Cape Sounion – Half day

Afternoon

Meet with our guide at the hotel and drive along the coastal road, passing the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza to the most Southern point of Attica, Cape Sounion, where the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand. In an idyllic position overlooking the Aegean Sea enjoy a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf and the little islands offshore. According to the legend, Cape Sounion is the spot where Aegeus, king of Athens, leapt to his death off the cliff, thus giving his name to the Aegean Sea. The story goes that Aegeus, anxiously looking out from Sounion, despaired when he saw a black sail on his son Theseus’s ship, returning from Crete. This led him to believe that his son had been killed in his contest with the dreaded Minotaur, a monster that was half man and half bull. He had agreed with his father that if he survived the contest, he would hoist a white sail. In fact, Theseus had overcome and slain the Minotaur, but tragically had simply forgotten about the white sail. After visiting the Temple of Poseidon, you have time to walk at leisure on the rocky promontory of Sounion. Return to Athens late in the afternoon.