National park · Greece
Sounio National ParkΕθνικό Πάρκο Σούνιο
Visit Sounio for a half‑day: take the bus from Athens (€5‑6), walk the short trail to the Temple of Poseidon (entry €6), enjoy sunset before 21:00, or add the coastal hike to the Athena temple (≈2 km (1.2 mi)) in cooler months.Visit Sounio for a half‑day: take the bus from Athens (€5‑6), walk the short trail to the Temple of Poseidon (entry €6), enjoy sunset before 9:00 PM, or add the coastal hike to the Athena temple (≈2 km (1.2 mi)) in cooler months.Visit Sounio for a half‑day: take the bus from Athens (€5‑6), walk the short trail to the Temple of Poseidon (entry €6), enjoy sunset before 21:00, or add the coastal hike to the Athena temple (≈1.2 mi (2 km)) in cooler months.Visit Sounio for a half‑day: take the bus from Athens (€5‑6), walk the short trail to the Temple of Poseidon (entry €6), enjoy sunset before 9:00 PM, or add the coastal hike to the Athena temple (≈1.2 mi (2 km)) in cooler months.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1900
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Greece ↗Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Greece ↗Taking stones, pottery or other objects from archaeological sites is illegal; so is exporting antiquities without a permit.
- Greece ↗Do not photograph military sites or border zones; signs mark them.
- Greece ↗Acropolis tickets are sold for one-hour entry slots on the official Hellenic Heritage site (hhticket.gr); in peak season slots sell out days ahead, and you cannot enter outside your hour.
- Greece ↗Businesses must give a receipt (apodeixi) for every sale; ask for one, and do not accept a handwritten note in place of it.
At a glance
- Country
- Greece
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Park covers the cape and immediate archaeological zone; exact size not published (check).
- Established
- 1900
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Athens
Sounio National Park protects the historic cape at the southern tip of Attica, featuring the Temple of Poseidon, a short coastal trail to the Athena temple ruins, and ancient fortress remains, all offering sea views and sunset scenery.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1900.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1900
Park covers the cape and immediate archaeological zone; exact size not published (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Athens.
Why go
- Temple of Poseidon with sea views and famous sunset.
- Coastal trail linking Poseidon and Athena temples.
- Ancient fortress ruins on the cape.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanMild, fewer tourists.
- FebCool, clear days.
- MarSpring, pleasant weather.
- AprWarm, low rain.
- MayIdeal for walking.
- JunHeat rises, crowds increase.
- JulHot, occasional thunderstorms.
- AugPeak heat, occasional rain.
- SepCooler, great sunset.
- OctMild, fewer visitors.
- NovCool, occasional rain.
- DecMild, festive atmosphere.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean seabirds (gulls, cormorants)Mar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Temple of Poseidon area | Main monument, visitor centre, sunset viewpoint. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Coastal trail | Path linking Poseidon and Athena temples, cliffs and sea views. | Free, open year‑round. |
| Ancient fortress | Ruins on the cape, short loop from the main trail. | Free, open year‑round. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate positions of main sights.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple of Poseidon entry | EUR 6 (≈ US$7) | person | Includes access to the temple area. |
| Bus ticket Athens‑Sounio | EUR 5–6 (≈ US$6–7) | person | One‑way, hourly service. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- €6≈ US$7
- €5–6≈ US$6–7
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited throughout the park.
- Climbing
- Do not climb on the temple or fortress walls.
Where to stay
Near the park
Grecotel Cape Sounio
Bungalows with private pools, 5‑star, 69 km (43 mi) from Athens centre.Bungalows with private pools, 5‑star, 43 mi (69 km) from Athens centre.
Safety
Heat medium
Slippery stones low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main temple area reachable by car; short steps at the entrance.
- Coastal trail has uneven ground; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths to protect archaeological remains.
- Use reusable water bottles; no single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sounio?
Entry to the Temple of Poseidon is €6 per adult; the bus from Athens costs about €5‑6 one‑way.
What are the best hikes in Sounio?
The short coastal trail between Poseidon and Athena temples (≈2 km, moderate) and the loop to the ancient fortress are the main walks.
When is the best time to visit Sounio?
Spring (Mar–May) and early autumn (Sep–Oct) give mild weather and clear sunsets with fewer crowds.
Is there parking at the site?
A small paid car park is available near the temple entrance; spaces fill quickly at sunset.
Can I bring a picnic?
Yes, but only in the designated picnic area away from the monument; no open fires.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Sounio National Park
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