The real places behind Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, and how to visit them with us

Christopher Nolan's big-screen epic was filmed across six countries in the Mediterranean and beyond. Here's where, and how to see it for yourself. 

The Odyssey lands in UK cinemas today, 17 July, and the scale of it is as epic behind the camera as it is on screen. Across six months of filming, Christopher Nolan's crew travelled through Greece, Italy, Morocco, Scotland, Iceland and Malta, chasing landscapes wild enough to double as Homer's ancient world. It's the perfect excuse for a spot of set-jetting, the growing trend for booking a trip based on where your favourite film or series was shot. If the trailer has you dreaming of island-hopping through the Aegean or standing on its wind-swept beaches, here's where the film was really shot, and where you can go to see it for yourself. 

Greece – The Peloponnese 

Much of the film's footage was shot around Methoni Castle and the sweep of Voidokilia beach, both tucked into the Peloponnese peninsula in the southwest of the Greek mainland. It's a part of Greece that still feels genuinely undiscovered, all rugged coastline, olive groves and centuries-old ruins. Our Ancient Greece Uncovered tour takes you deep into the Peloponnese, with stays in Nafplio and visits to Mycenae and Olympia, before continuing on to Delphi. 

Italy – Sicily and the Aeolian Islands 

Sicily played several roles in The Odyssey, from the Castle of Santa Caterina on Favignana in the Egadi Islands, to the magnificent volcanic landscapes of Lipari, Vulcano and Basiluzzo in the Aeolian Islands, with Stromboli smoking away in the background. Our Classic Sicily, Etna & Taormina tour explores the island's highlights, including Mount Etna itself, with the Aeolian and Egadi Islands well worth adding as a side trip if you fancy following the film further off the coast. 

Morocco – Marrakech and Essaouira 

The production team spent weeks in Morocco, filming in Aït Benhaddou, Marrakech and the coastal town of Essaouira. It's easy to see why, with the mix of desert kasbahs, bustling souks and Atlantic ramparts offering a broad range of spectacular views. Better yet, by visiting these Moroccan spots, you can tick off several of the film’s backdrops in one country. If you’d like to see them for yourself, you can explore Marrakech's markets and the country’s vast Sahara landscapes on our escorted tour of Morocco’s Imperial Cities. 

Scotland – The Moray Coast 

For a change of pace entirely, the crew headed north to Scotland, filming along the Moray Firth on the northeast coast. It's a dramatic, often wild stretch of coastline that couldn't look more different to the Mediterranean scenes, in the best way. Our Scotland tours take in the Highlands and its coastline, home to the same rugged scenery. 

Iceland – The glacial highlands 

With its black-sand beaches and glacial highlands, the rugged vistas around Iceland’s south coast, including the area near Landeyjahöfn, were used to bring the film's depiction of the Greek underworld to life. It's about as otherworldly as landscapes get without leaving the planet. Our Iceland tours are based in Reykjavík, the ideal starting point for exploring the south coast for yourself. 

Malta – Gozo  

With shoots taking place near the town of on the island of Gozo, Malta lent itself to the film’s version of Calypso's Cave, where the eponymous nymph keeps Odysseus captive for years. The island's specialised water tanks were also used for the film's naval battle sequences, continuing a long run of Mediterranean epics shot on Malta, from Troy and Gladiator to Game of Thrones. Our Malta tours are the place to start if you want to explore Malta and Gozo's ancient temples, caves and coastline for yourself. 

Start planning your own odyssey with Newmarket Holidays 

Whether it's the ruins of the Peloponnese, the volcanoes of Sicily or the wild coastline of the Highlands that caught your eye, you don't need a film crew's budget to see them for yourself. Give one of our friendly holiday planners a call or browse our full range of escorted tours on our dedicated destinations page.