The film of the year, Nolan's «Odyssey», was not filmed only in Greece, but in many different locations across the Mediterranean and beyond.
Christopher Nolan's «Odyssey» has smashed box offices worldwide and is considered the cinematic event of the year. From the moment filming began, about a year ago, the production found itself in the spotlight: the performances, the cast, and the locations all became talking points in Greece and the USA.
The film carries us back to antiquity, where Homer's epic unfolds. Odysseus searches for the way home to Ithaca and his family, amid settings that feel almost otherworldly. Most aren't Hollywood studio builds at all, but real locations any traveler can visit. Follow us on a journey from the Peloponnese to Iceland, in the footsteps of the screen Odysseus, Matt Damon.
Greece
Greece couldn't be missing from a Hollywood film. A year ago, Christopher Nolan and his cast landed in our country and stayed for about a month. The Peloponnese takes center stage in «Odyssey», as the iconic castles of Acrocorinth and Methoni appear, used to recreate the palace of Ithaca. There we see Agamemnon's return to Clytemnestra.
The scene with the Cyclops unfolds in Nestor's Cave, while Voidokilia, one of Greece's most spectacular beaches, set the stage for a shipwreck. In picturesque Pylos, which unfolds along the Bay of Navarino, the assembly of the Greek fleet took place. In an olive grove in Messenia, we also see Telemachus's visit to Sparta, where King Menelaus rules alongside his wife, Helen.
Italy
Sicily drew the team's interest during the search for filming locations. While it's said they wanted to shoot some scenes on the island, they struggled because it was quite populated and ultimately preferred Favignana, the largest of the Aegadian Islands off Sicily. The striking Santa Caterina Castle, built in the 15th century atop the hill, also stands in for Ithaca. Filming took place in the off-season, when the island was quiet, and it's said the actors and crew hiked 30 minutes up to the castle each day. However, the interior of the palace on Ithaca was built on a studio set in Los Angeles.
Morocco
A significant part of the film takes us to Morocco, where Troy was created from scratch. Next to the archaeological site of Ait Benhaddou in the Atlas Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, impressive sets were built and burned for the sake of the plot. In fact, the fortified city has also served as a backdrop for other Hollywood films such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. On the Atlantic coast, on Essaouira's beaches, the scene with the Trojan Horse was filmed, as well as Odysseus and his men's departure from Troy as they begin their journey home. Through the wild Atlantic waves, the wrath of the sea god, Poseidon, is revealed. At Marrakesh's Royal Theatre, scenes of intense confrontations and war councils were shot.
Scotland
The natural landscape of the Highlands impressed the filmmakers. Atop a lush green cliff, we meet the sorceress Circe and her home, where Odysseus and his men climb a winding path to reach it. The location of Findlater Castle and Moray Firth bay, with their wild scenery, were used to represent the edge of the world.
Iceland
Iceland is said to have been on Nolan's shortlist from the start. The black-sand beaches were ideal to serve as the setting for Hades, in the director's eyes. They scouted between the famous Diamond Beach and other popular beaches, but ultimately preferred more secluded locations, such as the beach beside Hjörleifshöfði mountain, about three hours east of Reykjavik. This imposing landscape, with black volcanic sand and rugged rock formations, captured the image of the underworld as the director imagined it.
Malta
According to reports, Malta appears to be one of the locations where the film was shot. The shores of Gozo were used to film scenes at sea. The island of Gozo is believed to correspond to Ogygia, the island where the nymph Calypso kept Odysseus for seven years. There's even a cave there called Calypso’s Cave. However, the cave is currently closed to the public, so it couldn't truly serve as the set for the grotto.
Odysseus' ship
The actual ship used for «Odyssey» is real and every traveler can admire it up close. It's the 35-meter-long Draken Harald Hårfagre, built of oak and inspired by Viking ships. At the moment, the ship has returned to Oslo and is open to the public for visits until 31 July 2026.
