Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion, Greece

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Around Athens

An agricultural region with several large population centres, the southern Attica peninsula has some fine beaches, particularly along the Apollo Coast and at Shinias, near Marathon. It's also known for its wine production.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Poseidon Temple at Cape Sounion near Athens, Greece; Shutterstock ID 101985256; your: Barbara Di Castro; gl: 65050; netsuite: digital; full: poi 101985256 ancient, antique, archaeology, architecture, art, athens, attica, attraction, blue, cape, civilization, classic, classical, colorful, columns, culture, doric, europe, famous, greece, greek, historic, historical, history, landmark, landscape, marble, mediterranean, monument, mythological, mythology, nature, peninsula, pillar, poseidon, rocks, ruins, sea, sightseeing, sky, sounio, sounion, stone, summer, sunset, temple, tourism, touristic, travel

    Temple of Poseidon

    Around Athens

    The Ancient Greeks knew how to choose a site for a temple. At Cape Sounion, 70km south of Athens, the Temple of Poseidon stands on a craggy spur that…

  • Ancient Eleusis

    Ancient Eleusis

    Around Athens

    Eleusis occupies a great site on the slopes of a low hill, close to the shore of the Saronic Gulf. Although little has been restored, the scale of its…

  • Moni Dafniou

    Moni Dafniou

    Around Athens

    Lovers of mosaics will be dazzled by the glittering gold scenes in the 11th-century main church here, a listed Unesco site. The work was likely done by…

  • Mt Parnitha National Park

    Mt Parnitha National Park

    Around Athens

    Mt Parnitha, about 25km north of Athens, comprises a number of smaller peaks, the highest of which is Karavola (1413m), tall enough to get snow in winter…

  • Marathon Archaeological Museum

    Marathon Archaeological Museum

    Around Athens

    South of Marathon town, this excellent museum displays local discoveries from various periods, including Neolithic pottery from the Cave of Pan and finds…

  • Ramnous

    Ramnous

    Around Athens

    The evocative, overgrown and secluded ruins of the ancient port of Ramnous, about 10km northeast of Marathon, stand on a picturesque plateau overlooking…

  • Sanctuary of Artemis

    Sanctuary of Artemis

    Around Athens

    This partially restored temple to the goddess of the hunt dates from approximately 420 BC, with some earlier remains. Most remarkable is an ancient stone…

  • Vorres Museum

    Vorres Museum

    Around Athens

    This hodgepodge of a museum is set on a rambling 32-hectare estate, once the home of Ion Vorres. Vorres migrated to Canada as a young man, but built his…

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