Lavrio is a seaport located in the far south of the Attic peninsula and it is also the southernmost city of the greek mainland (if you don’t count Pelopennesos). Lavrio is located about 60km from Athens and there are two roads leading here. One is through the highway towards the airport where a short while before the airport you turn into a minor road the rest of the way. This is the fastest but at the same time not quite so funny.

Instead, you should choose the second option which is the road that follows the coast all the way from Athens to Lavrio. It is a hilly and curvy, but good road. This route also shows that there are great opportunities for a dip in the ocean though you live in Athens. Almost the entire road is full of beaches of various kinds. At some there are a alot of people, particularly at those who belong to the Athens riviera, but there are also smaller and more quiet beaches. The further away from Athens you come the finer and calmer beaches.

Lavrio is a quiet and sleepy smalltown but can be a nice break from everything if you want to relax a little bit. There is not much to do here except to stroll along the harbor, eat well and relax. Behind the main street that runs through the town and down to the harbor are several seafood restaurants, which is not surprising since Lavrio has long been a fishing community. Of all the restaurants though there is one that stands out from the rest: To Steki tou Mina which is a family owned tavern that always draws alot of people, especially among those who live here. This is not a distinct fish restaurant. Here there are plates of food for all tastes.

Lavrio has a long history. This place has been inhabited since 4,500 B.C and a thousand years later they began digging (with the assistance of about 20,000 slaves who were accounted for all the work) for silver in mines. If you go for a walk a little further towards the center of Lavrio you will quickly notice many very small (tops 2 m wide) houses all lined up. It was in these houses the workers once lived. There are still people living in these specific houses, but most of them have gotten themselfs a renovation and now look very inviting.

Just outside the city is also Greece’s oldest amphitheater – the Thorikos theater. There is no signs telling you: “Here lies an ancient theater” which is a bit strange. The theater is also not mentioned in many guidebooks etc. which is even more remarkable. But if you are coming from the fastest road – the one going towards the airport – you can turn left onto a minor road at a crossing with traffic lights about 2,5 km from Lavrio. Look for a sign saying “Agia Marina”.

A tip: Take aim at the striped red and white high towers belonging to the greek electricity company. Then you will certainly find it.

Once on the minor road the theater will appear rather quickly on your left side, fully visible from the road as it is built on a slope. If you still should find it difficult to see it, there is actually a sign HERE! The place is open to the public and free of charge. If you have the time, you can also later take a small detour to the small village of Agia Marina which is located 10 min from the theater. Especially in the summer you can treat yourself to a dip here.