Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Half-Day Small-Group Tour from Athens
4.5
Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Half-Day Small-Group Tour from Athens
By Getaways Greece
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About
Unless you hire a car, visiting Cape Sounion from Athens independently means a relatively long bus journey, with multiple stops. This half-day, small-group tour provides an easy alternative, with air-conditioned minivan travel, guided commentary on the cape’s Temple of Poseidon, and ample time to admire the ruins and Aegean views. A choice of departures allows for a sunset visit, plus there’s a beach break en route as a bonus.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-120, max of 19 per group
Duration: 5–6 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Hassle-free half-day trip to Cape Sounion from Athens
- Travel in comfort by minivan with a beach stop en route
- Admire the clifftop views and Poseidon Temple with insight from a guide
- Limited to 11, with option of sunset trip
- Local taxes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tour escort/host
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
What's not included- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Entrance fees to the Temple of Poseidon (5 euros Nov-March / 10 euros April-October)per person)
- Costs of using the beach organized facilities, such as sunbeds, umbrellas etc
- Entry/Admission - Temple of Poseidon
- Select your preferred departure on booking and, after pickup from your central Athens hotel, set off along the Athens Riviera by air-conditioned minivan. Pass through Athens’ suburbs of Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, and admire the Saronic Gulf, seaside resorts, and villages as you follow the coastal roads east. During your outward or return journey (depending on selected departure), take a break beside the sea. Perhaps enjoy a light meal or drinks (own expense) or lounge or swim at a beach. If you plan to swim, bring your swimming gear. On arrival, explore the 5th-century Temple of Poseidon perched on the headland. Listen as your guide narrates its history, including how it was dedicated to the god of the sea, Poseidon, and served as a beacon for mariners. (Entry to the Temple of Poseidon is at your own expense.) Soak in the sunset over the Aegean (depending on selected departure), and take photos of the panoramas before your tour concludes with a hotel drop-off.
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.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
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 13498P2- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- 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.
- Kindly notice that the beach stop is available from May 1 to October 31. 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
- Post Covid 19 Policy: Vehicles will be sanitized before every pick up. Hand sanitizing done before departure and after every major stop. Fresh trash bag will be place in every vehicle and waste will be destroyed at the end of the tours.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- How can I let you know where to pick me up?
- 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.Answered Jul 2019
The tour operator has provided the following answers to customers’ questions.- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 13498P2
From
$62.43
per adult (price varies by group size)
Select date and travelers
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Itinerary
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- T1348REbeverlyb0 contributionsGreat way to see some of the Greek country side and Delphi.Our tour guide, Teddy, was an amazing guide on our drive to Delphi. He was knowledgeable on so many subjects. He was very polite and an energetic young man. The restaurant on our return trip couldn’t have been better, great food at a reasonable price. Effi was our tour guide for the museum and site. Very organized and friendly. We were able to see what 4 old people could see without being rushed. Great team to work with all of the way around. I was contacted the night before with the meeting place, van license number and tour guide names.Written October 10, 2024
- 91tonyu0 contributionsExcellent tour with great views!Excellent tour and detailed explanations of the historical sights! Well worth the money and great experience! We will definitely do this again!Written October 10, 2024
- lauramV9699ZX0 contributionsWonderful small group tourFirst of all, tour guides were great, especially when we were 10 minutes late for the tour (took a while to get taxi). Enjoyed the small group tour, as it didn’t take forever to get on/off the bus. Very informative on all parts. I thought going through the marketplace was a waste of time because we didn’t have time to shop, but it was handy later that day when we went back to that area for dinner (beautiful roof top restaurant with views of the acropolis. Shout out to Theo for his excellent service and taking the time to personally talk with everyone and knowing everyone’s name.Written October 9, 2024
- katyd3360 contributionsReally great tour experienceThis tour was amazing. Our guide was so knowledgeable, we learned so much and got such a deeper understanding of the Acropolis and Ancient Greece.Written October 9, 2024
- honalia0 contributionsGreat tour and great guideThis tour was fantastic. Our guide was very accommodating and knowledgeable. We hit the highlights. Learned so much about the history of democracy.Written October 8, 2024
- lauriehY7142EG0 contributionsTour company was a no showTour guide never showed for pickup at the designated meeting location. Since it was Sunday, the local tour company offices were closed so we had no way to contact the company. Trip advisor did refund our money.Written October 7, 2024
- yugrewop0 contributionsHighly recommendedWe would highly recommend this tour. Delphi is a spectacular place, and the guides (Anna? and George) were friendly, knowledgeable and experts at making a diverse group feel comfortable. Highly recommendedWritten October 5, 2024
- christellecJ5876XS0 contributionsBad experience in familya very bad family experience. The guide literally set us on the microphone because my 2-year-old son had been crying for two minutes. She told us "the baby is crying too much and all the time. It would be good if parents were aware of this and did a little more efforts to keep him quiet". Unbelievable!!! Having your baby cry is already very stressful for parents, because we are well aware that it disturbs others, but to call out to us on the microphone to yell at us because according to her we were not motivated enough to calm him down... I am speechless. What a lack of professionalism and know-how. She would have come to see at the back of the bus if we needed something and spoken to us directly to fix the situation, but to reprimand us because a two-year-old child is crying and despite our efforts he does not calm down. It is the most despicable thing you can do to parents in such a situation in my opinion. I seriously hope that this message will allow the agency to review its way of communicating and managing this kind of situation. Because such an attitude is simply unacceptable for so-called professionals. And despite what the boss may say. It was not to calm the other passengers, but rather a gratuitous, contemptuous attack aimed at the parents of a 2-year-old child.Written October 5, 2024
- JesseN49490 contributionsWhat a day!Georgia was an A+ guide. She made the trip easy, pleasant and informative. The transportation was clean and comfortable. Local guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Service was always prompt. But most of all the sites were great and we spent an appropriate amount of time at each. A great day overall and I highly recommend this trip.Written October 4, 2024
- mrschili20220 contributionsSuper tour!!We loved our tour with Viator/Getaways Greece. Our drivers Ben and Salvador are very experienced. I’m not sure how they navigate the big buses on the narrow roads. Our guides Athena and Angelica were great. They were friendly, kind and very knowledgeable. They went out of their ways to make our experience very nice! We have used Viator before and will again. We highly recommend them.Written October 2, 2024
- 12312312312350 contributionsWell worth itI was so glad we booked this tour. I got much more out of my trip to Athens than I could have myself, and the time of day meant we weren't walking in the heat.Written October 1, 2024
- LynnFor20200 contributionsWhat an unforgettable trip!The guide on the trip there was fun and knowledgeable. The tour guide at Dephi was able to tell us even more and help us make the most of our time.Written October 1, 2024
- Vickie C0 contributionsNo rushing, just positively memorable!Maria, our tour guide, was a wonderful person with so much knowledge of the Acropolis & Parthenon. Our driver, Theadore, was also so knowledgeable of Athens & its history. This was a very good & knowledge filled tour.Written September 30, 2024
- Plaquereader0 contributionsDescription underestimates travel timeToo much of the day was spent getting to and from Delphi. Traffic cannot be an excuse, it should be factored in and the travel time should be appropriately described in the advertisement, but this was not the case. The description shows a 9 hour excursion starting at 8:00 am, which means a return by 5:00 pm. But we were not back until 7:00. The possibility of the trip taking longer should be in the description.Written September 30, 2024
- Blondehistorian0 contributionsGreat tour- bring snacksTour guide was not just personable but was very knowledgeable and gave great tips on where to go during our free time. The only reason this tour is not 5 stars is due to very little time to eat and not having communion that we should bring snacks.Written September 30, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
859 reviews
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15
Mikkaau
Lake Macquarie, Australia211 contributions
Jan 2020
Whilst the Temple of Poseidon did not disappoint in any way, it was the tour organisation which was sadly lacking.
I was picked up from my hotel at the appointed time by the driver/guide and taken to a spotlessly clean small mini van. The goup was indeed small, with just myself and three others, however the seating arrangement in the van was rather odd, in that myself and another passenger were facing rearwards. This was not ideal for travel.
The first 'stop' was in a carpark behind a wire fence overlooking Lake Vouliagmeni. Rather strange as we were not taken down into the area around the lake.
The driver/guide provided a very basic commentary on enroute to Cape Sounion, where we were offloaded and told to meet back at the mini van at a set time. No real commentary or information provided on the Temple.
There was absolutely no interaction from the driver/guide on the way back to Athens.
I chose this tour because of the excellent ratings it had received, even though it was some £10 more expensive than other similar tours on offer. This was a mistake.
I would not recommend this tour to others. Look to other tour operators for a better experience.
I was picked up from my hotel at the appointed time by the driver/guide and taken to a spotlessly clean small mini van. The goup was indeed small, with just myself and three others, however the seating arrangement in the van was rather odd, in that myself and another passenger were facing rearwards. This was not ideal for travel.
The first 'stop' was in a carpark behind a wire fence overlooking Lake Vouliagmeni. Rather strange as we were not taken down into the area around the lake.
The driver/guide provided a very basic commentary on enroute to Cape Sounion, where we were offloaded and told to meet back at the mini van at a set time. No real commentary or information provided on the Temple.
There was absolutely no interaction from the driver/guide on the way back to Athens.
I chose this tour because of the excellent ratings it had received, even though it was some £10 more expensive than other similar tours on offer. This was a mistake.
I would not recommend this tour to others. Look to other tour operators for a better experience.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simonne
2 contributions
Mar 2020
We had heard that the sunset at Poseidon's Temple was one of the best in the world and it was truly breath taking. We enjoyed our tour as it was a small group and we were able to visit some of the areas outside of the city of Athens. Truly beautiful and would recommend to others if they are looking for a laid back beautiful tour.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frenchez P
Alkmaar, The Netherlands10 contributions
Super friendly guide 'G' you have to ask her about her full name, knowledgeable and connects with all age ranges. The bus ride in a minibus was very relaxed, along the coast bendy roads, looking at the sea passing by. On the site for the sunset photos, be sure to pick a spot it can be crowded around that time. The temple looked larger from a distance, but the views around the temple are certainly worth going. But you have appreciated the effort of the builders bringing all the materials to this location even today this would be a tremendous task.
Written July 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
18 contributions
The trip to Poseidon's Temple has been the highlight to my trip to Greece. Traveling the coast was absolutely beautiful and we had great weather. With a stop at Lake Vouliagmeni and another at the beach right by the temple, jumping in the water was both cool and refreshing. Our guide, Eleana, was as intelligent as she was beautiful and she gave us a great number of lessons and stories about Greek culture: God's, history, monuments, ect as well as recommendations for food, drinks, restaurants. I loved that this was a small group setting. We had people from France, Australia, the US, and were able to talk and get to know people while on the trip. The sunset portion was a little windy, but expected, and not too crowded in order to get some wonderful photos. Would absolutely recommend.
Written October 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TMC
1 contribution
Sep 2021
With all these tours the guide themselves are an essential ingredient. Theodore was enthusiastic, well informed and attentive. He kept both the adults and far more knowledgeable children engaged, sculpting a great excursion. Having a keen interest in Greek mythology helps but I would recommend this to anyone including those looking for a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of Athens.
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sailcerces
Houston, TX60 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
This was a fantastic trip. Our guide, Athina, was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area in general and Temple of Poseidon in particular. The Temple of Poseidon is incredible, and I would highly recommend the sunset tour because the sunset is stunning. The site is pure magic. The two stops on the way were very nice as well. We were not prepared to swim, but we enjoyed the little beach cafe sbd it was nice to relax in such a pretty place. I am giving five stars because the guide and the experience were both wonderful, but I would caution that if you are the last group that is picked up (we did not decide this) the back of the minivan is absolute misery. It should either not be used at all, or only used for young children or adults of smaller stature. I had my knee pressed against the side of the minivan and my foot had to be turned caddywampus because there was something permanent under the seat in front of me. It was awful. My husband is 6'4" and Athina offered him a spot near her that had more leg room, thankfully, because he would have been a lot worse off than me, at 5'6". My daughter is about my height so she shared my misery. My son is just over 6' but had the center seat so plenty of legroom. The other seats looked to have plenty of legroom so I'm sure the other passengers were quite comfortable. So before you book, might be a good idea to ask what number pick up you are.
Written June 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna G
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This tour is excellently organised- Deophne was our tour guide and she was very chatty and friendly and make the whole trip very enjoyable. The mini bus that takes you there is comfortable and the views are spectacular of the Athenian Riviera. The stories of the myths, legends and origins of Athens that Deophne tells made the 1.5 hour journey to the temple very entertaining. You stop off at a lake, a view point of the temple from afar and then at a beach where you can pay €40 for two sun beds and access to the beach bar (which we did but you don’t need to do this and probably isn’t worth doing as your are there for just over an hour!) which was a gorgeous beach. The temple itself is absolutely amazing and breaktaking view over the whole cape. We did it at sunset which I would also highly recommend as it was a beautiful sunset. Would definitely recommend this trip- just don’t pay the €40 for two sun beds maybe!
Written August 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pardeep R
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Friends
My sister and I went on the Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon this morning, and thoroughly recommend it for anyone visiting Athens. Fortunately for us the weather was the best it had been since I arrived late last week, so many of the views on the tour were incredible; what added to these magnificent views was our tour guide Garyfallia's knowledge and delivery of the tour. Garyfallia is personable and extremely erudite and shows endearing (and contagious) passion on a number of subjects relating to the tour, Athens, and Greek myths, history and culture.
We highly recommend going on this tour, and strongly suggest going as early as possible in your visit to Athens to enhance your visit to the fulllest with her infections injections of knowledge, passion, tips and recommendations
Efcharistó poly!
Pardeep and Nina
We highly recommend going on this tour, and strongly suggest going as early as possible in your visit to Athens to enhance your visit to the fulllest with her infections injections of knowledge, passion, tips and recommendations
Efcharistó poly!
Pardeep and Nina
Written October 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathryn R
Mons, Belgium37 contributions
If I could give this company/tour 10 stars I’d give it 11. The tour guide, Gary, was an archeologist and very knowledgeable. My young daughter also found her very funny. The driver, Alex, was also very friendly and helpful.
The tour itself was beautiful and was the best temple we saw while here. Seeing it at sunset was an especially special treat. It was cloudy when we first got there but the sun peaked out just in time to give us some amazing photos. My teen son also loved it very much (and you know how hard it is to please teens sometimes).
Also the van was very comfortable and had usb ports for charging phones which was incredibly helpful and they also provided us all with water. Getting to know others from all over in a small intimate setting was fun too!
I forgot my wallet in the van and luckily realized it immediately and he brought it right back to me and told me not to worry after I apologized profusely. Even when I called the company to tell them I had forgotten my wallet they immediately called the driver and were very helpful.
The tour itself was beautiful and was the best temple we saw while here. Seeing it at sunset was an especially special treat. It was cloudy when we first got there but the sun peaked out just in time to give us some amazing photos. My teen son also loved it very much (and you know how hard it is to please teens sometimes).
Also the van was very comfortable and had usb ports for charging phones which was incredibly helpful and they also provided us all with water. Getting to know others from all over in a small intimate setting was fun too!
I forgot my wallet in the van and luckily realized it immediately and he brought it right back to me and told me not to worry after I apologized profusely. Even when I called the company to tell them I had forgotten my wallet they immediately called the driver and were very helpful.
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deano1975
London, UK34 contributions
Friendly bus tour to Cape Sounio to see the sunset.
The concept is simple; you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the Cape. There are no extras so bring drinks and snacks if you need them. There is a stop mid way either at Lake Vougliameni or Sounio Beach depending on the time of year and weather.
What makes this enjoyable is the great tour guide who shares some Greek mythology and stories of Greek history. The drive was fun and relaxed and we enjoyed the atmosphere very much. Our guide was Gari and she was absolutely marvellous!
The cape is beautiful and watching the sunset over the Temple of Poseidon is magical. Definitely worth a trip from Athens as it is stunning.
The concept is simple; you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the Cape. There are no extras so bring drinks and snacks if you need them. There is a stop mid way either at Lake Vougliameni or Sounio Beach depending on the time of year and weather.
What makes this enjoyable is the great tour guide who shares some Greek mythology and stories of Greek history. The drive was fun and relaxed and we enjoyed the atmosphere very much. Our guide was Gari and she was absolutely marvellous!
The cape is beautiful and watching the sunset over the Temple of Poseidon is magical. Definitely worth a trip from Athens as it is stunning.
Written November 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trista
Chalandri, Greece
Hi wondering if not living in the center of Athens, then would it be possible to still have the pick up service? (Car 20min away from the center)
Written March 8, 2024
I don’t know for sure, but I doubt they offer a pickup service for a location that far away. I agree with the other answers that you should contact the company directly. However, another option, if possible, would be to drive to a suburban metro station and then take that into the city. The actual departure location is very near the Syntagma metro station.
Written March 10, 2024
I’m concerned that the tour doesn’t pick up from our hotel - I’ve seen advise to contact the tour company, but how? I can’t find a way to message directly? Thanks!
Written February 12, 2023
If you simply message the tour and request pickup (through trip advisor), they will communicate & be able to pick u up at your hotel assuming your staying in central Athens. That is how we dealt with it, and they communicated that they would, and the time with us & picked us up at our hotel too. It was smooth!
Written February 13, 2023
Hi, if we would like to spend the morning at Lake Vouliagmeni would it be possible to be picked up from there during the tour stop off to join for the sunset tour?
Written July 31, 2022
If I were you, I would get in touch with the Viator help center. That’s the tour operator we bought this particular tour. They are quite helpful and are available round the clock.
As for me, we were picked up and dropped off at the entrance of our hotel. The tour operator will tell you if it is possible to be picked up somewhere else.
Written August 1, 2022
What are the hotel options for pick up? I'm staying West of the hill off the Acropolis. Looking for the closest pickup/drop off location.
Written June 28, 2022
If your hotel is central, you can probably easily walk to a pick-up. And try messaging them
Written July 20, 2022
What is the name of the company that offers this tour?
Written February 28, 2022
Hola buenas tardes !..... ya está aceptando turismo Grecia ? Queremos ir en dos semanas ..... tenemos pasaporte estadounidense
Written December 1, 2020
John
Columbus, Ohio
We are planning on this tour during the first week of November. Sunset is, on average, around 18:00-18:30 (6:00-6:30) during this week. Would the 16:30 (4:30) departure time be the best option for full sunset viewing? Thank you in advanace for your assistance.
Written July 4, 2020
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