visiting the Temple of Posiedon and Sounion by the late KTEL bus

The KTEL Attikis bus station in Athens for trips to Cape Sounion is located here, not far from Pedion tou Areos Park:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/SLBkL2mYYhir4tAv7

It is one block away from Victoria metro station (on the Green Line), which you can take from Monastiraki station (towards Kifissia) if you happen to be in that area.

I have never taken this specific bus, but it is likely orange and white, like all other KTEL buses. You can check this when you get there.

We didn't wait for sunset when we visited Cape Sounion, we drove there in our own car, but I assume the bus schedules are timed so you can watch the sunset while visiting the Temple of Poseidon. Just make sure to keep an eye on the time so you don't miss the return bus (and, of course, check the time of the sunset).

And be sure to check the actual timetables posted at the bus station, don't rely 100% on the website.

Thank you! I see Pl. Egiptou on the map (in English) but the English version also has a place called Egiptou Square about three blocks south. There is a tree symbol there, and a bus stop sign Pedios Areos south of that: I guess this is the place then?

The Sounio bus isn’t an express and there are two stops in central Athens which may be more convenient than going out to Aeros Park: one is just down Stadiou from Syntagma Square and the other is at Syngrou-Fix. Details of the route here

https://moovitapp.com/index/en/public_transit-line-%CE%91%CE%98%CE%89%CE%9D%CE%91_%CE%A3%CE%9F%CE%8E%CE%9D%CE%99%CE%9F_athens_sounio-Athens_%CE%91%CE%B8%CE%B7%CE%BD%CE%B1-1822-1048324-7863973-0

Having said that getting to the terminal via the metro to Victoria Square is easy and you might find it simpler than waiting for the bus to arrive.

Tickets are about 15 euros return and you can buy them on the bus.

Egiptou Square is in the exact same location as the Google Maps link I provided. All the bus stops are located in this square, as you can see in this Street View image:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/jFSQuM9mRbLbyiAQ8

If you catch the bus en route from Syntagma or Syngrou-Fix stops, I think you'll be able to recognize it by the LED display on the front showing its destination, if it's displayed only in Greek, it will read "ΣΟΥΝΙΟ".

Syntagma Square has several bus and trolleybus stop areas, each serving multiple lines and Syngrou-Fix is ​​a metro station with a small bus terminal area and multiple stops along Syngrou Avenue. However, I have no idea exactly where the bus to Cape Sounion stops at either location. If you can't find the information, you might as well go to the KTEL departure terminal at Egiptou Square.

That is odd, the link here is where the Pedion Areos bus stop appears to be, just below what is called Square Aigyptou which is what is written on that KTEL website.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/%CE%A3%CF%84%CE%AC%CF%83%CE%B7+%CE%A0%CE%B5%CE%B4%CE%AF%CE%BF+%CE%86%CF%81%CE%B5%CF%89%CF%82/@37.9912208,23.7316373,19.25z/data=!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x14a1bd3340bf7487:0x8a07e763e9bde9be!2zzpHPhs61z4TOt8-Bzq_OsSDOms6kzpXOmyDOkc-Ez4TOuc66zq7PgiDOs865zrEgzqPOv8-Nzr3Ouc6_!8m2!3d37.9918164!4d23.7320944!16s%2Fg%2F11fzz4b3tv!3m5!1s0x14a1bd336cd0d965:0xe40c2053f5db8643!8m2!3d37.9911302!4d23.7320807!16s%2Fg%2F11flb_p87_?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDgxOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Is this the Sygrou-Fix stop?

https://www.google.com/maps/place/%CE%A3%CF%84.+%CE%A3%CF%85%CE%B3%CE%B3%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%A6%CE%B9%CE%BE/@37.9644112,23.7265125,19.71z/data=!4m23!1m16!4m15!1m6!1m2!1s0x14a1bd1ab060d9a1:0xf3166a8fefc96c13!2zzqPPhc6zzrPPgc6_z40gLSDOps65zr4sIEF0aGluYSAxMTcgNDM!2m2!1d23.7264479!2d37.9640532!1m6!1m2!1s0x14a1bd336cd0d965:0xe40c2053f5db8643!2sBus+Stop+Pedio+Areos,+Athina+106+82!2m2!1d23.7320807!2d37.9911302!3e2!3m5!1s0x14a1bd1aa5675b65:0x5c65e17dbb352895!8m2!3d37.9645175!4d23.7268523!16s%2Fg%2F11bychbtq9?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDgxOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

It would be a short walk from my hotel (perhaps < 10 min) but I can not tell if the bus would stop there, or which direction of the bus I should go for.

Btw, this 4:30 pm bus does not seem to be listed on the moovit app. There is a 3:30 PM and a 5:00 PM. I guess the 5:00 PM will be too late?

Yes, I think you're right; the bus departs from that small "Egyptou Square" on Mavrommateon Street:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uEPPGk2TFhcDUUC88

However, I don't know if it stops at the specific Sygrou-Fix stop you indicated in the second link. In my opinion, it wouldn't be on that side of the avenue (the east side), since the bus is heading down toward the sea. It would more likely be on the side with even-numbered addresses, the southbound side:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/CYQAStJCSq9SmqNM7

The signs at the bus stops, whether electronic or not, list the local OASA lines serving Athens, not the KTEL buses. But perhaps there is a specific notice somewhere. While looking at Google Maps comments, I read somewhere that the bus only stops if you signal the driver. I have no idea if that's true.

Is it not possible for you to rent a car? That would be easier and simpler.

Thanks, JoLui. Renting a car would be a good option and I considered it, but the only place we can rent it from is the airport, since they do not have after hours services downtown. Then getting to and from the airport would probably add an hour at the very least.
Perhaps we may still take that option.

Btw, the 3-day pass covers the airport trips, but not the 5-day pass, right? Is it based on days or 3x24 hours validity from the moment it is actrivated?

Btw, if I were to take the car from the airport, what should I do to get to Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon? What is the route that I should follow? I think we should be hugging the coast. I am thinking that picking the car up at 4-5 pm from the airport should be enough? With the full moon so close, we should probably hang out a bit on Wednesday night after dusk (when we are planning to go there).

I am thinking also that on the way back, we probably want the fastest route which will be inland.

Cape Sounion is only 45 minutes from the airport (that's shorter than from downtown Athens), but it's true that you'd have to factor in the time to get to the airport and back if you rent a car there. Plus, car rentals are for a full day, so you'd need to plan other activities that require a car.

Last year we rented a car for the day from downtown Athens and visited the Kaisariani Monastery in the morning, then Cape Sounion, the Temple of Poseidon and the port of Lavrio, and we just drove around a bit aimlessly until 6pm.

Here is the route we took, more or less (avoiding tolls):

https://maps.app.goo.gl/SCJjuDAawXwufGNu6

That being said, we aren't particularly big on sunsets, so we don't have specific experience with that, but if I were you, I would check the weather forecast for that evening. When we were at Cape Sounion, it was very overcast in the afternoon, I don't think the sunset was particularly spectacular that evening. Keep in mind that a non-existent sunset hidden behind clouds isn't refundable. :-)

Yes, only the 3-day tourist pass covers the round trip between the city and the airport (a one-way ticket costs €9) and all bus/subway/trolley/tram travel for 3 days, except for the express buses, as you've probably seen on the OASA website:

https://www.oasa.gr/en/visit-athens/

Be careful not to use a regular €1.20 ticket for this €9 trip. You won't be able to exit the subway station without getting a fine.

Until last year we used to get a 5-day pass because we always stay at least 4 days in Athens and take the bus a lot, but now there's the Tap2Ride system and you can use your contactless Visa or Mastercard instead of a paper ticket. Aside from the airport-city trip, which still costs €9, and the express bus trips, the price is capped at €4.10 per day regardless of the number of trips.

https://www.oasa.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/EMV_FAQ_English-version_v5.pdf

Cape Sounion is only 45 minutes from the airport (that's shorter than from downtown Athens), but it's true that you'd have to factor in the time to get to the airport and back if you rent a car there. Plus, car rentals are for a full day, so you'd need to plan other activities that require a car.

Oh, we were just planning to take the car at 4 pm, and then return it by 10 pm. Yes, pay for the entire day, but why deal with parking overnight for no reason.

Last year we rented a car for the day from downtown Athens and visited the Kaisariani Monastery in the morning, then Cape Sounion, the Temple of Poseidon and the port of Lavrio, and we just drove around a bit aimlessly until 6pm.

I see, how long do you budget for the monastery? Perhaps we can go there first, then Lavrio, and then Sounion for the sunset at Poseidon.

Here is the route we took, more or less (avoiding tolls):

https://maps.app.goo.gl/SCJjuDAawXwufGNu6

That being said, we aren't particularly big on sunsets, so we don't have specific experience with that, but if I were you, I would check the weather forecast for that evening. When we were at Cape Sounion, it was very overcast in the afternoon, I don't think the sunset was particularly spectacular that evening. Keep in mind that a non-existent sunset hidden behind clouds isn't refundable. :-)

Thank you: it is not clear to me what to make of the weather forecast tomorrow:
https://www.meteo.gr/cf-en.cfm?city_id=101

Btw, the bus takes 2.5 hours? Really? Interesting.

Jolui is right about which side of the street you need at Syngrou-Fix. The KTEL stop is one block up (towards the Aceopolis) from the metro station at the corner of Diliados and Syggrou. It’s outside the Bank of Chania. It’s a yellow post, the same colour as the bus, and has a board at the top which says Attica Regional Buses - To Sounio.

If you go to Cape Sounion tomorrow, the weather forecast predicts clear skies.

Bus travel time depends on traffic, but it averages about 2 hours from the departure point in Athens.

how long do you budget for the monastery? Perhaps we can go there
first, then Lavrio, and then Sounion for the sunset at Poseidon.

The Byzantine Monastery of Kaisariani is a 25-minute drive from Athens city center, it's located on Mount Hymettus in a wooded area overlooking the city. Like all monasteries, it is a peaceful spot where you can go jogging or take walks.

It's open from 8:30 am to 3:30 am (closed on Tuesdays). Admission is around €5, and it is rarely crowded. There are small parking areas along the road, from there it's just a short walk along an easy path. The route from Athens city center is very straightforward and takes you through quiet streets with little traffic. Here is a description of the monastery. If you have a car for the morning, it is well worth the trip. You can easily spend an hour at the monastery and explore the surrounding area, there are spots offering beautiful views of Athens and the entire region.

https://www.sofiaskaleidoscope.com/journal/kaisariani-monastery/

Afterward, you can choose to drive along the coast or take an inland route to reach Lavrio. The port of Lavrio, Greece's third-largest ferries port, is just a few minutes from Cape Sounion. It offers plenty of restaurants and tavernas, a Mineralogical Museum (if that interests you), and the archaeological site of Thorikos, located just outside the town.

https://theathenianriviera.com/things-to-do-and-see-in-lavrio/

If, like us, you aren't particularly fond of organized tours, renting a car when you compare the cost of a rental car (plus fuel) against the price of round-trip bus tickets, is a great option that gives you the freedom to set your own schedule and travel at your own pace.

The main challenge is finding a rental agency that allows for a late-evening drop-off (there will be an extra fee) or finding a parking spot so you can return the car the next morning. My "usual" rental agency in Athens closes at 9 PM, but there are others that apparently allow late-evening returns (you'd need to check with them) such as this one located on Syggrou Avenue:

https://avenuecar.gr/

JoLui, thank you for this! Avenue Cars appears to only take reservations 2 days later. Bummer!

Alan, thanks for pointing out the bus stop. I will scout there today if I have time, to see if I can find it. The Bank of Chania landmark should be huge and not difficult to miss. I did make a booking from SixT at the airport for tomorrow.

If you do make it down that way it’s worth having a stroll along Drakou. The lower half, which is a block down from the bus stop, is pedestrianised and has a number of pleasant tavernas and cafes. I like Ambrosia, on the left near the bottom as you go up, and Svoura, on the right a bit further up. It’s possible Svoura will be closed for summer holidays at the moment.

Good luck! I hope you make it and have a good time however you decide to go.

PS the sunset from Philopapous can be pretty good if you decide against trekking to Sounio.

Street View showing the KTEL bus stop described by Alan:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/jYcVjyaviNn4mT2S8

My favorite little restaurant nearby: Sfika. Stavros, the owner, is a bit gruff, but his rule is to use nothing but good products.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/wivAZBMrTc35wdRp9

I forgot to mention that if you miss the sunset, you can still book a sunrise tour, a completely private experience where the entire Temple of Poseidon site is reserved exclusively for you, accompanied by a tour guide.

You can book it on the official website:

https://tickets.hh.gr/en/experiences/cape-sounion-sunrise-experience

Oh, one more detail: prices start at €4,000. :-)

Thanks to both Alan and JoLui: but JoLui, is this not the place in Sygrou Fix that Alan is suggesting to pick the bus from?

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Zplegal/@37.9650372,23.7271107,61a,75y,167.09h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sLXFKREljXJPSjDCPz890Kw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0%26panoid%3DLXFKREljXJPSjDCPz890Kw%26yaw%3D167.08790338234186!7i16384!8i8192!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x14a1bd1aa23da167:0x62f99b5ff48bd474!2zSU5UUkFMQUIgzqPOpc6TzpPOoc6fzqUgLSDOps6Zzp4!8m2!3d37.9650513!4d23.7271211!16s%2Fg%2F11cr_flxqw!3m5!1s0x14a1bd1a98af122b:0x7a7447dda317834a!8m2!3d37.9651337!4d23.7271706!16s%2Fg%2F11h4600rxl?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDgxOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

I can see the post mentioning the bus to Sounio there. It is a ten minute walk from my hotel.

Hopefully the timetable will work, and the bus will stop there upon seeing someone jump up and down, and waving wildly. Well, if it does not, then we go somewhere else local.

Sorry, JoLui: I will pass on the offer for the sunrise: yes, from the US, but I think you got me confused with the corrupt son-in-law of a corrupt President trying to buy a pristine island from another corrupt Prime Minister of a neighboring country of Greece :-(

Yes, it is indeed the same bus stop. Don't jump up and down for every bus you see approaching, check the "Sounion" display on the front of the bus.

And enjoy the sunset!

I don't know which corrupt guys you're talking about... :-)

Thank you! Will report back after the trip.