Marathon & Cape Sounion Full Day Tour
Duration: 8 hoursOn this tour you will meet the birthplace of the Marathon Race, the field of the historic Battle of Marathon in 490B.C. The Marathon is not just word, not just a place, not just the name of the city, not just a history, it is an Idea that has inspired people, generations, nations. Is the symbol of democracy and peace, the definitions of sportsmanship.
The tour will continue to Cape Sounio, the southest corner of Attica peninsula where the Temple of Poseidon exists, from where you will be able to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Aegean deep blue waters.
The reference list of what you will see and experience during the Marathon and Cape Sounio Full Day Tour includes but is not limited to:
- Athenian Riviera
- South suburbs of Attica named Palaion Faliro, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza
- Lake of Vouliagmeni
- Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio
- 9m-high tomb at Marathon
- Marathon Race Museum
- Archaeological Museum of Marathon
We can customize this tour to your needs.
If you want to skip or add something, please let us know in advance.
Meet your chauffeur in the lobby of your accomodation to start your Marathon and Cape Sounio full day tour. Marathon is known in the history for its renowed battle beteween the invading Persians and the defending Greeks in 490 B.C.
The legend has it that immediately after the battle, one of the soldiers named Phidipedes left from the Marathon heading to Athens. He ran all the way from Marathon to Athens for 42,195 km or 26miles without any stop and he bust into the assembly only to announce the good news, that we have won “nenikikamen” and then collapse due to exhaustion and died. This historical reference was the inspiration of the modern marathon as a sports event as we know it today.
Today’s visitor will see the 9m-high tomb that has been erected at the site of the battle in memory of the 192 Athenians who offered their lives. 10 columns on the top of this memorial represent the 10 tribes of which Attica was originally consisted of. The tomb was discovered in 1880’s by the amateaus archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann.
If time and mood permits it worth the spent time visiting the Marathon Race Museum to introduce yourself to the history of the sportsmanship and the Archaeological Museum of Marathon, that included a variety of important exhibits of the area of the Marathon with the most notable finding is the “Marathon Youth”.
From here you will continue to Cape Sounio, where the beauty of architecture awaits you a few miles away in the form of the magnificent Temple of Poseidon. Visit the Temple of Poseidon and have time to let your mind roam through ancient monuments with the immense blue of the Aegean Sea as a background. You will be able to feel the summer breeze on your face and capture some of the greatest pictures anyone could ever imagine. The beauty of the surviving ruins has impressed many travelers of the past centuries who have visited this magical place, among which the famous poet, Lord Byron who wanted to leave his signature on one of the columns. Visit the temple and try to find it yourself.
Take your time to enjoy a tasteful lunch in a small tavern right by the water hearing the sounds of the sea and admiring the scenery. After you visit Cape Sounio your chauffeur will navigate you through all the south suburbs of Attica while you will be able to relax and enjoy the most wonderful view of the Saronic Gulf. Allow yourselves to enjoy your ride while taking in all the wonderful information you gathered throughout the day.
At the end of the tour you will be dropped off at your accommodation.
Entrance fees to the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounio are 4 Euro pp.
Entrance fees to the Marathon Tumulus and for the Marathon Museum are 6 Euro pp
Entrance fees for Ramnous Full: €4
Free admission for:
- Journalists
- Persons under 18 (with current identification to prove age)
- University students from Greece and the E.U
- University students and Students of Higher Education Institutes
- Technological Educational Institutes
- Military Schools or equivalent Schools of member states of the European Union
- Schools of Guides, upon presentation of their student identity card
- Young people, under the age of 18, after demonstrating the Identity Card or passport to confirm the age
Free admission for all on the following dates:
- 6 March
- 5 June
- 18 April
- 18 May (International Museums Day)
- The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
For prices updates please click here
To buy your tickets in advance click here
- Sumer Period: 1 April – 31 October
- Winter Period: 1 November – 31 March
For Marathon:
- Winter:
Tuesday – Sunday 8:00 – 15:00 - Summer:
Tuesday – Sunday 8:00 – 20:00
For Ramnous:
- Winter:
Daily 8.00-15.00, except Monday. Only access to the temple of Nemesis. The town – fortress is closed - Summer:
Daily 8.00-15.00, except Monday
For Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounio:
- Winter period: 9:30am until sunset
- summer period: 8:00am until sunset
Last entry 20 min before closing
All sites and museums are closed or have reduced opening hours, on the following holidays:
- 1 January: closed
- 6 January: closed
- Shrove Monday: 08.30-15.00
- 25 March: closed
- Good Friday: until 12:00 closed
- Holy Saturday: 08.30-15.00
- Easter Sunday : closed
- Easter Monday: 08.30-15.00
- 1 May: closed
- Holy Spirit Day: 08.30-15.00
- 15 August: 08.30-15.00
- 28 October: 08.30-15.00
- 25 December: closed
- 26 December: closed
For updates on opening hours please click here
There are a few things that are useful for you to know before participating in one of our tours:
- Comfortable clothing and sensible, flat-soled walking shoes are recommended for most locations. Sun glasses, a hat and sun screen are also suggested since the Mediterranean sun is extremely hot during the summer months.
- Photography is permitted in almost every site throughout the tours and if it is prohibited you will be informed beforehand.
- Local currency (euros) might be needed in order to pay at the spot small entrance fees and small expenses.
- In case one of our guests has some special needs, is under certain medication or has a limited walking endurance you can let us know during the organization of your customized tour and we will make sure that small breaks are incorporated into your itinerary.
- Also it is suggested that you bring with you a small bottle of water or something small to eat in case you need to during the tour.
- Furthermore if an individual has advanced accessibility needs you can let us know and allow us to customize the tour to fit your needs
