The hit movie “Mamma Mia” had us all singing along to those catchy Abba songs and loving the beautiful Greek locations. If you’re a fan, you might be wondering where “Mamma Mia” was filmed. We visited most of the film locations in Skopelos and the nearby Pelion peninsula in Greece and had a blast re-living moments from the movie.

One of the standout locations is the picturesque chapel of Agios Ioannis, perched on a rock overlooking the sea. Other notable spots include the beaches at Kastani and Glysteri in Skopelos, the charming port and beach of Damouchari in Pelion, and the old port of Skiathos.

In Skopelos, you can take a guided “Mamma Mia” tour to visit the film locations by coach, with time for swimming and a nice lunch by the sea.

The plot of “Mamma Mia” revolves around Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), who is about to marry Sky (Dominic Cooper). The story unfolds at Villa Donna on the fictional island of Kalokairi in Greece, primarily set in Skopelos, where Sophie grew up with her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep). Sophie invites the three men who could be her father—Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Harry (Colin Firth), and Bill (Stellan Skarsgard)—to her wedding, leading to a series of fun and romantic escapades.

The film crew arrived in Skopelos in 2007 after months of preparation. They had already filmed interior scenes at Pinewood Studios near London, so the location shoot was relatively quick, with the cast spending a week on Skopelos and five days at Damouchari. Since then, Skopelos has been known as “The Mamma Mia Island,” a connection that locals cherish as it boosts tourism. Bars and restaurants often display photos of the cast dining out during filming, and you can hear stories of their adventures.

The tiny chapel of Agios Ioannis, where Sophie and Sky’s wedding takes place, is a highlight. Perched on a rock, it offers stunning views after climbing 202 steps. The chapel’s interior was recreated at Pinewood Studios due to its small size.

Kastani Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Skopelos, was chosen for its practical and visual appeal. A jetty and beach bar were added for the film but removed afterward. This is where Sophie and Sky declare their love in “Lay All Your Love on Me.” The beach also features a scene with Donna’s friend Tanya singing “Does Your Mother Know.”

Glysteri Beach, close to Skopelos Town, is another film location. It’s where Sophie and her three potential fathers jump off the rocks at the end of their sailing trip. The olive groves above the beach were used for scenes like Sophie setting off for her wedding on a donkey.

Cape Amarandos in Skopelos, with its pine-covered rocks and clear turquoise water, provided an idyllic backdrop for several scenes. Sophie sings “Honey Honey” here, and the sailing scenes were shot around this area.

Skopelos is a small island, making it easy to get around, especially if you hire a car. We stayed at Panormos, which has one of the best beaches on the island, offering a variety of beach bars and tavernas.

A few scenes were filmed on the Greek mainland in the Pelion peninsula, close to the Sporades islands. We toured the Pelion and found it to be a beautiful region with mountain villages and unspoiled beaches. Damouchari, a tiny fishing port, features in a couple of scenes. The crew used a small guest house as their base here.

The island of Skiathos, close to Skopelos, also features in the film. The Old Port of Skiathos is where the three fathers gather to wait for the ferry to Kalokairi. The opening scene, where Sophie sings “I Have a Dream,” includes views over the old town rooftops and the church tower of Agios Nikolaos.

For those wanting to visit the film locations, the closest international airport is on Skiathos. Alternatively, you can fly to Volos and take a ferry to Skopelos. Major airports like Thessaloniki or Athens also offer routes to Volos, from where you can catch a ferry.

Skopelos and Skiathos are accessible by ferry from Volos, Thessaloniki, or Skiathos. Ferries between Volos and the Sporades islands are operated by several companies, and it’s worth comparing prices and journey times.

To reach Damouchari on the Pelion Peninsula, it’s easiest to travel by car from Volos. There are plenty of accommodation options nearby in Agios Ioannis.

For more details on “Mamma Mia” locations and things to do in Skopelos, check out my guide to Skopelos, Greece.