The Real Locations That Inspired the Odyssey (the Epic and the Upcoming Film)
The Real Locations That Inspired the Odyssey (the Epic and the Upcoming Film)
Sven Hansche/Shutterstock
https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/the-real-greek-and-italian-islands-where-christopher-nolans-odyssey-film-takes-place
From Greece’s mythic shores to Sicily’s rocky islands, explore the real Mediterranean landscapes behind Homer’s Odyssey and its newest film adaptation.
For nearly three thousand years, readers have followed Odysseus’ epic journey in Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey. Now, director Christopher Nolan brings the legendary tale to the big screen in a new adaptation, with the Mediterranean itself a starring presence. Filming spanned dramatic coastal landscapes in Greece and Italy, from Messinia in the Peloponnese of mainland Greece to the remote Aeolian islands around Sicily, with beaches, caves, and medieval fortresses providing cinematic backdrops worthy of Homer’s epic.
The production also highlights Greece’s growing appeal as a filming destination, bolstered by government tax incentives attracting international projects. Recent projects include Brad Pitt’s The Riders on Hydra island and in Athens, while another with Daniel Craig and Michelle Williams is expected on Corfu. Beyond filming, many Greek destinations remain deeply tied to the story—from the Ionian island traditionally believed to be Odysseus’ birthplace to ancient palaces described in the poem—inviting travelers to explore landscapes where myth, history, and cinema intertwine.
PHOTO: George Apostolidis
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Voidokilia Beach
WHERE: Messinia, Peloponnese
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.
PHOTO: Trabantos/Shutterstock
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Nestor’s Cave
WHERE: Messinia, Greece
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.
PHOTO: Sven Hansche/Shutterstock
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Methoni Castle
WHERE: Methoni, Greece
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.
PHOTO: Aerial-Motion/Shutterstock
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Almyrolakkas Beach
WHERE: Gialova, Greece
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.
PHOTO: Trabantos/Shutterstock
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Pylos and the Palace of Nestor
WHERE: Pylos, Greece
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.
PHOTO: Trabantos/Shutterstock
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Acrocorinth
WHERE: Corinth, Greece
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.
PHOTO: Popartic/Shutterstock
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Ithaca
WHERE: Ionian Islands, Greece
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.
PHOTO: Heracles Kritikos/Shutterstock
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Kefalonia
WHERE: Ionian Islands, Greece
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.
PHOTO: Maurizio De Mattei/Shutterstock
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Favignana (Egadi Islands)
WHERE: Favignana, Sicily, Italy
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 and 4 guests, so it’s good for families, and a 7-minute walk to Praia beach.
PHOTO: Paolo Gagliardi/iStock
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Aeolian Islands
WHERE: Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy
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.
World Cup presents opportunity for US to showcase itself to the world, hoteliers say
Event could spur future demand from international travelers
The 2026 FIFA World Cup presents an opportunity for U.S. President Donald Trump and the country to showcase why foreigners should travel to America. (Getty Images)
https://www.costar.com/article/307050533/world-cup-presents-opportunity-for-us-to-showcase-itself-to-the-world-hoteliers-say?
U.S. hoteliers know the opportunity they have this summer to boost performance with the 2026 FIFA World Cup heading through 11 American cities, but the opportunity to showcase the country could serve as a launching pad for further travel demand in the future.
But there's a lingering question on the minds of hoteliers and the American public at large: Is the U.S. ready for a showcase?
After the conclusion of the World Cup qualifier playoffs on Tuesday, the field of 48 teams is officially set. Bosnia & Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Turkey, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq were the final teams to punch their tickets.
The matchups, locations and dates are also set for each group stage match. The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11 and concludes on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
FIFA has begun the process of returning its room blocks at hotels in host markets.
At last, there is clarity. For the most part.
Iran's football federation requested to move its matches out of the United States to Mexico due to the U.S. and Israel's ongoing war with Iran. That request was denied by FIFA.
Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group stage matches in the U.S., with its first two in Los Angeles and final one in Seattle.
On March 12, U.S. President Donald Trump sent out a foreboding post on social media addressing the Middle Eastern country's participation in the tournament.
"The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety," the post reads.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Tuesday that he spoke with Iranian soccer officials and that "everything is fine."
"The matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw," Infantino said. "Iran will be at the FIFA World Cup, and we're excited because they're a very, very strong team, in my opinion, right now."
International inbound travel for the World Cup, on the whole, has been a major concern. Some countries are on Trump's travel ban list, while others have restricted access to visas.
Among the global soccer fans who are eligible to travel to the U.S., there are fears of safety. Agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement are said to have a "key part" of World Cup security, according to Todd Lyons, director of ICE.
“We are not expecting problems, but we are preparing for possible problems,” Thiago Freitas, Brazil chief operating officer at sports agency Roc Nation, told the New Yorker. “A lot of athletes have in their families people with a profile, according to age or occupation, that often are rejected by U.S. authorities.”
Voices in the travel industry
Mark Gaber, chief operations officer, U.S. East at Marriott International, said this is the first sporting event of this size to come to the United States since the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
With the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles on the horizon — and the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2034 Salt Lake City Olympics not too far behind — the 2026 FIFA World Cup presents an opportunity to market the United States to the rest of the world and serve as a blueprint for the events to come.
"FIFA is critically important for this year, but this is establishing what these types of events can be in the future," he said during the "Hosting the World: The Business of the FIFA World Cup" panel at the 2026 Hunter Conference. "We're very excited ... to ensure that we are creating an experience for all of those who can travel here and those who can watch and experience this streaming online in different countries so they can aspire to come here."
Tim Zulawski, president of AMB Sports and Entertainment in Atlanta, said "the hotel community needs to win on these major events." He views the World Cup as a global platform to highlight the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta for prospective visitors.
"Our hope is that events like the World Cup — we have a Super Bowl coming, future Final Four coming — all those events become a showcase for Georgia and Atlanta," he said.
What makes the World Cup different than sporting events like the Super Bowl or the Final Four is the duration of the tournament, said Jonathan Martin, principal and co-founder of Anfield Hotel Advisors. Some fans may select a city as their base as they travel around the U.S. following their team.
More importantly, the U.S. is trying to build up its image in light of dissipating international inbound demand over the past few years.
"We all need to get into that mindset and remember that we as an industry are also promoting the U.S. and each of our individual cities to the outside world," Martin said. "We have an opportunity to really send folks home thinking, 'Wow, it is actually a great country,' and going to visit is not as scary as they think it might be today."
Hilton CEO's optimistic outlook driven by upcoming 'sea change' of business opportunity
Chris Nassetta says hospitality will see a shift
Hilton President and CEO Christopher Nassetta said at the 2026 Hunter Conference that he sees a shift coming for the hospitality business. (Hunter Conference)
https://www.costar.com/article/1133584804/hilton-ceos-optimistic-outlook-driven-by-upcoming-sea-change-of-business-opportunity?
ATLANTA — Even in the face of the hospitality industry's anemic same-store revenue growth and reasonably high inflationary growth for expenses, Hilton President and CEO Christopher Nassetta said he's still optimistic for hoteliers.
"The math is working against you," Nassetta said to the owners in the crowd at the 2026 Hunter Conference.
But as hoteliers face these challenges, he said there's an opportunity for Hilton and its brands to step in to help provide some relief. He mentioned, as an example, initiatives Hilton has rolled out to reduce loyalty program fee rates.
"In a tough environment, I certainly think my job is like reading it and figuring out," he said. "I can't change the macro — and I think the macro is actively changing — but what we can do in the meantime is take advantage of the scale and the things that we think we can do better than everybody else, even in this environment, and try and create some opportunity for owners."
Nassetta, who was making the case for his optimism, said that while costs for consumers are up and the ongoing war in Iran will both continue to affect consumers, there are also business-friendly changes happening, too. He pointed specifically to the rise of artificial intelligence.
"AI is going to create one of the greatest productivity booms," Nassetta said, explaining that growth in AI will result in economic growth.
Recognizing the industry's current headwinds and opportunities, Nassetta said things are changing.
"I think that there's a big sea change coming in terms of broader economic growth, and that the setup over the next seven years is going to be very, very different and much, much better," he said.
Bifurcation will come together, and the K-shaped economy will flatten, he said. He pointed to the fact that investment is happening — it just takes time for these initiatives to come to fruition. In the meantime, hoteliers should aim to rise above the noise.
"In the United States, you have a lot of noise in the system," he said, pointing to the divisive political landscape. "It's a lot to handle for all of us, including every day being a new adventure."
Nassetta said he knows people will roll their eyes at his optimism, but he said he's already seen growth reflected in Hilton's data from last quarter and at the beginning of this year.
"I'm pretty confident in the next few years," he said. "You're also [going to be in an] environment where inflation is going to come back, and then top line is going to go up, and you're going to be back with a business that has more opportunity."
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