The Odyssey in Sicily: the filming locations of the new movie by Christopher Nolan

Filming began this spring for The Odyssey, the new film by the British director Christopher Nolan. And the chosen set couldn’t be more spectacular: our stunning Sicily. Part of it – in addition to Morocco, the United Kingdom, and of course Greece – include Favignana and the Aeolian Islands. And at the end of March, with a bit of luck, Zendaya, Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and the rest of the cast could be spotted on set.

Today, let’s take a look at the places we’ll see on the big screen in 2026 in Nolan’s Odyssey in Sicily.

Italy, as we know, has always attracted Hollywood, and many masterpieces of American cinema have been shot here, inspiring directors and actors. For 2025, the director Christopher Nolan has chosen to set part of his The Odyssey in Sicily.

This choice may not be surprising to those familiar with Homer’s epic masterpiece, as according to it, Ulysses stopped in Sicily with his crew to rest and recover. It’s a clear intention to evoke the historical and mythological link these lands share with the hero’s journey - his long and troubled return to Ithaca, full of adventures, misfortunes and detours. Nolan wishes in fact to highlight the authenticity and historical significance of the region by using previously unseen, “untouched” locations never used before in a movie - raw and wild landscapes that can offer a unique view at the heart of the Mediterranean.

We’ll relive the adventure of Ulysses - the king, the warrior, the traveler and the wiseman - who, after the Trojan War, just wishes to reunite with his wife Penelope and return to his kingdom of Ithaca, though he is thwarted by divine and mystical forces. Of course, this will be filtered through Nolan’s visionary and majestic lenses, in order to present us a unique interpretation.

Although a few images have already leaked, the precise plot, character roles, and details are still largely unknown. While not all filming locations have been revealed, below is an overview of the places we will see on screen in 2026 in this much-anticipated The Odyssey in Sicily, a tribute to yet another incredible opportunity for Italy to shine through American cinema.

Favignana is part of the Egadi Islands archipelago, located in northwestern Sicily, and it is the largest of the group. From above, its shape resembles an outspread-winged-butterfly and this can just enhance its charm.

In ancient times, it was known as Aegades or the “Island of Goats” due to the many wild goats that once roamed freely. According to some scholars of The Odyssey, these goats fed Ulysses and his men during their Mediterranean wanderings.

The island’s terrain is varied and shows a wild allure, with a mountainous inland area made of limestone and tuff, wooded sections with typical Mediterranean flora, especially pine trees, and a rocky coastline filled with caves and quarries, both open and covered. They create undoubtedly a timeless landscape, which results perfectly for a mythic and ancient narrative.

Key filming locations in Favignana could include some of the island’s most stunning beaches: Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, and Cala del Bue Marino. Caressed by the Favonian breeze, the first two are surrounded by rocky cliffs and sandy seabeds, while the third has a predominantly sandy shore. All three offer breathtaking crystal-clear waters.

Another major location is expected to be the Castle of Santa Caterina, located on the island’s highest peak. Built originally as a watchtower during the Saracen Domain in the 9th century, it later became a fort, a prison, and a military outpost. Though partially damaged and not easily accessible today, it is open to visitors and offers a spectacular panoramic view of the island.

Several of the Aeolian Islands are also expected to feature in The Odyssey in Sicily, particularly Basiluzzo, Lipari, and Vulcano.

Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands and it is the capital of the archipelago. It also administratively includes the other six islands (Lipari, Vulcano, Stromboli, Alicudi, Filicudi, Panarea). It’s a popular destination for those who love nature, sea and history. Thanks to its strategic position, many Mediterranean civilizations have inhabited it, leaving countless historical witnesses.

Due to numerous volcanic eruptions and tidal effects, the island’s coast is mostly rocky, with occasional sandy stretches, giving it a primitive, captivating atmosphere. On a promontory of the island’s mountainous area stands the Castle, a fortified citadel dating back to the 9th century during Norman Domain.

According to the legend, Ulysses stopped on Lipari and was a host at the court of King Aeolus—hence the name “Aeolian Islands”. For this reason, part of the movie will be set at Pietra del Bagno, a fairytale-like cliff overlooking the sea, not far from Lipari.

Basiluzzo is a small, uninhabited island near the larger Panarea and has a volcanic origin, relatively more recent than its neighbors. With its dramatic cliffs and caves, it forms part of the protected natural reserve “Isola di Panarea e scogli viciniori”. It hosts a variety of wild trees, shrubs, and native plants: a raw, unspoiled environment that seems perfectly suited to the heroic adventures of Ulysses.

And finally, what better choice than Vulcano to represent the mythic tale of a legendary hero? This island, the closest to Sicily in the Aeolian chain, has a strikingly raw and untamed landscape, despite having small towns. It’s dominated by the dormant volcano that gives the island its name, said to have been the forge of the god Hephaestus. Vulcano is famous for its natural hot sulfur springs and dark volcanic beaches. The lava-rock seabed creates mesmerizing reflections in the water, especially at sunset.

Among the selected filming sites, one standout is the Grotta del Cavallo ("Cave of the Horse"), accessible only by boat. With its winding tunnels and pools, it offers a mysterious and enchanting setting that may become one of the key locations in Ulysses’ new cinematic journey.

Once again, our magnificent Sicily takes center stage in a Hollywood cinematic masterpiece. In Nolan’s The Odyssey, some of Italy’s most beautiful islands will be portrayed in their most epic form. The untamed, primal splendor of Sicily’s island landscape, between rock and sea and bathed in sunlight, will provide the perfect backdrop for the adventures of a new Ulysses, in a world suspended in time and space.

This choice not only strengthens the connection between film and literature, lending authenticity to the tale, but also rides the rising wave of film-tourism in Italy. In short, Italy once again offers a one-of-a-kind setting for an immortal story.