Romantic Roads

• Temple of Poseidon
• Opening hours from 9:30am to sunset
• Time to visit: An hour or two before sunset
• Drive in from Athens, Greece
• Best spot: West side of Temple

Just to the south of Athens, Greece is the Temple of Poseidon, a sunset proposal spot set in Cape Sounion that captures the evening light of the Mediterranean. Recounted by Homer in his 2,700 year old poetic epic, the Odyssey, the marble antiquity that is the Temple of Poseidon stands as one of the better places for a ‘pop-the-question’ moment.

This spot is accessible from the Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH), via a 45-minute to a one-hour drive south. You can take either the direct Route 89 or Route 91, which hugs the multi-hued blue western coastline. Which do you think we took? See photos. An economy rental car, such as a Hyundai I10, works wonders on the Greek roads. We found that our red Napoleon, named because it was a small but mighty car, got us in and around the more urban streets but was just as good for a road trip.

Once at the archaeological site of Sounion, which has opening hours from 9:30am to sunset, there are two parking lots, a lower one and another near the visitor center/cafe. It is recommended to use the lower lot, because the parking fills fast especially closer to sunset time and this is the easier lot to get parking. But if you are lucky the visitor center might be available. Also, if both are full, people choose to park along the roadways, which are not actually parking areas. There is an entrance fee of €20, paid at the visitors center or online via the Odysseus Ministry of Culture. Though the site offers some free days throughout the year, for your sanity, avoid those. Plus there are some days throughout the year that the site is closed, think holidays and related holiday times.

The walk up to the temple is very accessible, which also makes it an easy place for crowds of tourists. Fear not though. There are spots around the temple steps that somewhat escape the crowd. Just don’t actually walk on the temple steps, the Greek people are very passionate about their architectural heritage and won’t hesitate to tell you what to avoid, and where to go if you don’t. I assume this insistence comes from French, British, and Italian museums, plus others, not giving the Greek land back its statues and other archeological finds. Repatriation of antiquities is for another blog post not something to be discussed further here, as this post is for romance, a very technical romance.

When walking up to and approaching the temple take in the vast blue expanse of the sea and the distance that can be seen from this cliff perch, and the many, many people throughout time that have stood on this same spot and viewed this same seafaring view. Make your way towards the western sun and you will see the sitting spot for the view of that Mediterranean sunset. Be careful it can be rocky terrain around this area, left natural this way for authenticity. Beyond the temple there are several trails that lead down to the water, there is a dock where you can hang your feet in the area that 2,700 years ago people docked their ships and boats.

Back to the temple. Sunset is recommended in the summer months and is generally around 8pm. That said come a bit early to stake your claim ahead of the crowds and enjoy the summer breeze. Water and sunscreen are essential. Between the sun’s reflection off the white marble and the sea spray, you’ll want to hydrate and reapply often.

But, the Wind…

You’ll see that some of these pictures look a little wind swept. Well they are. Some notes about timing the weather. For the most part southern Greece enjoys blue skies and water even bluer than your favorite pair of blue jeans, but the wind, the wind will get you on the beaches and the coast if you are not prepared. As an example using WindGuru, or another wind app, the Wind Guru app is made for wind sports, e.g. surfing, kiteboarding, wing foiling, etc. Using this for the opposite reason the site was created will allow a less blustery day to enjoy a romantic moment. So here on this chart, for your planning, the fewer stars shown, the less wind, and the better the day to not get the hair swept away.

Where’s the Sun

Another timing thing to look for is where that sun will be for that perfect moment. Here in southern Greece the summer months bring the sunset timing at around 8 pm. And especially here at the Temple of Poseidon that is when the sun shines thru the temple’s columns casting a shade of sunset with the blue sea as its reflective background like no other scene.

More spots to think about like this one go here: Proposal Destinations.