Follow The Odyssey: Greek Villas Near the Film Locations

A remake of Homer’s Odyssey comes to the big screen in July 2026 for a cinematic revival, putting the epic poem back on the map.

Directed by multiple Oscar-winning filmmaker Chrispoher Nolan, the film of The Odyssey creates renewed interest in Odysseus’s thrilling journey in Greece. We take a look at both Homer’s epic poem and Nolan’s compelling film; and the locations that are found near our exceptional villas. For lovers of film and Greek mythology, follow the footsteps of Odysseus with Villa Collective.

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ON LOCATION

Filmed over 91 days across six countries, with very little studio time, The Odyssey draws on a range of worldwide locations to bring Homer’s epic tale to life, including footage that takes place in spectacular caves, rugged coastlines, undulating deserts, remote islands and ruinous castles. Locations span the globe and are as contrasting as they are dramatic from Iceland to Morocco and Scotland to Sicily. Although Homer’s story mixed actual geography with ancient mythology, filmmaker Christopher Nolan used real-world locations for almost every shot, bringing hyper-detail to this exhilarating film.

THE PULL OF THE PELOPONNESE

Greece’s sparsely-populated Peloponnese is a rugged destination that had just the right amount of mythic beauty for many of The Odyssey’s locations, with the region becoming the film’s first major Greek setting. Long-boat arrivals make a dramatic shore entry onto the region’s most exquisite beach: Voidokilia, a horseshoe bay that made the perfect wide-angle sweep. Just above the beach sits Nestor’s Cave, a historically-rich cavern that was used as the location for Cyclops’ cave in Homer’s tale. Just south sits the dramatic Methini Castle, also used as a palace in some of the film’s final scenes.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE PELOPONNESE

Hugging the coastline of this ruggedly beautiful part of the Peloponnese are three sensational Villa Collective villas: stone-built Villa Liades, crescent-shaped Villa Iliana and modernist hilltop beauty Villa Oriel. All three villas are located in Messina, coming with panoramic sea views and wow-factor pools. Each villa benefits from a seamless booking process and our on-hand concierge that ensures all the details are taken care of from private chefs, local guides to a day at sea.

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CORFU IN THE ODYSSEY

Although Homer never explicitly named Corfu in The Odyssey, many scholars identify the island of Corfu with Scheria, home of the Phaeacians which also geographically tracks with Corfu being the last place that Odysseus stops before returning to Ithaca. In books 5 -11 of the poem, Scheria is described as a place of green valleys, fertile plains and idyllic natural harbours. It was here that Odysseus washed ashore after Poseidon destroyed his raft in a storm and was welcomed by King Alcinious who helped transport him home. Although director Christopher Nolan decided not to film here, it’s the perfect place to absorb Homer’s fascinating text, placing you at the sweet spot of literary history and Ancient Greek mythology.

WHERE TO STAY IN CORFU

Villa Collective’s heart will always remain in Corfu, where the Cookson family home is located and Nick Cookson and his wife Justyna spend much of their time. As such, Villa Collective’s portfolio brims with exceptional Corfu villas. Like pine-clad Villa Soukilia, which sleeps 18 and is found a few steps from Soukia Bay, coming with its own jetty. Meanwhile six-bedroom Villa Levanta sits shoreside with Avlaki Beach and has a gym and home cinema.

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ITHACA; A HOMECOMING

The legendary home of Odysseus and the culmination of a story that plays out over 24 papyrus scrolls – and more recently a film that spans just under three hours – Ithaca is known as the place where the king came home to. Fundamentally a story of returning, Ithaca plays a huge role and central theme in Homer’s poem – and in the film – representing family, perseverance and the call of home. It’s also the setting for the poem’s dramatic conclusion, where Odysseus comes home to find traitors in his midst and he must prove himself before being reunited with his wife Penelope and son Telemachus. Again, Ithaca was not used as a film location, with Nolan choosing Methini Castle in the Peloponnese to match the drama of Mycenaean architecture. However, there is no doubt that the island of Ithaca holds huge weight in the story of The Odyssey.

WHERE TO STAY IN ITHICA

If you’re keen to follow the footsteps of Odysseus and see the single most important destination in Homer’s Odyssey, then browse our curated selection of villas in Ithaca including Villa Kioni that has an exceptional seafront setting and a full complement of staff plus boat skipper. Vathy Estate sleeps 12 and is characterised by grandeur, wrapped in 250-acres of manicured grounds.

If the new interpretation of The Odyssey has whet your appetite for Greece’s huge charms, get in touch and let us find the perfect villa to match your cultural endeavours.

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