EmDay trips from Skiathos to Skopelos and Alonissos offer stunning scenery, crystal-clear waters, and a touch of Hollywood magic. Skopelos, famously known as the filming location for Mamma Mia!, is a must-visit for fans of the movie. From the iconic chapel perched on a rocky hilltop to the sun-soaked shores of Kastani Beach, you can explore the real-life settings of some of the film’s most memorable scenes. Along the way, you’ll also discover hidden gems like Panormos Bay and the unspoiled beauty of Alonissos, making for an unforgettable day at sea.
Best time to visit Skopelos and Alonissos
Like many Greek islands, Skopelos and Alonissos come alive in the summer. However, peak season during July and August is always going to be more busy. I recommend visiting the islands in shoulder season – betwen April-June and September-October to take advantage sunny weather without so many people.
DIY day trip or guided cruise?
To go on your island hopping adventure, you can either DIY by taking local ferries from the port in Skiathos Town, or you can take an island hopping cruise. The benefit of doing it yourself is the freedom this offers – you’re free to spend your time the way you want. There are multiple ferries to Skopelos and Alonissos each day (depending on the time of year).
If you are planning to do your own day trip and want to do both islands in one day, I would suggest starting with Alonissos. Ferries from Skopelos to Skiathos are more frequent and in high season, there is likely to be a later sailing – this will give you more freedom on your return time.
One of the major providers, Seajets, has published their summer 2025 schedule. While this is only one of the available companies, this can help with planning.
In many cases you can buy your ferry tickets online in advance, either directly from a provider like Seajets or from an agency. You will also be able to buy ferry tickets at the harbour.
How to get the ferry from Skiathos to Skopelos
Several companies offer trips between Skiathos and Skopelos, and these vary between high speed boats and traditional ferrys. This means that the journey time can also vary between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.
Ferries depart from Skiathos Town. The timetable will vary depending on the season and the year – always check in advance for the current options.
How to get the ferry from Skiathos to Alonissos
The ferry between Skiathos and Alonissos takes about 1.5 hours. The ferries from Skiathos to Alonissos are less frequent, and will require more planning. Check the ferry times in advance as they timings will change depending on the season, with more frequent sailings during the summer compared to winter.
How to get the ferry from Skopelos to Alonissos
The ferry from Skopelos to Alonissos takes about 20 minutes. As with the other ferries, the timetable will change depending on the season, with more frequent sailings in summer/high season.
Organised cruises
I did two different cruises – one island hopping day trip and one Mamma Mia day trip.
From Skiathos, there are lots of companies offering trips to these locations. You can find a trip by heading down to the port, where a number of companies offer shorter trips out to various locations, including the Mamma Mia beaches and the chapel. Or you can book a full day cruise, which takes you to a number of different sites, offering you the chance to sunbathe and swim in the sea.
My cruise experiences
For my island hopping day trip I went with Elizabet Tours. This meant I could do more in one day (leaving more holiday days to explore the beautiful beaches on Skiathos). The trip is also optimised to take you to places you might not otherwise get to see. For Elizabet cruises, this included a beach from Mamma Mia, as well as sailing past the chapel from the film. I really enjoyed my trip with Elizabet, as the staff went out of their way to make it a fun experiene – think Greek dancing lessons on the way back!
To visit the Mamma Mia locations, I took the day trip with Dolphins Skiathos, as this was the company offered by my hotel. To be honest, I wouldn’t recommend it. There weren’t enough staff on the cruises, so the bartender was also functioning as the tour guide, and was often overwhelmed. They also mixed up some of the locations, and the trip up to the chapel was a significant extra charge (15e). If I were going to do it again, I would take a shorter boat trip from the harbour directly to the sites I wanted to see, and visit Kastani beach as part of the much better Elizabet island hopping tour.
Your perfect day trip to Skoplos from Skiathos
Visit Skopelos Town
While smaller and with less things to do than Skiathos, Skopelos is a thriving island with a beautiful old town. Be sure to climb up to the Venetian fortress to take in the views of the island. There are two routes up, with the first via stairs, directly from the port. The other route is via the back streets if you want to avoid stairs/see more of the town.
Spend the rest of your visit wandering the streets of Skopelos town, which offer excellent touristy shops. There are some crafts and unique treasures as well as the usual tourist offerings. You should also make time to eat on the harbour front, and there are a plethora of restaurants to choose from to enjoy lunch with a view.
How to visit Mamma Mia locations on Skopelos
The Chapel
One of the main sites to visit is the Chapel, featured in the wedding in the first film. Some boat trips sail past this, while others offer the option to disembark and take a bus, followed by a steep walk, to the chapel itself.
Kastani Beach
You can also visit Kastani beach, where the “Does your Mama know that you’re out” scene was filmed. This isn’t easy to get to by car, although it’s possible – the best way is by boat. While the pier and beach bar from the film were specially made and no longer exist, there is a lovely bar on the beach. This has a large number of sunbeds. Prices are reasonable, and it’s a beautiful spot to relax after a dip in the crystal clear waters.
Panormos
My cruise also took us to beautiful Panormos for lunch. Although only used as part of the press tour for the film, this stunning bay is well worth a visit. It has blue water and beautiful sand, and a few beachfront restaurants to choose from. It was a stunning, peaceful place to sunbathe after lunch.
What to do on your day trip from Skiathos to Alonissos
Alonissos is a smaller island than Skopelos, and there is very little to do in the main port town. Most people who visit Alonissos go for the ‘pirate town’ up on the hills, which has a dramatic history.
The town was a haven for pirates who attacked other islands within the Sporades island group (at least according to my guides from Skiathos!). The Alonissos pirate town is certainly ancient, with Byzantine churches and Venetian fortifications. Then, in 1965 an earthquake destroyed much of the town, and the residents were forced to move to the port town. From the 1980s, Alonissos residents started to move back and rebuild.
Today, the town is a thriving and beautiful spot, dotted with cafes and bars and little souvenir shops. Climb to the very top to find a cafe with excellent views over the Alonissos coastline and island. If you’re a history lover like me, the pirate town is well worth a visit!
A day trip from Skiathos to Skopelos and Alonissos is an unforgettable experience, combining stunning landscapes, rich history, and a touch of cinematic magic. Whether you’re retracing the steps of Mamma Mia! on Skopelos, lounging on the golden sands of Kastani Beach, or exploring the ancient pirate town of Alonissos, each island offers its own unique charm. So, whether you’re soaking in the beauty of Panormos Bay or uncovering hidden Alonissos things to do, this island-hopping journey promises breathtaking scenery, crystal-clear waters, and memories that will last a lifetime.
