and tour guide a 5.
Review by: CATARINO C, November 2017
Great trip along the beautiful blue Aegean coastline. Poseidon's Temple is amazing and we got there right at sunset for some great pics. The only thing I'd change or add is for the bus to stop somewhere for 20min or so for us to grab something to drink and/or snacks. The coffee shop located at the temple is limited and busy.
Review by: Daniela T, November 2017
Well-organized, brief trip with very knowledgeable guide. Cape Sounion is absolutely stunning and on the way from and to Athens we enjoyed beautiful views of the coast and the sunset. Highly recommended!
Review by: Charles W, October 2017
The Temple of Poseidon is very dramatic,the coach drive there followed the coastal road,on the drive back we witnessed the sunset._br/_ The downside was we waited on the coach for nearly 20 minutes for extra travellers to arrive.W
Review by: oscar m, October 2017
The guide was excellent. A very worthwhile afternoon. Will always remember the sunset.
Phenomenal experience! Helen was a great tour guide providing us with information along the way to Cape Sounion and when we got there! Spectacular! would have liked to actually see the sunset from there.
Review by: Sabrina C, October 2017
Like others have said, most of the time is on the bus, with excellent commentary from our tour guide. Without her, I would have rated it a 2. It is not worth the money, and not much to see when you get there.
Review by: Jaime H, October 2017
Great place to visit but a very long drive. Our tour guide was very friendly, entertaining and knowledgeable. Fabulous views.
Review by: Keron K, October 2017
A long ride to Sounion much along the coast. Not as exciting as in the city.
Review by: Rosemary M, October 2017
This was a really wothwhile half day trip.Very well organised and an excellent guide.
Review by: LILIANA C, September 2017
Not impressed. The guide asked us questions instead of giving explanations._br/_ A bit like school trip.
Review by: Gary R, September 2017
The tour to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon was wonderful for the bus ride alone. Traveling along the beautiful coast through several small town resorts packed with holiday makers. Our guide spoke perfect English and had an excellent command of the local and ancient history and she brought the various areas to life for us. We can highly recommend this tour.
Review by: josephcohagan7, September 2017
very good
Review by: Rob B, September 2017
This was a really good tour and well worth going on, the drive out was full of beautiful scenery and the time passed quickly with all of the interesting and informative commentary from our guide. The temple itself was stunning, as were the views from the hilltop where it's located. Pickup was punctual and from right outside my hotel, even though it wasn't on the original list, and I was dropped off right outside as well - excellent customer service.
Review by: neilt62, September 2017
Excellent trip. Tour guide knew her stuff and gave the right amount of detail. Was nice getting out of the grottiness of Athens. Saw a bit of the countryside as well which was good. Best bit was this was a genuine ruin, not one that has been rebuilt.
Review by: kenosborn, September 2017
Great tour. Guide was very friendly and professional. She provided much information on what we were seeing on the way to the Temple.
Review by: Kevin T, September 2017
Trip to Cape Sounion was a nice change of pace from Athens... It is what it is, meaning, a three hour round trip on bus for 50 minute stay at the Cape. Temple of Poseidon is terrific and the setting, looking out on the Adriatic made the trip worth it..
Review by: Clive L E, September 2017
Great trip however at the temple the guide needs to have a hearing device for all as on our tour the wind was strong and we had no chance of hearing was she was talking about.
Review by: JoAnna P, September 2017
This is a nice ride along the coast of Greece
Review by: Patricia E, September 2017
Excellent way to start our vacation in Greece. We took the afternoon tour as we had arrived early at our hotel.
Review by: Laila D, May 2017
This was a really good tour and a good and efficient way to see Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. The journey there is about 1.5 hours but this is dependant on the traffic conditions in getting out of Athens and the same goes for the traffic in coming home. As a result the time you get at the site is variable. We were fortunate to have an hour at the site and take in the beautiful scenery on offer. Our tour guide Lila was lovely, knowledgeable and engaging. She spoke about the history of Athens and the scenery/sites on the bus journey to the Temple.
Review by: Europeantraveler1, May 2017
The bus ride out was fine....no glitches and comfortable. The site is quite impressive and Temple of Poseidon sits majestically atop the peninsula, jutting out into the ocean...beautiful views all around!
Review by: Matthew M, April 2017
This was a beautiful location and the tour guide was enthusiastic. It would have been good to have more information about what we were seeing everywhere.
Review by: Natalie M, April 2017
I loved this tour so much! By far the highlight of my time in Athens. The Temple is absolutely incredible to see. You see the massive structure on a hilltop overlooking the blue water, and it was just the pinnacle of what I wanted to see while I was in Greece. Our guide was great, and you could tell she really enjoyed sharing stories of both ancient and modern Greece. I would suggest this tour for anyone wanting to see more of the ancient Greek Temples.
Review by: Abraham H, March 2017
This tour was a bit disappointing- it lasted 4 hours for one hour spent at the site. No photo stops were made on the way and we came back the same western route we took there, instead of the eastern route I assumed we would take to make it more interesting! It was also just our bad luck that due to an unplanned road closure caused by a demonstration we had to walk 20 minutes back to our hotel!
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