Updated: Dec 11, 2019
Do you love the Mamma Mia movie? If so, this is the island where the movie was filmed. I believe this is Greece’s best kept secret. If you want an authentic Greek experience, this is the island for you.
(I dedicate this blog to my best friend Jennifer Moreno. Her love for Mamma Mia inspired this vacation, and thanks to her we were able to have a once in lifetime experience. Love you girl!)
Here is how to get there, what to do, and where to eat.
How to get to Skopelos Island
There are several steps you must take to get to this island.
Step 1- We took an 11 hour flight to Istanbul, Turkey (hub) via Turkish Airways.
Let me just start with saying I love this airline. There is a wide selection of movies and games to play during the flight. They even provide a free headset, remote control, blankets, and pillows.
Upon take off, you are also given a fly kit that includes: a toothbrush, toothpaste, slippers, socks, eye mask, ear plugs, and some chapstick.
You receive two meals on this flight and unlimited free alcoholic beverages. Did I say that wrong? No, you can drink as much as you want for free! The food is surprisingly good. Do not let these pictures fool you. It wasn’t bad at all.
Step 2 – Next, is a 1.5 hour connecting flight from Istanbul, Turkey to Athens, Greece via Turkish Airways.
Again this flight came with a tv and free headphones. I watched a video on the Greek Islands to get me motivated for the vacation.
The short flight came with a delicious free lunch.
Step 3– We stayed the night at Sofitel Hotel, which is a few steps from the Athens Airport. It’s a little on the pricy side at $200 a night, but worth it, if you have flight the next day.
We enjoyed dinner in the lobby before our flight the next day.
The Greek Margarita was delectable and strong.
My husband enjoyed the beer with pizza.
Step 4– The next day, we took a 1 hour Sky Express flight to Skiathos Island, which is one most dangerous landing strips in the world. Talk about a small plane. Yikes.
You are only allowed one carry on and one check in. Any additional bags are $35 Euros. Yuck
Step 5– We enjoyed Skiathos Island while waiting for our Ferry. The island is beautiful.
We walked 30 minutes to the port from the airport. You can take a bus or taxi, but after being in a plane for two days we enjoyed the walk.
I enjoyed a fish pedicure for $10 Euro while waiting for the ferry. Yes, it works! Also, it was perfect for my swollen ankles and legs after those long flights.
We, also, enjoyed lunch at the port while waiting for the ferry. We ordered all the items a local would order. We asked the waiter.
This liquor is popular with the locals and taste like black licorice.
You can even find some of the famous Mamma Mia spots while you wait.
Step 6– You must take a 1 hour ferry ride (Blue Star Ferries) from Skiathos to Skopelos. This is a plane on water. ***Beware “ferry strikes” are common. So common, it happened during this trip to my best friend and her husband. They were coming back a day later than us on a Tuesday and had to reschedule to leave the same day as us on Monday. I’ve heard horror stories about people not being able to reschedule once the news broke out, because the ferrys do not have enough room to accommodate everyone rescheduling. People have even missed flights. Scary!***
Skopelos Island
*For the most part everyone speaks English
*Menu’s are in Greek and English
*Currency is Euro
*Most places take credit cards
Best time to go?
September- tourism is low and the weather is perfect.
Transportation
Rent a Jeep or Car at the port- If you are from the USA, then you are in luck because they drive on the right side of the road. Also, you will notice the European cars are small for a reason, because the roads can get crazy scary.
New Law
**You must have an International Drivers License in order to rent a vehicle. It is easy to obtain but you must file for it in advance.**
Jeep’s are Standard -$100 week
Car’s are automatic- $200 week
Where to stay
Arktos Secluded Villa with private pool
2 bedroom & 2 bathroom- $125 a night
Bring your own coffee, laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
Mamma Mia Spots
#1 Chapel of St. Johns
This famous church is located at the top of a massive rock.
**Please note, it’s illegal to take rocks from this site.**
It’s not easy getting to the top
but 100% worth it.
Do not forget to bring your bracelet for the Mamma Mia tree.
Inside of the church in the movie.
What the real church looks like inside. It’s really small!
Once inside the church you can write in the prayer journal and light a candle.
Find the secret spot behind the church.
**Make sure you do not forget to take some pictures of yourself in the famous Mamma Mia spots.**
Afterwards, enjoy a drink where you can view the church.
or walk down to a special beach next to the church
#2 Drink a Mythos
Drink an authentic Greek Beer. This was my husbands go to beer on the trip and Rosie’s favorite drink on Mamma Mia.
#3 Kastani Beach
This is the famous Mamma Mia beach. You can see why this beach was selected for the movie, with its calm waves and perfect blue water. This is by far my favorite beach on the island.
You can even have lunch at the beach.
#4 Agnontas Beach
Honestly, this was not one of my favorite beaches. The water was calm and blue. However, compared to the other beaches it was leaning towards the boring side.
#5 Three Pines -Amarandos Cape
Some of the scenes in the “Mamma Mia” movie were shot at Amarandos.
If you are looking for a fun time on the water and need a tour guide, then you can find several vendors at the port. The prices range based on the amount of people the boat holds and the locations they travel. They even have a Mamma Mia tour.
Now on to my favorite spots on Skopelos Island:
*Parking is free at beaches
*Chairs with umbrellas- $7 Euros
Cave Exploring- Hovolo
If you are looking for some caves to explore this is the beach for you.
Limnonari Beach- Cliff Diving
This place has some awesome jump spots along with some amazing views.
Want to swim butt naked? Armenopeta
This beach is where you will find your inner child. Yes, I was big fat chicken and elected to keep my clothes on. However, my husband was a huge fan of this lifestyle. lol.
This beach is secluded and is extremely hard to get to. You have drive down an extremely scary long dirt road.
Relaxing-Glysteri Beach
If you just want some rest and relaxation, this beach is perfect. We went twice and each time it was empty.
Restaurants
*Restaurants are extremely quiet
*I never saw kids at any of the restaurants.
Lunch Spot
Let’s talk food! My favorite spot for lunch is the… Glifoneri (in the port town)
Here is why….. the view! You will see the bluest, most gorgeous view in the world while enjoying a Greek lunch. I promise you will be mind blown.
Dinner Spot
My favorite spot for dinner is …… Linarakia. The menu has a wide selection of meals and the food is delicious. Nothing like a romantic dinner by the water.
For dessert, their milk bread reminds me of a Texas Funnel Cake with vanilla pudding inside. Yum!
They give out free ice cream bars after dinner. You will notice a lot of restaurants giving out “free” items such as shots or misc. food during your meal.
Favorite Saganaki- Fried Cheese
Dress Nice
For some delicious Saganaki that has honey on top. The honey on top just takes it to the next level.
After your meal they serve some of my favorite Baklava and it’s free! If you love pistachios then this will take you to heaven and back.
My favorite Gyros- Platanos
This place has the best Gyros and the pita bread will have you dreaming of it at night.
My favorite Galaktoboureko (Milk Cake)- International Café
OMG you will thank me later.
My favorite spot for fresh squeezed orange juice.
This orange juice tastes amazing, but comes with a large price tag of $5 Euros. What makes this place so amazing is it has the best view in the port.
Make sure you try a Greek Coffee (do not drink the thick paste at the bottom)
and have a ton of Moussaka while on the island.
If you have some extra time visit a house that was donated to the town of skopelos by a father and daughter who were doctors on the island.
If you love a touristy island, then this island isn’t for you. If you want to live, drink, and eat like a local, then you’ve found the right place. This island will make you feel more like a local and less like a tourist. This is why I believe that Skopelos Island is one of Greece’s best kept secrets among experienced travelers.
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