If you love the Greek Islands and fancy yourself as a bit of a film buff, you might want to visit Skiathos and Skopelos and spot the locations where Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth filmed scenes for this summer's feel-good movie, MAMMA MIA! THE MOVIE

Sun-blessed Skiathos

The most westerly island in the northern Sporades archipelago, Skiathos (between Magnesia and Skopelos) is so-called for its location in the 'shadow of Mount Athos'. Skiathos Town's old harbour is dotted with fishing boats (and the occasional yacht) and there's a picturesque harbour-front lined with bars, cafes and traditional tavernas. The harbour is also where Sam (Pierce Brosnan) and Harry (Colin Firth) miss the ferry in MAMMA MIA! THE MOVIE.

The old town of Skiathos is wonderful for relaxed meandering with its atmospheric streets and unusual shops. For great views over the town, head up to the church square outside St Nikolaos Bell Tower which overlooks the new port from its hillside location. It's worth heading over to Bourtzi, a small peninsula and former Venetian citadel which divides Skiathos harbour in two.

As well as 13th-century walls and canons, Bourtzi is great for watersports on Megali Ammos beach while the open-air theatre hosts summer concerts and Greek dancing. For shopping, head to Papadiamantis Street, Skiathos Town's main thoroughfare and shop for souvenirs, leather belts and jewellery. Active types can walk to the Monastery of Evangelistria, north of Skiathos Town. Home to a number of birds, dogs and cats, the resident monks also make their own wine, which is well worth sampling.

Pretty pine forests dot much of the island, but its beaches are the real gems. Skiathos might be just 46 square kilometres, but its 70-odd beaches include the fine sands of Koukounaries, considered one of Greece's best beaches. Koukounaries means pine forest and the beach is so-called for the pine trees which stretch along the coast to the lagoon on the other side. Vromolimnos, Tsougria and Troulos in southern Skiathos are also winners.

For fewer crowds, you should head north and relax at Mandraki, Elias, Lalaria (renowned for its unique hole rocks and white sands) and Kehria beaches. Banana beach is one of the island's few nudist beaches.

A great way to explore Skiathos' coastline is to book an island boat trip. A must-see is the abandoned clifftop city of Kastro, once a fortress against 14th-century pirates. A challenging climb leads to the town itself where views across the mainland and of northern Skopelos Island are spectacular.

When it comes to nightlife, Skiathos' old town is always buzzing and clubs are mainly located on the Disco Trip near the new harbour towards the airport. The busiest streets are Polytechniou Street and Bar Street while Koukounaries also boasts some lively spots.

Sleepy Skopelos

For peace and tranquillity, Skopelos is a winner. The second largest of the Northern Sporades, it's Greece's greenest island and one of the prettiest. Skopelos means 'rocky', so-called because of the landscape of deep valleys and high mountains. Like Skiathos, much of the island is covered in lush green forest and in MAMMA MIA! THE MOVIE, it is the location for the film's fictional island of Kalokairi.

Skopelos Town in the north is a tranquil quaint place, its cobbled streets making for perfect summer strolling territory with its whitewashed stone houses, little churches and traditional tavernas. Visit the castle for excellent views over the town or lounge at the many waterfront harbour cafes - ample opportunity for boat and people-watching.

Beaches are mainly stone and shingle, but sun lovers will find some gems. Kastani Beach on the west coast is a beautiful beach and where the MAMMA MIA! THE MOVIE crew filmed the fun 'Does Your Mother Know?' sequence. Other beaches which merit a stop are Velanio, Hovolo, Agnondas, Limnonari and Milia while south of Agnondas and en route to Stafylos is a dirt track weaving through pine forest and leading to secluded, picturesque coves.

The real draw of Skopelos is its interior, dotted with olive and plum groves and pine forest. The hillsides are scattered with numerous churches and monasteries. Apart from Zoodochos Pigi and the unusual church of Panagia Eleftherotria in Skopelos Town itself, the monasteries on Mount Poalouki above town are worth the sweat for the stunning views, especially from Evangelistria. Walkers should hike up to 16th-century Metamorphosis, surrounded by pine forest and with a pretty courtyard chapel.

Skopelos is great for biking with trails passing ancient abbeys, coastal views and unspoilt villages. One must-see is the remote village of Meteora whose wonderfully bizarre rocky outcrops tower high above the grassy plains and seat ancient monasteries.

In northern Skopelos, visit Glysteri, a mountainous peninsula which winds downwards to a crowd-free pebble beach. Olive trees dot the cliff and halfway down is the cliff edge, which features in a key scene in MAMMA MIA! THE MOVIE. Day trippers also pass by, en route to the Tripiti sea caves. Also in the north is the quiet, pretty village of Glossa which looks out over the sea and is home to ancient ruins and Byzantine walls.

In terms of food, both islands serve tasty Greek favourites from fresh olives and feta cheese to delicious dolmades vine leaves and the slow-cooked kleftiko lamb. For local specialities, try Skopelos cheese pie, a moreish savoury treat that's great with a big Greek salad.

More island hopping

There are plenty more gems for you to hop between in the Greek island chain. One of the most romantic is Santorini whose whitewashed villages atop volcanic cliffs are a memorable sight. The villages of Oia, Fira and Imerovigli are particularly picturesque.

West-facing Fira is so photogenic, it's used on almost every Greek postcard shot. The village sits atop a 250-metre drop down to the sea. Santorini is best visited for its scenery, but Kamari beach will satisfy sun-seekers. It's a pebble rock beach with a lively cafe and restaurant-lined boardwalk.

Mykonos, part of the Cyclades island chain, is a hedonist's paradise. Dotted with once-quiet fishing villages, it's now young, hip and action-packed with ultra-cool bars and boutique hotels. Mykonos Town is a sea of whitewashed houses, a fantastic view as you arrive into the harbour.

Its bougainvillea-lined streets are wonderful for aimless wandering and shops, bars and restaurants are numerous. The famous beaches of Paradise, Super Paradise, Platis Yialos, Psarou and Ornos can get crowded so head to the north coast if you're after peace and quiet.

For R&R, head to Naxos, the largest and most mountainous of the Cyclades islands. A Venetian fort stands at the port and the boardwalk is great for kicking back with a beer. The island is most famous for its Portara (Great Door), a huge marble arch on a small islet to the side of the harbour. The Portara is the island's 'entrance' and the only remnant of a palace that was never built.

Beach lovers head to the white-sand shores of Agio Prokopios beach where shallow waters make it ideal for families. Closer to the port is the beach of Agio Georgios while Naxos' west coast is a watersports fan's heaven with views looking back over Naxos Town.

For a different feel, head to Rhodes, close to the Turkish coast where Turkish and Crusader architecture blends beautifully in its medieval capital Rhodos. Rhodes is also home to one of the Greek islands' most picturesque villages. Lindos, 52 kilometres south of Rhodos on the east coast, is set around numerous bays and coves and overlooked by an acropolis.

The unspoilt village is hotel-free with villagers renting out villas and managing atmospheric rooftop restaurants. The white sands of Lindos beach are irresistible with views looking back to the village - the beachside tavernas are the ultimate cocktail spot. Lindos' tiny medieval alleys are wonderful for walking and full of unusual shops and eateries.