While our itinerary included other beautiful destinations like Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens, the highlight was definitely exploring the filming locations of the first Mamma Mia movie. In this post, I’ll share exactly how we planned the trip, where we stayed, what we saw — and what you should know if you’re thinking about doing a Mamma Mia tour in Greece too.
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Our adventure started in Athens. My parents and younger sister flew in from Rio de Janeiro a day before I did, and spent two nights in the city. My older sister and I, living in Europe at the time, joined them — me flying in from Amsterdam, and her from Lyon.
But for the Mamma Mia part of the trip, the journey really began in Skiathos, Greece. This lesser-known island is not only charming but also serves as the gateway to Skopelos, where much of the first Mamma Mia movie was filmed.
From Athens, we took a short domestic flight to Skiathos. The flight was less than an hour, and landing at Skiathos Airport was an experience in itself — it’s a tiny airport with (probably!) no more than five gates, which I thought was unusual and cool.
Since we traveled in April — low season in Greece — both Skiathos and Skopelos were quiet, with many shops and restaurants still closed. But that made the experience feel very exclusive.
We stayed one night at Atlas Hotel, a cozy and charming spot in the heart of Skiathos Town. The location was ideal — close to shops and restaurants (even though most were closed due to the time of year), and perfect for a quick stay.
To explore the island, we rented a car at the airport. This made it easy to visit the islands’ famous beaches and charming streets.
Our first stop was Koukounaries Beach, the iconic spot where the Dancing Queen scene was filmed — you know, the one where they all jump into the ocean from a wooden dock. Sadly, the dock was built just for the movie and doesn’t exist anymore, but the beach itself is breathtaking.
With its crystal-clear turquoise waters and soft sand, Koukounaries was practically empty when we visited. The temperature was around 15°C (59°F), so it wasn’t swimming weather, but it was still one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. I can only imagine how lively and packed it gets in the summer.
We also heard amazing things about Lalaria Beach, known for its dramatic cliffs and rock formations, but since it’s only accessible by boat and we had limited time, we decided to skip it.
The next morning, we walked around the charming white-washed streets near our hotel, looking for a breakfast spot. Our original plan was to visit Alaska Gelato, but it was closed. So we ended up at Foodie Café, where we had croissants and coffee.
As an iced coffee lover (especially sweet ones with caramel or vanilla), I began my mission to find a good one in Greece. Spoiler: it’s not really a thing there. I kept ordering what I thought was iced cappuccino, but always ended up with cold milk and espresso. Still tasty — just not what I was craving.
We took a Hellenic Seaways ferry from Skiathos to Skopelos. The trip took about one hour and cost around €25. The ferry was huge — we even brought our rental car onboard — and had a snack bar, comfy seating, and plenty of space to relax. It was mostly empty, which made the journey smooth and peaceful.
Below are the key spots from the first Mamma Mia and what to expect at each one.
This is the tiny church where the wedding (and later the baptism in the sequel) takes place. The chapel sits dramatically on a rocky outcrop above the sea. You’ll park at the base and climb a long staircase to the top — a bit of a workout, but absolutely worth it for the views and that “I’m-in-the-movie” feeling. The interior you see on screen was a studio set, so don’t be surprised if it looks different inside. Tip: wear comfy shoes and take water; the steps are no joke.
The “Our Last Summer” scene was filmed here. On the island’s north side, Glysteri has crystal-clear water, a pebbly shoreline, and pine trees that frame the cove. In high season there’s usually solid infrastructure — sunbeds and the well-known Glysteri Beach Bar — but in April it was all closed and blissfully empty. Even without the beach setup, the color of the water is unreal.
Many of the movie’s most iconic moments were shot on Kastani, including “Lay All Your Love on Me” and “Does Your Mother Know.” The production built a temporary pier for filming, so you won’t find it there now, but the setting is still pure cinema: glassy water, forested hills, and that deep-blue horizon. It’s the place you’ll recognize instantly, even without the set pieces.
Our stay on Skopelos was unforgettable. We booked Villa Nefelli at Evlalia Studios & Villas, and it was the perfect choice for our group of five. The villa was spacious and beautifully designed, with two floors, a full kitchen, a cozy living room, and multiple balconies — including one with a private pool and another with a pizza oven. Even though the water was too cold to swim in April, having the pool right outside our door made the place feel extra special.
The location was excellent: just a quick three-minute drive or a 15-minute walk from the port, where most restaurants and shops are located. One day, while my family went out exploring, I stayed behind to work, then took a quiet walk to the port for fresh orange juice — a small but memorable moment of a great greek juice.
We also spent a day exploring the island’s charming towns, starting with Klima. This area is divided into Old Klima and Neo Klima (also called Elios). Both were peaceful and almost empty during our visit, which allowed us to take in the views in complete silence. The town was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1965, and its simple stone houses and sea views gave it a timeless charm.
Next, we visited Glossa, the second-largest town on Skopelos, located in the island’s northeast. Its narrow streets, whitewashed houses, and flower-filled balconies were straight out of a postcard. Because it was low season, we barely saw anyone else — just one other couple wandering the streets. We eventually found a restaurant open for lunch, and as we ate, a few cats wandered around. One even curled up on my lap, which instantly became one of my favorite memories of the trip.
If you plan to visit Skopelos, I highly recommend renting a car. Public transportation is very limited, especially outside of summer, and many filming locations and beaches are spread across the island. Having a car allowed us to explore at our own pace and stop whenever we saw a beautiful view (which was often!).
While April gave us the advantage of having beaches, towns, and filming locations almost entirely to ourselves, it also meant that most restaurants, shops, and beach bars were closed, and the weather was too chilly to swim. If I were to go again, I’d aim for June — warm enough for beach days, with more businesses open, but likely less crowded than July and August.
Our Mamma Mia-themed trip was everything we hoped for and more. Walking through the filming locations — from the iconic Chapel of St. John perched high on the rock to the sun-drenched beaches of Glysteri and Kastani — felt like stepping right into the movie. While traveling in the off-season meant fewer open restaurants and cooler weather, it also gave us the gift of solitude and uninterrupted views.
If you’re planning your own Mamma Mia adventure, I recommend combining a few days in Skiathos and Skopelos with other classic Greek destinations. Rent a car, bring your favorite ABBA playlist, and prepare to sing, dance, and soak in the same breathtaking scenery that made you fall in love with the movie in the first place.
Want help planning your own Greece trip — Mamma Mia-themed or not? Get in touch with me, and I’ll be happy to share tips, itineraries, and recommendations to make your trip as magical as ours.
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