Cape Sounion

4.5 to 6 h. tour (Private tour)

(Transportation + optional guidance + temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion + optional dinner by the seaside or swim)

For those of you that would be interested in seeing the southern districts of Athens, as well as in enjoying one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the country, this tour is one of your best options.

Your professional English speaking driver will meet you at the lobby of your hotel in Athens. You will board your private vehicle and start driving south towards Cape Sounion. Your English speaking driver or licensed tour guide will give you information about the districts you will be driving through and will help you narrate yourselves as you will be heading southeast.

On your way to Cape Sounion, you will pass through some of the most beautiful suburbs of Athens right next to the sea, like Faliro, Voula and Vouliagmeni which among other things, is famous for its underground lake.

Then you will enter the windy road by the Saronic Gulf and you will enjoy driving next to the sea, passing several villages, little islands and areas that are mainly consisted by summer homes of the Athenians, with exceptional architecture.

Before your arrival to Cape Sounion, you will have the view of the remaining standing columns of the temple of Poseidon, from quite a distance. This was why in the past, sailors used to call the port next to it "Cavo Colones", meaning the port with the columns, which was also helping them find their way towards Attica. You can ask your driver to make a short stop for photos with the nice background of the temple of Poseidon.

As soon as you arrive in Cape Sounion, you will be given the chance to enjoy walking all the way to the top where the temple of Poseidon is and take pictures of the magnificent view all around you. When the atmosphere is very clear, you can see a lot of the Greek islands of the Aegean Sea from a distance. The temple of Poseidon was built in 444 BC to calm down Poseidon, after Athena was honored so much, by having the Parthenon built in honor of her. Since Athens was a great naval power in the ancient times, and their ships were exporting goods all over the known world, but also had many enemies, it was smart of them to use Cape Sounion as an alternative port. Moreover, very close to Cape Sounion, existed the mines of silver and lead of Lavrion. From the port of Sounion was that most of the lead was being exported. That was why Poseidon, the god of the sea and sailors, should be honored and always stand by their side on these long journeys through the sea, providing them with favorable winds and calm waters.

The cafeteria on top of the cape is also where you will be able to enjoy the marvelous view from, along with a coffee or snack.

Many famous and non famous people have been inspired by the view, the sunset and the atmosphere of this area and on the base of the temple, remain many of their names inscriptions, such as the one of Lord Byron. Don’t try to leave your autograph there! It was before the site was guarded, that that had happened, and today such an action is against the law.

On the way back to your hotel, depending on your tour's duration, you can stop at one of the many seaside tavernas to enjoy lunch or dinner, or you can stop at one of the beaches for a swim.

Transportation by a luxury type private car, minivan or minibus with a professional, English speaking, non-smoking driver.

Optionally escorted throughout by an officially licensed tour guide.

Food, beverages, gratuities and the entrance tickets to the monuments are not included.

Overall Rating (1)

5 out of 5 stars

Leave your comments

Post your review

0 / 2500 Character restriction
Your text should be less than 2500 characters
terms and condition and Privacy Policy.

Reviews (1)

  • Jason

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    On a recent trip to Greece we spent the first six days with a guided tour and then were on our own in Athens for the last 4 days. As it is often difficult to to know which guides to choose from on the internet, I waited until we were in Greece to find a reputable guide from Athens. Referred to me by a fellow traveler I contacted Olympic Tours on a Sunday for a trip out to the Cape of Sounion to see Posidon's Temple and a day trip to Delphi, both by the following Thursday when we departed. BUT, to my amazement Olympic Tours, arranged for a private driver to take us to both sites, AND a professional guide in Delphi. Truly, I never really appreciated how much a professional guide can provide until I visited Greece. What may look like a bunch of ruins without interpretation, becomes a wonderus historical site when you have the knowledge of an experienced guide to explain the symbolism and history. You simply can't find that in a travel guide. Thank you Olympic Tours for your great service!

    from Salt Lake City, UT, USA

About Us

It would be a pleasure to send you my proposals, through our travel agency, and organize your touring experience in Greece, just for you!

 15561, Agiou Ioannou Theologou 43, Athens

 27065, Praxitelous Kondyli, Ancient Olympia

+30 6972426085

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Whatsapp: +30 6972426085

MH.T.E. 0415Ε60000165901

Our Awards

tripadvisor

 

ASTA

ricksteves

Recommended by Rick Steves

bbc

Niki was the official Olympia Expert in BBC live broadcasting to explain the significance of the lightning of the Olympic flame for the 2012 London Olympics

Client Testimonials

Niki's knowledge of the history there as well as how she related it to all of us was a perfect balance!
Julie
Niki knows her stuff, and she comes across as an intelligent and credible source of verified information. My wife and I used her as our group tour guide in Olympia and then again in Athens, and we were very pleased.
Tony
I definitely recommend other cruisers to book independently through Niki Vlachou.
Madge