Cape Sounion Sunset Point

At the southern tip of the Attica Peninsula, where the Greek mainland ends and the Aegean Sea opens, the cape of Sounion is one of the most sought-after sunset spots in the country, and Cape Sounion Sunset Point is how many travellers know it. The Temple of Poseidon stands on a cliff about sixty metres above the water, and the setting sun turns its marble columns gold and then rose against the sky. People have been coming here for the view for generations, and the temple was a landmark for sailors long before that.

The temple is Doric and was built around 444 BC, in the age of Pericles, as part of the same building programme that produced the Parthenon. The marble came from the nearby quarries at Agrileza, and today fifteen columns remain standing from the original thirty-four. The headland was a sacred place earlier still: Sounion is mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey, where the helmsman of Menelaus dies here on the voyage home from Troy. The most famous piece of graffiti is the name of Lord Byron, carved into one of the columns in the nineteenth century, and visible today, though visitors are no longer allowed to add their own.

Visitors have two ways to enjoy sunset. Inside the archaeological site, you can walk around the temple, view the columns up close and see the sea from the cliff edge, though the site closes around sunset. Outside it, the coastal road and a series of small viewpoints and cafes near the entrance give a good view of the temple silhouette without a ticket. Many people arrive early, explore the ruins and then watch from the road or from the beach below.

The drive from Athens follows the Saronic coast for about seventy kilometres, taking one to two hours depending on traffic, and the road along the coast is itself scenic, with bays and beaches. Summer is hot and dry, with strong winds, so bring water, sun protection and a layer for the evening. The approach to the temple is exposed and uneven, and the site is small but takes time to appreciate.

The nearby Temple of Athena Sounia and the ancient fortifications make a good addition, and there are tavernas in the nearby village and beach where you can eat while the sky darkens.