Also known to Greeks with the name "Kavokolones", Sounio is the cape located at the southernmost tip of Attica, in the extremity of the prefecture. Except for a world-renowned archaeological site, it is also one of the most significant resorts of Athens.
The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times. There have been tombs found, from the Early Bronze Age (3rd thousand BC). The fort and temples belonged to the municipality of Sunnis, as formulated by the state reform of Cleisthenis in 510 BC.
From Sounion, the city state of Athens used to control the sea passage of the Aegean and Piraeus, the main harbor, and the peninsula of Lavrio with its rich silver mines, thanks to which it became a superpower back in the 5th century BC.
According to mythology, this is the cape from which the king of Athens, Aegeus, jumped into the sea and killed himself, giving his name to the Aegean Sea. Aegeus commited suicide due to the black cloth on the ship of his son, Theseus, who was returning from Crete. Theseus forgot to change the cloth in white, which made his father believe that he was not coming back victorious from the encounter with the Minotaur.
Sounio is located 68 km away from Athens. You can access it by car or bus. The cape, with steep and rocky coast, rises almost vertically from the sea to a great height, forming at the foot of two bays, separated by a small isthmus.
The area is famous because of its geographical strategic position, but mostly because of the Temple of Poseidon, much of which still survives and is one of the best sights worlwide.
There is also a settlement of the fort, that was probably the center of municipality. Moreover, you can also visit the National Park of Sounion, which has a core area of 750 hectares, and peripheral zone extending to 2.750 hectares.
The sunset from Sounion Cape is absolutely breathtaking, so plan your trip there with that on your mind!