Lavrio is an industrial town on the southeast coast of Attica, 60 km from Athens. It is set between the two ancient towns of Sounio and Thorikos and is opposite Makronisos Island, a former prison island. Although there is not much worth staying for, it is an excellent place to pick up a charter boat as it is well located, well connected and has several amenities such as banking services, large supermarkets for stocking up before you set sail, and other conveniences. In town, there is a great farmers market, fish market and a handful of restaurants.
The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio, about 10km away, is well worth visiting.
The large and busy Olympic Marina is 7km from Lavrio town and there are a number of charter yacht companies based there.
Lavrio is, not only an excellent starting point for yacht charter in the Cyclades, but also good for itineraries around the Saronic Gulf and the Peloponnese. The islands of the Saronic Gulf are a quick sail from Lavrio and therefore a popular destination, with a sound infrastructure, for Athenians and tourists alike. Easy line-of-sight sailing makes this a popular sailing destination in the summer months.
Lavrio is also the gateway to the Cyclades island complex, with the first two islands Kea and Kithnos being very close.
Lavrio is a transport hub and only 37 km from the Athens International Airport. It is also easily accessible by bus from Athens city centre. Lavrio harbour is one of the main ferry ports for the Greek islands.
Sailing from Lavrio is pleasant and easy. The summer weather in the Aegean is dominated by the ‘meltemi’ wind which comes from the NE in the north and west Aegean. It is usually a light sailing breeze of force 4-5 in the early morning but can strengthen to 5-6 by the afternoon and subsides by sunset. The closer you sail to the central Cycladic islands, the windier it becomes.