10 Magical Mamma Mia! Filming Locations You Can Visit Today: The Ultimate Guide To Kalokairi (Greece & Croatia)

The irresistible charm of the Mamma Mia! movies, with their sun-drenched beaches and turquoise waters, is the result of filming in some of the most spectacular locations in the Mediterranean. As of December 12, 2025, the real-life "Kalokairi" remains a top travel destination, drawing ABBA fans and movie lovers alike to the Greek and Croatian islands that served as the backdrop for Donna and Sophie's unforgettable story.

While the fictional island of Kalokairi doesn't exist on any map, the magic was captured across two distinct countries and three main islands. The original 2008 film relied heavily on the natural beauty of Greece, while the 2018 sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, moved production to a lesser-known gem in Croatia. This guide breaks down every key location you can visit today to recreate your favorite movie moments.

The Original Kalokairi: Mamma Mia! (2008) Filming Locations in Greece

The vast majority of the outdoor scenes for the first Mamma Mia! movie, starring Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, and the three dads (Sam, Bill, and Harry), were filmed on the beautiful Greek islands of the Sporades group, specifically Skopelos and Skiathos, along with a small location on the Greek mainland (Pelion Peninsula).

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1. Skopelos: The Heart of Kalokairi Island

Skopelos was the primary filming location, chosen for its unspoiled, lush green hills and stunning coastline, offering a more tranquil experience compared to more tourist-heavy islands like Santorini or Mykonos.

• Agios Ioannis Kastri (The Wedding Church): This is arguably the most iconic spot. The small, picturesque chapel sits atop a dramatic 100-meter-high rock formation, accessible by climbing over 200 steps. The exterior shots, including the famous ascent and the view where Donna (Meryl Streep) sings "The Winner Takes It All," were filmed here. However, a key piece of trivia for fans: the interior wedding ceremony was actually filmed on a replica set built at Pinewood Studios in the UK.
• Kastani Beach (The Musical Numbers Beach): This small, idyllic bay is instantly recognizable as the setting for several major musical numbers. The famous "Lay All Your Love on Me" scene, featuring Sophie and Sky, was filmed on its sands. A bittersweet nighttime scene where Sophie says goodbye to her dads was also shot here. Today, Kastani Beach is a popular destination, often offering beach bars and Mamma Mia-themed tours.
• Glysteri Beach: This beautiful cove, located near Skopelos Town, served as the backdrop for the scene where the main characters depart for the wedding. The olive grove near Glysteri was also used for various scenes.
• Skopelos Town: While many scenes were shot in the surrounding landscape, the charming harbor and narrow streets of Skopelos Town feature in various establishing shots, showcasing the island's authentic Greek architecture.

2. Skiathos: The Port of Arrival

The nearby island of Skiathos was used primarily for the initial scenes involving the arrival of the three potential fathers. The old harbor of Skiathos Town is where Bill, Harry, and Sam meet up before taking the ferry to Kalokairi. The town's maze of whitewashed houses and hidden gems also provided charming background scenery.

3. Damouchari, Pelion Peninsula: The Boat Scene

The Pelion Peninsula, a region on the mainland of Greece, was used for a few specific shots. The old port of Damouchari, a small coastal village, was the location for the boat scene where Donna meets her two friends, Rosie and Tanya, and they sing "Dancing Queen" as they jump off the pier.

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A New Kalokairi: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) Filming in Croatia

For the 2018 sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, the filmmakers decided to shift the entire production to the Croatian island of Vis. Vis, located off the Dalmatian coast, was chosen to stand in for a younger, less developed Kalokairi, capturing the spirit of the Greek islands while offering new visual possibilities.

• Vis Town: The main port and town on the island, Vis Town, served as the primary backdrop for the sequel. It was transformed by the production team to look more like a Greek village, including the addition of blue and white paint and signage.
• Komiža: This picturesque fishing village on the western side of Vis was another key location. Its beautiful harbor and stone houses feature prominently in the scenes, particularly those depicting the younger Donna and her adventures.
• Barjoška Beach: Located on the far western tip of the island, Barjoška Beach was used for the more remote, pristine beach scenes in the sequel.
• Stiniva Cove: While not explicitly listed in every film location guide, the stunning Stiniva Cove, known for its dramatic cliffs and secluded pebble beach, is believed to have been used for some of the breathtaking background shots.

The move to Croatia allowed the sequel to maintain the sunny Mediterranean aesthetic while providing a fresh, unexplored setting for the new storyline.

Beyond the Islands: Pinewood Studios and the Magic of Hollywood

While the real-world locations provide the movie's heart, the technical execution of the musical required a controlled environment. The production of both films utilized the legendary Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England. This is where all the interior scenes were filmed, including the inside of Donna’s villa (Villa Donna), the hotel bedrooms, and, as mentioned, the interior of the chapel for the wedding scene in the first movie.

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The use of a replica set at Pinewood Studios for the interior of the Agios Ioannis Kastri church is a common filmmaking technique. This allowed the crew to have more space, control the lighting, and manage the logistics of filming complex musical numbers away from the remote, small chapel in Greece.

Planning Your Mamma Mia! Filming Location Tour

For fans looking to visit the real-life Kalokairi, the islands are now well-equipped for "film-induced tourism."

• The Greek Experience: To visit the locations from the original film, you should fly into Athens or Thessaloniki and then take a ferry to Skiathos, which has a small airport. From Skiathos, you can easily take a ferry to Skopelos. Mamma Mia tours are readily available on Skopelos, offering guided bus transportation to the key spots like Kastani Beach and Agios Ioannis Kastri.
• The Croatian Experience: To visit the locations from the sequel, you should fly into Split, Croatia, and take a ferry from the mainland to Vis Island. The island is less developed for mass tourism than some Greek counterparts, offering a more authentic Dalmatian coast experience.

Whether you choose the lush greenery of Skopelos or the dramatic coastline of Vis, a trip to the Mamma Mia! filming locations is a journey into the world of ABBA’s timeless music and a must-do for any movie fan. The enduring popularity of the franchise has ensured that these beautiful spots remain vibrant, tourist-friendly destinations for years to come.