If you have been wondering where exactly the Mamma Mia Greece Locations are, this post will offer all the relevant information!
Mamma Mia is a popular and successful movie, filmed in 2008 in three spectacular Greek locations: Skopelos and Skiathos Islands in the Sporades island group and Damouchari, a tiny village in eastern Pelion Mount right across from the Sporades.
The Mamma Mia Greece Locations presented in the film is a masterpiece of crafty film editing.
The producers and director have combined those three locations and mixed them up adding props that were adapted to the settings at Pinewood Studios.
Mamma Mia is a romantic musical, based on the songs of the 1970s and early 80s Swedish pop group ABBA.
Although, ABBA or musicals, in general, is not everybody’s cup of tea, however, it did boost Skopelos Greece tourism tremendously.
For the first time, the spectacular landscape of Agios Ioannis Kastri and remote sandy beaches such as Kastani with emerald waters made Skopelos widely known.
Up next I am going to tell you about the Mamma Mia Greece Locations!
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Mamma Mia Greece Locations
Skopelos or Kalokairi Island
Skopelos Greece or Kalokairi (summer) as it was called in the movie, is the main Mamma Mia Greece Locations. These locations belong to Skopelos Island:
- the wedding scene chapel is at the St. Ioannis beach
- the main beach of the movie is in Kastani
- the view from the house can be found on Glysteri beach
- scenes were filmed in Amarandos Cove, Milia Beach and
- Skopelos Chora
Mamma Mia island Skopelos is the greenest island in the Aegean Sea and the second largest island in the Sporades group. 67% of its surface is covered in pine forests creating a magical place that looks like a paradise.
Sporades group is located north of Evia island and east of Pelion Mt. The group includes Skopelos, Skyros, Alonissos, Skiathos, and Peristera islands (the ones with residents) and many other smaller islands with no residents at all.
Agios Ioannis in Kastri: The Wedding Scene
The magical wedding scenes were filmed at the astonishing church of Agios Ioannis in Kastri in northern Skopelos, about an hour from Skopelos town. Right across from the rock where the chapel stands on its top, Donna sings ‘The winner takes it all’ to Sam.
The beautiful church has over 100 very steep steps carved into the rock, but with handrails to hang on to. It is a hardship but you will be compensated for the spectacular view when you get to the top of Skopelos and nearby Alonissos.
You can spend time on Agios Ioannis Beach with a coffee shop that also rents sunbeds and umbrellas.
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Kastani Beach
Kastani is one of the most beautiful beaches in Skopelos with turquoise waters and no wonder why it was chosen for Mamma Mia Greece locations.
This is the beach where Tania sings ‘Does Your Mother Know?’, where Sophie and Skye sing ‘Lay All Your Love on Me’, and where Donna and the dads say goodbye to Sophie and Skye and sing ‘I Have a Dream’.
At Kastani Beach you will find a busy beach cafe, sunbeds as well as a water-sports rental, with a party atmosphere on summer evenings. And if they play Abba songs, you can feel you are part of the film as well!
Glysteri Beach
In Glysteri Beach, which is close to Skopelos Chora, is the supposed arched stone entrance to the Villa Donna (which doesn’t exist in Skopelos). The mountainous peninsula near Glysteri Beach was the departure point for Sophie’s wedding.
Glysteri is an organized beach, popular and busy with loud music and a party ambiance.
If you are a fan of the film, you can take a guided Mamma Mia tour to Skopelos to spend a day visiting the Mamma Mia film locations by coach, with time for swimming and a nice lunch by the sea.
Amarandos Cove
The idyllic sailing scene where Sophie and her 3 dads sing ‘Our Last Summer‘ was shot at Cape Amarandos in Skopelos.
The stunning cape has lots of hidden coves and rocky swimming places. You can hike there but it is quite challenging so the easiest way to approach this area is by boat.
Where to Stay in Skopelos
Adrina Beach Hotel is in a stunning location on Adrina Bay with a fabulous pool and a beachside restaurant overlooking the turquoise water beach while the cozy rooms of Eleni Studios Neo Klima Skopelos with a beautiful garden, magnificent sea views over the Eleos Beach and competitive comfort and facilities.
FAB PROPERTIES
Check out availability and prices for the best hotels and apartments in Greece on Booking.
Where to eat in Skopelos
For fine Mediterranean cuisine, go to Zoupas restaurant in Chora. The Agnanti restaurant in Glossa is famous for its good Greek cuisine, but also for its incomparable view.
On the beach of Panormos, you will find the tavern of Giannis with many local Skopelos recipes. Mouria is a nice fish tavern on the beach of Agnontas.
Where to Stay & Eat in Athens: The Ultimate Travel Guide!
My Ebook on the best areas in central Athens and the Riviera!
How to get to Skopelos
Skopelos is reached by ferry from Volos, Kymi, and Mantoudi ports on Evia island and Agios Konstantinos port in Fthiotida. A bridge links Evia Island to the mainland and is two hours drive from Athens.
Alternatively, you can fly to Skiathos from Athens and take the ferry to Skopelos. Check FerryScanner to get the best prices in the market with no hidden fees.
Skiathos Island – Mamma Mia Greece Locations 2
Skiathos is the most touristic area of Sporades, with 60 magnificent sandy beaches, all surrounded by fragrant pine forests.
The locations where the filming took place in Skiathos are in the old port next to the picturesque and pine-covered peninsula of Bourtzi. From Skiathos is the scene where Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth, run to catch the boat that will take them to Skopelos.
All the seaside shops in Skiathos had to adjust their facades and table seatings to look as if they belonged to an older era. Filming also takes place in Agios Nikolaos where Sophie sends the letter to invite the 3 prospective fathers to her wedding.
Where to Stay in Skiathos
The La Piscine Art Hotel, Philian Hotels and Resorts is set in a peaceful area, just a 5-minute walk to the center of Skiathos. The stylish hotel is adults-only and offers an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a friendly atmosphere.
The Polykratis Rooms is a very convenient cozy property, ideal for families, just a 4-minute walk from the beach and 500 meters from Skiathos Town.
Where to Eat in Skiathos
One of the best restaurants in Skiathos is Carnayo in the new port with Mediterranean cuisine using organic vegetables. For fresh fish go to Scuna and for traditional and fresh local flavors stop by Artesanal.
A modern Greek cuisine restaurant that is also worth trying is the award-winning Elia’s Restaurant inside Mandraki Village Hotel.
How to get there
You can fly to Skiathos from Athens, or take the ferry from Agios Konstantinos, Mantoudi, or Volos ports.
Damouchari in Pelion Mt – Mamma Mia Greece Locations 3
The ‘Dancing Queen’ dance starts in Villa Donna and continues to the courtyard (both scenes were shot in Pinewood Studio). It then extends to the area outside Villa Donna (the arch in Glysteri Beach, Skopelos). The route ends at the port of Damouchari in the Mouresi area along the coast of eastern Pelion in mainland Greece.
The jetty you see in the film was built especially for this scene. It was dismantled to retain the peaceful and traditional scenery of Damouchari.
Damouchari’s tiny port is perfect for a meal with fresh fish, a dive to the 50 meters far beautiful beach, a stroll under the olive trees, or a hike to Tsagkarada, 8 km from Damouchari.
Where to Stay in Damouchari
Victoria’s Guesthouse is ideally set in front of Damouchari port, with a lovely terrace and brightly decorated rooms.
FAQ for Mamma Mia in Greece
Can I get married at the Agios Ioannis Chapel?
Yes, with prior permission and arrangements with the local authorities. Or you can renew your vows of love at the Mamma Mia Greece locations!
Are there any beaches on Skopelos similar to the film’s “Dancing Queen” beach?
Several beaches offer similar vibes, like Milia Beach with its pine trees and clear waters.
Can you stay at the hotel from Mamma Mia!?
The hotel in the film was a set and not a real hotel, but Skopelos and Skiathos have plenty of charming accommodations with similar island vibes
Was Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again also filmed in Greece?
No, the sequel was mostly filmed on the Croatian island of Vis, as the production chose a different location despite the story still being set in Greece.
Related Posts on Pelion Villages
- Explore Mountainous Zagora Pelion
- Agios Ioannis in Eastern Pelion
- Black Orthodox Icon in Milies
- Makrinitsa, the Balcony of Pelion
- The Best Things to Do in Portaria
- 30 Best Places to Visit in Greece
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Athens Airport to Piraeus Port
- Bus: If you are arriving at Athens International Airport you can travel straight to the port by taking the X96 express bus (€5.5, children <6 yo, free entrance), which departs every 40 minutes and the average trip lasts 1 hour – runs 24/7.
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- Taxis are available in front of the airport (around €45 to Athens, €55 to Piraeus (depending on the traffic in Kifisos), and take up to 3 or 4 people with small luggage)
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Essential Travel Resources for Greece
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Ya sou” and “Efharisto”
- Booking.com: I use Booking.com mostly for Europe.
- All-Inclusive Resorts in Greece
- FerryScanner to book ferries to the Greek Islands
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- Athens Metro Website (timetables and ticket info)
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- Get Your Guide: For all your day or multi-day tours and city guide needs, I use Get Your Guide
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