Mamma Mia! Filmed on the Greek Island of Skopelos

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So, who’s seen the musical movie Mamma Mia! with Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth? I did last weekend, and MAN did it make me want to go to a Greek Island!

I mean, all those tanned folks, pretty whitewashed buildings, cool blue water, nifty rock outcroppings, the history, the heritage… really, the movie is just one big public service advertisement for Greece!

(It was not, however, a brilliant venue for Mr. Brosnan to be sharing his singing voice with the world. OYOYOY! James Bond is not a chanteuse. I mean, the audience could not help but giggle – a lot – when he opened his mouth to warble ABBA favorites. Ouch.)

After I saw the movie, I immediately came home to do a Google search to find out where Mamma Mia was filmed. The majority of the filming took place on Skopelos, a small, remote island to the west of mainland Greece that’s not directly accessible by air. The UK’s Telegraph ran a great article about how the locals really got into the filming — thrilled to see their tiny island on the big screen.

Here are a couple of photos of the island that I tracked down online to share. I’m thinking that with the release of Mamma Mia!, the pristine island (known as the “greenest Greek island” because of its unspoiled pine-tree forests) is going to be inundated with tourists. If they don’t have a visitor’s bureau up and running, they better get one!

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August 5, 2008 | Filed Under Destinations, The Cookie Jar 

Comments

33 Responses to “Mamma Mia! Filmed on the Greek Island of Skopelos”

  1. Nigel says:
    August 5, 2008 at

    Photo 2 is back-to-front!

  2. MountainMama says:
    August 5, 2008 at

    Interesting! You mean it’s flopped? That’s how I got it from the stock photo site.

  3. Keith says:
    August 8, 2008 at

    I haven’t seen ‘Mamma Mia’ yet, but anything filmed on the Greek islands is OK by me. Except ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’. IMV, they ruined a good book.

  4. Cindy says:
    August 9, 2008 at

    where do you think the bride of the movie found her shirt, and is there any info on how to get shirts like that?

  5. Lisa says:
    August 9, 2008 at

    I have seen Mamma Mia! 5x and absolutely loved the movie! FABULOUS CAST! :) Even Pierce Brosnan who I thought sang quite well considering he is not known for his singing – which he readily admits, but did not take away from the charm of the movie.
    That said, I visited Greece many times while in my teens (I lived in Turkey at the time) and it sure brought back some wonderful memories of the Greek people and the fabulous countryside.

    Would love to go back!! BTW, gorgeous pics you have posted!! :)

  6. MountainMama says:
    August 10, 2008 at

    Oooh. Cindy, which shirt? Got a link to where I can see a photo of what you’re talking about?

  7. movie mia says:
    August 13, 2008 at

    this is one of the few plays i’ve actually seen, which ended up being great… it’s funny to think of ol’ Pierce taking a stab at singing, yeeesh

  8. Riginos says:
    August 23, 2008 at

    In case you’d like to know more about Skopelos take a look at
    http://www.mamma-mia-island.com

    With love
    Riginos from Skopelos!

  9. Thea Ott says:
    September 1, 2008 at

    I have seen the movie twice, and bought the sound track.
    When Pierce Brosnan took his shirt off who cared if he could not sing well.
    Was a very fun and happy movie.

  10. Carmen Cachia says:
    September 12, 2008 at

    I have watched “Mamma Mia” twice and it’s been such a long time (or never happened actually) since I crave to see a film for the third time. I just cannot figure out why many are making such a big thing in trying to seek perfection in the singing and dancing. This is no music examination but a very entertaining film. All the actors/actresses were terrific in bringing such a spirit into this movie and most of all Pierce and Merilyn whom I never saw them acting this kind of style but matched so perfectly and I adored them so much more! This movie is just FANTASTIC! Brought back lovely memories of beautiful Greece. Good publicity for tourism too as now I am looking forward to visit the Greek Gods again!

  11. andi says:
    October 13, 2008 at

    needed to explore skiathos and skopelos after seeing mama mia, the film and story reached me as a mum of a beautiful 19 yr old daughter and haunted me with memories of travelling greek islands as a sudent and hitching to paris. it was my last summer of adventures and now 30 years and 5 beautiful chilren later. my only daughter is slipping through my fingers. we packed our rucksacks and went to capture something of the life of the film and its story and unbeiievably it was wonderfully all thee,the islands are magical.even watched the film for free it was on at the open air cinema in skiathos and we could see and hear it all from the clock tower up from the hill above. so thankyou mama mia I WILL capture more adventures. I wish I could sing as well as pierce and ,all the cast.the film and the islands are simply beautiful

  12. David Conlin says:
    November 3, 2008 at

    Why would anyone use the noun chanteuse in reference to Pierce Brosnan? Chanteuse is a French word used to describe a female singer. [Male Chanteur, chanter] singer, or Canter (Hebrew) is the male form. So I sisncerely hope Pierce Brosnan never will make a Chanteuse.
    Besides that, I loved the film, the characters, (all of them) Greece itself, and the Greek people, who are magic.

  13. rachel says:
    November 3, 2008 at

    hi i am from malta i love the film i can just imagen how much fun you had making the film mamma mia.i love the songs they are so cathy and they are so much fun too listen to i here them ever day iam hereing them so much iam lerning them i have seen the film 4 times i can watch it every day it is so good the film it self is so much fun so watch you all played your parts so well meryl streep Donna sheredon , amanda seyFried sophie sheredon christina Baranski Rosy Pierce brosnan sam carrmichael Colin firth Harry bight stellan skarsgaro bill Andderson Julie Walters Tanya Dominic Cooper sky, christina baranski Rosey you were all so good . my father when to greece and now i have the posters of the island the church the beach iam so happy that i have them . i want to frame them i love the part when sky and sophie sheredon are sinning lay all your love on me and the other acters carryed them and the guys jump in yhe see with the flippers that part is so good and sky and other came with the jetskies i really like that song hell i like all the songs and the part when Donna sheredon tanya and rosy are singing the song dancing queen you were all really good and really funny when you dressed up into those costums and tanya was really funny too sophie was really sneeky viting here fater to here wedding and they tought that donna envited them. sophie your wedding dress was really nice sam carr michael sang really well sky reall sang well too every one sang really well.the song chiquita is really good too i hope you make another film as good as these one. i have the posters aaaaaaaaaaaaaa .i really want too go on the island and go into the church i will really be happy and i will feel really special.and the best part i that is sam harry and bill did ent even now each other.

  14. rachel says:
    November 3, 2008 at

    i have fogoten to tell you samthing and i have to tell you tank to for making the film and thank you for putting the photoes up on computer and tank you for putting the videos on too

  15. rachel says:
    November 3, 2008 at

    i have fogoten to tell you samthing and i have to tell you tank to for making the film and thank you for putting the photoes up on computer and tank you for putting the videos on too.

  16. Casino Online Gambling says:
    November 7, 2008 at

    Mamma Mia! has an exclamation in its title for a reason: it just wants to shout out its sense of fun. The film is buoyantly unpretentious and proclaims at the top of its voice, “Take me as I am.”

  17. keith says:
    November 10, 2008 at

    I finally saw the film … and I must get to Skopelos before the kalimari and chips crowd spoil it.

    I got the impression that Benny and Bjorn were subtly taking the Mick from their early Abba songs … anyone else get that impression?

  18. christene says:
    November 27, 2008 at

    I am from malaysia and watched the movie on my way back from London. I can’t hold my tears in the plane cause it is such a beautiful musical. beautiful scene, beautiful music and absolutely beautiful people! It makes me look forward to travel to Greece! i love sunshine, i love beach especially the crystal clear water!

  19. Karen Konstantakis says:
    December 5, 2008 at

    If you want to check out a great hotel(which is the closest to the church in the film)in Skopelos
    Check out http://www.hotelselenunda.com
    PS Pierce stayed here a night as well

  20. mary says:
    December 19, 2008 at

    Wonderful movie

  21. yiannis chatzitrakosas says:
    December 23, 2008 at

    greetings from skopelos
    congatulations for the web site!

    if it is useful for you and the visitors my guide for skopelos http://www.skopelosweb.gr
    and my blog for the movie with many photos http://www.skopelos.travel/mammamia

    i have already add a return link !

  22. Jill Browne says:
    January 6, 2009 at

    I laughed so hard when Pierce started singing! Good on him for doing it ;-)

    Thanks for the pics & info.

  23. Shenaya says:
    January 9, 2009 at

    i loved this movie! especially for someone who normally doesnt enjoy musicals..it made me realize just how pretty greece was and how much i wanted to go.my friend and i decided to start saving and head down there and maybe live for a year once we get enough.if anybody can tell me what it would be like or how hard it is for a canadian girl to live there please do e-mail me at fubuvibe@hotmail.com!i want to go sooo bad but dont know much about greece ,thank u:)

  24. Nicola Bannister says:
    January 10, 2009 at

    I am a mama mia biggest fans I loved the film and I loved all the brilliant singers Julie Walters Is my main favents and all the cast I can not say how brilliant there all are how does she knows all the songs from Abba I loved all Mama Mia musicals because I love Abba too I can not beleve all the cast from this film knows all the words

  25. Sandy Christensen says:
    January 16, 2009 at

    My sentiments exactly. As I recall, I wanted to go to the Greek Isles since a little obscure (and not good) movie called Summer Lovers. The movie stunk but the scenery was absolutely breathtaking — more so than Mama Mia!

    Check out my weblog. We are living the life of a traveling family!

  26. Becky says:
    January 31, 2009 at

    i love it i really wont to go xxx =] :)

    i love mamma mia xxxx fabulouse simply request xx

    love beckzzz

  27. Becky says:
    January 31, 2009 at

    i can still recall my last summer where mamma mia was filmed it was great xxx

    love that place xxx =] =] :)

  28. Becky says:
    January 31, 2009 at

    lay all your love on me xxxxxxxxxxx

    its like shooting a sitting duck a little spoc and smileing baby if im stuck i still dont know wat youve done with me xxx love you all n n

  29. Becky says:
    January 31, 2009 at

    sos this is becky mccdonall

  30. elena says:
    February 7, 2009 at

    ποιος σας ειπε οτι ταινια “Mamma Mia” ειναι γυρισμενη σε νησι;το αντιθετο μαλιστα.ειναι γυρισμενη στο νομο μαγνησιας σε ενα παραθαλασσιο χωριο που λεγεται ΝΤΑΜΟΥΧΑΡΗ.αν δεν με πιστευετε,σημερα 7.2.09 στο σκαι η εκπομπη “ΓΥΡΙΣΜΑΤΑ” επισκευτηκε το χωριο και οι κατοικοι ομολογησαν οτι μαγευτηκαν απο την απλοτητα της Meryl Streep…

  31. Emie says:
    February 10, 2009 at

    i love the movie mamma mia. i want to get married on that island so bad.i’m engaged and have been waiting to find something like this

  32. Bhutan tour package says:
    February 25, 2009 at

    I saw mamma movie and really its very brilliant movie.

  33. Joe says:
    September 20, 2009 at

    I lived in Greece (Peloponesse) for two years. Alittle place named Kato Achaia(southwest of Patras). I married a young lady from there and enjoy every visit I take there. My last trip was in June of 2008 and was there when the earthquake hit (my first and hope last). I love Greece, the culture, the people and my relatives. I also love ABBA and have the DVD of Mamma Mia and can watch it anytime I want.

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