The complex of earthen buildings in Ouarzazate province dates back to the 17th century and has long been a familiar backdrop for many famous productions, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), and Game of Thrones (2011-2019). The Atlantic coastal city of Essaouira, Morocco, was also used to film scenes where characters discover the colossal Trojan horse. *Photo: Visit_Morocco*

"Every location offered surprises and was stunningly beautiful," said Matt Damon, who portrays Odysseus in the film adaptation of the classic epic.

He has visited Greece and Italy, two countries chosen as film settings, but the specific filming spots lie off the usual tourist paths. Matt believes this made the filming experience a true adventure. Below are the filming locations that recreate Odysseus's ten-year journey from Troy back to his homeland of Ithaca.

Morocco

The film's journey begins in ancient Troy, a city once surrounded by formidable walls, now reduced to ruins. While the archaeological site in Turkey, where Troy once stood, remains a worthwhile destination, the film crew opted for Aït Benhaddou in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

To assist visitors, locals have established the Odyssey Trail, an 11 km walking path connecting the towns of Cullen and Portsoy, guiding tourists through many significant locations featured in the film. *Photo: lovefromscotland*

According to Stuck in Iceland travel magazine, Iceland's highlands and glacier-covered areas appear in many surreal segments of "The Odyssey". The film crew constructed a large-scale ship model near Landeyjahöfn port on Iceland's southern coast. *Photo: Reddit*

Greece

In February 2025, the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre (HFAC) announced it was welcoming "The Odyssey" film crew, stating that filming would occur at various locations across the Peloponnese peninsula.

One prominent setting is Nestor's Cave, named after the king of Pylos. Archaeological evidence indicates human use of this cave since the Neolithic period.

The film also captured scenes at Voidokilia Beach, with its Omega-shaped coastline, and the ancient citadel of Acrocorinth, one of Greece's renowned ancient fortresses. Another chosen location was Methoni Castle. This structure, built in the 13th century, still stands on a headland jutting into the Ionian Sea.

Scotland

Scotland's Moray coast was selected to recreate the film's ancient atmosphere. Meanwhile, the ruins of Findlater Castle served as the setting for the sorceress Circe's land.

Iceland

Matt first encountered Iceland's famous black sand beaches during filming. Iceland's magical, almost surreal landscape recreated Hades, the underworld of Greek mythology.

However, in Christopher Nolan's style, he did not choose the well-known Vikurfjara black sand beach in Vik, a popular tourist spot. The director filmed at a more secluded and lesser-known black sand beach, lending a pristine and authentic feel to the movie.

Italy

To film the scenes at the journey's end, the crew traveled to Favignana, the largest island of the Egadi archipelago off the coast of Sicily, Italy.

In March 2025, several actors, including Matt Damon and Tom Holland, were seen filming on the island's rugged rocky shores. Sicily has long been associated with "The Odyssey" epic, and many scholars believe it inspired Homer to create the land of the Cyclops.

Filming also extended to the Aeolian Islands, including Basiluzzo, Lipari, and Vulcano. With their distinctive volcanic terrain and majestic coastlines, these islands provided a wild, natural backdrop, recreating Odysseus's encounters with gods and monsters.

Further south of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands, Malta was also chosen as a filming location. This Mediterranean island nation has long been a familiar setting for many large-scale cinematic productions due to its ancient landscapes and impressive coastlines. These ideal settings concluded Odysseus's arduous journey.

Pictured is the ship used as a setting in the film. *Photo: TheIntroverTraveler*

Tam Anh (according to Travel+Leisure, Elle)