What islands did the film 'Mamma Mia!' use?
- Sotiri Papanikolaou
- Oct 7
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Introduction
Few movie musicals have captured the feeling of summer quite like Mamma Mia!. Released in 2008 and inspired by the hit ABBA stage show, the film became a global favorite for its energy, music, and dreamlike Greek scenery.
The question “Where was Mamma Mia! filmed?” has inspired thousands of fans to travel to Greece. Many want to visit the real-life beaches, coves, and chapels that created the movie’s fictional island of Kalokairi.
The good news is that Kalokairi may be fictional, but the locations are real. The film used a mix of Greek islands and a few mainland spots, blending them seamlessly to create one unforgettable backdrop.
Which Greek islands hosted Mamma Mia!?
Mamma Mia! was mainly filmed on the Greek islands of Skopelos and Skiathos, both part of the Northern Sporades archipelago.
These islands offered lush greenery, pine-covered hills, rocky shores, and crystal-clear Aegean waters. Together, they provided the perfect look for the fictional island of Kalokairi.
Was any mainland Greek location used?
Yes. Some scenes were shot in Damouchari, a small coastal village in the Pelion region on mainland Greece.
Although Kalokairi’s identity is closely tied to Skopelos, parts of the Damouchari coastline appear throughout the film in transition and travel scenes.
Did any studio filming happen?
Yes. Interior shots of Mamma Mia! - especially the Villa Donna interiors - were created on studio sets at Pinewood Studios in England.
These sets were carefully matched with the Greek exteriors to create the illusion of one consistent world. The result combined the natural beauty of Greece with the control of a film studio.
Skopelos: The star behind Kalokairi
If you ask where Mamma Mia! was filmed, the most common answer is Skopelos. It served as the visual and emotional core of the film’s island setting.
Why Skopelos was selected
The production team scouted around 21 Greek islands before choosing Skopelos, Skiathos, and Damouchari. The decision came down to one thing: natural beauty.
Skopelos offered dramatic cliffs, pine forests, olive groves, hidden coves, and pristine beaches. Its mix of greenery and sea made it the perfect stand-in for the romantic island of Kalokairi.
Key filming locations on Skopelos
Here are the most famous Mamma Mia! filming locations on Skopelos.
Agios Ioannis Chapel (Kastri)
This small chapel perched on a rock was used as the wedding church in the film. The staircase (about 200 steps) and rocky ledge leading up to it are iconic to movie fans.
The interior wedding shots were filmed on a studio set, but the exterior chapel is real and can be visited.
Kastani Beach
Kastani is one of the most recognizable beaches from Mamma Mia!. It appeared in scenes where Sophie and Sky sing “Lay All Your Love on Me” and where Tanya sings “Does Your Mother Know?”.
A wooden pier and a beach bar were built for filming but later removed to return the beach to its natural state.
Glysteri Beach and surrounding olive groves
Glysteri Beach and the olive groves above it were used for several sequences, including Donna driving with Tanya and Rosie, Sophie preparing for her wedding, and the cliff-jumping scene.
The small peninsula above Glysteri also appears as a backdrop in sailing and transition scenes.
Cape Amarandos (Amarantos Cove)
Cape Amarandos, surrounded by pine forest, appears in early film sequences like “Honey, Honey” and “Our Last Summer.”
Look closely and you will spot the twin pine trees on a rock, which became an unofficial symbol of the film.
Milia and hidden coves
Smaller scenes were filmed at Milia and other secluded coves on Skopelos where forest paths meet the sea. These spots added variety and realism to Kalokairi’s landscape.
Timing and the filming schedule in Skopelos
The crew spent about seven days filming in Skopelos after initial shoots in Skiathos.
Most outdoor day scenes, walking, singing, cliff, and beach moments, were filmed during that time.
Skopelos remains the heart of Mamma Mia!’s island identity.
Skiathos: The supporting film partner
While Skopelos provided most of the visuals, Skiathos served as a vital supporting location for transitional and harbor scenes.
Scenes filmed in Skiathos
Early arrival shots and several port scenes were filmed in Skiathos. Its Old Port is featured when the fathers arrive and try to catch a ferry to Kalokairi.
Skiathos’ traditional harbor and whitewashed houses helped establish the Mediterranean mood of the movie.
Relationship between Skiathos and Skopelos in filming
Skiathos and Skopelos are located close to each other and share similar pine-covered terrain. This made it easy for filmmakers to blend scenes from both islands into one continuous setting.
Skiathos also served as a logistical base for the production team, providing accommodation and facilities between filming days.
Damouchari, Pelion: The mainland cameo
A smaller but significant filming location is Damouchari, a coastal village in the Pelion region on Greece’s eastern coast.
What was filmed in Damouchari?
Damouchari provided coastal and harbor visuals, especially in scenes where characters arrive or depart by boat.
A jetty was built for the sequence in which several characters jump into the sea. Damouchari’s coastlines were edited together with Skopelos scenes to make them look like one connected island.
Why Damouchari matters
Although less glamorous than Skopelos’ beaches, Damouchari gives the film a sense of realism. It grounds the story and shows that Kalokairi was inspired by both island and mainland Greece.
For travelers, Damouchari is easily reached from Volos and offers a charming mix of green hills, coves, and traditional Greek life.
How the film blends locations to create Kalokairi
Understanding where Mamma Mia! was filmed also means seeing how the filmmakers combined multiple locations into one seamless world.
Seamless scene stitching
Scenes filmed in Damouchari, Skiathos, and Skopelos were edited together to form one fictional island. The production team matched lighting, color tones, and scenery so transitions between places felt natural.
For example, a boat leaving Damouchari might appear to arrive at Glysteri cliffs. Through careful editing, the audience perceives them as one location.
Studio exteriors and integrated sets
Villa Donna interiors were filmed at Pinewood Studios in England, then visually matched with exterior shots on Skopelos. Props, trees, and lighting were adjusted to maintain visual consistency.
The wedding chapel interior was also a studio set, while the exterior cliff chapel is the real Agios Ioannis.
Temporary sets and props
Beach bars, piers, and walkways were built for the film, particularly at Kastani Beach. These temporary features were later removed to preserve the natural environment.
The added structures helped frame key musical numbers but were never intended to remain.
Visiting the Mamma Mia filming locations
If you want to walk in Sophie’s footsteps, here is how to visit the real Mamma Mia filming locations in Greece.
Best island to use as a base
Skopelos is the heart of Mamma Mia! filming. It makes sense to stay here since most key sites, the chapel, beaches, and olive groves, are located on the island.
However, combining a stay in Skiathos is practical because it has an airport and good ferry connections to Skopelos.
What filming spots to include on your tour
Agios Ioannis Chapel (Kastri, Skopelos): Climb the 200 steps to this famous wedding chapel for panoramic sea views.
Kastani Beach: The beach where Sophie and Sky sang “Lay All Your Love on Me.”
Glysteri Beach and olive groves: Drive to this beach and explore the surrounding groves featured in transition scenes.
Cape Amarandos (Amarantos Cove): Visit the pine-covered cove used for “Honey, Honey” and other sequences.
Milia and hidden coves: Explore quiet coves that appeared briefly in the movie.
Skopelos Town (Chora): Wander through the main town, which provided several background shots.
Skiathos Old Port: See where the ferry and arrival scenes were filmed.
Damouchari, Pelion: Visit the small harbor used for the boat scenes on mainland Greece.
Tips for visiting
Wear comfortable shoes for uneven steps, especially at Agios Ioannis Chapel.
Use a water taxi or small boat to reach remote coves like Amarandos.
Visit early in the day or during off-peak times to avoid crowds.
Bring a printed still from the movie to match your view.
Ask local guides about the filming process, many have personal stories.
Respect the environment and leave no trace when exploring.
Common questions about where Mamma Mia was filmed
Was Kalokairi a real island?
No. Kalokairi is fictional and was created using scenes filmed on Skopelos, Skiathos, and Damouchari.
Did the sequel film in the same places?
No. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again was mostly filmed on the Croatian island of Vis, not in Greece.
Can you get married at the real chapel?
Some authorities allow symbolic or vow renewal ceremonies at Agios Ioannis, but you must get permission in advance from the local municipality.
Which beach is the “Dancing Queen” beach?
There is no single location for that sequence. The scene was filmed using composite shots, though areas near Glysteri and Kastani resemble it closely.
How long should you stay?
A two- or three-day itinerary covering Skopelos, Skiathos, and Damouchari is enough to see most Mamma Mia filming sites. Add extra days if you want to relax or explore beaches.
Why these filming locations resonate with travelers
The locations used in Mamma Mia! feel alive, colorful, and deeply romantic. The Greek landscape, with its pine forests, cliffs, and turquoise waters, almost becomes another character in the story.
By filming on real Greek islands, the movie gave viewers around the world a dreamy version of summer in the Aegean. Many fans still travel to these places to experience that magic for themselves.
The movie boosted tourism significantly, and Skopelos became known worldwide as “the Mamma Mia island.”
Final thoughts
When people ask where Mamma Mia! was filmed, the short answer is Skopelos, Skiathos, and Damouchari. The deeper truth is that the film’s beauty comes from how real landscapes and cinematic storytelling were woven together.
If you visit these places, climb the chapel steps, swim in the coves, walk through olive groves, and imagine the cast singing along the cliffs. You will feel how film and nature came together to create one of cinema’s most memorable summer worlds.
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Vicky Anifanty is a writer for GetGreece.com who covers all things Greece, from culture and travel to local stories and daily life. Through her work, she brings readers closer to the beauty and traditions of Greece, sharing insights that highlight both its famous landmarks and hidden gems.
