It’s a story scholars estimate to be around 2,800 years old, and one that’s been revived and reimagined for millennia. Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey follows the incredible journey of King Odysseus back to his kingdom of Ithaca, plagued by mythical perils along the way. “It’s not a story, it’s the story,” Christopher Nolan said at CinemaCon earlier this year while discussing his adaptation, releasing in theaters on July 17. The film was shot over 91 days on two million feet of Imax film and with a $250 million budget. It’s arguably Nolan’s most ambitious project to date, and naturally, feverishly anticipated by audiences.
On top of the cast—which includes Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Tom Holland as Telemachus, and Robert Pattinson as Antinous (among other notable names in Hollywood)—one of the most impressive details of The Odyssey’s production is that it was filmed nearly entirely on location. Nolan has been quoted describing the film as “a nightmare to make…in all the right ways” due to the challenges of bringing the ancient story to life in such far-flung landscapes. But for viewers, The Odyssey’s immersive scenes (set to a score by composer Ludwig Göransson and background vocals by James Blake) are sure to conjure wanderlust.
Below, armchair travel to where The Odyssey was filmed and bookmark destinations like the Acrocorinth and the island of Favignana for your next great getaway (sans Cyclops).
Greece
Photo: Getty Images
Homer’s epic poem unfolds across the ancient Mediterranean Sea, but it is Greece that Odysseus must return to, anchoring the country as a worthy filming location. Production took place in the Peloponnese region in March and April of 2025, according to the Hellenic Film Commission. Destinations cited include Voidokilia Beach with its striking horseshoe-shaped cove, the Methoni Castle built by the Venetians in the 13th century, the monolithic Acrocorinth overlooking the city of Corinth, the unspoiled Almyrolaka Beach, and Nestor’s Cave (which is reportedly where the infamous Cyclops sequences were captured).
Where to Stay: The bulk of the above filming locations are concentrated in Messinia, on the southwestern part of the Peloponnese; choose a rental in the area as a base for all your exploring. Elaion Hideaway can fit up to seven guests, with a spacious stone patio that stretches across the exterior and includes an outdoor kitchen if you’d rather stay in for the night after a long day on the beach.
#Odysseys #Filming #Locations #Double #Epic #Travel #Guide
