Cape Sounion Temple & Sunset Tour from Athens: Small Group

Five hours on the Athenian Riviera instead of a tour bus full of strangers

A small-group tour from Athens to Cape Sounion visits Lake Vouliagmeni, a seaside beach stop, and the Temple of Poseidon (a 5th-century BC clifftop sanctuary above the Aegean) with a driver-guide, hotel pickup, and a maximum of 10 travelers. The sunset option times the return to catch the sun dipping below the horizon at the temple. The morning tour runs earlier in the day. Both include air-conditioned transport and bottled water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Lake Vouliagmeni20m
2. Temple of Poseidon1h 15m

Athens to Cape Sounion tour

• Pickup from hotel or meeting point
• Drive past Athens highlights with guide
• Pass by Athenian Riviera coastal districts
• Stop at Lake Vouliagmeni for photos and relaxation
• Relax at Cape Sounion Beach, enjoy food and swim
• Visit Temple of Poseidon, learn history and myths
• Watch sunset at Temple of Poseidon
• Return to Athens, view city lights

The experience

You get picked up from your hotel or apartment (or a nearby meeting point if your street is too narrow for the van), and head south toward the coast. As you drive, your guide points out Athens's significant landmarks along the way, turning the drive itself into part of the experience rather than dead time. The route follows the Athenian Riviera, passing through coastal districts like Alimos and Glyfada before you reach the first real stop.

Lake Vouliagmeni sits just outside the city, fed by both seawater and underground thermal springs that keep it warm year-round. The water is emerald and clear, ringed by limestone cliffs and greenery: a pocket of calm that most visitors to Athens never find. You'll have time to walk the shoreline, photograph it, or simply stand there while your guide explains what makes it different from the sea just beyond. From there, the route continues to a beach stop, where you can swim, order fresh fish at a seaside taverna, or sit with a coffee and watch the water. The beach location shifts seasonally: from November through April it's at Palaia Fokaia. The rest of the year it moves between Palaia Fokaia and Sounion Beach depending on the day of the week and weather.

The Temple of Poseidon crowns the cliffs above Cape Sounion, built in the 5th century BC and dedicated to the god of the sea. Your guide walks you through the history: the myths of King Aegeus and the hero Theseus, the temple's place in ancient trade routes, why it stands where it does. If you've booked the sunset tour, you'll be there when the sun hits the horizon and the moon rises beside the columns. The morning tour gets you there earlier in the day, with the same temple, the same stories, and the same view of the Aegean stretching out below. On the way back, the sunset option includes the sight of Athens lighting up at night.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• driver-guide in English.
• bottled water.
• stops at Lake Vouliagmeni, a seaside beach, and the Temple of Poseidon.

Options for this experience

3 options

Sunset TourGuide in English · 14:00 and 15:00Includes pickup

Morning TourGuide in English · Available from 1 Mar 2027Includes pickup

Private OptionGuide in English · 08:30 and 14:15Includes pickup

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 08:30, 14:00, 14:15 and 15:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 20

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by It's all Greek To Me Tours by Xike Travel

Is this one for you?Book the sunset tour if you have a free afternoon and want to see the Temple of Poseidon when the light is best. Choose the morning tour if you prefer an earlier start or want to spend the rest of your day elsewhere in Athens. Either way, a small group means you'll actually hear your guide instead of straining to listen from the back of a bus.

Traveler reviews

4.95★★★★★★★★★★

401 verified traveler reviews

5 ★386

4 ★11

3 ★4

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the sunset tour and the morning tour?

The sunset tour departs in the afternoon and times your arrival at the Temple of Poseidon for sunset, so you see the sun dip below the horizon and the moon rise beside the temple. The morning tour leaves earlier and covers the same stops during daylight hours. Both include hotel pickup, the same guide, Lake Vouliagmeni, the beach stop, and the temple visit.

Can I swim at the beach stop, or is it just for looking?

You can swim at the beach stop if you want to. The tour also includes time to order food and drinks at a seaside taverna, take photos, or relax. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available from local beach businesses for an extra fee paid directly on site, not included in the tour price.

What is Lake Vouliagmeni, and why is it different from the sea?

Lake Vouliagmeni is a natural lake fed by both seawater and underground thermal springs, so the water stays warm year-round and is exceptionally clear. It's surrounded by limestone cliffs and sits just outside Athens, making it a quieter alternative to the crowded beaches along the coast.

How many people will be on the tour?

The tour is designed for small groups of up to 10 travelers, which means closer interaction with your guide and more flexibility to linger at stops than you'd get on a larger bus tour.

Is hotel pickup really included, or do I need to get to a meeting point?

Hotel pickup is included in the tour price. If your accommodation is on a pedestrian-only street or too narrow for the van, your guide will arrange a nearby, easy-to-find meeting point and confirm it with you before the tour.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, a driver-guide who speaks English, bottled water, and all stops at Lake Vouliagmeni, the beach, and the Temple of Poseidon. Gratuities and optional beach equipment like sunbeds are not included.