If you’re searching for how to get to the famous temple of Poseidon in Sounio, I’ll be your guide. By car it’s easy. Going by bus is where it gets complicated. It took a few searches and phone calls until I found where to take the bus from.
Getting there by bus
The bus company that goes to Sounio is called Ktel Attikis , and the bus leaves from the area called Pedion Areos in Athens. It’s not a central station but a bus stop north of the center. When you arrive, check the buses and see which one goes to Sounio. I also ask the drivers just to be entirely sure. The ticket is below 10 EUR, and the ride takes around 2 hours. The bus can be taken from other stops, as mentioned on the Ktel Attikis website, but there is no clear timetable for each stop. I like to play it safe and take the bus from the main departure point. Have cash with you. Payment with the card is not possible.
There are only two routes to Sounio, a bus at 10:30 and another one at 14:30. To return to Athens, there is a bus at 13:45, and the last bus is at 17:30. The downside of traveling by bus is that you can’t get to see the sunset. However, the area is a perfect spot for memorable evenings.
Temple of Poseidon
Once you leave Athens, the view gets better and better as you’ll be taken along the west coast. The drive is friendly and pleasant, and you won’t feel the time. The last stop of the bus is right by the entrance to the site. There you can find toilets free of charge and a coffee shop. To enter the Temple of Poseidon, you must pay a 10 EUR ticket, and you can stay as long as you wish.
What is left of the temple is one big structure and some rocks here and there. Its position is impressive as it’s been built on a hill offering a spectacular full-circle view. Of course, the main attraction is the temple, but around it, there are several paths to explore. It’s a serene and calm area.
After you’re done exploring the site, you can go to the beach. The walk takes only 10 min. I almost lost the last bus because I fell asleep on the beach. Honestly, I don’t even know how I made it. I started to run like crazy uphill through the bushes and rocky ground and stopped the bus in its tracks. When the driver opened the door, I couldn’t even speak to say that I had a ticket and I wanted to get on the bus. The time window of the bus is short and if you want to also enjoy the beach don’t spend all day at the temple taking pictures as I did.
This was a well-spent day. I hope you found this useful and that you now know how to get to the famous Temple of Poseidon in Sounio. Next, check out the amazing Palm forest in Crete.