Athens and Piraeus linked their brilliant course down through the centuries with the marine element, even in mythical times. Poseidon, the Olympian god of the sea, claimed the protection of the town and only Athena, the goddess of Wisdom and Reason, was able to defeat him

The area that begins at Piraeus and Palaio Phaliro and extends eastward down to the temple of Poseidon at Sounion is called Akti Apollona ("The coast of Apollo").

Along it one can find some of the most modern and expensive areas in the capital, such as Glyfada and Voula.

Akti Apollona continues: Glyfada, Voula, Kavouri, and Vouliagmeni. Verdant seaside suburbs full of life and with many hotels, modern commercial centers and taverns. Above the beach at Vouliagmeni the road leads, after a few meters, to Lake Vouliagmeni. This is a wonderful spot wedged in between high rocks and greenery.

Varkiza follows, a beautiful seaside suburb, and then comes Var, Saronida, Anavyssos and Legrena. At the end of the drive is impressive Cape Sounion embraced by the Aegean Sea, with the temple of Poseidon at its highest point.

The area around Sounion is connected to the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur of Crete. The view of the Aegean is enchanting. There at the end of the rock are the Kavokolones as the sailors call them, because when they see them from the open sea, they know they are near the harbor of Piraeus. The temple of Poseidon was built in 444-440 B.C.