Mamma Mia 3 is officially happening. Universal confirmed the sequel in February 2026, with Paul Feig directing and Amanda Seyfried willing to return. If the previous two films are anything to go by, the Sporades are about to get a fresh wave of visitors looking to stand where Meryl Streep once belted out ABBA hits.
This is good timing for a practical question: if you want to visit the Mamma Mia islands, where should you actually stay? The filming happened primarily on Skopelos, but the answer is not as simple as booking the nearest hotel there. Here's an honest look at both islands and why the smartest approach is to base yourself on Skiathos and visit Skopelos as a day trip.
Skiathos vs Skopelos: An Honest Comparison
These two islands sit barely 15 minutes apart by fast ferry, but they have genuinely different personalities. Neither is better in absolute terms. It depends on what you want.
Skiathos is the smaller island at 47 square kilometres, but it punches above its weight with over 60 beaches (more per square kilometre than anywhere in Greece), an international airport with 30-minute flights from Athens, and a cosmopolitan town with restaurants, bars, and shops. The population of around 6,600 swells considerably in summer. It has the infrastructure of a well-developed tourist destination without feeling overrun the way some Cycladic islands do.
Skopelos is nearly twice the size at 96 square kilometres, but feels wilder and emptier. Over 80% of the island is covered in pine forest. There are 360 churches scattered across the landscape. The population is roughly 5,000. Skopelos Town was declared a "Traditional Settlement of Outstanding Beauty" by Presidential Decree in 1978, and walking its narrow streets, you understand why. The beaches are mostly pebbled rather than sandy, and the pace is slower and more traditional.
The critical practical difference: Skopelos has no airport. Getting there means flying into Skiathos or taking a long ferry from the mainland. This single fact shapes the entire logistics of a Sporades trip.
If you want a deeper comparison with other Greek islands, we have covered that ground before. But the Skiathos-Skopelos comparison is less about competition and more about complementarity. They are better together.
The Complete Mamma Mia Filming Locations Guide
The 2008 film was set on the fictional island of "Kalokairi," but almost all exterior scenes were filmed on Skopelos. Here is every major location, what was filmed there, and what to expect when you visit.
Agios Ioannis Chapel at Kastri
This is the one everyone recognises. The tiny white chapel perched on a rock above the sea, reached by climbing around 200 stone steps, is where the wedding scene was filmed. In reality, the chapel is small enough that the production crew could barely fit cameras inside, let alone a wedding party.
The climb is steep and there is no shade, so go early in the morning or late afternoon. The views from the top across the Aegean are worth the effort even without the film connection. The chapel is on the northwest coast of Skopelos, about 8 kilometres from Glossa.
Kastani Beach
The sandy beach where "Lay All Your Love on Me" and "Does Your Mother Know" were filmed. Kastani is one of Skopelos's few sandy beaches, set in a cove with pine trees reaching almost to the water. There is a beach bar in summer, but it remains relatively low-key.
A common misconception: many guides claim that "Dancing Queen" was filmed at Kastani. It was not. That sequence was filmed across multiple locations, including Damouchari on the Pelion mainland.
Glysteri Beach
A small pebbly cove north of Skopelos Town, Glysteri served as the entrance to "Villa Donna" in the film. It is quieter than Kastani and makes a good swimming stop, though there is not much to identify it as a filming location unless you know what to look for.
Cape Amarantos
Two windswept pine trees on a rocky headland mark the spot where characters jump into the water during "Our Last Summer." The cape is on the eastern coast and is more about the atmosphere than any built structure. It is a worthwhile stop for the landscape alone.
What You Will Not Find
There is no "Villa Donna" to visit. The villa exterior was a set built on the Pelion peninsula and at Pinewood Studios in the UK. The interiors were all studio work. If someone offers you a "Villa Donna tour" on Skopelos, manage your expectations accordingly.
The Perfect Skopelos Day Trip from Skiathos
Here is a practical itinerary that lets you see the main filming locations and get a genuine feel for Skopelos in a single day.
Morning: Take the early ferry from Skiathos to Glossa, Skopelos's second port. The fast ferry takes as little as 15 minutes and costs from around 10 EUR one-way. Arriving at Glossa puts you closest to Agios Ioannis Chapel, which is about a 15-minute drive or taxi ride. Visit the chapel before the heat builds.
Midday: Head to Kastani Beach, roughly 20 minutes south of Glossa by car or bus. Swim, take photos, have lunch at the beach taverna. This is the most photogenic and recognisable of the filming locations.
Afternoon: If you have rented a car or scooter (available in Glossa and Skopelos Town), drive across the island to Skopelos Town. The road cuts through dense pine forest and passes small villages. Stop at Cape Amarantos if time allows. Wander Skopelos Town's backstreets, visit the waterfront, have a coffee.
Evening: Catch the late afternoon or early evening ferry back from Skopelos Town to Skiathos. The journey to Skopelos Town takes 55 to 70 minutes and costs 19 to 24 EUR one-way, or take the faster route back via Glossa if available.
Tip: In high season, there are up to 52 ferry crossings per week between the islands, operated by Seajets, Aegean Flying Dolphins, and Sporades Lines. Book the return ferry in advance during July and August to guarantee your preferred time.
For more ideas on what to do with the rest of your week, our guide to planning your days in Skiathos covers the full picture.
Why Skiathos Is the Smarter Base for Both Islands
This is where the practical argument for staying on Skiathos becomes clear.
The airport changes everything. Skiathos has its own international airport, JSI, with direct summer flights from the UK, Germany, Scandinavia, and domestic connections from Athens in just 30 minutes. Discover Airlines is launching a new direct route from Munich starting 14 May 2026, running weekly through October. Reaching Skopelos means either flying into Skiathos first or taking a 3-4 hour ferry from the Greek mainland. By staying on Skiathos, you eliminate an entire leg of travel.
Better beaches for daily use. Skopelos has its charms, but Skiathos has over 60 beaches — the majority sandy — compared to Skopelos's predominantly pebbly shores. For a week-long holiday where you want sand between your toes every day, Skiathos is simply better equipped.
More accommodation options. Skiathos has a wider range of quality accommodation, from boutique hotels to private luxury villas. Skopelos's lodging tends to be smaller guesthouses and traditional rooms, lovely for a night but less suited to a full week of comfortable living.
Easy access to everything. Skiathos is compact at roughly 12 by 6 kilometres. Nothing is more than a 20-minute drive. Add in Skopelos as a day trip and Alonissos for another, and you have three islands' worth of experiences from a single base.
The logic is straightforward: stay where the infrastructure is strongest, and visit where the magic is. You get Skiathos's beaches, restaurants, and convenience every day, plus Skopelos's filming locations and old-world atmosphere whenever you want them.
The Mamma Mia 3 Effect and Set-Jetting in 2026
The timing of your trip might matter more than you think. Set-jetting, the trend of travelling to film locations, has become an $8 billion industry in the US alone, and global film tourism is projected to reach $145 billion by 2035. When The White Lotus aired seasons set in Hawaii and Sicily, Google searches for those destinations spiked dramatically. Mamma Mia 3 will almost certainly do the same for the Sporades.
Research shows that 81% of Gen Z and Millennial travellers have planned vacations specifically around film locations. The first two Mamma Mia films transformed Skopelos from a quiet backwater into a recognised destination. A third film will bring another surge.
The practical takeaway: if you want to visit before the crowds build, 2026 is your window. The film has been announced but not yet released. Skopelos is still relatively quiet compared to what it will become once trailers start rolling. Book now, visit this summer, and you will have the filming locations largely to yourself.
Practical Information: Ferries, Costs, and Tips
Ferry routes and times:
- Skiathos to Glossa (north Skopelos): 15-45 minutes, from approximately 10 EUR
- Skiathos to Skopelos Town: 55-70 minutes, 19-24 EUR one-way
- High season frequency: up to 52 crossings per week
Getting around Skopelos:
- Rent a car or scooter at the port for maximum flexibility
- Local buses connect Skopelos Town to Glossa and major beaches
- Taxis are available but limited, especially in peak season
Best months for a combined trip:
- June and September offer warm weather, fewer crowds, and 30-40% lower prices than July-August
- Ferries run most frequently from mid-June through mid-September
What to budget for the day trip:
- Ferry return: 20-48 EUR per person depending on route and speed
- Car rental on Skopelos: approximately 40-60 EUR for the day
- Lunch at a taverna: 15-25 EUR per person
- Total realistic budget: 80-130 EUR per person for a full day
For more on Skiathos as a summer destination, Visit Greece has a solid overview of the island's character and attractions.
More on exploring the Sporades: Day Trips from Skiathos: Island Hopping and Hidden Beaches
Planning your week: How Many Days in Skiathos? The Complete Itinerary Guide
At Damari Luxury Retreat, we have hosted over 500 guests who use Skiathos as their base for exploring the entire Sporades. Our two private villas in the Kechria area are just 10-15 minutes from both the airport and Skiathos Town port, where ferries depart for Skopelos daily. Come back from your island-hopping day trip to a private infinity pool, panoramic sea views, and the kind of quiet that Kalokairi was supposed to be. Explore our villas or contact us to start planning your Sporades summer.
