The very popular Abba soundtrack, Mamma Mia!, made way for the Mamma Mia! movie released in 2008. A comedy and musical all rolled into one. Meryl Streep and the rest of the cast put on quite a performance. But where was Mamma Mia! filmed? Let’s check out the story first.
Where Was Mamma Mia! Filmed?
Mamma Mia! was filmed on the beautiful Greek islands of Skopelos and Skiathos, two of the Sporades Islands located in the Aegean Sea. Filming also took place at Piraeus Port near Athens and on an island off the coast of Montenegro.
The iconic landscapes featured in the film were all shot on location including the scenes at Kalokairi beach. Additionally, some parts of the film were shot in England at Shepperton Studios near London.
The Story of Mamma Mia!
This is the story of a young bride-to-be named Sophie, who’s about to get married on the fictional island of Kalokairi. She dreams of having her father walk her to the altar on her wedding day.
Sophie finds her mother’s old diary and discovers that her father could be one of three different men. She invites all three men from her mother’s past to her wedding on a Greek island where her mother has a small resort hotel. Sophie hopes to uncover the truth. She thinks she will instantly recognize her father.
Spoiler Alert: The identity of Sophie’s dad is never revealed in the movie.
Who Was in The Cast of Mamma Mia?
The main cast of Mamma Mia! includes Meryl Streep as Donna Sheridan, Amanda Seyfried as Sophie, Pierce Brosnan as Sam Carmichael, Colin Firth as Harry Bright, Stellan Skarsgård as Bill Anderson, Julie Walters as Rosie Mulligan and Christine Baranski as Tanya Chesham-Leigh.
The cast also features Dominic Cooper as Sky, Phil Dunster as Young Harry, Jessica Keenan Wynn as Young Tanya and Alexa Davies as Young Rosie.
Who Directed Mamma Mia?
Mamma Mia! was directed by Phyllida Lloyd, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Catherine Johnson. Lloyd’s work has been praised for its unique blend of comedy and music, a combination that she had previously explored in her critically acclaimed drama “The Iron Lady” (2011) starring Meryl Streep.
Fun Facts About Mamma Mia!
Olivia Newton-John and Michelle Pfeiffer were considered to play the character of Donna.
The baby photos of Sophie are Amanda Seyfried’s real baby pictures.
Pierce Brosnan didn’t know what he signed on for when he agreed to do the movie. All he knew was that he was shooting a movie in Greece with Meryl Streep. He had no idea he signed up to do a musical.
Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper actually dated in real life.
Did Mamma Mia! Receive Any Awards?
Mamma Mia! received 26 nominations and won 15 awards including the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards for Best Supporting Actress, National Movie Awards in the UK, and the People’s Choice Awards to name just a few.
Technical Information
The movie runs for 108 minutes–just shy of two hours. It was filmed using the Panavision Panaflex Millennium XL with Panavision C- and E-Series lenses.
Can You Visit the Set of Mamma Mia!?
You can certainly visit the islands of Skiathos and Skopelos. The little church where the wedding was held is open to visitors. But, the hotel Villa Donna is fictional.
What is Greece Famous For?
Greece is famous for beautiful sandy beaches and ancient architecture. Greece is also famous for a number of ancient philosophers such as Plato, Socrates, Pythagoras, and Aristotle, to name just a few. Greece invented the Olympic Games. It has over 6,000 islands and 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Unique Places in Greece
With 6,000 little islands to choose from, there are plenty of beautiful places to visit. Places to visit include Mount Olympus. Santorini, Crete, Ionian Islands, Athens, Saronic Gulf Islands, Meteora, and Skopelos.
Things to Do in Greece
Here are a few ideas on things to do in Greece.
- Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs
- Boat tour of Paxos Antipaxos Blue Caves
- Acropolis in Athens
- Rhodes Faliraki Water Park
- Take a day cruise to Agistri, Moni, and Aegina
- Take a Meteora train tour
These are just a few of many places to check out in Greece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit the place Mamma Mia! was filmed?
You can visit Skiathos which is one of the two islands where filming took place. It has an international airport with direct connections to and from several European countries. You can also take a short ferry ride to Skopelos.
Where was Mamma Mia! 2 filmed?
Mamma Mia! 2 was filmed on the island of Vis which is off the Dalmatian coast in Croatia. It takes about 2.5 hours to get there by boat.
Other Classic Movies Filmed in Europe
Final Thoughts
One of the great things about Greece is that it’s pretty cheap to visit. At the very least, products are a bit cheaper than in the United States. You may have to spend a bit on airfare to get there but once you are there, prices are pretty reasonable.
Another great thing about going to Greece is that the best time to go is between February and April. This time frame is a great time for good prices on airfare as well.
Greece has pretty mild weather no matter what time of year you choose to go. But if you are looking for heat, try going in July.
Have you been to Greece? Let me know by leaving me a comment below.
