‘The Odyssey’ inspires surging travel interest in real-world locations behind the blockbuster

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Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film “The Odyssey” takes moviegoers on anepic journeythroughout the ancient world — with many of the scenes shot in notable locations all over the world.

Filming took place at spectacular spots inGreece, Italy, Morocco,Scotland and Iceland — continuing Nolan’s longtime preference for practical filmmaking and in-camera effects.

The film, after just four weekends, has become Nolan’s highest grossing movie ever at the global box office, with $1.1 billion pulled in, according toDeadline.(“The Odyssey” is also the highest grossing R-rated movie of 2026 both in North America and around the world, the same source said.)

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The locations were transformed into a variety of settings, including ancient Troy, Odysseus’ homeland of Ithaca and the cave in which the hero encounters the Cyclops.

Travelers have been showing a strong interest in taking in some of these locations for themselves.A recent analysisfrom Nibble, a learning app, found that Google search interest in traveling to Troy jumped 3,421% after the movie’s mid-July release, while searches for “flights to Troy” increased 966%, as Travel + Leisure reported.

View of The Odyssey cast at red carpet premiere

Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film, “The Odyssey,” starring Matt Damon (center), introduces audiences to the famous mythological creatures that shape Odysseus’ perilous journey across the ancient world.It has also been driving strong travel interest to real locations. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)

Searches about whether Troy is a real place or not also surged, the same source noted — “suggesting that many viewers left the theater wondering whether Homer’s legendary city is somewhere they can actually visit,”Travel + Leisuresaid.

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Moviegovers may recognize the following five locations in the film — and may find a way to see these locations with their own eyes in the days, weeks and months ahead.

1.Voidokilia Beach, Greece

Voidokilia Beach is located in Messenia, in the southwestern Peloponnese region of Greece.

The uniquely shaped beach, which served as one of the film’s Greek filming locations, is about 10 miles from the coastal town of Pylos.

Voidokilia Beach in Greece’s southwestern Peloponnese region served as one of the Greek filming locations for “The Odyssey.”(Athanasios Gioumpasis/Getty Images)

2.Nestor’s Cave, Greece

Nestor’s Cave sits above Voidokilia Beach.

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The cave was used to film scenes with Polyphemus, the Cyclops who traps Odysseus and his crew in his cave before devouring several of the men.

Visitors can reach Nestor’s Cave on foot viaa hiking trailabove Voidokilia Beach, though the climb is rocky and steep.

Nestor’s Cave in Greece sits above Voidokilia Beach.It was used to film scenes involving Polyphemus, the Cyclops.(iStock)

3.Favignana, Sicily

The largest of Sicily’s Egadi Islands, Favignana was used to represent Ithaca in “The Odyssey.”

Also known as the Aegadian Islands, the archipelago consists of three main islands known for their crystal-clear waters.

Favignana is about a 30-minute ferry ride from Trapani onSicily’s western coast.

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The waters surrounding the Egadi Islands have also yieldedremarkable archaeological finds.

In September 2025, Sicilian officials announced the discovery of awell-preserved bronze helmetnear the site of the 241 B.C.Battle of the Aegates, along with weapons.

Favignana, the largest of Sicily’s Egadi Islands, was used to represent Odysseus’ homeland of Ithaca in “The Odyssey.”(Mauro Flamini/REDA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

4.Aït Benhaddou, Morocco

Aït Benhaddou is afortified settlementin southern Morocco, with structures dating back to the 17th century.

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In “The Odyssey,” Aït Benhaddou serves as part of ancient Troy at the end of the Trojan War.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site remains open to visitors and is a roughly 30-minute drive from Ouarzazate.

Marrakech, a popular tourist destination, is roughly 110 miles from Aït Benhaddou.

As for the beach where the Trojan Horse is found and brought ashore — that took placeon the beachesof Essaouira, Morocco, on the Atlantic coast, according to multiple reports.

Wide shot of Aït Benhaddou, ancient fort

Aït Benhaddou, a historic fortified settlement in southern Morocco, serves as part of ancient Troy in “The Odyssey.”(Jorge Fernández/LightRocket via Getty Images)

5.Findlater Castle, Scotland

Nolan filmed scenes at Findlater Castle in Aberdeenshire, onScotland’s northeast coast,last summer, according to several sources.

The castle overlooks the Moray Firth, a large inlet of the North Sea.Visitors can explore the castle, which features ruins dating back to the 14th century, though the first documented fortification at the site dates to 1246.

Findlater Castle overlooks the Moray Firth and features ruins dating back to the 14th century.(iStock)

“For nearly eight centuries, Findlater Castle has stood witness to the ebb and flow of history — from Viking occupation to royal sieges,” officials from Findlater Castle said in a statement.

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“Now, thanks to Christopher Nolan’s vision, these ancient ruins will introduce millions of cinema-goers around the world to the raw beauty of the Banffshire coast.”