The Odyssey Filming Locations You Can Visit in Real Life

Can you imagine that The Odyssey filming locations can be found all over the globe in 6 different countries? This could be a major reason why the film feels so realistic.

So, where was The Odyssey filmed? The old fortified city of Aït Benhaddou was used for scenes depicting the burning city, while the beach at Essaouira was used for scenes featuring the Trojan horse. Morocco served as the filming location for Troy. The cave above Voidokilia Beach in Greece was also used as a filming location for the scene with the Cyclopes. The filming location for the home of Odysseus (Ithaca) was an island called Favignana. The black volcanic sand from Iceland was used for many scenes representing Hades. And a long stretch of coastline in Scotland was used as the location for Circe’s home, including her “castle” and those infamous pigs.

This article only includes locations that are supported by credible information such as official sources, production notes, or first-hand accounts of people who witnessed these filming events.

Where Was The Odyssey Filmed? Quick Answer

Christopher Nolan's crew took about 91 days to shoot in Italy, the USA, Morocco, Scotland, Greece, and Iceland:

• Aït Benhaddou (Morocco) was the "burning" city of Troy.


• Favignana and the Castello di Santa Caterina (Italy) are Odysseus's homeland island of Ithaca.


• Nestor's Cave (Greece) served as the lair of Polyphemus the Cyclops.


• The Scottish coast around Findlater Castle doubled as Circe's domain.


• Hades, also known as the Underworld, was filmed at Hjörleifshöfði (Iceland).


• Filming on studio lots in Los Angeles consisted of controlled water and interior palace scenes.

Interactive Map of The Odyssey Filming Locations

Each pin in The Odyssey filming locations map indicates an actual location where shooting took place, verified with reliable sources. When we know what scene it was used for, that is included too. Also, a few spots are confirmed filming sites, but nobody has said publicly which exact scene was shot there.


The Odyssey Filming Locations: Interactive Map by FREETOUR.com

The Epic Locations at a Glance

Filming Location	Country	Represents / Scene	Travel Base	Visitor Access
Aït Benhaddou	Morocco	Troy	Ouarzazate	Open year-round, small entry fee
Essaouira	Morocco	Trojan Horse / departure from Troy	Essaouira	Fully open, working town
Nestor's Cave	Greece	Cyclops' cave (Polyphemus)	Kalamata / Pylos	Steep hiking trail from Voidokilia
Voidokilia Beach	Greece	Confirmed filming location; exact sequence not firmly established	Kalamata / Pylos	Open beach, no facilities
Almyrolaka Beach	Greece	Confirmed filming location; exact sequence not firmly established	Kalamata / Pylos	Open, limited access road
Methoni Castle	Greece	Agamemnon / Ithaca palace scenes	Kalamata	Open with entry ticket
Acrocorinth	Greece	Agamemnon and Clytemnestra flashbacks	Corinth	Open, uneven paths
Castello di Santa Caterina	Italy	Odysseus's palace, Ithaca	Trapani / Favignana	Uphill walk, no vehicle access
Pietra del Bagno	Italy	Confirmed filming location; exact sequence not firmly established	Lipari	Boat access, viewpoint
Basiluzzo	Italy	Confirmed filming location; exact sequence not firmly established	Panarea	Boat access only, nature reserve
Findlater Castle	Scotland	Circe's home, Aeaea	Cullen / Aberdeen	Viewpoint only, ruins closed
Sunnyside Beach	Scotland	Odysseus and crew come ashore	Cullen / Aberdeen	Walking access via coastal path
Culbin Forest	Scotland	Laestrygonian attack	Aberdeen / Inverness	Open trails
Hjörleifshöfði	Iceland	Hades / the underworld	Vík	Remote, guided access recommended
Falls Lake / Universal Studios	United States	Water sequences and studio work	Los Angeles	Restricted production facility

Morocco: Where Nolan Built Troy

In Morocco, the epic story of Troy comes to life, serving as both the tragic end of a war and the beginning of Odysseus’ long journey home.

Aït Benhaddou — Troy

The fortified earthen village (ksar) of Aït Benhaddou is located near Ouarzazate, on the outskirts of the Atlas Mountains. It was used by production designer Ruth De Jong as a location to create the burning city of Troy.

This UNESCO World Heritage ksar was previously used as a representation of the ancient world (you can see it in Gladiator, Game of Thrones and Lawrence of Arabia). However, the production team took their use of the location further and built over 60 temporary structures covering an area of approximately 2.5 acres. These included a temple with pillars dedicated to the Goddess Athena and newly constructed city gates that were designed to be burned using controlled fires.

The actual historical ruins of Troy are located in modern-day Turkey, at Hisarlık, but the film chose Morocco as its visual backdrop. To see the movie's version of the city, you can book tours in Ouarzazate to explore the ksar of Aït Benhaddou.

Essaouira — The Trojan Horse and Departure From Troy

Half-day tours in Essaouira, covering the medina and ramparts, are enough for anyone with an interest in filming locations of Troy. The 18th-century ocean wall in Essaouira served as the backdrop for Odysseus's ships leaving Troy after deploying the Trojan Horse. In addition to being a perfect match for what would have been the ruined city from the 10th century B.C., the old fortification of Essaouira provided a cliffside with no need for additional set pieces to look like something thousands of years old. And the golden light on the water is something that can really amaze you when visiting the ramparts of Essaouira.

Marrakech — Menelaus' Palace Interior

While Marrakech has been stated to be where some scenes from inside Menelaus’ palace were shot, there is no credible information about which buildings have been used there. It can be a part of your travel plans if you are planning on visiting Marrakech, but certainly don’t need to go out of your way.

Greece: The Cyclops and the Peloponnese

Greece has some of the strongest source verification of any country in this guide, largely because the Hellenic Film Commission has been open about which sites the production used.

Nestor's Cave — The Cyclops' Cave

You will find Nestor’s Cave just above the dunes of Voidokilia Beach, near Pylos. A natural cave with a vaulted ceiling approximately 29 meters high was used as a location for the scene in which Odysseus confronts Polyphemus (the Cyclops). Ancient mythology holds that this is the same spot where Hermes hid the cattle he stole from Apollo.

By the way, to make the Cyclops’ lair feel real, the crew brought in live sheep to scatter around the cave entrance.

Voidokilia Beach

The perfect crescent-shaped beach on the Peloponnese Peninsula is located between the ancient ruin site of Paleokastro and the beautiful Gialova lagoon. And although this film wasn’t the first time Voidokilia was featured in photographs or films, it is certainly one of the most photographed beaches in the region because of how well it fits into almost any shot taken there.

Nobody's said exactly which scene was filmed here. However, we know that Voidokilia is part of the larger Pylos area and can be seen by walking up the hill just north of Nestor's Cave. Therefore, most people who visit either location end up seeing both.

Almyrolaka Beach

Almyrolaka Beach, located near Gialova in the region of Messenia, is also an area that has been verified to have had scenes from The Odyssey. But there is no confirmation regarding what specific scenes were filmed here. So, treat it as simply one of many filming locations in the Pylos filming cluster. By the way, Almyrolaka Beach itself is a nice alternative to the busier Voidokilia Beach.

Methoni Castle — Agamemnon's Return

This 13th-century Venetian castle juts out from the shallow waters of the Messenian coastal area. The castle provided a dramatic backdrop for Agamemnon’s return and palace scenes. It is surrounded by water, has an unusual octagonal tower, and a stone path you can walk on.

Acrocorinth

The hilltop fortress of Acrocorinth sets the stage for Agamemnon and Clytemnestra's flashbacks. It is located about 120 miles from Messenia. Filmmakers chose this dramatic location above modern Corinth over the actual ruins of nearby Mycenae.

Most of these Messinian sites lie about an hour apart, making Kalamata a good choice for travel to Pylos, Voidokilia, Nestor's Cave and Methoni. Acrocorinth, however, is located far enough away that it will likely be more practical to make a separate visit when traveling to or from Athens. You can also book local day tours in Kalamata and avoid renting a car.

Italy: Favignana Became Ithaca

Favignana, the largest of the Egadi Islands off the coast of Sicily, is the primary site for Nolan’s cinematic version of Ithaca. By the way, the actual Greek Island of Ithaca is located approximately 500 miles from Favignana.

Castello di Santa Caterina — Odysseus' Palace

The 15th-century fortress served as the external façade of Odysseus and Penelope’s palace. It was one of the Christopher Nolan The Odyssey filming locations that presented the greatest logistical challenges during filming. There were no drivable roads. Therefore, cast and crew members walked along the winding paths leading to the castle each day, while their equipment was transported up by helicopter. And the interior scenes in the palace, including the hall where Penelope continually weaves her tapestry, were filmed on a sound stage in Los Angeles.

If you want to visit it, keep in mind that the main gateway to the island is by ferry, and tours in Trapani are the easiest way to explore this place.

The Aeolian Islands

Production also covered some of the areas surrounding the Aeolian Islands (north of Sicily), including the location Pietra del Bagno, near the island of Lipari, and the volcanic islet of Basiluzzo near the island of Panarea. Some local sites report connections to the mythical world of Aeolus. However, no reliable source has confirmed a specific connection at the level of individual scenes. For now, it is best treated as a scenic backdrop rather than a confirmed plot location.

Scotland: Circe's World on the Moray Coast

Instead of representing a particular location that exists within the film’s narrative, such as Morocco or Sicily, Scotland represents an atmosphere similar to that of Circe’s world in isolation.

Findlater Castle

There are the ruins of Findlater Castle located about 50 feet above the Moray Firth, between Cullen and Sandend. Temporary sets were built atop these cliffs to represent Circe’s realm. Findlater Castle is an archaeologically protected site. The best way to experience it is a short trail from the parking area to a grassy lookout point, which gives you the exact same panoramic view of the Moray Firth seen on screen.

Sunnyside Beach — Odysseus Comes Ashore

The beach area just under the Castle is where they filmed the scene in which Odysseus and his crew arrive on land after being wrecked and mostly drowned. Even today, this area is generally peaceful, and you can get there on foot using the path that goes up to the Findlater viewpoint. And it is possible to continue your coastal walk from here.

Culbin Forest and Beach

Production then continued over to Culbin Forest located on the Moray Coast (between Findhorn Bay and the Firth) to depict the attack by the Laestrygones — Homer’s giant cannibals. This forest, with its pine woodlands, creates a very distinct visual contrast to the exposed coastline at both Findlater and Sunnyside beaches, as there are dunes and thick woods instead of sheer cliffs.

Walk the Real Odyssey Trail

This coastal route spans approximately 7 miles from Cullen to Portsoy and provides hikers with an opportunity to view Sunnyside Bay and the viewpoint for Findlater Castle. This route has enough natural beauty that it can be enjoyed by walkers regardless of whether they enjoy walking along filming locations or not.

As part of a larger trip through Northeastern Scotland, FREETOUR.com offers tours in Aberdeen that provide access to the coastal route, while tours in Inverness can also be added if you plan to visit Culbin Forest as well.

Iceland: Where Nolan Created Hades

Iceland has been used as an alternative to far-off planets by Nolan in previous films. He also used it for The Odyssey's world.

Hjörleifshöfði — Hades' Black Sands

Odysseus’ descent into Hades took place on the black sand flat Hjörleifshöfði, during the near-endless daylight of the Icelandic June. Several hundred people gathered on the beach beneath the headland for the sequence for making a genuinely large-scale shoot for a landscape that looks otherwise empty.



It should also be noted that there are many incorrect references to filming taking place on Reynisfjara, which is another well-known black sand beach. While both beaches appear similar with their black sand, they are generally considered to be different locations.

Other Iceland Filming Areas

Secondary travel media suggest the crew docked their replica longship at Landeyjahöfn. Other rumored spots, like the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, currently lack solid confirmation, so they remain in the unconfirmed category for now.

Tours in Reykjavik make a great start before traveling to Vík. However, please note that Reykjavik serves more as a gateway city than a location easily accessible to Hjörleifshöfði.

Los Angeles: The Studio Side of The Odyssey

The palace interiors were filmed on soundstages at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. Nearby, the studio’s Falls Lake facility housed custom-built ships for the production. But it has no independent access for tourists and doesn’t feature anything for visitors to see. But for fans of Hollywood who want to add some time to their trip with a look behind the scenes of how movies are made, many special types of tours in Los Angeles allow visiting other parts of the studio district.

Cinematic World vs. Homer's Historical Geography

None of the The Odyssey movie locations used in the film strictly match Homer's classical geography. Nolan just wanted to find settings that felt right for each segment of his storytelling.

Place in the Story	Nolan's Filming Location	Real / Traditional Location	Status
Ithaca	Favignana, Italy	Ithaca, Greece	Real island
Troy	Aït Benhaddou / Essaouira, Morocco	Hisarlık, Türkiye	Archaeological site
Cyclops' Cave	Nestor's Cave, Greece	Uncertain / mythological	Homeric
Hades	Hjörleifshöfði, Iceland	Mythological Underworld	Mythological
Aeaea	Scottish coast	Geographically disputed / mythological	Homeric

Which of These Movie Sites Can You Actually Visit?

Location	Access	Effort	Main Consideration	Recommended Base
Aït Benhaddou	Easy	Moderate	Sets removed after filming	Ouarzazate
Essaouira	Easy	Easy	Working coastal town	Essaouira
Voidokilia Beach	Easy	Easy	No shade, exposed	Kalamata / Pylos
Nestor's Cave	Moderate	Hike required	Steep rocky trail	Pylos
Castello di Santa Caterina	Moderate	Uphill access	No vehicle road	Trapani / Favignana
Sunnyside Beach	Easy	Easy	Walking access only	Cullen
Findlater Castle	Viewpoint only	Easy	Ruins closed, unstable	Cullen / Aberdeen
Hjörleifshöfði	Remote	Moderate	Isolated, check weather	Vík
Falls Lake	Restricted	No public access	Working production facility, not part of the park	Los Angeles

Locations We Did Not Add to the Verified Map — and Why

The Odyssey filming locations claims spread fast once a film like this becomes a hit, but reliability varies wildly between sources.

Malta

Malta is commonly referenced by secondary reporting as having possibly filmed some underwater or tank-water scenes. Unfortunately, there was not sufficient reliable source information regarding specific filming scenes shot at Malta to include it on our verified map with certainty.

Dakhla / Western Sahara

There have been reports of Dakhla, located in Western Sahara, concerning filming production activities. However, due to unverified reports and complex geopolitical status, Dakhla was omitted from the confirmed map.

Favignana Beaches

A variety of beaches in Favignana (Cala Rossa, Cala del Bue Marino, Cala Azzurra, Cala Pirreca, Cala Rotonda, Preveto) are listed repeatedly in blogs, but they didn’t meet the inclusion requirements for us to include them.

Reynisfjara

While Reynisfjara was incorrectly identified in some articles as the filming beach for Hades, we concluded that the better evidence supported the conclusion that Hjörleifshöfði was actually the filming beach.

How to Turn These Cinematic Sets Into Real Trips

Instead of creating a large multi-country itinerary, each of these locations works best for individual segments of an itinerary focused on a specific region.

Sicily: Trapani + Favignana

Stay in Trapani, catch the ferry over to Favignana, explore the area, and make the climb up to Santa Caterina. Spend at least one night in this location, as it is a minimum amount of time to visit the castle.

Greece: Kalamata + Messinia

Use Kalamata as the base and go out from it to Pylos, Voidokilia Beach, Nestor's Cave, and then head to Methoni Castle. Two days will allow you ample time to complete this portion of your itinerary without feeling like you are rushing through the hike to the cave.

Morocco: Ouarzazate + Aït Benhaddou + Essaouira

Essaouira and Aït Benhaddou are located on either side of the Atlas Mountains, with a driving distance of about a full day separating them. Don't try to cram both into a quick day excursion. Instead, weave them into a broader road trip across Morocco.

Scotland: Cullen + The Odyssey Trail

This is the most walking-friendly cluster on the list. Base yourself in Cullen, walk the coastal route toward Portsoy, and take in Sunnyside Beach and the Findlater Castle viewpoint along the way.

Iceland: South Coast

Don’t attempt to do a day trip from Reykjavik to Hjörleifshöfði. This location is too distant and too remote. It would be more practical to include this location in a broader South Iceland itinerary.

Essential Tips for Visiting These Cinematic Sites

These places are real towns and real land, not movie sets “frozen in time”. When visiting, please do follow any rules provided by local authorities, as some areas such as the remains of the old buildings in Scotland and volcanic ground in Iceland are very fragile. Local authority regulations for travel may also change at any time, so please research your destination before departure.

If viewing the location has sparked interest in planning a vacation, FREETOUR.com offers walking tours in surrounding cities including Ouarzazate, Kalamata, Trapani, Aberdeen and Reykjavik.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was The Odyssey filmed?

The main filming locations for The Odyssey include Scotland, Italy, Iceland, and the U.S.A. Morocco also served as a stand-in for Troy.

Where was the cinematic Ithaca filmed?

They shot exterior shots of Odysseus' home on Favignana Island off the west coast of Sicily at Castello di Santa Caterina.

Was the movie filmed on the actual Greek island of Ithaca? 

No. The real Ithaca is located off the coast of western Greece in the Ionian Sea. Filming for this version of Ithaca took place in Sicily.

What location was used to represent the burning city of Troy? 

Filming for the fall of Troy was done at Aït Benhaddou, which is situated near Ouarzazate in Morocco, while the Trojan Horse scene was filmed on the beach at Essaouira.

Where was the Cyclops scene filmed?

The Cyclops was shot in a cave called Nestor's Cave, which is situated over Voidokilia Beach. This beach and its area are located in the Peloponnese region in Greece.

Where was Hades filmed?

Hades was shot on the black sand plains and coast at Hjörleifshöfði, a volcanic headland in southern Iceland near Vík.

Was The Odyssey filmed in Scotland?

Yes. The Moray coast, including Findlater Castle, Sunnyside Beach and Culbin Forest, stood in for Circe's world.

Was The Odyssey filmed in Malta?

Malta has been reported in connection with underwater filming, but there isn't enough confirmed scene-level detail yet to include it on the verified map with certainty.

Are these movie locations open to the public?

Absolutely. Most of the locations shown above (Aït Benhaddou, Essaouira, Peloponnese sites, Favignana, Scotland) can be visited. However, some, such as Falls Lake in Los Angeles, are closed off to the public due to being a private film facility.