The archaeological site of Thorikos (Greek: Θορικό) lies on the seafront in southeastern Attica, 40 minutes from Athens and less than 10 minutes from Lavrio. It’s an ideal destination for a day getaway that combines nature and culture close to Athens.
The almost forgotten archaeological site of Thorikos is well worth a visit! It features an imposing theater, a Mycenaean citadel (acropolis and two tombs) and a beautiful panoramic view of the southeast coast of Attica.
The archaeological site of Thorikos is well signposted. As it is not served by public transport, it is essential to get there by car. Parking is available at the site entrance.
Admission is free. And the site is open 24 hours a day, every day.
The theater at Thorikos archaeological site
From the entrance, a pretty stone path leads up to the ancient theater carved into the hillside.
Arriving in the theater is an enchantment. It is very well preserved , despite its age. In fact, the theater at the Thorikos archaeological site is believed to be the oldest preserved in Greece. It dates back to the 5th century BC.
This theater is also remarkable for its form. Unlike other Greek theaters, it is oval rather than circular, and has a rectangular rather than circular orchestra. With 21 rows of seats, it had a capacity of 4,000 when built.
We recommend that you take a seat and surrender all your senses to the pleasure of the play. The setting is splendid: the blue of the sea in the background, the ballet of butterflies, the song of the birds, the intoxicating scent of flowers and thyme…
- Google Maps of the ancient site of Thorikos
- Free admission
- Official website
At the top of the hill
And if you want to get some height, continue your exploration of the archaeological site of Thorikos by climbing up the hill to the citadel.
There are two ways to do this:
- Climb the hill through Mediterranean vegetation. Our calves got a bit scratched… but above all, it’s a climb! The climb is steep but well worth it.
- Head north on the main road and turn left at the “Tholos Tombs” sign (2-minute drive from the theater). Follow the path to the graves, one of which is still visible. Then continue on a narrow path to reach the highest point.
Once at the summit, the 360° view is impressive. You can see the island of Makronikos in its entirety. Unfortunately, the view of the refinery spoils the fun a little.
Discover Koutaka Mikrolimanou
After a stroll around the fabulous archaeological site of Thorikos, we suggest a 10-minute drive to Koutala Mikrolimanou.
This pretty peninsula is the ideal spot for a lunch break. Bring your own picnic. Otherwise, there’s a small “Mr Georges” grocery store on the main road, with good sandwiches. There are also a few taverns nearby, including a fish tavern by the sea, but we didn’t try them out.
Children can play on the rocks, collect shells and, depending on the season, go swimming.
The view of the Temple of the Prophet Elias, situated on a hill facing the peninsula, is magnificent. Don’t hesitate to take a closer look along the landscaped beach. You’ll feel like you’re on a Cycladic island. A guaranteed favorite!
This walk to the archaeological site of Thorikos and its surroundings can easily fill your whole day, but if you prefer, you can also take the opportunity to visit Cape Sounion, less than 20 minutes away.
Elodie H.
