Sounion

Sounion is a cape on the southern tip of the Attica peninsula in Greece, about 70 kilometers southeast of Athens. It forms the southern boundary of the Attica coast and overlooks the Aegean Sea, with clear views toward the Cyclades on good days.

The principal archaeological feature at Sounion is the Temple of Poseidon, a classical-era temple perched on a cliff roughly 60 meters above the sea. The temple was constructed in the mid-5th century BCE, during the Periclean period, as a sanctuary to Poseidon, god of the sea, and as a navigational landmark for sailors entering the Athenian region. Today only portions of the peristyle and the foundations remain, but the site is recognized as an example of Ionic architecture and classical Greek temple construction. Its coastal location underscored its function as a maritime symbol and protection for seafarers.

In Greek legend, Cape Sounion is associated with King Aegeus, who, according to tradition, threw himself into the sea at the cape when Theseus failed to return from Crete, an event linked to the naming of the Aegean Sea.

In modern times, Sounion is a popular day trip from Athens. Access is by road along the coast, and visitors are treated to expansive sea views, especially at sunset. The surrounding area includes a small village, beaches, and pine-covered slopes that form part of the broader Attica landscape.