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In 2008, the hit movie Mamma Mia catapulted the relatively unknown Greek islands of Skopelos and Skiathos into the global spotlight, thanks to captivating scenes of Donna, Sophie and friends dancing on beautiful beaches, amidst tranquil pine forests, and through the streets of whitewashed villages.
You don’t have to be an avid ABBA fan or a die-hard Dancing Queen to fall in love with this lovely region of Greece, although it certainly helps. If the idea of an idyllic Greek island escape has you demanding Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, then our essential guide to the breathtaking Mamma Mia islands is for you.
Skiathos and Skopelos are two of the largest islands in the Northern Sporades group, which is located in the Aegean Sea. The islands are accessible from the Greek mainland by ferry, operating year-round from the port of Volos and seasonally from several other points including Thessaloniki. Alternatively, you can fly direct from Athens to Skiathos at any time of year.
Public buses are convenient way to explore both islands, connecting the main towns with many of the most popular beaches. A taxi or rental car may be a better option if you want to reach some of the more remote inland areas, especially on Skopelos, while a water taxi or charter boat can deliver you to hidden gems like Lalaria Beach and nearby uninhabited islands.
There are numerous local operators that offer guided Mamma Mia island tours, making it easy to recreate your favourite outdoor scenes from the film. You can also explore the islands on foot, passing through olive groves and pine forests as you follow the network of hiking trails that connect the islands’ monasteries, coves and headlands.
The islands’ golden beaches and sapphire waters have a main character energy of their own. During the summer months of July and August, you can expect hot sunny days and idyllic conditions for swimming, snorkelling and sailing.
If you prefer to avoid the peak season crowds, we recommend planning your Mamma Mia inspired holiday for June or September, when the temperature is still balmy enough to make the most of the spectacular scenery.
The strong, dry winds of the Meltemi blow from the north/northeast during the peak summer months, which means the south side of both islands is more sheltered. During spring and autumn, the Meltemi is still the prevailing wind but it alternates with winds from the south.
The larger of the two islands, and the setting for many of Mamma Mia’s most iconic scenes, Skopelos is located around 20 kilometres east of the Greek mainland. It’s here that we watched Amanda Seyfried as Sophie, post letters to her three possible dads, the bell tower of Aghios Nikolaos (one of 360 churches and chapels on the island) in the background. Scenes from Villa Donna, the boutique hotel owned by Meryl Streep’s character, Donna, were filmed on a sound stage in the UK, but there are plenty of other equally lovely accommodation options in Skopelos town, which has been named a Traditional Settlement of Outstanding Beauty. From here, it’s a short drive to the pebbled expanse of Glysteri Beach, where Sophie read her mother’s diaries to her friends.
There are many other lovely spots on Skopelos that are ideal for swimming and snorkelling, including Kastani Beach: the setting for “Does Your Mother Know?” and “Lay All Your Love on Me”. Although the beach bar and jetty that featured in these scenes were removed when filming wrapped, you can still spend the day lazing under a hired beach umbrella, soaking up the views of white sand, fine pebbles and crystal-clear water.
The island has a mostly mountainous interior, and sections of the coastline are inaccessible except by boat. The coastal hiking trail to Amarandos Cove, where Sophie spent the day sailing and swimming with her dads, takes around 1.5 hours for the round trip. Be sure to pause at the small rocky headland known as “Three Trees”, which is one of the most photographed spots on the island.
The highlight of your Mamma Mia-inspired visit to Skopelos is sure to be a visit to Agios Ioannis (St John’s Chapel), near the village of Glossa. As you follow in Donna’s footsteps, you may find yourself unable to resist belting out “The Winner Takes it All” as you climb all 199 steps to reach the tiny chapel where Sophie and Skye were to marry.
Sandwiched between the mainland and Skopelos, Skiathos is only half the size of its neighbour, but it manages to pack in a lot of Hollywood-worthy scenery. More than sixty beaches – some sandy, others pebbled or rocky – are dotted around the 44 kilometres of coastline. Beneath the surface of its sparkling waters, a vibrant world of reefs, walls, canyons and shipwrecks provides endless options for underwater adventures.
Some of our favourite beaches include Koukounaries (a family-friendly expanse of golden sand), and Paralia Vromolimnos (a popular location if you’re into water sports). Lalaria, with its distinctive rock arch and beautiful, white-pebbled beach, is a popular highlight on guided boat tours of the island’s bays and coves.
The main town of Skiathos is exactly as you might imagine – a kaleidoscope of narrow stone streets, whitewashed houses and colourful flowers. The town’s old port is where where Sam and Harry join Bill aboard his yacht after missing the last ferry, then meet Bill on his boat. Overlooked by historic Bourtzi Fortress, this is one of the best spots on the island to watch the sunset.
One of the most popular hikes on the island is a loop trail that begins and ends at the hilltop 18th century Monastery of Evangelistria. It takes around 2.5 hours to complete the seven-kilometre loop, and the views of pine forest, mountains and sea are truly spectacular.
Currency – the official currency in Greece is the Euro (€). There are ATMs in the main towns on both islands, and although many businesses accept credit cards, it’s a good idea to carry some cash as well.
Time zone – between the end of March and the end of October, Greece operates on Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+3).
Wi-Fi coverage/SIM cards – mobile service throughout Greece varies, and although 4G coverage on the islands can be a little patchy, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants that offer wi-fi for their guests. Check with your telco provider about international roaming availability and pricing, or purchase a pre-paid travel SIM to use during your holiday.
Passport and visa information – as of March 2025, Greece is a member country within the Schengen Area, which means if you hold a current Australian passport, you can visit Greece (and other countries within the Schengen Area) as a tourist for up to 90 days within a six-month period without a visa.
Note: A new electronic security system – the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) – is expected to begin some time during 2025, so be sure to check with your personal travel manager or visit smartraveller.gov.au/destinations for the most up-to-date information before you travel.
From the moment you set food on Greece’s Mamma Mia islands, you’ll feel like you’ve fallen into a cinematic dream where you can relive all your favourite moments from the movie in real life. If the lure of Skopelos and Skiathos, with their stunning landscapes and warm hospitality, has you singing “My, my, how can I resist you?”, talk to your personal travel manager today.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
