Mantoudi is the largest town in northeastern Evia and one of the island’s main transport hubs, thanks to the nearby port of Kymasi, which connects Evia with the Sporades islands, Volos, and Thessaloniki. Set in the fertile valley of the Kireas River between forested hills and the Aegean coast, it combines easy access to beaches, mountain scenery, hiking trails, and several of northern Evia’s most important attractions.
Although many travelers pass through Mantoudi on their way to Skiathos, Skopelos, or Alonissos, the town itself is worth more than a quick stop. Its history is closely tied to the magnesite mining industry that shaped much of northern Evia for over a century, while today it serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby beaches, the Kireas plane forest, mountain villages, waterfalls, monasteries, and the surrounding countryside. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about visiting Mantoudi, including its history, the best things to do, nearby beaches, accommodation, and how to get there.
If you’re travelling by ferry from Kymasi, you can search for routes and book your tickets here.
Hi! I’m Dimi, tour guide and writer of this blog. I offer affordable, custom private tours (hiking or driving) around Evia. If you need any help exploring the best of the island, get in touch.
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A Brief History of Mantoudi
Mantoudi has a longer and heavier history than its quiet town-center appearance suggests. Near the town, at Peleki, between Kastri and the hill of Profitis Ilias, there are remains of ancient Kirinthos, one of the old settlements of northern Evia.
The origin of the name Mantoudi is uncertain. One theory links it to a Romani word connected with bread, supposedly because of the area’s fertile land. Another sees it as Latin-derived and connected with several medieval settlements known collectively as Mantoudia. A third interpretation connects the name with wet ground, which would fit the older landscape of the area, when marshes existed around the town.
The modern story of Mantoudi is closely tied to magnesite, known locally as lefkolithos. Mining began in northern Evia in the 1870s, first around Gerorema near present-day Prokopi, while the ore was exported through Kymasi, Mantoudi’s coastal outlet. The industry grew into one of the defining economic forces of the region, with mines, processing facilities, and port infrastructure spread across the wider zone between Limni, Mantoudi, Prokopi, and Galataki Monastery.
The boom years came in the 1960s and 1970s. The Skalistiris company alone employed thousands of workers, drawing people not only from Mantoudi and nearby villages, but also from other parts of Evia and Greece. This growth changed the town’s population, economy, and daily life, and Mantoudi’s development followed the fortunes of the mines more closely than almost anything else.
The decline was just as dramatic. Global market shifts, competition, layoffs, strikes, and repeated attempts at restructuring hit the local economy hard from the mid-1970s onward. The company was later renamed BIOMAGN, but recovery efforts failed, and operations eventually stopped around the turn of the 21st century. Mining activity later resumed under TERNA MAG, but the older industrial boom had already left its mark on Mantoudi’s landscape, economy, and memory.
Things to Do in & Near Mantoudi
Although Mantoudi itself has only a handful of attractions, it makes an excellent base for exploring northeastern Evia. From beaches and hiking trails to waterfalls, monasteries, museums, and industrial heritage, many of the region’s highlights lie within a short drive of the town.
Walk Around the Village
Mantoudi is a compact town that can easily be explored on foot. The central square is lined with cafés and tavernas and serves as the town’s main meeting place, while the surrounding streets contain small shops and everyday businesses that reflect Mantoudi’s role as the commercial centre of northeastern Evia rather than a tourist resort.
A short walk around the centre reveals a handful of points of interest, including the Church of St. John the Theologian, the town’s principal church, and the small stone Church of the Holy Trinity near the square. From several streets, the surrounding hills form a pleasant backdrop, while the nearby Kireas River adds to the town’s green setting. Although Mantoudi is not known for grand monuments or preserved old quarters, it offers a relaxed atmosphere and makes a worthwhile stop before continuing to the region’s beaches and hiking trails.
Visit Kymasi Port
Kymasi is a small coastal settlement a few kilometres east of Mantoudi, best known as the ferry gateway to the Sporades, Volos, and Thessaloniki. The bay also has a small fishing boat shelter, a pedestrian bridge crossing the Kymasiotis River near its mouth, and the small Church of Saint Panteleimon. During summer, a beach bar operates on the western side of the bay, while the ferry terminal occupies the eastern side, where you’ll also find a spacious parking area.
The pebble beach is suitable for a swim, while the calm waters of the bay usually provide gentler conditions than many of Evia’s more exposed Aegean beaches.
Hike the Natural Landscapes Around Mantoudi
Mantoudi is surrounded by some of northeastern Evia’s most attractive natural scenery, making it a good base for both short walks and longer hikes. One of the area’s highlights is the Kireas Plane Forest, which used to be one of the largest plane tree forests in Greece before an invasive fungus ravaged it. Following the banks of the Kireas River, its shaded paths are ideal for walking, especially during the warmer months.
Another popular destination is the Nileas Gorge, where a marked trail follows the river through dense vegetation, small waterfalls, pools, and old stone bridges. Depending on the section you choose, the hike ranges from an easy riverside walk to a more demanding trek.
A little farther away, the Drymonas Waterfalls are among northern Evia’s best-known natural attractions. Reached by a short walk through oak and chestnut woodland, the falls cascade into a small pool that offers a refreshing stop during summer. For more experienced hikers, the slopes of Mount Xiron provide longer mountain routes with wide views over the surrounding forests and the Aegean coast.
Discover the Former Magnesite Mining Landscape
For more than a century, magnesite mining shaped Mantoudi more than anything else, transforming what had been a quiet agricultural settlement into one of Greece’s most important mining centres. Although many of the facilities have been abandoned, traces of this industrial past remain scattered across the surrounding landscape, from old quarry sites and processing plants to railway infrastructure, the port of Kymasi, and the striking flooded quarry lakes left behind after mining ceased.
The abandoned lakes are among the area’s most distinctive sights today. Their vivid turquoise waters contrast sharply with the surrounding rock, creating an almost surreal landscape that attracts photographers and curious visitors alike. Much of the former mining area is on private property and cannot be freely accessed, but several viewpoints and industrial remnants can still be seen from public roads around Mantoudi, offering a glimpse into an industry that shaped the region’s economy and identity for generations.
Visit St. John the Russian
Around 13 km southwest of Mantoudi, the village of Prokopi is home to the Church of St. John the Russian, one of Greece’s most important Orthodox pilgrimage sites. The church houses the incorrupt relics of St. John the Russian, which were brought from Cappadocia following the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in the 1920s. Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine, particularly around the saint’s feast day on 27 May.
Even if you’re not visiting for religious reasons, Prokopi makes an easy detour from Mantoudi. The village has cafés, tavernas, and shops around the church, making it a pleasant place to spend an hour or two before continuing to other attractions in the area.
Relax on the Beaches Near Mantoudi
Mantoudi is within easy reach of some of northern Evia’s best beaches, ranging from long organised stretches to secluded coves backed by steep cliffs. Kymasi is the closest, but several other beaches lie within a 15- to 30-minute drive, making the town a convenient base if you want to combine mountain scenery with time by the sea.
Among the most popular is Agia Anna (Agkali), a 6 km-long beach lined with cafés, tavernas, beach bars, and accommodation. Nearby, Agios Vasileios is famous for its distinctive double beach separated by a narrow strip of land, while Pili offers a quieter setting beneath forested slopes. Sarakiniko, with its white pebbles and clear water, is another favourite.
Where to Stay in Mantoudi
Accommodation options in Mantoudi itself are fairly limited, but you’ll find a handful of apartments and guesthouses within the town, making it a convenient base for exploring northeastern Evia. Good options include Lydia Residence and Chaido Apartments, both within easy reach of the town centre and the road network leading to the surrounding beaches, hiking trails, and attractions.
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How to Get to Mantoudi
If you’re driving, Mantoudi is about 2.5 hours from Athens via Chalkida and the main road through central and northern Evia. The route is fully paved and passes through forests, mountain scenery, and several villages before descending into the Kireas valley.
If you’re travelling by public transport, KTEL Evia operates regular bus services from Athens to Mantoudi via Chalkida. The journey takes around three hours, depending on the route and connections. It’s a good idea to check the latest timetable before travelling, as services vary throughout the week.
If you’re planning a road trip on Evia and haven’t got a car already, you can compare some of the best rental deals here.
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View (and feel free to use) all my photographs from Mantoudi and Kymasi in higher resolution.
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