Mama Mia is one of those classic feel-good movies that offers a backdrop to some stunning coastal scenery within Greece. Set upon the small Greek Island of Skopelos, Mama Mia fans can return to where the magic was created. Immerse yourself within some of the main locations around the island. Here’s your chance to carve a figure styling your way up the steps to reach the the chapel to Winner Take It All. Head over to the stunning shores of Kastani Beach where many of the main beach scenes were filmed. Here’s a chance to recreate your own adventure Mama Mia style!
There are plenty of guided tours on the island to escort you around the main film locations around the island. Tours will often include the Chapel of Agios Ioannis & Kastani Beach. However not all locations are particularly accessible by coach due to sheer size of vehicles and narrow roads. For the super fans among you (ahem), you might want to consider supplementing a tour with some self-guided adventure. During our visit, we opted for a second day on a quad bike – ideal for locating those harder-to-reach film locations.
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Chapel of Agios Ioannis
Chapel of Agios Ioannis
Surely some of the most memorable Mama Mia scenes were filmed around the Chapel of Agios Ioannis. Found at the top of a bed of rock lapped by the crystal seas of the Aegean, this chapel is well worth a visit. Legend has it that the chapel was the deciding factor when selecting Skopelos as the backdrop for the film. Having considered no less than 22 alternative Greek Islands, Skopelos perfectly fitted the bill. Now there’s a job we’d all like to have! The Chapel of Agios Ioannis was certainly the perfect setting for a wedding & Donna’s emotional confrontation with Sam in Winner Takes It All is beautifully off-set by the dramatic scenery surrounding them.
Whilst the exterior lends itself to the film, the interior scenes from the chapel were shot within Pinewood Studios. Entering the actual chapel bares little resemblance to the one on the screen. You’d struggle to get Donna, the wedding party & a trombone player into the real chapel let alone all the required filming paraphernalia. Keep to the outside and you can immerse yourself within the magic laid out before you.
So grab a pink scarf & your ear pods and recreate those most loved scenes that offers a perfect backdrop for some stunning photos.
When you’re done then there’s a small cafe located at the bottom of the site to replenish & revive.
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Kastani beach
Kastani Beach
The idyllic shores of Kastani beach lends itself as the backdrop for numerous settings within the film. Who could forget the passionate scenes in Lay All Your Love On Me between Sophie & Sky set along the crystals waters & white sands of Kastani beach. Whilst there’s plenty of space for the groomsmen to pop out of the sea, you’ll be hard pressed to locate the jetty. Purpose built for the film, unfortunately the original jetty left with the filming crew. You will, however, be able to locate & position yourself against the imposing rocks used by Sophie on the beach.
Kastani Beach is also the setting for Tanya’s Does Your Mother Know giving you the chance to see the beach in all its glory. Although the beach bar in the film was created for the film, you’ll find a far better version in place on Kastani Beach today. Grab a drink & enjoy some time drinking in the atmosphere. By simply making a purchase at the bar, you can make use of the sunbeds along the beach for free.
Kastani Beach also played host to the final scenes from the film I Have a Dream. Recreate your own scenes as you say goodbye to Sophie & Sky as they set sail into the future.
Whilst it is a treacherously steep road down to the beach from the main road, there is plenty of free parking available, and a must for Mama Mia fans.
Amarandos Cove
Amarandos Cove
The backdrop to scenes within Honey Honey, Amarando Cove was where Sophie was regaling her friends to tales of Donna’s younger days. You’ll also find it making an appearance within Our Last Summer as Sophie spends time with her 3 potential fathers the day before her wedding. This idyllic rugged cove, surrounded by luscious pine trees and fragrant olive groves, lends itself well some stunning scenes from the film.
A peaceful spot away from the crowds, you’ll be hard pressed to find a coach willing to undertake this journey along this bumpy unmade road. Best approached by boat, foot or quad bike, Amarandos Cove is one of those hard-to-reach locations that is worth extra effort required to track down this film location. As you make your way along 1.3km of unmade road, look out for the iconic 3 pine trees featured in the film that will take around 20 minutes by foot, (10 minutes by quad).
As you leave the tranquil fishing village of Agnontas, take a hard left signposted Amarandos; it is an easy turn to miss so worth taking your turn on the bend. If you are travelling by car, you’d be best placed to park up before taking the unmade road by foot.
With a nod to the Mama Mia filmmakers, we opted for a blended scene ourselves by using the pier located within Agnontas to re-create Donna dancing to the iconic Dancing Queen.
Mama Mia Skopelos
Glysteri Beach
Glysteria beach is a must for visitors to the island of Skopelos whether you are an avid Mama Mia fan or simply looking for a piece of paradise. Here you’ll find scenes from the film where Donna collects Tanya & Josie in her jeep to make their way up to Villa Donna, (the villa being a figment of Pinewood Studios’ imagination). The surrounding olive groves play backdrop to where Sophie started her journey to the chapel by donkey and the cove itself was used by Sophie & her 3 Dads to jump into the sea during their sailing trip.
Not somewhere coach tours are keen to include within their Mama Mia itinerary due to the nature of the narrow and windy roads, but easily reached by boat, car or quad. You’ll find ample free parking close to the beach with a vibrant beach bar offering refreshments and sunbeds for hire. Popular with both tourists and locals alike, this tranquil spot is ideal for snorkelling and all things beach related, this hidden gem is a must in our eyes.
To visit and find more information go to Visit Skopelos.
Explore by Quad Bike
Chapel of Agios Ioannis
