The Real Locations That Inspired the Odyssey (the Epic and the Upcoming Film)

One of the Greek mainland’s most remarkable beaches makes an evocative backdrop in the new film adaptation of The Odyssey. Voidokilia Beach forms a near-perfect horseshoe of sweeping golden sand, creating a symmetrical landscape that feels almost mythical in its perfection. Swim in the calm Ionian waters or hike the rocky path at the northern end of the bay to the ruins of Paleokastro fortress, which, while not specifically in Homer’s Odyssey, filmmakers took the opportunity to use as a magnificent vantage point to let cinemagoers imagine the world of the epic.

This stretch of the Peloponnese is closely linked to Homer’s epic. In the story, Telemachus—the son of Odysseus—travels to the region, seeking news of his father, who has not returned after the Trojan War, and it’s where he meets King Nestor, a wise ruler who fought alongside Odysseus.

Where to Stay: The luxurious Mandarin Oriental Costa Navarino has easy access to the beach and surrounding archaeological sites.  They also operate specific Odyssey excursions.

Perched high above Voidokilia Beach, Nestor’s Cave opens dramatically in the cliffs overlooking the Ionian Sea. Homer doesn’t mention the cave itself, but local legend links it to King Nestor as the spot where he sheltered and advised travelers such as Telemachus.

The cave’s dramatic setting helps explain why it became linked with the epic over time; with its windswept cliffs and vast sea views, the landscape captures the same elemental atmosphere that defines Homer’s seafaring world. For the filmmakers, it provided the perfect natural location that evokes the mythic scale of the story.

Where to Stay: Base yourself at W Costa Navarino for a stylish resort within easy driving distance.

Stretching into the Ionian Sea on a rocky peninsula, Methoni Castle provided one of the most visually dramatic filming locations for the new adaptation. Built largely by the Venetians in the thirteenth century, the vast fortress once guarded a key maritime route between East and West.

Although the castle itself dates long after the Bronze Age world of The Odyssey, its immense sea-facing walls and isolated coastal position create a setting reminiscent of the fortified ports and strongholds described in Homer’s epic. Visitors cross a long stone causeway into a sprawling complex of bastions, ruined churches, and 360° sea views. At the far end stands the Insta-worthy Bourtzi tower, one of the Peloponnese’s most iconic landmarks.

Where to Stay:
The appropriately named Ulysses Hotel (the Latin name for The Odyssey) is within walking distance of the castle and harbor.

Less famous than nearby Voidokilia, Almyrolakkas Beach is a raw, windswept stretch of coastline that perfectly captures the untamed spirit of Homer’s seafaring world. Rolling hills meet the Ionian Sea, creating a wide sandy shoreline with clear waters and fewer crowds.

This unspoiled landscape made it an ideal filming location for scenes reflecting the long and uncertain voyages of Odysseus and his crew—moments when sailors might wash ashore after storms or set sail toward distant horizons. With its open views and elemental setting, the beach conveys the sense of adventure and isolation that runs throughout the epic.

Where to Stay: Camping is popular here. Camping Erodios has its own beach, plus self-catering bungalows for those who want a little more comfort.

The town of Pylos plays an important role in The Odyssey. In Homer’s epic, Telemachus journeys here to seek advice from King Nestor about the fate of his missing father after the Trojan War.

Just outside the town stands the Palace of Nestor, one of the best-preserved Mycenaean palaces in Greece, dating from around 1300 BCE. Visitors can walk through its ancient courtyards and storerooms, where archaeologists uncovered clay tablets inscribed in Linear B—the earliest known written form of Greek.

Even though the palace itself was not used in filming, its well-preserved ruins offer a rare glimpse into the Bronze Age world that inspired Homer’s epic.

Where to Stay: A sea-view room at Karalis Beach Hotel overlooking Navarino Bay is an excellent base.

Towering above the modern city of Corinth, Acrocorinth is one of the largest and most imposing fortresses in Greece. The hilltop citadel has been fortified since antiquity and later expanded by Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman rulers. Filmmakers used the site’s massive stone walls and vistas to highlight the epic scale of Homer’s world. Today, you can walk through its monumental gates and explore the same sprawling ruins.

Where to Stay: Maria’s Boutique Rooms is less than a mile from the site.

Although not used in filming, Ithaca is thought to be the actual birthplace of Odysseus. The island remains one of the most peaceful in the Ionian Sea; imagine forest-covered hills descending into quiet coves and fishing harbors. Visitors can explore the waterfront town of Vathy, hike scenic trails across the island, and visit small archaeological sites, linked to this legendary Greek king, such as the Polis Cave in Northern Ithaca.  It’s thought Odysseus hid treasures here, gifted to him by the Phaeacians—legendary seafaring people, highly regarded for their hospitality—because when the cave was excavated in the 1930s, small tripod pieces were found—ancient bronze three-legged stands, like those mentioned in Homer’s epic. When visiting Ithaca, the island’s landscapes make it easy to imagine the hero, whether mythical or historical, finally returning home.

Where to Stay: Hotel Captain Yiannis is a great value resort on the east side of the bay road in Vathy.

Again, although not used in filming, Kefalonia is another claim to Odysseus’ Kingdom as some scholars of Homer’s epic believe The Odyssey may have been centered around Kefalonia rather than Ithaca. The island’s dramatic geography of towering mountains, subterranean lakes, and vast beaches certainly fits the grand scale of Homer’s story. Visitors can create their own Kefalonia itinerary and row across the glowing underground lake at Melissani Cave, admire the expanse of golden sands of Myrtos Beach, or explore Venetian architecture in the harbor town of Fiskardo. Whether or not Odysseus ruled here, Kefalonia offers landscapes worthy of myth.

Where to Stay: Emelisse Nature Resort sits on a pine-covered headland overlooking the Ionian Sea.

Favignana, a rugged island off Sicily’s western coast, served as an Italian Mediterranean filming location for the new adaptation. Often called “Goat Island,” Favignana has long intrigued historians searching for real landscapes behind The Odyssey, as Homer describes Odysseus landing on an island rich with wild goats. Favignana’s rocky coves, pale limestone cliffs, and turquoise waters create a setting that feels naturally suited to epic storytelling. Visitors can reach the island by ferry from Trapani, a historic port beneath Mount Erice on Sicily, then spend the day exploring hidden swimming coves and quiet fishing harbors that stir up the Mediterranean of ancient myth.

Where to Stay: The B&B L’Isola Felice Favignana is the perfect place to base yourself, with only 4 rooms, sleeping between 2 to 4 guests, so it’s good for families, and a 7-minute walk to Praia beach.

The volcanic Aeolian Islands—with their smoking craters, black-sand beaches, and sheer cliffs rising from the Tyrrhenian Sea—provided another dramatic filming backdrop. In The Odyssey, the wind god Aeolus rules from the mythical floating island of Aeolia, where he gifts Odysseus a bag containing the winds of the world. Ancient writers later linked Aeolia with the Aeolian archipelago itself, particularly Lipari and Stromboli. Whether or not Homer had these islands in mind, their elemental landscapes of fire, sea, and wind feel perfectly suited to epic storytelling, no doubt inspiring Nolan for his filming.

Where to Stay: The Hotel Villaggio Stromboli, built between two solidified lava flows and set on a black sand beach, is a great base.