Silver mining shaped this ancient Greek town's past, with its archaeological ruins and 19th-century industrial buildings telling stories of mineral wealth and metallurgy.
Laurium sits along the coast of southeastern Attica, where you can touch ancient mine walls that once supplied silver for Athens' coins. Walk through tunnels dug over 5,000 years ago near Thoricus, examine 4th-century BC mining tools at the Archaeological Museum, and see the harbor where ships once carried ore across the Aegean. Ferries from Lavrio Port depart daily for islands like Kea and Kythnos. Fifteen minutes south, the Temple of Poseidon rises above Cape Sounion’s cliffs. In town, former industrial buildings now house seafood restaurants and cafes, their walls bearing traces of soot from smelting furnaces.
Mining History and Site Exploration
Laurium’s silver mines funded Athens’ navy during the Persian Wars, with operations spanning from the Bronze Age to the 20th century. Slaves and laborers extracted ore using stone hammers and iron chisels, visible today in shafts near the Thoricus archaeological site. French mining companies later installed narrow-gauge railways here; rusted tracks still cross hillsides west of town. Wear closed-toe shoes to explore the Verzeko Valley tunnels, where bare rock and sparse shrubs mark areas stripped by industrial mining. Bring a flashlight to see mineral veins in the walls and avoid touching soil discolored by heavy metals.
Museums Detailing Local Industry
The Archaeological Museum in Lavrio displays bronze picks, clay oil lamps, and stone molds used to create Athenian coins. One room focuses on labor conditions, with inscriptions listing punishments for enslaved workers who stole ore. A 10-minute walk north, the Mineralogical Museum occupies a restored 19th-century warehouse. Its collection includes green-hued malachite crystals and blue azurite formations from nearby deposits. Both museums close on Tuesdays and charge a €3 entry fee.
Lavrio Port Transportation Hub
Ferries to the Cyclades depart from Lavrio’s port, a 15-minute walk from the town center. Check-in opens two hours before sailing, with boarding queues forming near the ticket offices. Watch crews unload fresh catch at the fish market between 7-9 AM, then try grilled squid at waterfront tavernas. Parking lots near the terminal fill quickly during summer afternoons. Buses from Athens stop at the port entrance, and the suburban train from Koropi takes 50 minutes.
Cape Sounion Temple and Beaches
Drive 12 km south to reach the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. The site opens until 8 PM in summer, allowing visits during cooler evening hours. Look for 19th-century engravings on the temple’s base, including the name “Byron” carved near the eastern steps. Three small beaches line the road back to Laurium—Legrena has coarse sand and clear water, while Saronida’s pebble shore stays less crowded. A hotel below the temple provides umbrellas and sunbeds for guests.
Town Culture and Recent Changes
Lavrio’s central square hosts a Friday market selling olives, herbs, and beekeeping tools from nearby Mount Hymettus. Cafes on Agiou Nikolaou Street serve strong Greek coffee and almond pastries, often accompanied by live rembetika music on weekends. Families gather at Kokovios taverna for dishes like rabbit stifado and lentil soup. Near the post office, a 30-meter-deep pit thought to be a collapsed mine shaft draws curious visitors. Elderly residents play tavli (backgammon) in cafes, sharing stories of the town’s mining heyday.
Getting There and Staying Safe
Take the Athens-Sounion bus from Pedion Areos station or drive via the Lavrio-Sounion coastal road. Taxis from Athens Airport take 70 minutes via the Attiki Odos toll highway. Book accommodations early between June and August, as most hotels have fewer than 20 rooms. Carry a hat and sunscreen when touring open-air mining sites, where shade is scarce. Check ferry timetables directly with operators, as winter storms sometimes cancel routes.
