There, sit the ruins of one of the most photographed monuments of Greece and a quintessential legacy of the Golden Age of Athens, the Temple of Poseidon. Perched above the sea, at a height of 60 meters (200 ft), the temple overlooks the Aegean Sea and has offered solace to weary sailors at first glimpse of white marble ever since 444 BC. The temple reflects the reverence Ancient Greeks held for the Olympian Ruler of the Seas, and as you walk the grounds of this celebrated archeological site and peer out at the panoramic view of the Aegean Sea, you cannot help but feel his gaze on you from the depths of the ocean.
Leading figure of the Romantic Movement, the flamboyant and notorious Lord Byron, having included Cape Sounion and the Temple in his works, sealed his adoration by carving his name on one of the temple’s remaining Doric columns.
Undoubtedly, the “piece de resistance” of this half day tour is delivered by the setting sun as the last rays of light paint the columns of the temple before giving way to the evening sky. Pair one of the most breath-taking sunsets with a glass of chilled wine before we leave the trident bearing guardian of the seas to his task of watching over voyagers.