Which one to choose in Greece
Parthenon vs Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion
Two temples in Greece. Parthenon has 24 tickets and tours to book; Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion has 48 tickets and tours to book. The table and the two notes below put them side by side; the full pages have what to see, the ticket and the timing for each.
Athens, Greece
The Parthenon stands on the Acropolis of Athens and is seen on the Acropolis ticket, which now requires a timed entry slot; in summer the best slots sell out days ahead, so booking online is sensible. A combined ticket also covers the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, Hadrian's Library and other sites in the city over several days, which is good value if you plan to see them. The Acropolis Museum is separate and has its own ticket.
Most of what is sold online is a guided visit: a licensed guide meets you at the foot of the hill, takes you up through the gate and explains the monuments in about two hours, either with a group or privately. Small groups, often capped at ten or fifteen people, are easier to hear.
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Sounion, Greece
Cape Sounion lies at the southern tip of Attica, about 70 km from central Athens, and most visitors come on a half-day trip along the coast road. The classic choice is a sunset tour: a coach or minibus leaves Athens in the late afternoon, follows the Athenian Riviera past Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, gives you an hour or so at the temple as the sun goes down over the sea and returns after dark. These tours usually include transport and a guide or an audio commentary; the entry ticket is often paid separately at the gate.
Private tours with a driver allow stops for a swim at Vouliagmeni Lake or a seafood lunch in a harbour village, and some add the battlefield of Marathon or the sanctuary at Eleusis.
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