I'd like to go to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion,. there are many half day tours, however I would like to make it a full day and maybe even spend the night along the coast. Is it realistic to drive on our own from Athens and stop at Lake Vouliagmeni, and actually go to into the lake, visit the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, stop at a beach along the way and end with visiting the Poseidon Temple and watching sunset from there and either driving back that night or spend the night along the coast and make our way back to Athens after breakfast?
Posted by
France Southwest
3284 posts
Sorry, but unlike Jovana92, I have nothing to sell or promote, and AI doesn't write my answers..
Yes, it's easily doable by car.
Starting from Syggrou Avenue, where all the car rental agencies are located, it's a 10-minute drive down the avenue to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. I don't know if there's a dedicated parking lot, we always go by bus, but there are plenty of parking spaces on the streets around the park.
After the SNFCC, you can follow the coastal road towards the lake. I should warn you that the first part of the road is particularly ugly since it's the largest construction site in Europe. They're building an entire city (Ellinikon) on the site of the old Athens airport. You'll be driving on a kind of highway as you go through this gigantic construction site.
If you think Lake Vouliagmeni is the place for you, go for it. For me, it's more of a tourist trap for Instagrammers. And there's an entrance fee (starting at €17).
There are a few public (and free) beaches on the way to Cape Sounion. You'll also see quite a few holiday resorts from the road, rather luxurious ones, more or less hidden behind high walls with access guarded by security services.
In short, if you prefer nature, you'll want to keep going.
There are a few tourist hotels near the Temple of Poseidon. The kind we never go to. So it's up to you.
If you prefer a more "local" vibe, head to the port of Lavrio, a 15-minute drive away, where you'll find plenty of interesting restaurants.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cjFaoc7fQsVb6Tx27
Whether you're staying overnight or not, on your way back you can stop at the medieval Kaisariani Monastery, a haven of peace surrounded by nature, with a splendid view of Athens on a clear day.
The monastery is a 15-minute drive from the center of Athens.
Posted by
OP
San Martín California
64 posts
Hello again JoLui
Thanks for the advice and we'll definitely just do a scenic drive with a few stops on the way down and go past the cape to the small port town for dinner. Seems like a nice day trip and no need for a hotel.
I was aghast when I saw the other reply from the bot. But I guess that's how it goes these days. The funny thing is Bots are always recognizable😉
Posted by
France Southwest
3284 posts
The great thing about bots and AI is that they're always very enthusiastic, no matter what you ask them. :)
NOTE: If you're going to the SNFCC from downtown via the four-lane Siggrou Avenue, you'll have to turn onto the side street just before the SNFCC, because there are no more exits after that.
You need to take the side street (the one the Google Street View car drives on) at the spot where the glass building is located , or before if you want.
The GPS should guide you correctly... but you never know.