CAPE SOUNION

This excursion will start by driving along Poseidon Avenue for 70 km, along the coast and the residential neighborhoods on the outskirts of Athens, such as Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, etc., until we reach our destination, Cape Sounion, located at the southern tip of the Attica peninsula.

On the way, you will have a wonderful view of the entire coastline of Attica, bathed by the waters of the Saronic Gulf, where you can see the most popular beaches of Athens and the small coastal islands.

We will arrive at the idyllic area where the famous Temple of Poseidon is located. Cape Sounion was, according to legend, the place where King Aegeus had fallen into the sea. Aegeus’ son, Theseus, had agreed with him that if he emerged victorious from his battle with the Minotaur, he would raise white sails on his ship, whereas if he died, the crew would return the ship with black sails to the mast. King Aegeus saw from afar the ship approaching with large black sails, as Theseus had forgotten to raise the white ones, and in despair, he fell from the top of the rocks into the sea. From this legend comes the name of the Aegean Sea.

You will visit the Temple of Poseidon, a majestic construction located on the edge of the cape, overlooking the Aegean Sea. It was built in 444 BC and is one of the most important sanctuaries of Classical Antiquity. The imposing columns of the temple are impressive, standing over 6 meters tall. Each column has 16 flutes, which served to resist wind erosion. The English philhellene poet Lord Byron engraved his name on one of them.

After visiting the Temple of Poseidon, you will have free time to enjoy the view of the Aegean Sea and its spectacular sunset from the top of Cape Sounion.