Cape Sounion is considered one of the most poetic places in Greece. The Aegean Sea gently washes the rocky slopes that keep the secrets of age-old myths and legends. Sounion is the southernmost point of Attica and its true pearl. If you dream of visiting Greece, Alf tour operator will easily help you make it happen.
What is Sounion famous for? Why do so many tourists want to come here when traveling through Greece? It was from here that the Athenian king Aegeus every day saw the ship of his son Theseus, who went to battle with the terrible Minotaur.
He promised his father: if he wins, he will return on a ship with white sails, if not, then the ship will be with black sails. The victory over the monster blinded Theseus, and he forgot to change the sails to white. Seeing the black color, Aegeus jumped from the highest point of Sounion out of grief. Later, temples appeared on this place.
At the highest point of the cape is the Temple of Poseidon, which was built around 440 BC. In historical references, it is noted that he was active until the 1st century AD. In the period of prosperity (V-II BC), the biggest holidays were held here.
To this day, many columns, the remains of a marble frieze with the scenes of myths depicted on it have been preserved. By the way, Lord Byron left his signature on one of the columns in 1810 during his tour of Europe, which tourists can see with their own eyes.
400 meters northeast of the temple of Poseidon in the 5th century. B.C. the temple of the goddess of wisdom - Athena Sunia was built. Unfortunately, only the foundation, part of the column and the rest of the roof remain today. It is interesting that due to a mistake made by the ancient Greek writer Pausanias in his "Description of Hellas", the temple of Poseidon was for a certain time considered the sanctuary of Athena.
A well-organized Greece bus tour is a great way to explore all the amazing places from Athens to Sounion. It is designed for a small number of days, but each of them can be found in a new city. The cost of the program includes travel, accommodation in hotels, meals, basic excursions and medical insurance.
What else attracts tourists are beaches and an incredible crystal clear sea. Driving to Cape Sounion, tourists will meet many cozy hotels, villas, picturesque beaches with sunbeds and tents, admire small uninhabited islands and peninsulas, and visit a unique thermal salt lake.
Greece, Sounion: amazing moments on the mysterious peninsula
They often go to Sounion to see the sun off. The view from the cape is breathtaking. And the legend says that even the most secret wish, which is made at the foot of the temple of Poseidon at sunset, will surely come true.
On the way to the temple, you must stop at the Vouliagmeni thermal salt lake. According to legends, this is where the goddess Athena liked to rest. Here, in Vouliagmen, besides the clean sandy beaches, tourists are attracted by the opportunity to improve the body.
Why you should visit this unique radon lake:
There are two main versions of the lake's origin. According to the first, Vouliagmeni is a volcano crater, and according to the other, it is part of a cave that collapsed under the influence of time and natural factors. The bottom of the thermal lake has not yet been fully explored. The tangled underground caves do not allow you to freely reach the very bottom. However, archaeologists managed to find evidence of the presence of ancient people around 3000 BC on the territory of the lake.
If you want to visit Sounion, Greece is waiting for you. Tour operator "Alf" offers to organize the vacation of your dreams for you. Let's explore the mysterious Greece together!
