Top Things to do in Sounio
9 Things to do in Sounio That You Shouldn't Miss
Sunset is the best time to arrive at the 5th-century-B.C. Temple of the mythical sea God Poseidon. Perched on cliffs above Cape Sounio, the temple ruins, surrounded on three sides by sea, have stunning views out over the Aegean. It was mentioned in Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. More recently, English Romantic poet Lord Byron visited this atmospheric spot in 1811 and inscribed his name at the base of one of the temple's Doric columns.
Restaurants in Sounio
1. Exclusive Minibus
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Our Company offers private tours and transportation services to all destinations on mainland Greece specifically in the historic capital of Athens. We cater for any size of group, the tours or transfers are private ,and your group is totally flexible tailor made just for you.
2. GR Cycling
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 97 reviews
Daily Road Cycling Tours to Poseidon's Temple in Sounio. Ride along the Athenian Riviera, one of the world's most scenic coastal routes. Included: - Premium Carbon Disc Road Bikes / Fitness or Trekking Bikes - Entrance Fees for the archaeological site - Light Meal or Snack at the end of the ride - Rider's Checkpoint (only for rider chosen the longest version) - Support Vehicle along way - Escort rider(s) (for groups more than 2) Others: - E-Bikes on request - Route adjustable to meet all fitness levels - Small groups. - Option to combine a full meal after the ride - we speak English, Greek. GR Cycling offers a number of all-inclusive cycling trips to Cyclades, Peloponnese, Crete, Ionian Islands and Greece's mainland. All of our trips are designed by cyclists and include Premium CARBON road bikes, accommodation and meals. Join us and explore the unique landscape of Greece on two wheels. We hope to enjoy and love that as much as we do every time we ride!
3. Temple of Poseidon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,382 reviews
Reviewed By ImmerWandern - Palos Heights, United States
Be sure to time your arrival for about an hour before sunset in order that you have time to explore the site and walk around to admire the temple from all angles before claiming your spot at the edge of the cliff to enjoy the sunset. The park staff are very strict about clearing out the site right as the sun drops below the horizon. Thing was, the best part of the light show came once the sun was down. Do not leave right away; the temple will be lit up about 30 minutes after sunset. Cape Sounion is the southernmost tip of the Attica Peninsula. It looks out onto shipping routes to Athens’ Piraeus harbor. Not unlike the Acropolis this rocky outcropping was devoted to Poseidon and Athena; unlike in Athens, however, Poseidon ruled here. The sanctuary of Athena once stood at a point to the northeast but was dismantled by the time of the Roman Empire while the Poseidon's Temple was left standing proud. The similarity to the Athens Acropolis extended to its having been a fortress and a means for Athenians to guard and control the approaches to its port. The builder of Poseidon's Temple is thought to be the same one that build the Temple of Hephaestus in the Agora below the Acropolis. Just like the Parthenon the temple was built to replace one destroyed by the Persians under Xerxes, also during the mid-5th Century BC. There is a legend associated with this site involving King Minos of Crete, the legendary Minotaur, King Aegeus and Theseus. King Minos of Crete demanded that the city-state of Athens pay an annual tribute of 7 young men and women to be fed to the dreaded Minotaur housed in the Labyrinth underneath the royal palace in Knossos. The king of Athens, Aegeus, had only one son, Theseus. This young man, already a legend in the making, volunteered for the sacrifice and went to Crete against his father's wishes. His plan was to find a way to slay the Minotaur. Enjoying the special treat of nature's light show. A ridiculous 'technicolor' Copper River salmon pink! Speaking of colors, King Aegeus and Theseus made an arrangement that when Theseus' ship returned it would fly white sails if he had survived, black sails if not. Theseus would have to sail past this headland on the way back to Athens, so King Aegeus is reputed to have set up camp here and monitored the seas for the return of his son. In Crete the daughter of King Minos, Ariadne, fell in love with Theseus and helped him find the way back out of the Labyrinth using a ball of string. She fled with Theseus and joined him on the ship to Athens. Theseus and his crew stopped on the island of Naxos. There they either searched for water or celebrated their victory. Regardless they all fell asleep, exhausted at the end of the day. The following day the crew set off, somehow leaving Ariadne behind. Furthermore it somehow took Theseus too long to realize she'd been left behind and there was no going back for her. Thoroughly distraught he forgot to have the crew change the sails to the white ones before approaching Athens. King Aegeus was overcome with grief when he saw the approaching ship bearing black sails. Such was his despair at the loss of his only son he threw himself off the cliffs. Hence the Aegean Sea, the waters here named in his honor.
4. Paralia Christea
5. Kape Beach
6. Legrena Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By REDMAN5314 - Egaleo, Greece
Wonderful beach near the Big City Athens, with beautiful calm waters and a lot of space, so you can have your privacy.
7. Sounio Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
Sounio beach is a well organized sandy beach with many facilities to visitors including umbrellas with sunbeds under price, beach bar, showers, W.C. and free parking.
Reviewed By Shishir_pant - Helsinki, Finland
Its a nice beach, worth spending a day at the beach and move to temple in the evening to see the sun set. I recommend taking a bus rather than a guided tour. You will get more flexibility and save a lot of money.
8. Softouch Spa
Dubbed 007 for its Dr. No-inspired design, the octagonal Elixir Spa’s blue and green hues create a relaxing lagoon effect, enhanced by the rich pine green and blue sky visible through its plate-glass walls. An enclave of Ayurveda in the heart of Greece, three treatment rooms and therapists trained in India perform tailor-made Ayurvedic facial and body treatments.
9. Funwaves rental boat company
Funwaves is a rental boat company, based in sounio. Our target is to provide you with self navigation services, so you can experience the beauty of the sea on your own. You do not need a speedboat license to use our boats. A small briefing is conducted upon arrival. Completely safe, due to our instructions on how-to. The boats and engines are new (2020), and provided with lifesaving equipment and fully insured for potential damage.
