Traveling in Greece? Most lovers of the Greek islands soon become familiar with the ports of Rafina and Piraeus, both on the Attic coast near Athens. These two ports are on opposite sides of the Attic Peninsula and together they serve the majority of ferry traffic outside of the Athens area.
Down at the tip of the attic peninsula, below the map, is a little-known but useful ferry port, Lavrion. Seen as Laurion in some sources, this port offers more limited connections and hours, but can still fill in some gaps in your travels around Greece.
The port city of Lavrion
Lavrion is the most beautiful of the three ports and feels like a small Greek island of its own. While port cities are often crossed by visitors heading elsewhere, if you have to spend a day in a port, Lavrion may be the way to go. It has a small Archaeological Museum and an interesting Mineralogical Museum, where the local mining heritage is displayed. Just in case, it also features a giant “Mystery Hole,” a geological feature that looks like a giant bubble formed on top of a hill and then exploded, leaving a two-hundred-foot-deep, somewhat rounded pit.
Its origins are still being debated; Some believe it was the result of a meteorite impact.
Although little known today, Lavrion or Laurium has an ancient history. It was the port that served profitable silver mines in ancient times, and its sheltered bay was occupied. It was also the terminus of a railway line until 1957, when the railway was closed and attention turned elsewhere, closer to Athens. Its expanded and modern marina serves yachts and provides all necessary services, including docking for large yachts.
The relocation from Athens International Airport to Spata gave Lavrion a bit of lift as it is only 30 minutes away, making it a closer ferry port than Piraeus or Rafina. He’s also on his way, on the road on the east side of Attica, to Cape Sounion. Rockhounds, mining enthusiasts, and geologists will find the remains of the dozens of former mining operations worth visiting. There is also an extensive ancient theater in Thorikos, near Lavrion.
The port faces the island of Makronissos, which in ancient times was called Helen after Helen of Troy. Later, it served as a prison island.
Places to stay in Lavrio
Hotel options are limited in Lavrio; If you’re looking for more than just basic accommodations, perhaps at the once again grandiose Belle Epoch Hotel, you might want to try the resorts near Cape Sounion.
Ferries from Lavrio
Ferry schedules often indicate Lavrion as Lavrio or Laurio. The main daily ferry activity is between Lavrio and the enchanting and mysterious island of Kea, a popular resort for Athenians and other Greek tourists, but also home to some hotels and some expats.
Local Goutos lines operate the Marina Express ferry on this route, which also serves the Greek island of Kythnos.
In recent years, high-speed ferries and the NEL line have made stops in Lavrio during the summer. In recent years, NEL has provided three routes to and from Laurion, which they call Laurio:
- Laurio – Ag – Eystratios – Lemnos – Kavala
- Syros – Kythnos – Kea – Laurio
- Laurio – Psara – Mesta
Ferry service from Lavrion and other Greek ports
If you are planning ahead, remember that Greek ferry times are generally not published until they start, so a route that starts on March 1 may not appear until after March 1, making advance planning difficult. They will generally not be available for online reservation until that time begins. The absence of a ferry listing does not necessarily mean that there will not be a ferry for the period of time you need. A call to the ferry line or to the port authorities will provide you with the information you need.
The Lavrion Port Authority number is (011 30) 22920 25249.
