Today was the day for a Mama Mia bus tour, which was a great way to see the sights and learn more about Skopelos. I’m not a big fan of organized tours, but this is a good way of getting around.

The people of Skopelos are very proud that Hollywood chose their island of the setting for Mama Mia. This really put Skopelos on the map in 2007 which has boosted its popularity and tourism. Everyone here seems to have their own story of how they interacted with the actors while they were filming here.

This church that sits on the top of the cliff was the setting for the wedding in the movie. It is beautiful and dramatic, sitting about 200 steps up from the water. No one really knows how they constructed the small church at the top, another feat of building from 500 years ago.

This is how it looked for the wedding scene.

The church is tiny, and they explain that for the movie they built a facade around it to make it look bigger, then shot the interior in a studio in London. Hollywood. ….

It’s a steep walk up and down but beautiful up top and fun to ring the bell!

We stop at a family-owned olive mill. Skopelos is filled with olive trees, this is the only mill in the Sporades islands so it is an important source of local food and revenue.

We head to Kastani beach where they filmed much of the movie for a swim. For the movie they built their own beach bar then took it down after.

But the water…just so pure and warm.

Along the way the tour guide shares info about the island; there is a deep pride about the unique beauty of this “Green and Blue” Island.

We finish at a small fishing village for lunch. The food is delicious, I’m changing it up with their house salad instead of my go-to Greek salad!

The tour is finished around 3, so I have time to explore another beach. Important for my research…

I take a taxi to Glisteri Beach, only 4 km from town but hard to reach via steep and winding roads.

But it is beautiful and relatively quiet here and I spend several hours reading, swimming and napping.

I head back via taxi around 7 and happy to know that I have a booking at Muses, a seaside restaurant at 9. Never at home would I be eating dinner at 9 but here the days are long.

The owner here is so proud of his restaurant, his staff is welcoming and kind. This has been his restaurant for 40 years.

If you go to Skopelos, include this restaurant in your visit.

As usual I finish the day with a walk thru town, I head back to the shop from the previous night where I get an evil eye for Sarah and Jeff.

I get lost again in this labyrinth of shops and cafes, but it is a fun way to get lost.

Falling in love with Skopelos…,