Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Half-Day Small-Group Tour from Athens
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Athens, Greece
+22
- 5 to 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Visit one of Greece’s most picturesque coastal viewpoints on a half-day small-group tour from Athens to Cape Sounion. Travel by minivan along south Attica’s scenic shoreline roads to reach the ancient Temple of Poseidon, built atop a towering sea cliff with fantastic views of the Aegean. Explore the ruins of this temple dedicated to the Greek god of the sea, and opt for an afternoon tour to catch a famously beautiful sunset.
- Explore the ancient Temple of Poseidon on a tour from Athens
- Round-trip transfers from your Athens hotel included
- Admire the views of the Aegean Sea and learn about ancient Greece
- A small group ensures a personalized experience
What's Included
- Local taxes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tour escort/host
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Entrance fee - Temple of Poseidon€20.00 per person
- Costs of using the beach organized facilities, such as sunbeds, umbrellas etc
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Pick up and drop off is included from hotels and apartments within the range of central Athens area. Central Athens includes areas within the boundaries of Syntagma, Plaka, Monastiraki, Omonoia and Acropolis. If you're staying outside these areas, we will assign a convenient centrally located meeting point near a Metro station Your location details are required during the booking process (hotel name or apartment full address) If your hotel/apartment is not accessible by the type of vehicles we use (e.g street narrowness, pedestrian area) we will appoint the closest available meeting point for picking you up. In case that your location details has not been provided 48 hours prior to departure we will assign a centrally located meeting point of our choice for picking you up. You will receive an email from us with the exact pick up location and time 24 hours prior departure. No changes can be made to the pickup plan once it has been allocated and finalized. Please notice that pick up commerce starts 40-50 minutes prior departure. Departure time is adjusted to the Sunset time of each period (Sunset tour option) We dont provide pickups from ports/airports besides the Private tour option We dont provide pickups from Piraeus area, besides the Private tour option
Itinerary
Your half-day Greek adventure begins with a convenient hotel or apartment pickup. Then, enjoy a pleasant drive along coastal roads, passing through Athens' picturesque suburbs, including Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, and Varkiza, offering stunning views of the Saronic Gulf.
Pause for postcard-worthy photos at Lake Vouliagmeni, a volcanic lake by the sea. Following a second scenic drive along the coast, relax at Sounio Beach with the opportunity to swim, unwind, and savor refreshments.
The journey culminates at the Temple of Poseidon, where your guide shares insights into the 5th-century BC temple. Opt for a sunset tour for an extra enchanting experience.
After getting your fill of ancient history, return to Athens, concluding the tour with a drop-off at your hotel or apartment.
Every step of the way, you experience seamless logistics, insider knowledge, and the convenience of expert guidance throughout your exploration of Athens' coastal gems.
Pause for postcard-worthy photos at Lake Vouliagmeni, a volcanic lake by the sea. Following a second scenic drive along the coast, relax at Sounio Beach with the opportunity to swim, unwind, and savor refreshments.
The journey culminates at the Temple of Poseidon, where your guide shares insights into the 5th-century BC temple. Opt for a sunset tour for an extra enchanting experience.
After getting your fill of ancient history, return to Athens, concluding the tour with a drop-off at your hotel or apartment.
Every step of the way, you experience seamless logistics, insider knowledge, and the convenience of expert guidance throughout your exploration of Athens' coastal gems.
Athens (Pass By)
Glyfada Beach (Pass By)
1
Lake Vouliagmeni
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Anavyssos
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
3
Temple of Poseidon
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
Athens (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Bring your swimwear and beach towels in case you wish to swim during our beach stop (May to October)
- Departure time is adjusted to the sunset time of each period (Sunset tour option)
- We allow 19 travelers per Product. Since Viator allows only 15 persons per booking, If you are a group of more than 15 persons , you can book seperately but still be in one group on the same minibus. Just put this as a remark in your booking.
- Please note that the beach stop operates from early May to late October, depending on the weather and the specific date when the time changes between summer and winter time, and vice versa. You are welcome to use the public beach area and the public changing rooms, bathrooms, and showers at no cost. However, if you wish to use organized facilities such as sunbeds, umbrellas, etc., additional fees will apply, payable directly to the beach businesses that provide these services. Our agency is not affiliated with these businesses, and these costs are not included in our activity.
- The exact opening and closing dates of our beach stop vary each year, depending on several factors. If you're planning to visit in early May or late October and want to confirm if we're operating the beach stop, feel free to send us a message through the Viator messaging section.
- Consumption of food and beverages is prohibited inside the vehicles besides water. Designated stops during the tour will provide opportunities to eat and drink
- Participants are expected to carry no more than a backpack. If you have luggage that requires trunk space, please inform us in advance of the activity date so we can arrange the appropriate vehicle and pickup location
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Question (1)
Q:How can I let you know where to pick me up?
A:We offer pick ups from most hotels. Let us know where you are staying in the 'Special Requirements' box in the Traveler Details section during checkout. Or you can let us know after booking by visiting 'Manage my Booking' and emailing us there.
Jul 2019
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 3,529 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Bronwyn_F, Jul 2026
This was an amazing tour which was worth the additional costs for entrance into the archaeological site to witness the sunset!
Neyda_I, Jul 2026
This was a fun relaxing half day trip after the Acropolis the previous day. I enjoyed stopping by the volcano lake. I only wish we had more time at the beach.
Hazrath_D, Jul 2026
Was a nice experience as I got a better understanding of Greek culture and mythology. The guide was knowledgeable and connected well with everyone who was on the tour. I however thought the beach stop was very short as we didn’t get enough time to enjoy the beach, for this reason I recommend that the tour of temple of Poseidon be shortened and some of that time allocated to the beach stop
Donat_V, Jul 2026
It was a great experience, our tour guide was very friendly and helpful, only downside was that we couldn’t see much of the temple because of a thunderstorm. But in the end they can’t really do much about it. The van was nice too.
Janine_G, Jul 2026
Guide and driver were great and the pick up and drop off from the hotel were really useful. The Temple is definitely worth a visit but the stop on the way back for a swim/drink was not good - really crowded and couldn’t find a table. Loud music was blasting which really spoiled the experience. It was a shame as there were much quieter places along the way with lovely restaurants at which we could have stopped instead.
Wendy_M, Jul 2026
What an amazing sight! The end destination is absolutely beautiful and to watch the sun set at Cape Sounion highlighted by the Temple of Poseidon... magical.
The journey also has some stops along the way to provide additional views and experiences.
Communication from the staff was timely and accurate.
Jacob_B, Jul 2026
A superb experience where we were picked up early and given lots of Information along the way to our destination. The beach club was a great place to stop, quiet and not expensive. We then went onto the temple where we had all the information we needed and arrived in plenty of time to observe the beautiful sunset that occurred.
Michael_P, Jul 2026
Tour guide was great, driver was a pro! The vehicle excellent!
We are left wondering what we paid for, us and the others in the van were left wondering about the high cost of the trip when we learned, on site that the entrance fee was not included! It made for a very costly ride to the site which could have been managed for much less.
Jonathan_H, Jul 2026
This was a fantastic afternoon out from Athens to see a little bit of the coast and to get a look at the Temple of Poseidon. Our archaeological expert on the bus, Maria, was well-informed, articulate, and really friendly. We learned a lot from her as we wended our way southeast toward the temple. The beach visit was an ideal stop along the way, giving us just enough time to relax, swim, and have a snack before pressing on. We could not get up all the way to the temple at the end because of a very bad thunderstorm but it was kind of atmospheric and not a big deal. Overall, a well thought out, very pleasant afternoon.
William_O, Jul 2026
Well organized trip that included a beach stop for a nice swim. Dont forget your bathing suits and enjoy a really nice pre-sunset swim before heading up for beautiful sunset views. Family had a great time.
Nancy_S, Jul 2026
Excellent tour, activity level is up to you. You can either walk up to see the sunset over Posiedon’s temple or from the cafe.
Marianne_H, Jul 2026
Great tour. Would recommend it. The coastline is beautiful will all its white sand beaches and thermal lake. And of course the temple of Poseidon is awesome.
sylviaokuley, Jul 2026
Great half day tour. Nice combination of history and beach time. Knowledgeable guide and comfortable transportation.
JOSEPH_B, Jul 2026
Overall the tour got us to where we wanted to go, the Temple of poseidon. From the description it sounded like a stop at a nice beach. The stop was 1 1/2 hours and the beach wasn't that impressive, the only thing to do there is spend money at the only restaurant on the "beach". Guide was great. Van was comfortable. But the driver was not so safe. He constantly drove 2-3 meters behind any car in front of us, even on the twisty single lane mountain roads. It's single lane- you can't pass! Why drive our van right behind some car and make a dangerous situation?
Gina_B, Jul 2026
We had the most wonderful time with Maria and Alex. Great communication from the company as well! This was a perfect afternoon and an incredible part of our trip. We learned so much! The beach stop was amazing and a nice outing to break up the trip— we went in the afternoon and saw the sun set at the temple which was spectacular! Highly recommend.
Beatrice_M, Jul 2026
I really enjoyed my tour through beautiful scenic countryside. Our guide was delightful! She was very entertaining and informative. The Temple of Poseidon was fascinating. We also enjoyed a relaxing stop at a beach.
Kerstin_T, Jul 2026
A very enjoyable half-day trip! The tour guide was friendly and shared lots of interesting information about Greece, its history, and the region throughout the journey.
Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon are definitely worth visiting. The only downside was that the time at the beach was a bit too short. If you decide to have lunch there, you'll only have about 10 minutes left for a swim.
Overall, it's a well-organized half-day excursion that I would recommend, especially if you're looking for a convenient way to visit Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon.
Andrew_E, Jul 2026
The experience was awesome watching the beautiful sunset. However, a lot of the day was taken in transportation. When we arrived at the beach, we only had an hour to choose between swimming or eating which we felt was a little rushed. We would recommend the beach part be longer or just compltely remove it from the tour. Overall the experience was fun but was time consuming if you have a tight schedule in Athens.
Brandi_C, Jul 2026
It was a pretty good tour. The beachside restaurant that we stopped at was a bit interesting, as it didn’t carry ANY seafood.
Andrew_N, Jul 2026
Plenty of time for the temple sights and sunset was amazing. Rocky ground in parts. Not too bad for the elderly with a little care the climb is easy enough and well worth the effort. The tour guide Faye was super knowledgeable and friendly. The driver Manos was very safe and a true professional. He drove our minivan confidently we felt at ease. You don’t get a long break for early dinner/swim so priorities one or the other. Totally worth it for the view and we met some nice people who were also on the tour.
Camille_S, Jul 2026
Book this tour!
The sunset was incredible, timing and spots on point, the history amazing and our guide was super engaging and shared interesting information.
Pailiang_C, Jul 2026
This trip didn't include tickets to the Temple of Poseidon, recommend you get them ahead of time online.
You have an opportunity to swim, bring appropriate gear.
The area is beautiful, the water wonderful and clear and of course sunset at the Temple of Poseidon is just beautiful
Guide was very knowledgeable, bus very comfortable.
Highly recommend
Anjankr_S, Jul 2026
A very good trip. The drive along the sea side, the destination area were so beautiful. Worth visiting
Marina_Z, Jul 2026
I really enjoyed this tour, it was interesting, the Temple of Poseidon looks great at sunset and the stop for swimming was nice
Brooke_I, Jul 2026
Comfortable bus, Roy was kind and knowledgeable. Cape Sounion was great. The beach we stopped at was ok. Very much enjoyed the tour.
Natalia_P, Jul 2026
Great experience and amazing guide! Come prepared that it may be windy but it’s definitely worth it. Great view of the Aegean sea from the temple.
Eileen_S, Jul 2026
The location and experience were beautiful. It was very hot and stuffy in the van and the staff had the AC vents focused on themselves versus getting cool air circulated. For a long drive this was not appreciated. Maybe offer water bottles or something. I would recommend the excursion very highly but maybe not this company.
Lauren_R, Jul 2026
Highly recommend going at sunset as the sunset is beautiful and we got amazing pictures of the temple this time of day. We all loved the beach stop as well. Water was warm and was great for kids as it is very shallow and calm and you can walk out quite a ways. Our tour guide Li Li was very personable and fun! We leaned a lot along the way.
Charles_S, Jul 2026
The disappointing part had to do with sharing a sunset with 300-400 other people, hence a July cluster on a relatively small rock. Nothing during the drive down -- especially the hour long pause at a beach bar with blaring music and little food -- made the trip any better, especially since few other restaurants there were ready yet to serve dinner. As for the terrifying part, our driver gave tailgating an almost obscene intimacy with cars followed. This practice took place at high speeds, on mountain curves, and in one case with a nearly blind curve passing maneuver despite the double center line. The same tailgating was true after sunset on the return trip. After touring with Viator on 4 continents, I can say this was the first time I felt lucky to get back alive. Yes, a tour may always be potentially uncertain, but no justification is possible for this kind of unprofessional behavior.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear guest,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry to hear that parts of the experience did not meet your expectations.
Regarding your first point, the Temple of Poseidon is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Greece, especially during July, which is peak tourist season. While we cannot control the number of visitors at the site, what we do guarantee—and clearly state in our itinerary—is a small-group experience with a maximum of 16 participants, allowing for a more comfortable journey and a personalized tour throughout the day.
Concerning the beach stop, this is an integral part of the published itinerary and is clearly mentioned before booking. Guests are free to spend their time as they wish, whether swimming or having a meal. The area offers several beach bars and restaurants, and our company does not require guests to visit any particular establishment.
Finally, regarding your comments about the driving, we take road safety extremely seriously. The route to Cape Sounion follows the Athens Riviera coastal road, not a mountainous road. It is a two-way coastal highway with one lane in each direction, so it is normal for vehicles to be travelling both ahead of and behind the tour vehicle. Following your review, we checked the vehicle’s digital tachograph and discussed the journey with the driver. Our investigation found no speeding violations or breaches of driving regulations. Nevertheless, we reminded the driver to maintain the highest possible standards of defensive driving, as passenger comfort and safety are always our highest priorities.
We genuinely appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue improving our service. We are sorry that this experience did not fully meet your expectations, and we thank you for choosing to travel with us. We wish you all the best in your future travels.
Jennie_K, Jul 2026
Our small group tour was a nice excursion to see the sunset and the Temple of Poseidon. We had time for a beach/swim and snack stop on the way to the temple. The driver was great, the Mercedes mini bus was comfortable, we each got picked up and dropped off at our desired spots and the tour guide had a lot of interesting facts for us along the way.
From $41.65
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