Are there any special days when the Temple of Poseidon is closed early?

Yes, the Temple of Poseidon is closed to visitors on New Year’s, Easter Sunday, 25th March, 7th May, 25th, and 26th December.

Can I visit the Temple of Poseidon at night?

No, the Temple of Poseidon closes around 6:30pm on most days of the year. You cannot explore the temple premises at night.

When is the Temple of Poseidon closed?

The Temple of Poseidon closes at 6:30pm on most days of the year. Only during Good Friday, the temple closes at 5pm and on Holy Saturday, it closes at 3:30pm. Poseidon’s Temple remains closed on public holidays like New Year’s, Easter Sunday, 25th March, 7th May, 25th, and 26th December.

Do the opening hours of the Temple of Poseidon vary by season or during holidays?

While on most days of the year, the Temple of Poseidon opens at 9:30am and closes at 6:30pm, its hours may vary by season. Between June to August, as the days are longer, the sun sets much later, hence, the temple is open until 7pm on most days. On Good Friday, the temple opens at 12pm and closes at 5pm. And, on Holy Saturday, the temple is open from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Poseidon’s Temple remains closed on public holidays like New Year’s, Easter Sunday, 25th March, 7th May, 25th, and 26th December.

Is the Temple of Poseidon closed on weekends?

No, the Temple of Poseidon remains open on weekends but closed on public holidays. The temple premises are closed to visitors on New Year’s, 25th March, Easter Sunday, 7th May, 25th, and 26th December.

How long does a visit to the Temple of Poseidon take?

Athens is around 77km away from <link linkType="custom" newTab="true" url="https://www.templeofposeidon-tours.com/plan-your-visit/" id="lvVi9c9M" shortCodeType="link" text="Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon" />. You need at least 4 hours to visit Poseidon’s Temple from Athens. It will take you around 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the site, depending on whether you are traveling by car or KETL buses. Upon arrival, you need at least 30 to 45 minutes to explore the temple ruins. Then, you can spend around an hour exploring the nearby Temple of Athena Sounias and Sounio Beach.

Temple of Poseidon Opening Hours | Best Time to Visit Sounion

Temple of Poseidon

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
Monday	09:00–18:30	18:10
Tuesday	09:00–18:30	18:10
Wednesday	09:00–18:30	18:10
Thursday	09:00–18:30	18:10
Friday	09:00–18:30	18:10
Saturday (Today)	09:00–18:30	18:10
Sunday	09:00–18:30	18:10

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.

Book your Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon tickets

From Athens: Temple of Poseidon & Cape Sounion Half-Day Trip

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From Athens: Temple of Poseidon & Lake Vouliagmeni Swimming Day Trip

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Combo (Save 10%): Temple of Poseidon Sunset Half-Day Trip + Acropolis & Parthenon Tickets

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Combo: Temple of Poseidon Sunset Half-Day Trip + 2-Day Athens Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

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Best time to visit the Temple of Poseidon

Weekday vs Weekend

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

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 see across the Aegean Sea and watch the islands of the Saronic Gulf. After exploring the temple ruins, if you have a few hours to spare before sunset, explore the nearby Temple of Athena Sounias or head to 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.