GREECE - Discover the beautiful beaches of the Sporades Island with a 7 days itinerary on Skopelos and Skiathos Islands where the famous Mamma Mia movie was filmed. 
Film locations, tips, beaches, restaurants and more !

Skiathos, Greece

Skopelos, Greece

Agios Ioannis, Greece

Sporades, Skopelos, Greece

Mamma Mia' Island Dream Itinerary

7 days itinerary : Mamma Mia location, beaches, restaurant with a view, cute coffee and crystal water

Landing in Skiathos, you will take a ferry directly from the port to Skopelos. (I recommend going to Skopelos first to avoid the stressing part for the return when you will have to take the boat before boarding your plane).

To take the ferry, you will need to go to Skiathos Port. The easiest way is by taxi (10min) that will cost you around 10-12€.

During the high season you should book your ferry ticket in advance. You can use the site FerryHopper, easy to use with a great customer service where you will have the choice between all the companies. The cost is around 13€ per person without a car. You can also rent a car at the airport and hop on the ferry with it.

I recommend hiring a car, as there are not many public transports available. If tou are not able to rent a car, you can participate in some tours or use taxi.

Take a ferry to Skopelos Island. Depending on your hotel you will choose to arrive either at Glossa (West) or at the main port of Skopelos (East).

Book your ferry - Skopelos / Skiathos

We rented a car with EXER rent a car and everything went very well.

WARNING : When hiring a car, always makes sure you are taking photos of all the damage area and/or even a video of the vehicles. Don't forget to check the petrol level. 

After arriving from the main port of Skopelos take your car (or taxi) to your accomodation.

For a chill afternoon at the beach you can head to Glysteri beach where you will find a cute tavern and jump in the fresh Aegean Sea like Sophie and her fathers did. 

For those not eager to swim yet, go for a walk around the port and the center. You'll find plenty of cute coffee shops, bakery and tourist restaurant ! Take a walk between the cute typical street, and if you were missing something in your wardrobe it's the time to look at the little shop where you can find anything from souvenirs to dresses or jewellery.

For dinner, head to one of the restaurant bordering the port where you will enjoy a fine wine some delicious greek food and a beautiful landscape as the sky changes colours with the sun setting on the other side of the Island. 

This is probably gonna be one of the most memorable day of your Mamma Mia fan life ! 

During the fresh morning, take the road to Agios Ioannis Chapel, the famous church where Sophie's almost getting married ! 

WARNING : Google maps told us to take a shortcut through a really difficult path (rocks, one way, no data, mud...) don't make the same mistake as us and take the main Road, even if it ads 10 minutes from Glossa. I promise you you'll get there faster than through the rocky road (except if you are in a quad). 

There is a small parking on the bottom of the church, the spots are precious so make your way there early or remain patient while waiting for someone to leave. You can take a little Freddo Capuccino or a breakfast at the little tavern in the parking while enjoying the view of your dream chapel.

The chapel is situated on top of a cliff where you will have to climb around 200 stairs. I know it sounds scary but not at all ! For someone who doesn't like cardio (at all) it was quite easy by taking break to enjoy the view on the way up. I even talked with 2 elderly tourist with one having a damage knee after an operation and they made it slowly without breaking any more bones ! So don't be scared or lazy and get to the top ! The view is breathtaking with on the east side Agios Ioannis beach and its crystal water. Don't be surprised when you'll get to the top, the inside of the Chapel is really small and won't be the same as the movie. The whole wedding was shoot in an other location, where everyone was able to fit. 

For the fans : don't forget to sing "The Winner takes it all" on your way up ! It might give you some courage !

Tips : to get the best view, go up the road you took by car from the parking where the tourist bus stops. You'll get a view without all the cars and the chapel on a higher eye level. 

Now is the time to get some lunch if you stayed to long taking hundreds of pictures ! 

Take the road to Glossa, this cute small village where you'll find absolutely no one and walks between the typical street with a great view over the sea. 

You can have lunch here as there is a really cute small restaurant serving typical greek lunch for a really good price. 

Take the road again to one of the georgous beach of the west side of the island. After a 15 minutes drive, you will arrive at Panormos Beach. There you will find many restaurants, and if it's too hot to sit on a table and eat, you can choose one of the beach restaurant to lay on a bed while ordering some snacks !

After a little dip in the sea and a full stomach time for the last step of the road trip ! The famous 2 pines of Mamma Mia.

After a 15 minutes drive, you will arrive at Amarandos Cove. The mast 5 minutes of the roads are a bit rocky and with a lot of curve so make sure your driver is confident (If I did it, you can) ! 

Park your car at the beginning of the walk path and follow the path created by numbers of Mamma Mia's fan who passed it before.

At the beginning of the path on your left you will see the beautiful cave features in Mamma Mia. A bit high to jump, continue on the path (5 minutes) where you will have a gorgeous view on the 2 pines. If you keep going down near these tree you will find few places near the rocks where you can have a quick dip. Enjoy the gorgeous view of the sun at the horizon reflecting on the blue water. This spot ends your Mamma Mia road trip. Take your time there, before taking the road back to your hotel. 

For dinner try an other one of the restaurant at the port or take the car to one of the beach tavern. 

Today is a rest day well deserved after your busy day yesterday. Skopelos Island offer plenty of beaches for everyone's taste. 

Fore more Mamma Mia location, spend you day in Kastani Beach. The famous beach where Sophie and Sky sing their love on "Lay all your love on me". It's also the beach where Tanya sing "Does your mother know". 

Stafilos beach, well know for its beauty is the closest from the center. You will be able to do some Watersport activities there. And for a more quiet day her neighbour Velanio beach will be perfect with umbrellas and beds as well. 

Milia Beach is known to be one of the most beautiful one on the island with the clearest water.

After checking out from your hotel, heads to the port and eat at one of the many coffee restaurant for breakfast or brunch (some have very yummy avocado toast).

You will need to be 1 hour prior to the departure time at the port. There are some bench at the shadow on the port for your waiting time.

After an hour scenic boat, you will arrive at Skiathos busy port. If you already have your car heads directly to your hotel for checkin.

Once arrived at your hotel, heads to one of the closest beach if you would like a little snack with a resting view. Spend the afternoon laying on a bed or swimming like a mermaid. 

Once arrived at your hotel, rest a bit before heading back to the center. You will love the cute street of Skiathos center with their beautiful flowers and white buildings. On the port you will find a lot of boat where you can get informations for a day tour around the island or rent a boat by yourself. With a lot of coffee, restaurant, gift shops, cute clothes boutiques, you will find everything you need (and don't).

For dinner you can find a cute tavern at one of the beach near your hotel or heads to the center where you will find everything from tapas to traditional greek food, Italian, sea food, gyros...

Today plan a boat trip around the island to see the famous Lalaria beach, rated one of the most beautiful beach in Greece. A little savage, you won't find any beds or shops on this beach. Made of white rocks the water is one of the clearest I have ever seen. Unfortunately (or fortunately depends) this beach is only accessible per boat.

You have different option to reach it : 

Rent your boat. YES you can rent a boat easily in Greece even without a license. We opted for this and let me tell you a bit of our experience. After 1 hour of briefing, the team showed us how to navigate the boat.

 - we were alone on the boat and everyone loves a private experience.

 - we were able to go at our own space, without rushing, stopping wherever we wanted

 - we chose where to have lunch and took the time we wanted

You got it, it's the freedom that's the most positive point.

- it was our first time driving a boat and it wasn't that's easy. With no experience driving is the easiest part, as the harder is knowing where to anchor the boat safely, and avoid the rocks on the "road"

- even tho they had balises saying where were the rocks and a connected bipper in the boat to let you know it was quite stressful at the time

- it's really tirering as the captain has to stay focus the whole day

- we were really scared to damage the boat in any way even while being careful so ended up being a bit stress the whole day

What I would suggest : If you are really confident or use to drive a boat go for it ! If you are not I would say taking part in a group tour (cheaper) or rent a boat with a driver (more expensive) is more safe and you will have a relaxed day.

Take part in a group tour with one of the boat company on the port, or one of the many excursions proposed on activities sites such as getyourguide.com or Viator.com

Rent a private boat with a skipper ! You get the freedom to go and do whatever you want with your day while not being worried or tired from being the captain.

We rented our boat with Stefanos Skischool. They also have drivers to get you around the island. 

Don't stop only in Lalaria beach and take full opportunity of this day to visit secret small beaches or even the islands of Arkos or Tsougaris.

After this exhausting but amazing day, get a well deserved dinner (or ordre pizza as we did) and get to bed.

Today is a rest day in one of the amazing beach of Skiathos. If you are still eager to see more, you can easily take the car to do a beach hopping tour, as the island is very small. 

We spend our day at the famous Koukounaries beach, laying on the beds of Elivi Hotels. The prices are a bit higher than other places on the islands, so I am sure you will find your paradise. On Elivi beach bar the beds were 10€ per person. 

In the end of the afternoon go back to your hotel to get ready for one of the best night of your life ! 

In the center of Skiathos, you will find the Summer Cinema. As its name says, this outdoor cinema is open only during summer. Make sure to book your spots few days before as it's gets full every Mamma Mia night. You can reach them through Facebook. Just send them a message and they will answer quickly with the availabilities and hours. 

Our seance was at 21:30 and the doors were opening at 20:30. They told us to come early to get a good spot. Well don't do like me, I went there at 20:45 and almost all the seats were taken ! We ended up at the first row which wasn't that bad as we had no one in front of us but ended the movie with a bit of a sore neck after looking up for 2 hours. 

This cinema is a true experience as during the most famous song, the team starts to dance as well as the whole audience ! Trust me, if you are still reading it's because you are a reel Mamma Mia / Abba fan so you will love this night as much as I did ! 

FIY : The movie is in English but the subtitles in Greek

After this amazing evening, heads home (like we did) or keep the party going by walking around the center of Skiathos where you will find quite a few bars with musics ! 

For the craziest of you, I would recommend a 100% waking up early to catch the sunrise. 

It's your last day on these amazing Sporades Island. 

After giving back your car, heads to the airport. From the port a taxi cost between 10 - 12€ (yes for a 5 min ride)

Skiathos airport is quite small but plan a good 2 hours to check-in your bags as the line can be long if there are few flights at the same time.

If you choose not to rent a car, there is more public transports options on Skiathos than Skopelos. You can hop on typical boat called taxi boat that leave the port of Skiathos to some of the main beaches. There is also a bus going all the way the island. 

From wherever you fly you can arrive at Skiathos airport (JSI). 

DAY 6 : Beach Club day and Mamma Mia movie ! 

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Mamma Mia' Island Dream Itinerary

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