The hit movie Mamma Mia had us singing along to those catchy Abba songs and loving the feel-good Greek locations. If you’re a fan you may be wondering “where was Mamma Mia filmed?” We visited most of the Mamma Mia film locations in Skopelos and the nearby Pelion peninsula in Greece and had fun re-living moments from the movie.
A starring role went to the picturesque chapel of Agios Ioannis, perched on the top of a rock overlooking the sea. Other locations included beaches at Kastani and Glysteri in Skopelos, the pretty port and beach of Damouchari in the Pelion and the old port of Skiathos.
On Skopelos take a guided Mamma Mia tour to spend a day visiting the Mamma Mia film locations by coach, with time for swimming and a nice lunch by the sea.
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Mamma Mia The Movie
The plot of Mamma Mia centres on a mother and daughter tale with Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) about to be married to Sky (Dominic Cooper). The action takes place at Villa Donna on the imaginary Kalokairi island in Greece (set mainly in Skopelos) where Sophie has grown up with her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep).
Sophie sends wedding invitations to the three men who wooed her mother, not knowing which one is her real father; Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Harry (Colin Firth) and Bill (Stellan Skarsgard). As the wedding guests arrive, including Donna’s old friends Rosie (Julie Walters) and Tanya (Christine Baranski), there’s lots of fun as Donna remembers past romances and re-creates her days as lead singer in the Dynamos girl band. Watch the Mamma Mia movie here.
Mamma Mia film locations in Skopelos
After months of research and preparation at the locations in Greece, the film crew arrived in 2007 on Skopelos to shoot the hit movie Mamma Mia. Having already filmed interior scenes at the Pinewood film studio near London, the location shoot was surprisingly quick, with the cast spending a week on Skopelos and five days at Damouchari.
Ever since, Skopelos has been known as “The Mamma Mia Island” a connection the locals are happy to re-live, since it’s so good for business! In bars and restaurants, look out for photos of cast members dining out during their filming and hear stories of what they got up to when many a glass of ouzo was enjoyed!
If you are a fan of the film, you can take a guided Mamma Mia tour to spend a day in Skopelos visiting the Mamma Mia film locations by coach, with time for swimming and a nice lunch by the sea.
The chapel of Agios Ioannis
On Skopelos, the star of the Mamma Mia film locations is the tiny chapel of Agios Ioannis, the setting for Sophie and Sky’s wedding. Perched on top of a rock, the chapel is reached by climbing the 202 steps with a reward of stunning views over the rocky coastline and beach below.
Due to the miniature size, a much larger version of the chapel interior was built in the Pinewood Studios, modelled on one of the churches in Skopelos town.
Read more about all the fun things to do in Skopelos in my article: Skopelos Greece – a guide to the Mamma Mia Island
In the film, as Donna makes her way along the path to join the sunset wedding, she is met by Sam who proclaims that he still loves her. They sing “The winner takes it all” with the chapel as a backdrop.
Although the setting looks rural in the film, the actors must have been standing on the bend in the road that leads down to the sea, which is a good vantage point to take photos.
Later we see Donna running up the steep steps to the chapel to join the wedding, pausing in the doorway at the top look back at Sam (where you can also take a selfie!).
The wedding scene in Mamma Mia
As Donna walks Sophie up the aisle, there is confusion over which is her real father and Sam proposes to Donna in “I Do, I do, I do, I do, I do!”. Love is re-kindled between Sam and Donna but Sophie and Sky decide to postpone their wedding and go travelling as Sky had always wanted.
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After climbing up the steps, enjoying the breathtaking views on the way up, take a well earned rest in the shady paved area around the chapel. When we visited, the chapel was open and as with all Greek churches entry is free but donations are appreciated. The inside of the chapel is tiny so you can see why the interior shots were recreated in the studio.
Read about 20 fabulous things to do in Paxos, Greece
Visiting Agios Ioannis
When you visit Agios Ioannis chapel, the parking is at the bottom of the hill in front of the beach cafe. I suspect that in high season and at weekends this gorgeous location will get crowded with parking spaces tight, so time your visit accordingly.
The cafe serves food and drinks on the beach and runs the beach beds and umbrellas that you can rent. There’s also a small shop nearby called Sporades cosmetics that sells natural beauty products.
The beach at Agios Ioannis
After visiting the chapel, I can recommend walking down to the pretty beach to cool off in the clear turquoise waters. You can leave your things on the rock or pay to use the sun-beds that are serviced by the cafe who will bring you drinks and snacks.
Agios Ioannis is one of the key locations on the Mamma Mia tour and if you are nervous of narrow, winding roads, you may prefer to visit on the tour and let someone else do the driving.
Kastani beach
Kastani is one of the most beautiful beaches in Skopelos so it’s easy to see why it was chosen for the filming, for practical reasons (there’s good road access and parking) as well as visual ones. For the filming, a jetty and a beach bar were added, although both were removed once filming was complete.
This is where Sophie and Sky declare their love for each other as the waves wash over them in “Lay all your love on me”. Before things get too steamy, Sky is dragged away by his groomsmen. They goof about with flippers and masks on the jetty.
This scene was filmed at the western end of the beach where the white crags are clothed with green pines, making a pretty backdrop.
Read about the 6 things the English girls get so wrong on the beach in Greece!
Another scene at the beach bar features Donna’s friend Tanya, a wealthy divorcee on the lookout for husband number four. She attracts the attentions of one of Sky’s friends, who is much younger than her.
With the help of the cast, Tanya belts out the sassy “Does your mother know” as they romp on the beach. For this scene a small beach bar was built at the rocky east end of the beach.
Visiting Kastani beach
Although the jetty and beach bar that feature in Mamma Mia are no longer there, this is an easy beach to spend time on. Kastani offers a busy beach cafe and lots of sun-beds as well as a water-sports rental. There’s a party atmosphere on summer evenings.
The land behind the beach is flat, so there’s plenty of parking and easy access in a short drive downhill from the coastal road. Kastani beach is also much visited by Mamma Mia fans and island coach tours. If you find it too crowded, just head to the equally beautiful Milia beach which is next along the coast.
If you don’t have a car, we recommend visiting Kastani beach as part of the Mamma Mia tour of Skopelos.
Read more about all the fun things to do in Skopelos in my article: Skopelos Greece – a guide to the Mamma Mia Island
Glysteri beach
Another beautiful beach that makes an appearance is Glysteri, which is one of the closest to Skopelos Town (Chora). It’s on the rocky peninsula close to Glysteri that Sophie and her three fathers jump off the rocks at the end of their sailing trip when they sing “Our last summer”.
It’s not obvious which rocks were used in the filming. However, there is a platform to one side of the beach where you can have just as much fun jumping in to the water.
The olive groves above the beach were also used for some of the general scenes. For example, the one where Sophie sets off from Villa Donna for her wedding on a donkey.
Glysteri is a popular beach that’s easily reached by road, or by a long walk from Skopelos town. There’s plenty of parking and a busy beach cafe. Sun-beds are available to rent and music throbs in high season.
The setting here is gorgeous and the location within a deep inlet means that the beach is somewhat protected and calmer in windy weather.
Cape Amarandos in Skopelos
With pine covered rocks and clear turquoise water, the stretch of coast at Cape Amarandos in Skopelos makes an idyllic backdrop for some of the scenes in Mamma Mia.
Sophie weaves through the olive groves singing “Honey Honey” as she reads extracts of the mother’s diary. She learns that the mother spent the night with three different men who could be Sophie’s father.
This scene uses a compilation of views of the cliffs above Glysteri and Cape Amarandos where the girls run up the steep rocky path to Villa Donna.
The sailing scene in Mamma Mia
Sophie finds her three potential fathers aboard Bill’s yacht. They spend the afternoon together reminiscing about their carefree youth and singing “Our Last Summer”.
These idyllic sailing scenes on sparkling turquoise waters under the rocky cliffs were shot around Cape Amarandos in Skopelos. There are lots of hidden coves and rocky swimming places here.
If you look carefully you’ll spot the two windswept pines in the film on the small peninsula of Cape Amarandos. These are a much photographed landmark of Skopelos.
You can follow the dirt track with a jeep from the fishing port of Agnontas or walk along the top of the cliffs. You’ll discover some of these swimming places for yourself. Access can be quite challenging and much easier by boat.
Alternatively just enjoy a relaxing lunch at one of the fish tavernas in Agnontas near Cape Amarandos. Contemplate the beauty of the bay and pine clad hillside.
Read more about all the fun things to do in Skopelos in my article: Skopelos Greece – a guide to the Mamma Mia Island
Where to stay in Skopelos
Skopelos is a small island, so wherever you stay it’s easy to get around, especially if you hire a car. We chose to stay at Panormos, which has one of the best beaches in Skopelos. It offers a wide selection of beach bars and tavernas.
We were really happy with our choice. Panormos offered wonderful swimming, a well stocked local shop, plenty of eating out options and easy proximity to Skopelos town. Check prices and book accommodation in Panormos. In particular I’d recommend;
Adrina Hotel is a lovely 4 star hotel with 59 rooms, close to Panormos with its own small beach. The Mamma Mia 2 cast stayed here when they were doing interviews to promote the film.
The accommodation is set on the hillside overlooking the sea with a pool, restaurant, dive centre. There is easy access to the other restaurants on Panormos beach. The 5 star Adrina Resort next door is owned by the same family and offers similar facilities with suites and deluxe villas.
Stay at the Adrina Hotel located near the village of Panormos on Skopelos
Katerina Apartments is a great budget option where we stayed. It’s set down a lane a short walk from the beach, in a quiet location with beautiful gardens.
Psarianos Beachfront apartments is a stylish mid price option of studios in an old olive press. It has an enviable location right on the beach and a shady courtyard garden for sitting outside.
For more accommodation options please check my island guide to Skopelos, Greece
Mamma Mia film locations in Pelion, Greece
A few of the scenes from Mamma Mia were filmed on the Greek mainland on the Pelion peninsula. This is close to the Sporades islands of Skopelos and Skiathos.
We spent 10 days touring around the Pelion and can highly recommend the region for the pretty mountain villages with shady squares and its glorious, unspoiled beaches.
While staying at Agios Ioannis on the Pelion’s Aegean coast, we took the footpath around the headland. Here we found the tiny fishing port and hamlet of Damouchari that features in a couple of the scenes.
During the filming, the crew used a picturesque small guest house ‘Ghermaniko’ as their base on the harbour front. You can book it here if you’d like to stay there.
Check out our guide to Pelion Greece – from the mountains to the sea!
Damouchari Port
In the scene shot at Damouchari Port, Donna arrives in her battered jeep down the dirt track. She greets her two friends Rosie and Tanya who have just arrived on the ferry.
Together they relive their old Dynamo days. Later she confides to her friends that she doesn’t know who is Sophie’s father. Then the ladies dance down from Villa Donna to the port.
The olive groves above Damouchari port were used for part of this dancing sequence, which gathers local women on the way. It ends in them all jumping off the jetty as they sing “Dancing Queen”.
Locals we met were happy to share their memories of the filming. It involved many of the local women as extras in the Dancing Queen sequence.
There’s no jetty in the small harbour now as it was built specially for the film. It was later dismantled to preserve the quiet character of the harbour.
The production crew spent a month before the scenes were shot here. They made sure that the charming cobbled streets of Damouchari looked just right to represent the pretty Greek island village on Kalokairi.
Damouchari Beach
A short walk past the port and through the cobbled streets of the hamlet brings you to the gorgeous Damouchari beach. Bordered by rocky cliffs on both sides, the beach is known for its round, white pebbles. This makes for crystal clear water that invites you to swim.
There’s a beach cafe here and walkers can continue along the footpath. It leads up from the eastern end of the beach on an 8km hike to the mountain village of Tsagarada. You can also use the path to climb up a little way to the vantage point for photos looking down over the beach.
Where to stay in the Pelion
We travelled around the Pelion staying in a number of different locations. One of our favourites was the delightful Ammos Papanero guest house on Papa Nero Beach at Agios Ioannis.
The accommodation was simple, but the huge geranium filled terrace and sea views made this a wonderful place to stay in summer. From here we walked along the footpath at the end of the beach and over the headland to Damouchari.
For other places to stay in the Pelion, you can also check out the stylish mountain village hotel where we stayed in Makrinitsa. Also see the charming sea view guest house where we stayed in Afissos.
Mamma Mia Film Locations in Skiathos
The island of Skiathos is close to Skopelos. It has a more lively reputation than its quieter “Green and Blue” sister. This is partly due to having an international airport.
We didn’t visit Skiathos on this trip but it would make a good option for a twin centre holiday, spending time on both islands.
A couple of scenes from Mamma Mia were filmed here, the best known location being the Old Port of Skiathos. Here the three fathers gather to wait for the ferry to the island of Kalokairi.
The opening scene of the film, where Sophie sings “I have a dream” while writing the wedding invitations to her three fathers, also features views over the old town rooftops and church tower of Agios Nikolaos in Skiathos.
Film locations for Mamma Mia 2
Financial considerations meant that the sequel “Mamma Mia, here we go again” was filmed in the Croatian island of Vis rather than Greece. However, the cast did return to Skopelos in 2018 to stay at Adrina Resort on Panormos Beach. Here they conducted promotional interviews as part of the film’s launch.
This is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. You can of course enjoy a luxurious stay at the 4 star Adrina Hotel or 5 star Adrina Resort, just like the Mamma Mia cast! Watch “Mamma Mia, here we go” again here.
Stay at Adrina Hotel in Skopelos
Adrina Hotel is a lovely 4 star hotel with 59 rooms, close to Panormos with its own small beach. The accommodation is set on the hillside overlooking the sea. There’s a pool, restaurant, dive centre and easy access to the other restaurants on Panormos beach.
Stay at the Adrina Hotel located near the village of Panormos on Skopelos
The 5 star Adrina Resort next door is owned by the same family and offers similar facilities with suites and deluxe villas.
The 5-star Adrina Resort & Spa is located right on Adrina Beach in Skopelos
How to get to Skopelos, Skiathos and Pelion
Flights
To see the Mamma Mia film locations, the closest international airport is on the island of Skiathos, which serves the island group of the Northern Sporades. An alternative airport is Volos, which is mainly used for summer charter flights.
From Volos there are a regular ferries to Skopelos that take between 2 and 4 hours. The same ferries take an hour to cross from Skiathos to Skopelos. The Pelion locations on the mainland are closest to Volos airport.
Other major international airports to use are Thessaloniki or Athens. Then you would need to travel by bus or train to Volos and then take the ferry. An alternative would be to fly to Athens and then take an internal flight to Skiathos and then a ferry to Skopelos.
If travelling via Volos I’d recommend you break your journey here and see a bit of the city. Read my guide to all the things to do in Volos
Ferries
You can reach Skopelos and Skiathos by ferry, either from Volos, Thessaloniki or from Skiathos, depending on which airport you fly into. Ferries between Volos and the Sporades islands are operated by Hellenic Seaways, Anes Ferries, Blue Star Ferries and Aegean Flying Dolphins. Ferries from Thessaloniki are with Sea Jets.
It’s worth comparing the different operators as they vary in price and journey time. You can check prices for all the ferry companies here.
Bus
Assuming you are already in mainland Greece, bus is probably the best way to reach Volos. We took the inter-city bus from Athens, which runs several times a day and takes 4 hours. There’s a rest stop at the service station at the halfway point.
The inter-city bus from Thessaloniki to Volos also runs regularly and takes around 3 hours. Both buses can be booked online in advance at the KTEL website. Or, tickets can be bought on the day at the bus station. Look out for the buses that run direct which are the quickest.
Car
To reach the Mamma Mia film location at Damouchari on the Pelion Peninsula, it’s easiest to travel by car from Volos. Cars can easily be hired near Volos Port. From Volos it’s around 1.5 hours to drive to Damouchari. You can find lots of accommodation nearby in the small resort of Agios Ioannis.
Read Next
If you’d like to explore more about Mamma Mia, read my article on Skopelos Greece – a guide to the Mamma Mia island
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This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com
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Michelle
Saturday 11th of March 2023
Long dream to visit the locations from Mama Mia 1 movie
Heather Cowper
Tuesday 14th of March 2023
@Michelle Hope your dream comes true, Skopolos is a gorgeous island