Temple of Poseidon at Sounion Entry Ticket

KTEL Attica intercity buses leave from Aigyptou Square, at Pedion tou Areos in central Athens, and follow the coastal road through Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza to Cape Sounion, where the route ends. The trip takes about 2 hours. Along the way the bus also stops at Klafthmonos Square, Filellinon Street and Syggrou-Fix metro station.

The bus departure point at Pedion tou Areos is near Viktoria station on metro line 1 (green line). You can also board the same bus at Syggrou-Fix station on metro line 2 (red line).

The drive from central Athens takes about 65 minutes along the coastal road via Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, Lagonisi and Anavyssos. The site is at the 68th km of the Athens-Sounion Highway and has parking on site.

A taxi from central Athens follows the same coastal road and takes around an hour. The cape is far from the city, so plan your return trip before you set off.

Yes. Entry to Sounion is timed, so you choose a date and time slot when booking. The ticket is valid for a single entry on that date and time.

The site opens daily at 09:30 and closes at sunset, all year round. Last entry is 20 minutes before closing. It is closed on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday, 25 December and 26 December.

The highlight is the Doric Temple of Poseidon, built in the mid-5th century BC from local Agrileza marble on the ruins of an earlier temple destroyed by the Persians. Fifteen of its original 38 columns still stand. You can also see the sanctuary walls, the remains of the fortress that guarded the sea route to Piraeus and the foundations of the Temple of Athena.

Sunset at Sounion is famous, and the site stays open until sunset, so a later time slot lets you stay for it. Mornings are usually calmer if you prefer to explore with fewer people around.

Yes. Visitors under 18 and EU citizens aged 18 to 25 must show an ID card or passport at the entrance.

The site has parking, toilets and a shop. The path up to the temple crosses uneven, rocky ground, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sun protection in summer.

Some of the frieze slabs from the temple, with scenes of the battles of the Centaurs and the Giants, are on display at the Archaeological Museum of Lavrio, a short drive north of the cape.