Paralia Souniou Beach, East Attica

Sand beneath the Temple of Poseidon

Sounio beach spreads along the bay below Cape Sounio, at the southernmost tip of Attica, with the Temple of Poseidon crowning the rock above it. Few sandy shores in Greece have such a backdrop: the temple has stood on the cape for roughly 2,500 years.

The temple seen from the sand was built around 444 to 440 BC, in the age of Pericles, on the site of an archaic temple destroyed by the Persians. Homer already calls the cape 'holy Sounion': there, according to the Odyssey, Menelaus buried his helmsman Phrontis on the voyage home from Troy. And myth holds that it was from this cape that King Aegeus threw himself into the sea on seeing the black sails of Theseus' ship, giving the Aegean its name.

A paved road leads close to the beach, which mixes fine and coarser sand with shallow water. There are organized or semi-organized sections with seasonal facilities, cafes and food options, parking, and hotel amenities nearby. Natural shade is limited, so an umbrella is essential, and a section of the shore is listed among Greece's Blue Flag beaches.

About this beach

Paralia Souniou is oriented towards the south-west, so it usually has natural cover from northerly, north-easterly and north-westerly winds. Orientation only reflects which way the coast faces, not confirmed shelter, so check wind and waves in the app before you go.

Paralia Souniou has sand underfoot with shallow, gently shelving water — handy for families with young children.

For amenities, Paralia Souniou has an organised beach, sunbeds and parking nearby.

East Attica beach guides

• Meltemi options
• Family beaches
• Snorkeling
• Organized
• Sunset
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Beach guides across Greece

• Compare beach conditions
• Meltemi wind options
• Family beaches
• Accessible (Seatrac)
• Beach camping

Nearby beaches oriented away from the Meltemi

• Paralia Artemidas Sandy - Easy road access
• Charakas Sandy - Easy road access
• Paralia KAPE Sand & pebbles - Difficult access (path)
• Paralia Schinia Sandy - Easy road access
• Erotospilia Sand & pebbles - Moderate access
• Paralia Altheas Sand & pebbles - Easy path

Other beaches in East Attica

• Paralia Artemidas Sandy - Easy road access
• Charakas Sandy - Easy road access
• Paralia KAPE Sand & pebbles - Difficult access (path)
• Paralia Schinia Sandy - Easy road access
• Erotospilia Sand & pebbles - Moderate access
• Paralia Altheas Sand & pebbles - Easy path
• Paralia Skales Altheas Pebbles - Easy path
• Pounta Zeza Sandy - Easy road access