Skopelos
Skopelos is the largest of the Northern Sporades after Skyros, 95 square kilometres of dense pine forest covering 80% of the island and tumbling down to pebbled coves and whitewashed villages, with Skopelos Town — or Chora — curled around two bays and Glossa perched high in the northwest. Lush and mountainous, with over 360 churches and monasteries, it feels more like Pelion than a typical Aegean island, with steep roads linking beaches like Stafylos, Panormos and Kastani.
Famous worldwide as the filming location for Mamma Mia!, particularly Agios Ioannis chapel on its rock, Skopelos is also known for its plums — protected designation Skopelos plums — and for traditional boatbuilding and cheese pie. Quieter and more family-run than Skiathos next door, it has a long summer season under the green canopy of Aleppo pines, with ferries connecting it to Skiathos and Alonissos.
The 96 sq km greenest Sporades island with 2 mountains over 500m and 80% vegetation
Skopelos belongs to the Northern Sporades island group Skiathos Skopelos and Alonissos within Region of Thessaly, Regional Unit of Magnesia in the Aegean Sea, located in northwestern part Aegean Sea east of Pelion, second largest island of Sporades after secluded Skyros. It is largest island in Northern Sporades Islands, located east of mainland Greece, northeast of Euboea, approximately 80 kilometers from mainland, with an area of 96 square kilometres, also listed as 95 to 96 km2 37 sq mi or 36.6 mi2, slightly larger than Mykonos 85 km2 and Santorini 73 km2. The geography includes two mountains over 500 m: Delphi 681 m or 2,234 ft in center and Palouki 546 m in southeast. Over 80% of Skopelos is covered in vegetation, pine forests, olive groves and green hills, which is why Biopolitics International Organization officially proclaimed it Green and Blue Island in 1997. Economy now fully dependent on tourism which supports construction.
Other communities are Glossa and Neo Klima Elios besides Skopelos Town main port and municipal centre. There is no airport on island, nearest airports Skiathos, Nea Anchialos Volos, Athens, Thessaloniki. The island has wide range of flowers, trees and shrubs. Key highlights include lush landscape and many beaches.
This is for you if you want greenest Aegean, dense forests and classic Sporades villages. It is not for airport convenience; you ferry via Skiathos.
The Mamma Mia wedding cliff and why it was proclaimed Green and Blue Island
FYI the breathtaking world of Mamma Mia lives here — ascend stone stairs to charming Agios Ioannis of Kastri church, the teeny whitewashed Mamma Mia chapel made famous in 2008 movie, located in region of Kastri about 7 km east of Glossa in northern Skopelos at Mamma Mia Cliff 39.174618, 23.65116, where wedding party could never actually all fit inside — Hollywood artistic license, but views worth it. ICYMI Skopelos Town also has Mamma Mia tours entering two filming locations, yet older economy was plums and wine — the island was known for prunes. Nuance: its Green and Blue Island status in 1997 came from Biopolitics because over 80% vegetation cover is exceptional for Aegean, and unlike Skiathos 68% pine, Skopelos mixes pine with olive and wildflowers, making it feel like Pelion floating in sea, plus traditional product is plum, not beach party.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skopelos | geography includes two mountains over 500 m 1640 ft Delphi 681 m 2234 ft center island Palouki 546 m southeast With area 96 km2 37 sq mi slightly larger than Mykonos 85 km2 Santorini 73 km2 other communities Glossa Neo Klima Elios
- https://www.greeka.com/sporades/skopelos/geography/ | Located northwestern part Aegean Sea east enchanting Pelion second largest island Sporades after secluded Skyros impressive figure makes it most verdant island Aegean why Biopolitics International Organization officially proclaimed it Green Blue Island 1997
- https://www.nowvisitgreece.com/skopelos-island/ | located approximately 80 kilometers 50 miles mainland Greece covers area about 96 square kilometers 37 square miles largest island Sporades group Lush Landscape green hills olive groves pine forests Over 80% Skopelos covered vegetation one greenest islands Greece
- https://www.travelocity.com/things-to-do/mamma-mia-tour.a500236.activity-details | Enter breathtaking world Mama Mia tour two filming locations Ascend stone stairs charming Agios Ioannis Kastri church Skopelos Town
- https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/aerial-view-of-the-famous-small-church-agios-ioannis-in-skopelos-where-scenes-of-mamma-mia-were-filmed-its-located-in-the-region-of-kastri-about-7km-175014157.html | famous small church Agios Ioannis Skopelos where scenes Mamma Mia filmed located region Kastri about 7km east Glossa northern Skopelos Sporades Greece Date 12 October 2019
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Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by admin