Visit the glittery Mamma Mia filming locations

Mamma Mia is possibly the feel-good movie of the century. I mean: dreamy island vibes and crystal waters, singing and dancing to iconic ABBA songs, one of the hottest casts ever, and all the delicious family and romantic drama. No summer movie does it better than this, I’m afraid.

It seems plenty of Contiki travellers agree as during our 2024 Voice of a Generation survey 515 respondents declared Mamma Mia as their number one destination inspiration. The second most popular destination inspiration was Emily in Paris with 155 respondents – so Mamma Mia is really leagues ahead!

Well, if you want to live your best Greek island Life (with three potential baby daddies?) so bad, who are we to stop you? These are the real life Mamma Mia filming locations you can travel to!

How did they film Mamma Mia?

As with many films, Mamma Mia was filmed with a mix of real life locations and Hollywood sets. The beaches and islands and ports of Greece and the fictional island of Kalokairi were all shot on location, whereas Villa Donna and other interiors were constructed on sets. Pretty impressive considering the seamless transition between real and fake backgrounds!

Mamma Mia filming locations

Greece was the main Mamma Mia filming location, with two islands in particular being the stars.

Skopelos

Part of the Sporades group of islands off Greece’s eastern coast, Skopelos was the main filming location for the film. It’s blessed with stony and wooded hills and slopes, olive groves, walking trails, and a jagged coast which gives way to some of the most aquamarine water ever! There are plenty of beaches, of course, as well as secret and idyllic little coves.

Some notable locations on Skopelos includes:

• Kastani Beach: where Sophie and Sky perform a steamy rendition of ‘Lay All Your Love on Me’, and also where Tanya sings ‘Does Your Mother Know’. 
• Agios Ioannis Chapel: this tiny church sits at the top of a rock with 198 carved steps giving you access to it. It’s come to be known as the Mamma Mia wedding church, and it’s where Sophie and Sky almost exchange vows. You’ll also see this in the background of Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan singing ‘The Winner Takes it All’ – a truly heartbreaking song.
• Nisi Glysteri Beach: this beach was used for shots at the entrance of Villa Donna, and a nearby peninsula was used for the boat scene between Sophie, Bill, Harry, and Sam singing ‘Our Last Summer’ in a sweet – albeit complicated – father(s)-daughter moment.
• Amarandos Cove: featured at the start of the film, head here for a familiar walk under pine trees and over coasts. Familiar why? This is where Sophie and her friends run, singing ‘Honey, Honey’, and read from Donna’s diary.

Skiathos

Skiathos neighbors the island of Skopelos, which must have made filming incredibly easy for the lucky cast and crew. Resembling Skopelos, Skiathos is covered in pinewoods and is lined by a craggy coastline. The waters are warm and clear and blue, and there are plenty of beach clubs or charming towns to relax in. 

Some notable locations on Skiathos include:

• Old Port of Skiathos: this pristine port is where Sam and Harry race along the dock to catch (and miss) the ferry.
• Agios Nikolas Church and Clock Tower: You can see shots of this beautiful church during the opening scene where Sophie sings ‘I Have a Dream’ on her way to post wedding invitations to her three potential fathers…

Damouchari

Located on Greece’s mainland on the eastern coast, shots of Damouchari made an appearance and complemented the scenes already shot on Skopelos and Skiathos. Blue Beach was used in the scene when Donna reunites with her riotous friends Tanya and Rosie.

Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again filming locations

10 years after the first Mamma Mia movie was released, a dazzling sequel was made starring Lily James and much of the old cast. It follows Donna’s summer escapades and this is when she, Harry, Sam, and Bill meet for the first time.

What did not return, however, is the Greek filming locations. Instead, the cast and crew found themselves in Croatia!

Vis

Vis used to be a Yugoslavian naval base which was closed to tourists. But, with the glittering Adriatic Sea all around, idyllic towns, and the chilled and off-the-grid atmosphere, it was opened to the public in 1989. The island is not very big, and the cast and crew got to dance and sing along pretty much all of it!

Some notable locations on Vis include:

• Komiza: this village on the west of the island was Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again’s central filming location, especially Barjoska Bay. Most village and interior shots took place here!
• Srebrna Bay: this pebbled beach is where young Donna and Sam take a moonlit stroll together. The stones they walk on are almost silver, which is what gives the bay its name. 
• St. Jeronim: this 16th century church is where young Bill and Donna partake in an act of pure romance by aiding a fisherman get to the wedding of his true love Apollonia. The church is picturesque and close to Vis town.
• Vis Harbour: this setting is used twice in a scene where young Donna misses the ferry and meets Bill for the first time, and again when present-day Sam and Harry miss the ferry once again in a sweet call back moment.
• Barjaci: if you’re wondering where the absolutely huge, wild performance of ‘Dancing Queen’ took place then wonder no more: it took place on Vis’ westernmost tip here!

Oxford

Though the movie primarily focuses on the summer in Greece, we get a very quick trip to England where young Donna has recently graduated from Oxford. She is seen cycling through the adorable village of Wytham and then over Godstow Bridge with fellow graduates and friends Tanya and Rosie. 

Bordeaux

As Donna begins her European adventure (like many Contiki travellers before her), she heads to Paris. But really, Lily James was in Bordeaux. The reason you may have been so easily fooled? Because Bordeaux’s gorgeous architecture is what inspired the iconic architecture of Paris! So, if you want a French hidden gem, this is it…

How can I visit Skopelos and Skiathos?

With the popularity of the Mamma Mia filming locations, visiting Skopelos and Skiathos is not very hard at all. You can book onto plenty of tours which will take you around both islands and pinpoint the exact spots Meryl Streep has walked along. 

There’s a few ways to get to the islands:

• Fly to Skiathos: shocking, but yes, you can fly to Skiathos from most major airports in Europe including London! And then it’s just a matter of hopping onto a ferry to get to Skopelos.
• Ferry from Volos: the closest city to the Sporades islands is Volos, and you can take a ferry ride from here onto Skiathos or Skopelos.

Planning to hop along these islands? Once you’ve lived your Mamma Mia fantasy, why not tack on a Contiki Greek island hopping trip so you can check out the southern islands like Santorini and Mykonos? Maybe you’ll meet a fourth love interest there.