Cape Sounio & Temple of Poseidon Private Tour from Athens

Temple of Poseidon tour, ancient site visit, stunning cliffside views above the sea

A private tour from Athens to Cape Sounio and the Temple of Poseidon, traveling the coastal road through Glyfada and Vouliagmeni with hotel or airport pickup included. The driver is knowledgeable in history and fluent English, though not a licensed guide. You spend roughly four to five hours on the road and at the sites. The Temple closes 30 minutes before sunset, so timing matters if you want to photograph the light.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Herakleidon Museum1h 30m
2. Cape Sounion45m
3. Temple of Poseidon45m
4. Lake Vouliagmeni10m

Private tour to Cape Sounio and back

• Pick up from hotel or airport
• Drive along Athenian Riviera suburbs
• Pass by Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, Anavyssos
• Visit Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon
• Stop for photos at Lake Vouliagmeni
• Return to Athens

The experience

The route starts with pickup from your hotel, apartment, airport or port: about an hour and a half of driving south through the Athenian suburbs and down the coastal road. The road itself is the first thing: it winds from Glyfada through Vouliagmeni and Lagonisi, hugging small beaches and rocky stretches where the Saronic Gulf stays visible. The driver handles navigation and traffic while you watch the landscape shift from urban Athens to open water.

Cape Sounio appears from a distance as the Temple of Poseidon, a Doric structure from 444–440 BC perched on the promontory 70 kilometers southeast of the city. The temple commands the headland at nearly 60 meters above sea level, surrounded on three sides by the sea. You walk the site at your own pace. The driver stays with the vehicle but can answer questions about what you're standing in front of when you return. The temple closes 30 minutes before sunset, which runs around 5 p.m. from November through April, so plan accordingly if you want to stay for the light.

On the return to Athens, the tour stops at Lake Vouliagmeni, a small brackish-water lake fed by underground currents beneath Mount Hymettus. It's a photo stop in the heart of the Riviera, and the only pause between Cape Sounio and the city. The vehicle is air-conditioned, WiFi is on board, and bottled water is included. Infants can sit on a lap or use a specialized seat. The tour suits all fitness levels, though the sites themselves involve walking on uneven ground.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation.
• hotel, port or airport pickup and drop-off.
• a professional driver fluent in English with deep knowledge of history.
• bottled water.
• and WiFi on board.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day21 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on site€ 20

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by My Athens Transfers

Is this one for you?A shared tour crowds the schedule and leaves timing to chance. This private tour lets you control the pace and choose whether to stay longer at the Temple or move on, since the driver waits for you and the return is built around your needs rather than a group's.

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Top questions

How far is Cape Sounio from Athens, and how long does it take to get there?

Cape Sounio is 70 kilometers southeast of Athens. The drive takes about an hour and a half each way, so you'll spend roughly four to five hours total on the tour including stops and time at the Temple.

What is the Temple of Poseidon, and when was it built?

The Temple of Poseidon is a Doric temple built between 444–440 BC during the Golden Age of Athens. It sits on Cape Sounio's headland at nearly 60 meters above sea level, overlooking the Saronic Gulf on three sides, and is one of the major monuments from that era.

Can I watch the sunset from the Temple of Poseidon?

The Temple closes 30 minutes before sunset, so you cannot stay for the full sunset from the site itself. From November through April, sunset is around 5 p.m., so plan your timing accordingly if the light is important to you.

Does the driver enter the archaeological sites with me?

The driver is not a licensed tour guide and does not enter the sites. However, they are knowledgeable about history and fluent in English, so they can answer your questions about the places you visit when you return to the vehicle.

What stops are included on the way back to Athens?

On the return journey, the tour stops at Lake Vouliagmeni, a small brackish-water lake in the heart of the Athenian Riviera. It's a photo stop and the main pause between Cape Sounio and the city.

Is airport pickup available?

Yes, airport pickup and drop-off are available upon request for an additional cost. Hotel, apartment, Airbnb, Piraeus port and Athens airport pickups are all options.