Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, “The Odyssey,” slated for 2026, is a cinematic adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem. While we don’t yet know the narrative of the film, one of the main strands of Homer’s epic is how the Greek hero, Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, got home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. He was blown off course and his path blocked by the gods for ten years, during which he encountered mythical creatures and divine challenges.
The ensemble cast includes Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron. Film locations have been far-flung, including the United Kingdom, Morocco, and various sites throughout Italy, particularly the Aeolian Islands in Sicily. But, while we may not accept Homer’s Odyssey as 100% historically accurate, if we accept that the lands he describes were parts of the known world in Homer’s age, where around the Mediterranean did Odysseus’ journey actually take him? Here are what scholars believe are the real-world counterparts of ten locations in the Odyssey.
1. Ithaca (Mythical) – Ithaca, Greece (Real Life)
In Homer’s epic, Ithaca is the homeland of Odysseus, symbolizing his ultimate destination and the enduring theme of homecoming. The island is depicted as rugged and modest yet deeply cherished by its inhabitants. Inscriptions with Odysseus’s name found across the island indicate that the Classical Greek inhabitants believed it was the ancient homeland of Odysseus, regardless of whether he was even a real person.
The modern-day Ithaca, part of Greece’s Ionian Islands, is traditionally identified as the same Ithaca from the epic. Inhabited since the Mycenaean period (1600–1100 BCE), the island’s archaeological sites, such as the School of Homer, are believed to be linked to a great palace, like the one described in the epic. Visitors can explore the Cave of the Nymphs, where Odysseus is said to have hidden treasures, and hike Mount Neriton for panoramic views.
2. Troy (Mythical) – Hisarlik, Turkey (Real Life)
Troy is the city where the Trojan War took place, marking the starting point of Odysseus’s journey. Historically, Troy is believed to be located in present-day Hisarlik, Turkey, after Heinrich Schliemann excavated it in the 19th century. These and subsequent excavations have revealed multiple layers of ancient cities, dating as far back as 3000 BCE.
Troy VI and Troy VII, referring to distinct settlement layers identifiable in the archaeological record, date to the Bronze Age and are considered the most likely candidates for Homeric Troy. Visitors can walk through the ruins, including the massive city walls and remnants of ancient houses. The nearby Troy Museum provides an in-depth look at artifacts from the city.
3. Ismaros (Mythical) – Maroneia, Greece (Real Life)
After leaving Troy, Odysseus and his crew raid Ismaros, the city of the Cicones. Though they initially succeed, the Cicones retaliate, killing many of Odysseus’s men. This early setback foreshadows the struggles that will plague his journey home.
Ismaros is believed to correspond to the ancient city of Maroneia, located in modern Greece’s Thrace region. Founded in the 7th century BCE, Maroneia was a significant trade center in antiquity. It was famous for its wine, which Odysseus used to intoxicate the Cyclops Polyphemus later in his journey. Today, visitors can explore the ruins of an ancient theater, an acropolis, and remnants of the city walls. The nearby Mount Ismaros offers spectacular views of the Aegean Sea, and the region’s vineyards continue to produce excellent wines, just as they did in Homer’s time.
4. Land of the Lotus-Eaters (Mythical) – Djerba, Tunisia (Real Life)
It is when leaving Ismaros that Odysseus and his crew get majorly blown off course. It seems that as they sailed around the bottom of Greece, instead of turning north to head back to Ithaca, they were blown west to North Africa. There, Odysseus and his men land in a strange place where the inhabitants eat an intoxicating lotus fruit, making them forget their desire to return home. Odysseus is forced to drag his men away before they succumb to the island’s pleasures.
Many scholars associate this land with the island of Djerba in Tunisia. Djerba has been inhabited since antiquity, with evidence of Phoenician, Roman, and Berber settlements. Today, it is known for its white-sand beaches, traditional markets, and historic synagogues, such as El Ghriba, which dates back over 2,500 years. Visitors can also explore ancient forts and the island’s distinct architecture, which preserves the cultural blend of its rich history.
5. Island of the Cyclopes (Mythical) – Sicily, Italy (Real Life)
The theme of the Odyssey is that every time Odysseus and his men escape one peril, they are confronted by another. Escaping the decadent peril of the Lotus, they encounter a very real, monstrous peril on the island of the Cyclopes. It is home to the one-eyed giant Polyphemus, whom Odysseus blinds in a daring escape. It is one of the most famous episodes of the Odyssey.
Sicily, particularly the area around Mount Etna, is often linked to this legend. The Aeolian Islands nearby are filled with caves and rugged coastlines, fitting the description of the Cyclopes’ land. Visitors can explore the Grotta di Polifemo, a cave that locals associate with the myth. Sicily itself has a rich history, from Greek settlements to Norman influences, with sites like the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento offering incredible ancient ruins.
6. Aeolia (Mythical) – Aeolian Islands, Italy (Real Life)
Aeolus, the god of the winds, gifts Odysseus a bag containing all the winds except the one that will take him home. Unfortunately, his crew opens it, sending them off course to the west, instead of back east.
The Aeolian Islands, north of Sicily, are believed to be Aeolia. These volcanic islands have been inhabited since prehistoric times and were an important center of trade in antiquity. Today, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stunning landscapes, hot springs, and historic sites such as the ruins of Lipari Castle. The island of Stromboli, with its active volcano, mirrors the fiery temperament of Aeolus’s domain. Visitors can hike the volcanic craters, take boat tours around the islands, or explore the black-sand beaches of Vulcano.
7. Telepylos (Mythical) – Formia, Italy (Real Life)
Telepylos, the land of the Laestrygonians, is one of the most perilous stops on Odysseus’s journey. These giant cannibals destroy almost his entire fleet by hurling boulders at the anchored ships, leaving only Odysseus’s vessel intact. The high-walled harbor described in The Odyssey suggests an enclosed bay or fjord-like setting.
Many scholars associate Telepylos with Formia, a coastal town in Italy with a rich maritime history. Located between Rome and Naples, Formia has been inhabited since at least the Roman period, serving as an important trade hub along the ancient Appian Way. Visitors can explore the Tomb of Cicero, an impressive mausoleum believed to belong to the famous Roman statesman. The region also boasts ancient aqueducts, Roman villas, and the picturesque coastline of Gaeta, which resembles the cliffs and narrow harbor described in Homer’s text.
8. Aeaea (Mythical) – Ponza, Italy (Real Life)
Aeaea is the island of the sorceress Circe, where Odysseus and his crew stay for a year. Circe is initially hostile, turning Odysseus’s men into swine, but she later becomes an ally and lover to Odysseus, helping him navigate the challenges ahead. Aeaea is described as an enchanting island with lush forests and grand halls.
Ponza, an island off Italy’s west coast, is widely believed to be Aeaea. Known for its rugged cliffs, sea caves, and turquoise waters, Ponza has been inhabited since ancient times. The Romans built an extensive tunnel system here, some of which can still be explored today. The Grotte di Pilato, a series of sea caves, is linked to legends of Circe and was likely used for fish farming in Roman times. Ponza’s unspoiled landscapes, small fishing villages, and historical ruins make it a captivating destination.
9. Ogygia (Mythical) – Gozo, Malta (Real Life)
Ogygia is the secluded island where the nymph Calypso keeps Odysseus captive for seven years, offering him immortality if he stays with her. Ultimately, the gods intervene, forcing Calypso to release him so he can continue his journey home.
Gozo, the second-largest island in Malta, is often linked to Ogygia. The island has been inhabited since Neolithic times, with the Ġgantija temples dating back to 3600 BCE, one of the world’s oldest free-standing structures. Calypso’s Cave, overlooking the red sands of Ramla Bay, is a popular site believed to be where Odysseus was held. The island’s history includes Phoenician, Roman, and Arab influences, seen in its medieval citadel and Baroque churches. Visitors can explore the Azure Window’s remnants, the Blue Hole diving site, and charming villages with traditional Maltese architecture.
10. Scheria (Mythical) – Corfu, Greece (Real Life)
Scheria is the final stop before Ithaca, where Odysseus is welcomed by the Phaeacians, a civilized and seafaring people. They provide him with a ship to return home, marking the end of his long odyssey, though not the end of his challenges. Back in Ithaca, he must defeat the many suitors vying for the hand of his wife, Queen Penelope, and reclaim his throne.
Corfu, one of Greece’s most picturesque islands, is widely associated with Scheria. Its lush landscapes and coastal beauty align with Homer’s descriptions. Corfu has a history dating back to ancient Greece, having been settled by the Corinthians in the 8th century BCE. The island has been influenced by Venetian, French, and British rule, reflected in its stunning Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the Achilleion Palace, built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, or the 16th-century New Fortress.
A True Map?
These are not all the places that Odysseus visited on his journey, but they provide a fairly clear path for Odysseus’s imagined journey. But with a few exceptions, many of these locations are just guesses. Even in ancient times, the Greeks were no longer certain of these locations. Writing in 140 BCE, about 600 years after the composition of the Odyssey, the Greek scholar Polybius was not certain of many of the locations.
Another location described by Homer is near the dwelling of Scylla and Charybdis, terrifying sea monsters. Polybius notes that Homer’s description of fishing practices in the story aligns with Sicilian fishing practices in his own day, suggesting a location, but it was far from certain.
An earlier writer, Eratosthenes, suggested that the whole endeavor of trying to map Homer’s Odyssey was pointless, quipping that “you will find the scene of the wanderings of Odysseus when you find the cobbler who sewed up the back of the winds.” He considered this part of the story a fantastical element added to a real story for color. So, while he considered the general story real, he thought it impossible to map based on Homer’s fanciful descriptions. Trying to do this has led to many fanciful suggestions in modern times, including that Odysseus made it as far as Ireland, Norway, and even Argentina.
British historian and explorer Tim Severin tried to recreate many ancient voyages over the course of his career, from Marco Polo’s voyage to the journey of Jason and the Argonauts. He also tried to recreate Odysseus’s journey in 1985, sailing in a replica of a Greek Bronze Age galley. He suggested quite a different route centered around the islands of southern Greece, since, taking out all the time Odysseus spent on his adventures, he was only sailing for about four months. The truth is, we will probably never know Odysseus’s true sailing route, or if he, or anyone who might have inspired his character, ever really existed.
