Cape Sounion
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+30 210 331 0392 (Tourist Info)NileGuide Expert tip:
The café "Naos" (Greek for "Temple") offers great coffee, but for food continue onto nearby Lavrio with its excellent fish tavernas.Description:
The temple of Poseidon is believed to have been executed very close to the time of the Acropolis. Some say that the destination was chosen by the stars and has a special energy similar to the Acropolis. None can argue that it served as an excellent fortress for controlling all who passed on the Aegean, necessary to guard the all important port of Lavrio, home to the silver mines responsible for the wealth of Ancient Athens.Now it's a romantic ruin set just at the edge of the cape providing a storybook landscape, especially at sunset. Look for the place where Lord Byron left his initials on one of the the far, square columns closest to the ledge, but don't follow in his footsteps. There's no evidence his premature death wasn't actually a curse from the sea-god, known for his foul temper.
An express KTEL bus departs every hour from Egyptou Square and stops at Filellinon Street near Syntagma Square. Alternatively you could book a taxi and arrange for stops along the way. The trip from the center of Athens to the temple is an hour without traffic, so you could add in the swanky shops of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni Lake or any of the award winning beaches of the Apollo coasts that lie between.
Extra Tip: During the off season, the site is free on Sundays.
Other days of free admission:
The last weekend of September
March 6th in honor of Melina Mercouri
June 5th, International Environment Day
April 18th, International Monuments Day
May 18th for International Museums Day
And the first Sunday of each month between March and June.
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