Odyssey is now in theaters! The filming locations are stunning
Just finished watching Nolan’s Odyssey. My first thought walking out of the theater:
This isn’t a movie; it’s clearly a travel promo for five countries.
The crew filmed for a full 91 days across Greece, Italy, Morocco, Iceland, and Scotland.
All to bring the story of the ancient Greek hero Odysseus’s journey home after the war from Homer’s epic to life, frame by frame, set against real landscapes.
I spent the whole movie identifying the filming locations and have broken them down for you:
👉Greece | This is what the Cyclops’ cave really looks like
Voidokilia Beach, with its natural sea caves and crescent-shaped sandy shore, surrounded by crystal-clear blue water.
In the movie, it’s the home of the Cyclops.
There’s also the Methoni Castle, an ancient fortress jutting into the sea. Odysseus’s son searches for his father here. The ancient walls and rugged coastline create a full epic vibe.
👉Italy | The beloved homeland of Ithaca
Saint Catherine’s Castle, a 15th-century fortress that takes a 45-minute hike to reach.
But once you’re on the viewing platform, the entire Mediterranean unfolds before you.
Nolan filmed it as Odysseus’s much-missed homeland.
Favignana Island and the Faraglioni rock formations provided the scenes for the sea monster and whirlpool.
Those dramatic and majestic ocean views give you goosebumps on the big screen.
👉Morocco | The Game of Thrones fortress turned Troy
Ait Ben Haddou, an 11th-century fortified village and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It’s been a filming location for Game of Thrones and Lawrence of Arabia.
This time Nolan transformed it into Troy, even building ancient city sets.
The Trojan horse scene was shot in Essaouira, with desolate sand dunes and sea breeze creating a strong sense of history and vastness.
Calypso’s island, where Odysseus was trapped for seven years, was filmed in the white sand dunes of Western Sahara’s interior. The white desert and blue sea make for breathtaking visuals.
👉Iceland | A glimpse of the underworld, the black sand beach is stunning
Iceland’s south coast, with black sand beaches and volcanic rock cliffs, gives off a silent, desolate, end-of-the-world feel.
In the movie, Odysseus meets the blind prophet here and receives his prophecy to return home.
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the Múlakvísl River also contributed many grand scenes.
👉Scotland | The witch’s home on the misty cliffs
Moray Firth coast, famous for sea stacks and bottlenose dolphins.
Nolan turned it into the home of the witch Circe—the misty cliffs are truly mysterious.
Findlater Castle on the cliffs, with black rocks and white waves, blends fairy tale charm with mystery.
Nearby Culbin Forest was the setting for Odysseus’s battle with the cannibal giant.
From ancient cliff castles in Greece to black sand wilderness in Iceland, from red earth fortresses in Morocco to misty cliffs in Scotland,
Nolan turned an epic into a travel inspiration collection.
Follow Odyssey and start making your travel list now?