Lavrion is a small Greek village, located in the southeastern part of Attica. Lavrion was famous even in ancient times thanks to the silver mines which were one of the main sources of revenue of the Athenian state. This silver was mainly used for the manufacture of coins. Lavrion is also a port city, though it is much smaller than the nearby Piraeus.

Lavrion is located 60 km South-East of Athens, to the South of keratea and North of Cape Sounion. It offers a great view on a small uninhabited island of Makronisos. The city is located just 35 km from Athens airport.

The Lavrion mines were initially so rich that a portion of the proceeds went into the state Treasury, and the remainder was distributed among the citizens. After the battle of Marathon (one of the largest land battles of the Greco-Persian wars 490 g. to n.e.), Themistocles persuaded the Athenians to send the expected revenues from the silver mines of Lavrion on the expansion of the Athenian Navy of 200 triremes (Trier – combat ships), and thus laid the Foundation for the Maritime Empire of Athens. The mines, which were owned by the state, as a rule, surrendered to private persons on the short term interest rates. Field development was done manually and was used exclusively slave labor. In the late 5th century, during the Peloponnesian war production decreased significantly, but the mines continued to operate. Although the Greek historian and geographer Strabo in his writings indicated that at this time in Attica began old smelting metallurgical wastes, which is indicative of exhaustion of the primary fields. In the 1st century n.e. the mines were abandoned. In the 20th century the mines were reworked, but mainly for the production of lead, manganese and cadmium.

Today Lavrion most attractive to tourists as the port where you can rent a boat. It is from here where it's convenient to reach interesting places such as the Cyclades, Euboea, Saronic Islands. Interesting for tourists and Cape Sounion, which is the ancient temple of Poseidon. The city has its archaeological Museum and mineral Museum - the only Museum of its kind in Greece.

In the numerous taverns on the waterfront you can taste Greek dishes and fresh fish and other marine products.