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What are the Temple of Poseidon's opening hours?

Today

Open 09:00–18:30

Last Admission

18:10

Temple of Poseidon

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The Temple of Poseidon is open from 9:30am until sunset hours throughout the year.

Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings

Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday09:00–18:3018:10
Tuesday (Today)09:00–18:3018:10
Wednesday09:00–18:3018:10
Thursday09:00–18:3018:10
Friday09:00–18:3018:10
Saturday09:00–18:3018:10
Sunday09:00–18:3018:10
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  • Due to longer days, the Temple of Poseidon is open until 6:30pm or 7pm on some summer days.
  • The site is closed on New Year's, 25th March, 7th May, Easter Sunday, 25th, and 26th December.
  • The site is open from 12pm to 5pm on Good Friday and between 9:30am and 3:30pm on Holy Saturday.
  • You can step inside the temple for free on 6th March, 18th April, 18th May, European Heritage days, usually on the last weekend of September, and on 28th October.

Best time to visit the Temple of Poseidon

Weekday vs Weekend

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  • Weekends: Weekends, particularly in the summer, between June to August, sees a surge of Athenians as well as tourists. Most restaurants and cafes around Cape Sounion are also crowded with visitors. Parking spaces are limited. As you approach the site, you will be greeted with a long line of cars at the foot of the cliff. The weekend rush is slightly more manageable in the shoulder seasons.
  • Weekdays: Weekdays are comparatively less crowded than weekends. In the late afternoon, near sunset hours, expect more visitors to flock around the site. However, the site is spacious, so you can steal away a few quiet moments for yourself.

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Pleasant
Crowded
Very Crowded
Closed

Peak season vs low season

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  • Peak season (June to August): The temperatures are warm and ideal for beach activities. However, there is a huge crowd of tourists, leading to a surge in restaurant prices.
  • Mid-season (March to May, September to October): The temperatures are pleasant and ideal for long, scenic walks by the Sounio beach. Around this time, the summer rush has thinned out, and the crowds are manageable.
  • Low season (November to February): Very few tourists visit the site during these months. The windy cliffs can turn very chilly around sunset.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Off Season
Moderate Season
Peak Season

How long should I spend at the Temple of Poseidon and Cape Sounion?

The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion is situated on top of a cliff on the southernmost tip of the Attica. It is around 77km away from Athens. It is best to reserve a day when traveling to Cape Sounion from Athens.

Whether you opt for private transfers or travel on public KETL buses, you need at least 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the site. The walk up the hill, from the entrance to the temple ruins is uneven and steep. It will take you around 30 minutes to hike up the hill. Keep aside another 30 minutes to marvel at the temple columns.

The main highlight of traveling to Cape Sounion is the sunset views from the clifftop. If the skies are clear, you can enjoy sweeping views across the Aegean Sea and watch the islands of the Saronic Gulf. Hence, sunset tours to the Temple of Poseidon are especially popular and are considered one of the best ways to experience the site. After exploring the temple ruins, if you have a few hours to spare before sunset, you can visit the nearby Temple of Athena Sounias or relax at Sounio Beach.

Return to the temple site a while before 6:30pm and choose a comfortable spot. The setting sun rays illuminate the sleek temple columns and shine upon the Aegean Sea. The view is almost like a postcard come alive. Capture as many pictures as you want and head back to Athens.

​Most convenient ways to get to Cape Sounion from Athens

Frequently asked questions about the Temple of Poseidon's opening hours

The Temple of Poseidon is open from 9:30am to 6:30pm on most days of the year. During the summer months, between June to August, the days are longer, so the temple may be open until 7pm on some days. On Good Friday, Poseidon’s Temple is open from 12pm to 5pm and on Holy Saturday, it is open from 9:30am to 3:30pm.