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Skopelos: pine to the waterline, and a chapel on a rock

The most densely forested island in Greece, where pine runs to the shoreline, with a tiered harbour town, a chapel on a rock and beaches of white pebble.

An at a glance card for Skopelos. What it is: The most forested island. The pine: Runs to the waterline. Which means: White pebble, not sand. The famous rock: A chapel up cut steps. Nearest airport: Skiathos, twenty minutes. One row is marked out as the thing that decides the visit. The conclusion reads: The greenest island in Greece, and a film set. No prices appear.
The greenest island in Greece, and a film set.

Diagram by Greece Trips. Free to reuse with credit - CC BY 4.0.

That is the real reason to come. The other reason is a film.

Skopelos Town

The main town is a tiered amphitheatre of houses around the harbour, stacked steeply with slate roofs, whitewashed walls and an improbable number of churches: the usual figure quoted is around 120 in the town alone.

Above it is the ruined kastro; below it a working waterfront. The lanes are stepped and largely car-free, and the walk up through them is the best hour on the island.

Glossa, at the northern end, is the second town, higher and quieter, above the port of Loutraki.

Agios Ioannis, and the film

The chapel of Agios Ioannis sto Kastri stands on top of a rock stack on the north-east coast, reached by a flight of steps cut into the rock. It was the wedding chapel in the Mamma Mia film, and it is now the single most visited spot on Skopelos.

Two things worth saying plainly: the climb is a genuine staircase up a rock and there is nothing at the top but a small chapel and a view; and the island was a serious destination before the film and remains one after it.

Beaches

White pebble, clear water, pine behind. Kastani (also in the film), Milia, Panormos, Stafylos and Limnonari are the names. Sand is scarce; water shoes are common.

Getting there and how long

There is no airport. Ferries and hydrofoils run from Volos, Agios Konstantinos and Mantoudi on Evia, usually via Skiathos, which has the nearest airport and is twenty minutes away by fast boat.

Four nights. Skopelos is large enough and green enough to reward a real stay rather than a stop.

Last checked August 2026. Ferry and hydrofoil schedules change - see our editorial policy.

Common questions

Why is Skopelos so green?

It is the most densely forested island in Greece, with pine covering most of its area and running down to the shoreline.

Where was Mamma Mia filmed on Skopelos?

The wedding chapel is Agios Ioannis sto Kastri, on a rock stack on the north-east coast, reached by steps cut into the rock. Kastani beach also appears.

Does Skopelos have an airport?

No. The nearest is on Skiathos, about twenty minutes away by fast boat, with ferries also from Volos, Agios Konstantinos and Evia.

Are the beaches on Skopelos sandy?

Mostly white pebble rather than sand, with pine behind them and very clear water. Water shoes are common.

How long should you stay on Skopelos?

Four nights or more. It is big and green enough to be a destination rather than a stop.

Plan by category

The Skopelos guides

3 guides, each scoped to a decision you actually have to make.

  • Ancient marble temple columns against a blue Greek skyAttractions

    Things to do

    What is worth your time here, and what to skip.

    See the attractions →
  • Whitewashed Cycladic hotel buildings with a pool overlooking the seaHotels

    Where to stay

    Which area suits your trip, what it costs, and who it suits.

    Compare the areas →
  • A turquoise Greek bay with a beach below dry hillsBeaches

    The beaches

    Which shore, which sand, and how you actually get there.

    See the beaches →

Next

Read Skiathos, Alonissos, or Skyros.