Cape Sounion Poseidon Temple tour: Private coastal drive
Four hours tracing the Aegean from a mountain lake to a clifftop temple
A private tour from Athens to Cape Sounion combines a high-altitude view of Lake Vouliagmeni, a coastal drive through the Athenian Riviera, and entry to the Temple of Poseidon, a 5th-century Doric temple perched on the cliff's edge overlooking the sea. Your English-speaking driver picks you up from your hotel and navigates the route. You stop at each location and explore at your own pace. The temple's white marble columns stand against the deep blue of the Aegean, and the panoramic views from the site frame the region's maritime history.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Explore Athenian Riviera and Cape Sounion
- View Lake Vouliagmeni from vantage point
- Drive along the Athenian Riviera coastline
- Visit Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion
- Optional: Dinner at Palaia Fokaia seaside village
- Lake Vouliagmeni 15m
- Anavyssos passing by
- Temple of Poseidon 1h
- Palaia Fokaia 1h
What’s included
- Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- hotel pickup and drop-off in Athens.
- English-speaking driver with knowledge of local history.
- bottled water on board.
- WiFi access during the drive.
- Every day 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00
Information
Private car tour from Athens to Lake Vouliagmeni, the Athenian Riviera, and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion with hotel pickup and English-speaking driver.
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The experience
The tour begins at a high vantage point overlooking Lake Vouliagmeni, where the lake's elliptical shape becomes clear against the surrounding greenery and urban sprawl of southern Athens. From this viewpoint, the lake merges into the coastal scenery of the Athenian Riviera, giving you a sense of the landscape before the drive begins. Your driver then takes you along the Saronic Gulf through the towns of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Voula, Saronida and Anavyssos, following winding roads with the Aegean Sea alongside. Palm-lined boulevards and elegant villas line the route, and the deep blue water provides the backdrop for the entire coastal stretch.
The main destination is the Temple of Poseidon, which sits atop Cape Sounion and dates to the 5th century BCE. The temple's Doric columns, weathered by centuries, stand in stark white marble against the sea and sky. Built as a beacon for sailors navigating the waters below, the temple was dedicated to the god of the sea and commands views across the Aegean from its cliff-edge position. You have time to walk around the temple grounds and take in the panorama. The site is particularly striking at sunset, when the light changes the color of both the marble and the water.
If you book the five-hour option, an additional stop at Palaia Fokaia, a seaside village with waterfront seafood taverns, is included. These restaurants serve fresh catches like grilled octopus and fried calamari, with tables often set right by the water so you can watch the sunset over the Saronic Gulf while you eat. The four-hour option ends at the temple. Your driver remains with the vehicle and does not accompany you into the sites, but has deep knowledge of the region's history and can answer questions during the drive.
Top questions
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 is Lake Vouliagmeni and why do we stop there first?
Lake Vouliagmeni is a sunken lake in southern Athens with an elliptical shape and deep blue waters. The tour stops at a high vantage point above it so you can see the lake's full contours against the surrounding greenery and the Athenian Riviera coastline stretching toward the sea. It sets the visual context for the entire route before you head down to the coast.
What is included in the five-hour option with dinner?
The five-hour option adds a stop at Palaia Fokaia, a seaside village known for its waterfront seafood taverns. You can order dinner there and eat with views of the sunset over the Saronic Gulf. The taverns serve fresh catches like grilled octopus, fried calamari and shrimp, paired with local wines or ouzo.
Does the driver stay with me at each stop?
Your driver remains with the vehicle at each site. The driver has deep knowledge of the region's history and can answer questions during the drive, but does not accompany you into the attractions themselves.
What should I wear for this tour?
Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the temple grounds and walking around the sites. The tour involves getting in and out of the car at multiple stops and walking on the temple grounds, so footwear that supports walking is important.
Operated by Greek Heritage: Private Tours & Transfers. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated yesterday
Cape Sounion Poseidon Temple tour: Private coastal drive
4h–5h · EN · at your hotel
from € 140 per person
≈ US$ 157 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.