If you want an authentic greek experience, this is the island for you. If so, this is the island where the movie was filmed. Jan 07, 2020 kalokairi island in greece will be familiar to anyone who watched the wildly successful and popular mamma mia. The film, released in 2008 and directed by phyllida lloyd, was a smash success based on the 1999 musical of the same name, which is based on the songs of one of the worlds biggest pop groups of all time. The main reason for the change in direction for the greek government was the loss of mamma mia 2. With meryl streep, pierce brosnan, amanda seyfried, stellan skarsgard.
Jul 25, 2018 in the original mamma mia, the greek island of skopelos played the fictional island of kalokairi. The title of the musical is taken from the groups 1975 charttopper mamma mia. Her love for mamma mia inspired this vacation, and thanks to. Mamma mia on skopelos island, greece i spent my days wandering in the pine clad groves, sitting drinking coffee, swimming and, of course, locating some of the spots mamma mia was filmed. Greece may have been hit in recent weeks by some of the worst civil disturbances in decades, but this week, as mamma mia. This tiny picturesque island is standing in for greece in. Although the movie was filmed on the croatian island of vis, its set on the fictional greek isle of kalokairi. The 2008 romantic comedy musical starring amanda seyfried, colin firth, pierce brosnan and meryl streep and featuring abba songs was a bit hit.
The church of agios ioannis kastri on skopelos, where scenes of mamma mia were filmed. The film was mostly shot on the greek island of skopelos, also the neighbouring island of skiathos, pinewood studio, and the greek mainland. Enjoy this small guide to the various locations used for filming this romcom, from skopelos island the sole location in the films story to skiathos and damouhari, in the pelion. The original mamma mia film was shot on location on the greek island of skopelos with secondary filming in the pelion region, nearby.
Additionally, an englishspeaking guide will provide some live commentary. The chapel of agios ioannis perches 100 metres above the sea on a rock outcrop in the northeast coast of the sporades island of skopelos in the northeast aegean. Over 54 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make mamma mia. It was a january afternoon of 2007, when i received a phone call from the greek production office of a big hollywood film. Following sophie, played by amanda seyfriend, she invites three of her mums. You cant fly directly to the island, but you can book a flight to the nearby skiathos island and then take a ferry. The film mamma mia was filmed in skiathos and also skopelos islands in 2007.
Nov 23, 2018 the verdant northern greek island offers some of the most spectacular landscapes in the area, with diamondclear waters and sensational green vistas. The original 2008 film was filmed in the greek island of skopelos. Aug 07, 2018 disclaimer these outfits arent going to be identical to the ones in the film as they were made specifically for mamma mia 2, these are just outfits i feel look similar to the ones in the film. N ow that weve all whooped and wept our way through mamma mia. A longside dodgy singing and meryl streep, the sun, sea and sand of the greek islands were the true stars of 2008 abba musical mamma mia. Victoria bischoff headed to vis, an island off croatias dalmation coast where the muchanticipated mamma mia. Sometime in 2008 after the film mamma mia was out in the movie theatres around the world, skopelos became one of those islands that everyone wanted to visit, explore and enjoy. Spend the week in greece, living like youre in the hit abba musical. The fictional greek island of kalokairi returns to the big screen on friday as the singing spectacular mamma mia. Skopelos is part of the sporades island group of greece. The beautiful island of skiathos greece with its pine forests and blue flag beaches is a very popular destination for a picture perfect vacation. The story of a bridetobe trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular 1970s group abba.
Mamma mias questionable depiction of greek characters. Perched atop a 100 metre promontory, its a stunning location, but the chapel itself was glammed up a little for the movie and the interior is a set built at pinewood. A young woman about to be married discovers that any one of three men could be her father. Travel the best greek islands like a mamma mia character. Jul 15, 2018 this tiny croatian island gets star billing the mamma mia sequel. Jul 17, 2018 and, in the bar, there is a mamma mia shrine, with film posters and snaps of the cast relaxing after a few too many. Skopelos the landscapes and vernacular architecture of an aegean island parsons, heather 2004. Kalokairi is a madeup name used in the movie and it has nothing to do with skopelos itself. Skopelos doubles as kalokairi, the island in the first mamma mia. Film locations tour on skopelos island filmfantravel. For more information on the mamma mia movie locations, including where some of the stars lived and dined on skopelos, check out. The kalokairi island and the hotel bella donna location.
The island of skopelos is a magical place that until not very long ago had gone unnoticed. Kalokairi island in greece will be familiar to anyone who watched the wildly successful and popular mamma mia. The small church of agios ioannis is located in the region of kastri, about 7 km east of glossa, northern skopelos. Writer catherine johnsons sunny, funny tale unfolds on a greek island paradise. The film has general craziness and revelations and passionate love all thrown together to the point that i am reminded of greek tragedies. Taste the famous cheese pie of skopelos, or have an ouzo in a sea side taverna. The picturesque croatian island that stood in for greece in. Skopelos has always been my favourite sporade since a first visit three decades ago. Mamma mia immediately became a smash hit when it was released in the summer of 2008, but it was the gorgeous locations that stole the show, inspiring travel to greece ever since. The 37squaremile island is in the aegean sea off the coast of mainland greece and is part of the sporades island group. In greek, kalokairi means summer, so just about any greek island could be called a summer island.
The pretty whitewashed chapel of agios ioannis looks every bit as perfect as it did in the phenomenally successful movie hit mamma mia. Mamma mia skopelos island kalokairi island of mamma mia movie. Greek island of kalokairi returns with mamma mia sequel. The region saw a jump in tourism after the film was released. Kalokairi is a madeup island name used in the first mamma mia movie and has nothing to do with skopelos itself. For example, before shooting a film in greece, nicolas cage had to formally join a greek band as a drummer so he could get a work permit for filming. Now the film isnt tragic in the slight, but sophies opening i have a dream scene is reminiscent of a plays prologue and the musical intervals could easily mimic the chorus that takes place between each scene of spokenword in a play. The best way to arrive in greece if you plan on checking out film locations for mamma mia.
Many people are descending on the greek island of kalokairi, specifically to the rustic resort hotel called the villa donna, owned and operated by single mother donna sheridan meryl streep, for the wedding of donnas twentyyearold daughter sophie amanda seyfried to her boyfriend sky dominic cooper. Disclaimer these outfits arent going to be identical to the ones in the film as they were made specifically for mamma mia 2, these are just outfits i feel look similar to the ones in the film. Jul 14, 2017 the original mamma mia film was shot on location on the greek island of skopelos with secondary filming in the pelion region, nearby. Great weather, no tourists, not even many citizens. Perched atop a 100 metre promontory, its a stunning location, but the chapel itself was glammed up a little for the movie and the interior. The film is set on the greek island of skopelos, but it was. The stunning greek island where mamma mia was filmed featuring. After nine weeks of shooting in studio pinewood, the unit. Mamma mia island film location tour skopelos skiathos. Freelance writer covering music, film and tv, travel and society, history and literature. Sep 06, 2016 filming locations of mamma mia the movie. Mamma mia two magical islands tour gr205 europe travel.
Jul 18, 2018 in the original mamma mia, the greek island of skopelos played the fictional island of kalokairi. Despite the change of scene, the movie still inspires a greek island getaway. Jul 19, 2018 back in 2008, watching mamma mia gave us major summer holiday envy. This romantic musical comedy was also partially filmed at various locations across oxfordshire in england. Jul 24, 2018 with the recent release of mamma mia 2 in cinemas, movie fans have once again been treated to the film s beautiful setting of a magical greek island.
You can now enjoy a greek island cruise with a mamma mia. Ten years after the original film, mamma mia 2 has hit cinema screens and is already one of the big movie successes of the year. Skopelos and its neighbour skiathos were the filming locations of the 2008 film mamma mia the wedding procession was filmed at the agios ioannis chapel near glossa. With that in mind, star clippers has announced a mamma mia highlights itinerary to celebrate the original films tenyear anniversary. Here we go again, filmmakers turned to the island of vis, off. In a shock piece of recasting, however, summer 2018s joyfully received sequel, here we go again, sees the role. Both films are set on the fictional greek island of kalokairi, but while mamma mia 2 was filmed in another country. It sounds incredible, but the greeks did not recognise the potential of having perhaps the most beautiful open film studio in the world. The first part, filmed in greece, achieved incredible success, earning as much as 610 million. Film locations tour is a bus tour, which conveniently picks you up in skopelos town, the main town and port of the island, and then takes you to all major film locations around skopelos.
And lucky for you, weve mapped out how you can make your own mamma mia itinerary through the best greek islands with the greek islands pass which are the best greek islands to visit. In mamma mia, most of the outdoor scenes were filmed on location at the small greek island of skopelos, and the seaside hamlet of damouchari. With the recent release of mamma mia 2 in cinemas, movie fans have once again been treated to the film s beautiful setting of a magical greek island. Mamma mia 2 inspired clothing the coveted lifestyle. In the original mamma mia, the greek island of skopelos played the. The film is set on the greek island of skopelos, but it was actually. Immerse yourself in the rich pine forests, crystal blue seas and sandy beaches. Indeed, as the fictional greek island kalokairi in mamma mia. Enjoy this small guide to the various locations used for filming this romcom, from skopelos island the sole location in the film.
The 10 most instagrammable greek islands revealed mamma. This tiny picturesque island is standing in for greece in mamma. The movie is a 2008 jukebox musical romantic comedy film directed by phyllida lloyd and written by catherine johnson based on the 1999 musical of the same name, also written by johnson, which itself is based on the songs of pop group abba, including the title song, with additional music composed by abba member benny andersson. With a mission of about 210 people on small islands. Jul, 2018 although the movie was filmed on the croatian island of vis, its set on the fictional greek isle of kalokairi.
Your getaway guide to skopelos island, where mamma mia was filmed spend the week in greece, living like youre in the hit abba musical. Here we go again swapped out the island of skopelos, where the first movie was filmed, for the nearly identical pine. The picturesque croatian island that stood in for greece. Spend an unforgettable holiday on the magical greek island film set locations for mamma mia. Skopelos, the mamma mia island of kalokeri in greece. In the original mamma mia, the greek island of skopelos played the fictional island of kalokairi. Mamma mia is going to send even more tourists to croatia. Most of the filming was undertaken at kastani beach in the south west of the island as well as some shots on the mainland pelion region of greece. Of course, tourists have flooded the beaches of this mediterranean paradise. Following shows including the durrells and game of thrones, production for the film moved to croatia, particularly the island of vis vis, croatia. It is the movie adaptation of the hit west end musical stage show of the same name which has been running house full in london and broadway. The island is in the aegean sea off the coast of mainland greece.
Kalokairi, skopelos, the greek island from mamma mia. Set on a colorful greek island, the plot serves as a background for a wealth of abba songs. In the opposite direction from hora, the palio karnagio taverna at small sandandpebble glysteri cove a mamma mia. Theres plenty of choice the island has more than 360 churches and chapels, but the one seen in the film is the chapel of agios ioannis prodromos, near the town of glossa. Both movies are set on a fictional greek island, but only the original movie was filmed in greece. Because the island was a yugoslav military base until 1989, it remained isolated and sparsely populated until fairly recently. I am on skopelos, the tiny greek island once known for its scented pine trees, olives, dried white plums and peace and quiet. Mamma mia two magical islands tour gr205 europe travel tours. Exactly 10 years later, when the release of the second mamma mia. If its the case of needing the right role then mamma mia 2, due out next week, might just do the trick for vis, an island off its coast. I dedicate this blog to my best friend jennifer moreno. Mamma mias move to croatia infuriates greek government.
The films fictional island of kalokairi was embodied by the very real skopelos, in the western aegean, and a beautiful job it did too. Jul 25, 2018 ten years after the original film, mamma mia 2 has hit cinema screens and is already one of the big movie successes of the year. The finger pointing targeted the greek ministry of tourism, which was quick to pass the buck to the ministry of culture, stating that the tourism. Getty the filming was centred on the village of komiza to the west, including barjoska bay, where they actually built a new road to bring the production to the. In the ultimate and, given the movie s treatment of greek characters, fitting irony, the mamma mia franchise found a way to disappoint the island s actual greek islanders. Its back to skopelos, on the island s northwestern tip, for the wedding. Principal photography primarily took place on the island of skopelos, greece from august to september 2007. The stunning greek island where mamma mia was filmed. Dec 27, 2019 the stunning greek island where mamma mia was filmed featuring the iconic wedding chapel. There is never going to be an identical dupe for the outfits. Here we go again, filmmakers turned to the island of vis, off the coast of croatia. This lovely church stands on top of a rock and provides an amazing view to.
At a cafe down the road, a woman asks if ive seen the new film, but i. A turning from the glysteri road leads west via the lush karya valley, along the east flank of 681metre mount dhelfi to the wellmarked sendoukia. While on the bus, you will listen to the film s famous abba soundtrack. Church of agios ioannis kastri in skopelos, greece. Locals of greek island where first mamma mia film shot upset. The film s fictional island of kalokairi was embodied by the very real skopelos, in the western aegean, and a beautiful job it did too. Now, a decade later, the film s getting a sequel and once again theres major wanderlust to be had.
Kalokairi, the island in the first mamma mia movie starring meryl streep and amanda seyfried, is really the island named skopelos. Skopelos mamma mia island greece vangelis photography. In fact no other movie has inspired travel to greece quite like mamma mia. However, on this occasion the production is not going again to the hellenic country. Locals of greek island where first mamma mia film shot. The story takes place on the fictional island kalokairi, which was actually filmed on skopelos island in greece. A dream about visiting the gorgeous film locations of the movie myself. Oct 20 at skiathos and skopelos greece the so called mamma mia islands. Mamma mia 2 was filmed in the splendid island of vis, off croatias dalmatian coast. The film was built around hit abba songs and tells the story of a daughters quest to figure out who her father is. Oct 09, 2018 you might also recognize scenes from the abba musical mamma mia, which used the island as its primary filming location in 2007. Mainly filming in greece, the film crews also visited california, morocco, london and pinewood studios.
Even today, tourists visiting the island are interested in visiting the spots they admire in the mamma mia movie. And, in the bar, there is a mamma mia shrine, with film posters and snaps of the cast relaxing after a few too many. Nov, 2017 in 2008, mamma mia was filmed on the island of skopelos. Both films are set on the fictional greek island of kalokairi, but while mamma mia 2 was filmed in another country, the original was in fact shot in greece.