Meet the Gods in Sounion (May 2025 timetable/price update)

  Having a break in the heart of the land where the democracy, philosophy and many more amazing inventions come from? Good! You wont even have to look hard as art will surround you in every single corner in Athens, and not only because Acropolis is visible from every edge of the city. Even that the unique combination of religion and literature, known as a Greek mythology, is not estrange to most of us, you will definitely leave this country with much greater knowledge about the ancient culture, history and art. But apart from the capital there is one more thing to discover. It is one of the most stunning monuments in the world, build on a high hill by Aegean cost. The location makes it definitely as a must see place, and the ruins remain in a really great condition. So here we go.

Athens-Sounion

  Bus towards Sounion leaves from the Pedion Areos Park bus terminal near the National Archaeological Museum. It is located close to the entrance of the park. Transport, as the direct one, should have a label with Sounion name on the front, so you really shouldn’t miss it. My hotel was very close, so I just walked there, but it is accessible by bus, metro, tram or taxi of course. Please note that during 2017 the Athens transport ticket system will transition from paper tickets to modern electronic tickets with the use of plastic smart cards (similar to London’s Oyster cards), so please recheck before for updates on transport in this capital. Distance to Sounion is 70 km long, so it takes around 1.5-2 hours. Great news is that almost the whole way there, you will be able to view the charming Aegean Sea, as the road lays very close to the beautiful coast line of Greece.

Operator: KTEL Attikis Ticket Price: Approximately €4–€7 per one-way journey Journey Duration: Around 2 hours

During the summer season (from May 1st to August 31st, 2025), the local service now runs twice daily. For example:

Additional Notes:

• The bus departs from the Athens KTEL Attikis station (commonly located near the Pedion Areos Park area).
• Off-season schedules might be less frequent, so it’s always best to verify times on the official KTEL Attikis website or trusted aggregators (like Rome2Rio) prior to your journey.
• Prices reflect current rates for 2025 and may vary slightly depending on the day or any seasonal adjustments.

Here’s how you can buy your bus ticket for the Athens–Cape Sounion route in 2025:

1. Online Purchase: KTEL Attikis has rolled out an electronic ticketing system, so you can buy your ticket in advance on their official website. Additionally, trusted travel aggregators like Rome2rio and Viator offer booking options for this journey. These online systems let you pay by card and receive a digital ticket, which can simplify the boarding process.
2. Bus Terminal Kiosks: If you prefer buying your ticket in person, you can head to the Pedion Areos bus terminal in Athens. There, you’ll find kiosks or ticket vending machines installed by KTEL Attikis. This option is perfect if you decide to purchase at the last minute or if you’re not comfortable booking online.
3. Onboard Purchase: In some cases, a ticket vendor might come onboard to sell tickets. However, note that this vendor isn’t the driver and often has limited card acceptance, so it’s wise to have some cash handy. That said, given the shift to electronic ticketing, onboard purchases are becoming less common in 2025.

Please carefully check a proper timetable here, as during the summer holiday bus leaves every hour, otherwise every 2 h. I, as always, did not check it properly, so I`ve had to wait  an hour. I took this opportunity to walk around the park. Not really my recommendation as its full of junkies.

  I arrived quiet early, around 12.00. I think it is too soon if you are planning on staying till sunset. Journey terminates at the top of the hill, so you wont have to hike much to the monument. My goal was, of course, to watch the sunset, so I`ve had some spare time to look around. At the top you can find a restaurant and bar where you can have a hot meal, drink or coffee. Apart from that there is a beautiful coast line to look at too. I did go down to sit on the beach for a little while by the crystal clear water, but quickly run away after a completely naked Greek came towards me to chat. Around 14.00 I entered the Temple of Poseidon side.

The entrance fee is just 4 Euros (2015), and it is open till the sun will disappear in to the waters of Aegean Sea. I visited the place in January, so the staff closed the passage around 16.30. As you can imagine, the Temple is the main point of interest, but there is a route around the hill with some other remains of the ancient structures. So go and have a look! You will find sits there as well to have a rest in a stunning spot. That`s what I did. I sat alone for few minutes to watch epic scenery, when a cute turtle kindly decided to accompany me, so we watched the panorama together. The view from there is truly stunning and makes you understand why Greeks has chosen this place to cherish one of most important god in their ancient religion. Magic dusk light at sunset makes this place to look very special with the magnificent panorama of Aegean Sea that surround the cliff. When the spectacular sunset will finish, you have to leave as the side is just about to close down. As far as I remember, the return bus departs at 18.00 and is stopping at the same place from where it left in Athens. So really, it is an outstanding one day, or half day city break trip. As you see the cost is not high, and I know that some agencies will charge you around 100 Euros, so why not to do it yourself. Also, if it’s a summer time, why not to go there early in the morning. I have spotted a very beautiful sandy beach close by, where you could swim or just relax before going to see the temple. If you haven’t got much time in the Athens, you could also add Acropolis area to your day in the evening. Trust me, it is absolutely remarkable at night!