Lavrion is a hive of activity for yachties in the summer with several charter bases operating their yachts from the shelter of the well thought out harbour and adjacent Olympic Marina. Once a dusty mining town, (silver has been mined here since prehistoric times), Lavrion was transformed when it was selected to host cruise ships associated with the 2004 Olympic Games. It is hard to believe that Lavrion was once in such a state of disrepair that it doubled as a film set for a war torn Sarajevo when today the waterfront sports a large range of tavenas and bars rather than piles of ore and dirty drilling equipment! This upswing in fortunes continues as Lavrion settles into being a very pleasant hub for ferries to and from the Cyclades.
Conveniently placed for day trips to Sounion and Athens, Lavrion is only a 45 minute drive from Athens airport and an hourly bus (4€ per person 2015) means reaching your chosen yacht is a doddle. Stock up here for your voyage ahead as provisioning is good and there are plenty of fresh fish and vegetables on offer. An excellent farmers market operates on a Thursday. Its port provides ferry services to the islands as well as serving as a yacht charter and skippered cruise base.
Sounion: The anchorage under the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon
In the harbour of Lavrion yachts are directed to several quays located in the northwest basin. Shelter here is good especially in the strong northerlies that can whip down the channel between Evia and the mainland. Some berths have laid lines and power and water are available.
South of Lavrion at Olympic Marina facilities are what you would expect; lazy lines, power, water and shower/toilet blocks. The marina is large and well run but can seem a bit desolate early and late season. There are enough amenities here to eat, drink and be merry but the options are limited so you might want to drop into Lavrion to stock up especially if you are planning on a lot of self-catering. It is also worth noting that Olympic Marina is rather pricey due to its proximity to Athens.
Lavrion’s fortunes stem from the silver mines, about 3 miles out of town at Ag. Konstantinos. The first mines date back to around 3000BC and although much activity had ceased by 500BC, some mining continued until 1982. Ancient mine shafts and silver washing pits are still visible. You’ll need to take a cab to get there and it’s not yet well set up for visitors but worth a look.
From Lavrion there are several excellent day trips available.
Athens is only a short bus ride away and the stunning temple to Posidon at Cape Sounion is even closer. This ancient Greek Temple of Poseidon, looking out across the Cyclades from the southern tip of the Attica peninsula is very atmospheric and some of the pillars are still standing. Poet Byron’s name can be found carved on a stone. Like sailors of old perhaps the crew may feel the need to make an offering to the god of the sea for safe passage during your voyage ahead or give thanks for having survived! Cape Sounion is also indelibly linked with the story of Theseus and Aegeus the King of Athens. Theseus, the king’s son, was sent to battle the Minotaur in Crete and ordered to hoist a white sail on his return if he was still alive and had been successful. Unfortunately Theseus forgot to drop his black sail and raise the white one so despite his son’s triumphant vanquishing of the bull-headed monster, King Aegeus leapt to his death from the cliffs at Cape Sounion in grief. The Aegean Sea takes its name from this poignant story.
Near Lavrion is the oldest and largest amphitheatre in Greece. The archaeological site of Thoriko lies a short distance to the north of Lavrion. The amphitheatre is over 3000 years old but the site has been home to humans for at least a thousand years before that with some Neolithic artefacts being recovered here. There various layers of occupation that have been excavated; most of which are associated with the mining activities that were carried out in the area. The site is free and always open.
Lavrion is also known for its interesting geology. During the winter months collectors patrol the beaches in search of a plethora of unique crystals that wash up in the storms. For anyone interested in rocks, minerals and crystals try a trip to the mines and Mineralogical Museum. There is also a very large and interesting hole in the ground nearby that has fascinated and confounded rock hounds for centuries. Just ask a local for directions or visit the tourist information office.
So though the town itself may appear fairly unremarkable at first, it’s not a bad place to start or end your cruise.