A Day at Cape Sounion

Location: Cape Sounion, Lavrio [37° 39' 1.040" N - 24° 1' 28.474" E ] Temple of Poseidon opening hours: 10 am till sunset. Cap sounion is located about 70 km (43 mi) from Athens in the southernmost tip of the Attika peninsula. There lies on the top of the hill the twenty-four hundred years old temple of Poseidon. Legend says that it is at Cap Sounion, the tragic story of Theseus took place. Coming back from Crete, victorious Theseus over the Minotaur, forgets to switch the black sail of his ship to a white one. King of Athens, Aegeus, seeing the black sail believes his son Thesus dead and leaps over the hill into the sea, named Aegean after him. To reach Sounion, the seaside route is recommended. On your way, you'll enjoy splendid views of the Saronic Gulf and its offshore islands, passing through Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, Lagonisi, Saronida and Anavisos towns. Cap Sounion is very well known for its beautiful sunset, sunrise and moonrise. Making it an inspiration place for photographers and astronomers. Below are links to pictures taken by astronomer Anthony Ayiomamitis with the temple in the foreground: December Sunrise, Cape Sounion  (nasa.org) Solstice Moonrise, Cape Sounion  (nasa.org) Super Full Moon Over Cape Sounion (2012) (perseus.gr) Near the temple there is a restaurant where you can eat or drink a coffee with a view of the sea and the temple.  An alternative, is the Cape Sounio Resort  for those who want a more luxurious environment. In summer, you can combine your visit of the temple of Poseidon with a swim at the nearby beaches.  Bus Lines to Sounion Two KTEL (ΚΤΕΛ) bus lines are available to Sounion, these are: The 'Paraliakos' line which is the seaside route to Sounion (Athens - Glifada - Agia Marina - Saronida - Anavisos - Sounion). This is the recommended route to Sounion. The one way trip is about 2 hours. The 'Mesogiakos' line which is the interior route to Sounion (Athens - Paiania - Koropi - Markopoulo - Lavrio - Sounion) The bus terminal in Athens is located at Mavrommateon Street, Pedion tou Areos (map). Further information and timetables can be found at the KTEL Attikis website ([pdf] Greek only). Buses Timetable from Athens to Sounion (seaside route): 06:30 - 07:30 - 08:30 - 09:30 - 10:30 - 11:30 - 12:30 - 13:30 - 14:30 - 15:30 - 16:30 - 17:30 - 18:30 - 19:30(*) 21:00 to Anavisos only Buses Timetable from Sounion to Athens (seaside route): 08:00 - 09:00 - 10:00 - 11:00 - 12:00 - 13:00 - 14:00 - 15:00 - 16:00 - 17:00 - 18:00 - 19:00 - 20:00 - 21:00(*) (*) The above timetable is subject to changes, further information is available at Sounion Bus Information phone number: +30 210 880 8081 (extension 1) Related Links Ministry of Culture - Tickets & General Information Night and Day above Almost Planet Sounio Moonrise with Green Rim (epod.usra.edu) 500px Photo Gallery