# Attica’s coast: Lake Vouliagmeni, Sounion, Brauron and Marathon

> 2-day road trip of about 99 km (62 mi) with 4 stops, from Lake Vouliagmeni to Marathon Battlefield and Tomb. About 1 h 22 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/gr-attica-coast/

**At a glance:** 2-day road trip of about 99 km (62 mi) with 4 stops, from Lake Vouliagmeni to Marathon Battlefield and Tomb. About 1 h 22 min of driving in total. A two-day drive around Athens’ coast, from the thermal waters of Lake Vouliagmeni to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, the sanctuary at Brauron and the plain of Marathon.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 99 km (62 mi) |
| Driving | 1 h 22 min |
| Suggested days | 2 |
| Stops | 4 |
| Route | Lake Vouliagmeni → Marathon Battlefield and Tomb |
| Countries | Greece |
| Updated | May 15, 2026 |

## Route description

Start at Lake Vouliagmeni, a brackish lake fed by underground channels through Mount Hymettus and used as a thermal spa since the late 19th century. Its temperature never falls below 18 °C, so it suits any season, and its flooded caves have never been fully explored. It is an easy first stop on the southern Athens riviera.

From here follow the coast road south-east towards Cape Sounion, with its temple of Poseidon above the sea; allow roughly an hour for the drive. Sunset is a popular time to visit, so arrive early in summer. Parking near the cape fills up quickly, which is worth knowing if you travel in a motorhome.

Next cross the Attic plain to Brauron (Vravrona) on the east coast. This sanctuary of Artemis, where girls took part in the Arkteia, has a temple and a pi-shaped stoa with nine dining rooms. The archaeological museum stands 330 metres to the east-southeast, so you can combine both on foot.

Finish at Marathon, about 27 km north-east of Athens, where the Soros mound, roughly 12 metres high, holds the ashes of 192 Athenians who fell in 490 BC. It stands in a park on the plain near a replica of the victory column. From here the return to Athens is straightforward.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Lake Vouliagmeni** (Vouliagmeni, Greece): A brackish lake fed by underground channels through Mount Hymettus, used as a thermal spa since the late 19th century. Its temperature never drops below 18 °C, so it suits any season, and its flooded caves have never been fully explored.
2. **Temple of Poseidon, Sounion** (Sounion, Greece): A 5th-century BC marble temple on the cliff at the southern tip of Attica, about 70 km from central Athens along the coast road. Sunset is popular but crowded; arrive early to find parking.
3. **Brauron (Vravrona) Sanctuary of Artemis** (Vravrona, Greece): A sanctuary of Artemis on Attica's east coast, where girls took part in the Arkteia, with a temple and a pi-shaped stoa containing nine dining rooms. The archaeological museum stands 330 metres to the east-southeast, so combine both on foot.
4. **Marathon Battlefield and Tomb** (Marathon, Greece): The Soros, a mound about 12 metres high, holds the ashes of 192 Athenians who fell at Marathon in 490 BC. It stands in a park on the plain, about 27 km northeast of Athens, near a replica of the victory column.

## Suggested stages and overnight stops

1. **Day 1: Lake Vouliagmeni → Temple of Poseidon, Sounion** (34 km, 0 h 28 min) Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Bacchus (4 km); Ξένιαστο μελίσσι (5 km).
2. **Day 2: Temple of Poseidon, Sounion → Marathon Battlefield and Tomb** (65 km, 0 h 54 min) On the way: Brauron (Vravrona) Sanctuary of Artemis. Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Nea Makri (3 km); Octopus (3 km).

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and September. Hot in June–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Practical notes for the road

- **Greece: Motorway tolls.** Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

## FAQs

**How long is Attica’s coast: Lake Vouliagmeni, Sounion, Brauron and Marathon?**
2-day road trip of about 99 km (62 mi) with 4 stops, from Lake Vouliagmeni to Marathon Battlefield and Tomb. About 1 h 22 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Attica’s coast: Lake Vouliagmeni, Sounion, Brauron and Marathon?**
We suggest 2 days: about 1 h 22 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Attica’s coast: Lake Vouliagmeni, Sounion, Brauron and Marathon start and end?**
It starts in Lake Vouliagmeni and ends in Marathon Battlefield and Tomb.

**Which countries does Attica’s coast: Lake Vouliagmeni, Sounion, Brauron and Marathon pass through?**
Greece.

**Where can you camp along Attica’s coast: Lake Vouliagmeni, Sounion, Brauron and Marathon?**
OpenStreetMap lists 12 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Bacchus, Dionissotis and Camping Nea Makri.

**When is the best time for Attica’s coast: Lake Vouliagmeni, Sounion, Brauron and Marathon?**
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)