By Despina Karpathiou
Skopelos is unlike most Greek islands. This is not a cliché, but a fact you can only truly understand by visiting the island yourself.
Known for its natural beauty, Skopelos, unlike its neighbour Skiathos, hasn’t been affected by ‘overtourism.’
The island is perhaps best known as the backdrop of the blockbuster musical movie Mamma Mia! (2008), with many of its outdoor scenes filmed there. The beautiful beach of Kastani is the jewel that the producers chose for the scene where the character Tanya sings “Does Your Mother Know?”. It’s also where the characters Sky and Sophie sing “Lay All Your Love on Me.”
There’s a rumour that the producers visited 21 Greek islands before selecting Skopelos as their island of choice.
According to Nancy Tsirona, a local travel creator, Skopelos is not just a famous movie set—it’s paradise on earth.
“Skopelos gained international acclaim when Hollywood chose it to shoot Mamma Mia!, but to me, it’s more than that—it’s a small earthly paradise,” says Nancy, who runs the blog Skopelos Island and has lived there for over ten years.
Talking about tourism last year, Nancy observed it was “generally the same as 2023.”
“Unfortunately, most tourists are quite restrained with their spending, which I think is understandable given current global instability. They might still splurge on a nice hotel, but they’re not dining out as much,” she says.
Even though not accessible by air, it was reported that Skopelos had occupancy rates of 85-90% in August 2024. Municipal Tourism Councillor George Papadavid attributed this to the island’s diverse visitor markets.
“2024 has been a challenging year for both travellers and tourism professionals across many Greek destinations. Besides Greece, our visitors during the peak season primarily come from the UK, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Italy, France, and Germany,” George says.
Recently, the island has seen an influx of French tourists. According to Generation Voyage, a French website, Skopelos was ranked as the most beautiful among Greece’s six most picturesque film locations. The site highlighted the iconic church of Saint John (Agios Giannis) at Kastri, perched on a rocky islet with a breathtaking panorama of the Aegean.
Nancy also mentioned that Skopelos gets many repeat visitors.
“People from all over the world visit every year. They’ve fallen in love with the island, and they keep coming back,” she says.
Nancy recommends outdoor activities as the best way to experience the island’s beauty.
“Visitors can enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Skopelos’ beaches, go hiking, dive at the Christoforos Shipwreck, and take in the natural scenery,” she says.
Skopelos is also ideal for those seeking a quiet sanctuary to relax.
“If visitors are looking for a peaceful place where they can discover the unspoilt beauty of our island paradise, this is the place for them,” Nancy adds.
Regarding overtourism, which plagues most of the more popular Greek islands like Santorini, Skopelos has remained largely unaffected. Nancy believes this is why the island has maintained its natural beauty over the years.
Peri, a visitor to Skopelos in August 2024, spoke to The Greek Herald about his experience on the island. He explained that while the Mamma Mia! film highlights many aspects of Skopelos, it doesn’t do the island justice, as there’s so much more to explore.
“There are many beaches to discover, the food is fresh, and the people are friendly. The water is heavenly—very calm—and the views from any of the beaches are serene. The way the sun reflects off the water, the temperature of the water, the crystal clarity, and the view of the other islands and the mainland make you feel like you’re in another world compared to the concrete cities we live in,” Peri says.
Peri also shares why he chose the island for his vacation.
“Skopelos is a ‘less touristy’ island compared to Mykonos, Crete, and Paros. It offers a more laid-back approach to Greek island holidays, where time moves slowly,” he explains.
“Many tourists travel to the island every year for their summer vacation, and it’s easy to make friends with them. You don’t feel the congestion of tourism that other islands have, which is why tourists on Skopelos are often return visitors.”
As we’ve discovered, Skopelos offers a unique Greek island experience. This peaceful spot in the Sporades is perfect for enjoying Greek hospitality and sunshine, even if it doesn’t have the same trendy appeal as some of the other Greek islands.
Find out more about Skopelos and things to do here and here.
