• HOME
  • DESTINATIONS
    • DESTINATIONS A‐Z
    • EUROPE
      • AUSTRIA
      • BELGIUM
      • CZECH REPUBLIC
      • DENMARK
      • FINLAND
      • GERMANY
      • GREECE
      • ICELAND
      • IRELAND
      • ITALY
      • NORWAY
      • RUSSIA
      • THE NETHERLANDS
      • SWEDEN
      • UNITED KINGDOM
    • NORTH AMERICA
      • CANADA
      • USA
  • FILM REVIEWS
    • FILM REVIEWS A‐Z
    • ENGLISH FILMS
    • GERMAN FILMS
    • TV / DVD SERIES
    • BEST OF FILM LISTS
  • FILM PEOPLE
  • ABOUT
    • WORK WITH ME
filmfantravel.com
  • HOME
  • DESTINATIONS
    • DESTINATIONS A‐Z
    • EUROPE
      • AUSTRIA
      • BELGIUM
      • CZECH REPUBLIC
      • DENMARK
      • FINLAND
      • GERMANY
      • GREECE
      • ICELAND
      • IRELAND
      • ITALY
      • NORWAY
      • RUSSIA
      • THE NETHERLANDS
      • SWEDEN
      • UNITED KINGDOM
    • NORTH AMERICA
      • CANADA
      • USA
  • FILM REVIEWS
    • FILM REVIEWS A‐Z
    • ENGLISH FILMS
    • GERMAN FILMS
    • TV / DVD SERIES
    • BEST OF FILM LISTS
  • FILM PEOPLE
  • ABOUT
    • WORK WITH ME
Share
You are reading
A Quick Guide to the Mamma Mia! Island Skiathos
Home
SKIATHOS

A Quick Guide to the Mamma Mia! Island Skiathos

July 18th, 2018 Sonja DESTINATIONS, EUROPE, GREECE, SKIATHOS
A Quick Guide to the Mamma Mia! Island Skiathos

Ever since I saw the first Mamma Mia! movie in 2008, I had a dream. A dream about visiting the gorgeous film locations of the movie myself. Exactly 10 years later, when the release of the second Mamma Mia! film is just around the corner, I finally made this dream a reality and travelled to the two Greek Islands of Skiathos and Skopelos.

So here are my best tips for visiting the island of Skiathos – one of the two main filming locations for Mamma Mia! 1 …

 How to get to Skiathos

Skiathos has an airport, so you can fly directly to the island.

Alternatively, you can take a train and a ferry to get to the islands. I flew into Thessaloniki, took a train to the harbour town of Volos, stayed in a hotel directly opposite the port for one night, and then took the ferry from there.

Train tickets can be booked via the national Greek rail website TrainOSE, and ferry tickets via ANES Lines ferries or Golden Star ferries, which now offer a direct connection between Thessaloniki and Skopelos.

Ferry on the island of Skiathos

When to go to Skiathos

Skiathos and Skopelos are not an all‐year‐round destinations as it can get pretty cold during the autumn and winter. Because of this, all tour companies as well as most restaurants will be closed at those times.

The summer season starts in May and lasts roughly until mid‐October. Most visitors flock the island in July and August, so if you would like to escape the crowds, go in May or June or September to October.

Port of Skiathos

Where to stay on Skiathos

I stayed at the reasonably priced Azalea Hotel, which is directly opposite several beaches and walking distance to Skiathos Town. My room was spacious and I also had a nice balcony with sea view.

On the island of Skiathos

Things to Do on Skiathos

1. Enjoy the view from the St. Nikolaos Bell Tower (Film Location No. 1)

In Skiathos Town, I recommend taking the short walk from the port up to the St. Nikolaos Bell Tower. This is the spot where Sophie posts her wedding invitations to her three possible dads in Mamma Mia! 1. The scene was altered for the movie and you don't find exactly the same view. But it's still a breathtaking lookout over all of Skiathos Town and the two ports.

On the island of Skiathos

2. Check out the The Old Port (Film Location No. 2)

The Old Port of Skiathos, which is only a few steps away from the ferry terminal of the New Port, is where various sightseeing boats leave for daily boat excursions. For more on these, see point 3 and 4.

Regarding Mamma Mia! film locations, the Old Port of Skiathos was the backdrop for the scene, in which the three possible dads played by Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård first meet each other.

Pierce Brosnan (Sam) and Colin Firth at the Old Port of Skiathos. © 2008 Universal Studios

Pierce Brosnan (Sam) and Colin Firth at the Old Port of Skiathos. © 2008 Universal Studios

Me at the the Old Port of Skiathos

Me at the the Old Port of Skiathos

3. Take a speed boat to Koukounaries Beach

Quite a fun experience is to take the super quick speed boat from the Old Port of Skiathos Town to the lively beach of Koukounaries. One way costs 5 Euros and only takes around 15 minutes.

On the island of Skiathos
4. Hop on a beach boat tour around the island

This was my favourite activity on Skiathos! When you stroll along the Old Port of Skiathos, you will find several boat companies that offer day tours with hop on / hop off stops around the island.

Boat Tour on Skiathos

I opted for the "Margarita" boat tour, which at 10 Euros (when booked two days in advance in person at the port) was a real bargain.

The stops included two snapshots stops at the so‐called Dark Cave and the Fonissa's Cave, a swimming stop at the most beautiful "paradise beach" Lalaria (1 hour), a hiking or swimming stop at the old fortress of Kastro (1 hour), a stop for swimming or lunch in Asselinos or Troulos (1,5 hours), and a stop for one last swim on the isle of Tsougkrias (1 hour).

At Lalaria Beach on the island of Skiathos
The hike up to Kastro is not the easiest one and you have to start walking as soon as you get off the boat to make it up and back in one hour. It is worth it for the view (and a little workout) though!

Even if there was a bit of time pressure, I really liked the fact that I saw so much of the island in just one day. Plus, as the highlight of the day, we even saw two dolphins!

Kastro on the island of Skiathos

Where to eat and drink on Skiathos

The Taverna Selini offers good, well‐priced food and some great views over the Mamma Mia! film location of the Old Port of Skiathos.

When walking from my hotel to Skiathos Town along the beaches, I had a really nice watermelon and cheese lunch at the beachfront taverna Café del Mar.

Watermelon lunch on the island of Skiathos

Unless otherwise credited, all photos by © Sonja Irani | filmfantravel.com

Disclosure: This blog post includes affiliate links to booking.com. If you click on any of these links and make a booking, I will receive a small affiliate fee, which I will use for the costs of running my website.

Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Sonja

Sonja

I am an ex London expat now living back in Germany. My second home is the cinema. If you don't find me there I am probably travelling the world in order to trace my favourite film settings while trying to stay on a budget. On filmfantravel.com, I combine these two passions to share my best tips about film-inspired budget travel. Join the journey on Twitter! @filmfantravel

You may also like...
Film Fan Travel Guide to Greece
Sonja
DESTINATIONS

Film Fan Travel Guide to Greece

July 18th, 2018
FILM REVIEW: Mamma Mia! (2008) – filmed in Greece
Sonja
ENGLISH FILMS

FILM REVIEW: Mamma Mia! (2008) – filmed in Greece

July 28th, 2016
FILM REVIEW: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) – filmed in Croatia
Sonja
ENGLISH FILMS

FILM REVIEW: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) – filmed in Croatia

July 22nd, 2018
Join the journey!
Facebooktwitterlinkedininstagram
About Me

Hi! I'm Sonja from Germany. I'm a full‐time Freelance Translator and Travel Journalist on a part‐time mission to discover the world through movies.

Read more in ABOUT.

Current Location: Bremen, Germany
Newsletter

Become a film fan on Facebook!
Facebook
Join the journey on Instagram!
Load More…Follow on Instagram
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • IMPRINT
  • PRIVACY POLICY
© Sonja Irani 2019. All rights reserved.