Reported and photographed by Li Ziyi, HowToTrip
Basked in the gentle Greek breeze and embraced by the sun’s warmth, I woke up early and headed to Cape Sounion (Sounio), south of Athens, to admire the Temple of Poseidon perched atop the cliffs, taking in what can only be described as a “divine view”—more priceless than any cityscape at night.

▲ Located on Cape Sounion, the Temple of Poseidon is one of the best spots on the Greek mainland to watch the sunset. It stands alone on the cliffs, surrounded by sea on three sides. (Photo / Li Ziyi, same below)
It’s said that wherever the Greeks built a temple, the scenery is never disappointing—the views here are absolutely spectacular. The drive from central Athens to Cape Sounion takes about an hour. A ticket costs €8, roughly NT$270. Just a few steps up from the parking lot, you’ll find a seaside café and souvenir shop. Many visitors choose to admire the distant view of the cliffside temple here, snapping photos of the sea meeting the sky, before heading up a few more minutes to get a closer look at the Temple of Poseidon.

▲ Right after getting out of the car, I spotted an agave plant—my first thought was that it was some giant succulent I’d never seen before.
On the way from the parking lot toward the temple, I was greeted by a gift from the sea god: a huge succulent plant. Someone pointed out that it was none other than the famous agave. A short climb uphill brings you to the Temple of Poseidon—an easy distance suitable for all ages, and the path is quite walkable.

▲ %Record%? I saw an old man and a young boy taking photos with the sea in the background. There are also viewpoints where you can enjoy the scenery.

The Temple of Poseidon was built to honor the sea god Poseidon. Its earliest construction dates back to the 6th century BC, but the temple was destroyed during wartime before it could be completed—a truly fated structure. It wasn’t until the 5th century BC that the Athenians rebuilt it using white marble. Over time, it suffered from natural disasters and human conflict, leaving only 16 surviving marble columns today, standing silently alongside the sound of the sea, quietly telling its historical tales.

▲ %Drive% just a few minutes to reach the temple and enjoy the sea breeze.


▲ From the Temple of Poseidon, you can enjoy not only the breathtaking three-sided sea views but also spot the seaside café and souvenir shop below.
Arriving at Cape Sounion around 11 a.m. on a weekday, there weren’t many tourists—quite a contrast to the bustling crowds at the Parthenon. The sea breeze felt incredibly refreshing, though the sun was strong and the weather was perfect, giving me the feeling that the scenery would be absolutely mesmerizing. Walking up the path, it took just a few minutes to reach the Temple of Poseidon. The temple stands alone, peacefully accompanied by the blue sky, white clouds, and deep blue sea. The view is so stunning that it’s said to be the best sunset spot on the Greek mainland. Many poets have loved writing here, and even the poet Byron once left his inscription at the temple—the scenery is so beautiful it even captivated Byron.

▲ After visiting the Temple of Poseidon, consider stopping by the seaside café below for a refreshing drink while enjoying the view.
After a quick tour of the temple, you can head back down to the seaside café, order a €3 cola, cool off in the sea breeze, and sip your drink while admiring the Aegean Sea view. It’s a leisurely experience full of Greek charm.
Temple of Poseidon
Opening Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM until sunset (Closed on 1/1, 3/25, Easter, 12/25, 12/26)
Ticket: €8
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