Christopher Nolan’s film is an adaptation of Homer’s Greek epic poem of the same name; not only is The Odyssey one of the oldest surviving works of literature, it's also regarded as a significant piece in the Western canon.
The film production has been as epic as the epic poem it draws its story from, utilising many incredible locations to bring the story to life! To commemorate its upcoming release next year, we’ve compiled a list of some of the film locations that you could immerse yourself in and enjoy on your next walking holiday.
The Odyssey Filming Locations
Morocco
As you may have read from our previous blog, A Movie Lovers Guide to Top Morocco Film Locations, Morocco is a very desirable filming location due to its good climate and diverse landscapes.
In The Odyssey, the ancient city of Troy has been reimagined in the form of Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village located along a former caravan route. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a true historic gem, showcasing medieval design and iconic reddish-brown architecture.
If you’d like to discover Ait Ben Haddou for yourself, check out our Raiders of the Lost Kasbah itinerary!
Iceland
Known as the country of ice and fire due to its landscape being defined by opposing volcanic and glacial terrains, Iceland is host to dramatic green valleys, icy-blue glaciers, thermal pools, desert lava fields, and so much more.
The Odyssey production team have shot some of these geological delights in the more remote regions of the country, making use of the highland terrain and incredible glaciers!
You can explore the south of Iceland on our Iceland’s Laugavegur Trek – discover different geological phenomenon’s of the Icelandic countryside on this point-to-point trip, traversing between mountain huts from Landmannalauger, finishing in Reykjavik.
Malta
Malta is another popular destination for filmmakers, playing host to scenes for Troy (2004), Gladiator (2000) and Alexander (2004), amongst others – it's no surprise that Malta has been chosen for filming The Odyssey too!
One great way to discover Malta is via the ancient Knight’s Path, a scenic hiking route following in the footsteps of 16th century knights through untouched landscapes and quaint villages, along dramatic cliffs and hidden valleys.
If you’re interested in finding out more about areas connected to Malta’s history, read our blog on Malta’s Links to Knights.
Greece
We couldn’t do an Odyssey filming location list without mentioning the country the story originates from, Greece! Here, filming took place at an archaeological palace site in Acrocorinth and Messenia, in the Peloponnese region of the country.
Greece is a country packed with beautiful islands, diverse landscapes and historical delights - a fantastic destination for walking!
Whilst we may not currently offer walking holidays to Peloponnese, with Walks Worldwide, you could be:
- Hiking the stunning range of Mount Olympus, home of the Greek gods.
- Discovering the picturesque island villages of Corfu.
- Exploring the stunning scenery of Santorini and Naxos, two of the most famous islands of Greece.
- Going off-the-beaten track hiking in the Pindos Mountains of Northern Greece.
- Uncovering the enchanting landscape of Western Crete, with its picturesque coastline and ancient ruins.
Scotland
OK, so Scotland isn’t one of our walking destinations, but it's right on our UK doorstep!
Both Findlater Castle, Moray Firth and the wider Moray coast have been key locations for filming The Odyssey. The world’s largest Viking ship to be built in modern times was even spotted in Buckie Harbour for the film shoot! (source: BBC)
Scotland is a fantastic place to hike, and has an incredible variety of terrains to explore, making it a great destination for preparing for your next walking holiday abroad (and a fantastic excuse to explore the UK too).
For other ideas and advice to help you prepare for your next walking holiday, contact our expert team.
If you have been inspired to discover Morocco, Greece, Malta or Iceland, check out our fantastic walking holidays to these countries' today, or contact our team for further information and holiday guidance.
