Getting from Mykonos to Skopelos

Skopelos is the island that the rest of the world discovered when Mamma Mia was filmed there in 2008 and then largely forgot about again, which has worked out well for the people who know about it. It is the greenest island in the Aegean, covered in pine and olive forest that runs right down to the coast, with a beautiful fortified Chora climbing the hillside above the harbour and some of the finest beaches in the Sporades tucked into rocky coves around the coast. It is quieter and more local in character than Skiathos next door and better for it. The chapel of Agios Ioannis perched on a rock above the sea at Kastri, which featured in the film, is worth the climb on its own.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Mykonos to Skopelos. The two islands are in entirely different parts of Greece and the ferry networks do not connect them. An indirect ferry connection does technically exist via Thessaloniki and the Blue Star Ferries route through the northern Aegean, but the journey takes well over 10 hours and involves a very long and impractical routing. The practical ferry option is to fly to Skiathos via Athens and take the short ferry crossing from Skiathos to Skopelos, which takes between 15 minutes and 1.5 hours depending on which port on Skopelos you are heading to.

What about flying?

Skopelos does not have an airport. The nearest airport is Skiathos, which has regular connections to Athens. The journey from Mykonos goes Mykonos to Athens and then Athens to Skiathos, followed by the short ferry to Skopelos. Total travel time is around 4 to 5 hours door to door. It is worth knowing that in Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights. Almost all island to island travel goes through Athens.

Your best option

Fly to Skiathos via Athens and take the ferry across to Skopelos. It is the only realistic option and works well in practice. Give yourself at least three nights on Skopelos. Rent a car or scooter to get around, visit the monasteries above the Chora in the morning and spend the afternoons on the beaches. Limnonari and Velanio are the two to prioritise.