Historic sites across Greece’s Peloponnese, used as filming locations for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, are expected to see a surge in visitors following the film’s release, but travel experts warn several aren’t set up for a sudden influx.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, released in UK cinemas in July, was filmed extensively across Greece’s Peloponnese region. Travel experts at Welcome Pickups, the global airport transfer service founded in Athens, predict the film will spark a ‘set-jetting’ tourism surge to the area, echoing the effect Emily in Paris had on France and The White Lotus had on Sicily and Thailand.
Unlike Athens or the Greek islands, much of the Peloponnese sees relatively low tourist footfall, meaning a sudden spike in visitors driven by the film could outpace the infrastructure at some sites, particularly those with limited facilities, restricted access, or protected natural surroundings.
So, whilst Manchester Airport can take you to all four of the stand-out Odyssey filming locations in Greece with relative ease – with direct flights to both Athens and Kalamata – it is important to keep some things in mind when visiting these stunning locations.
Advice for visiting The Odyssey filming locations in Greece
The team at Welcome Pickups has provided the following advice for those visiting these four stunning Greek locations:
Acrocorinth
- Entry to the fortress itself is free, but its hours are shorter than many expect; typically 8.30 am to 3.30 pm daily, with the gate closing fully at the end of the day and no way out after, so don’t leave a visit until late afternoon.
- There’s free parking at the top, but the final 5-minute walk from the car park to the entrance is over smooth, rounded paving stones worn slippery by centuries of footfall; make sure you wear footwear with good grip.
- It’s a big site (allow 1.5–2 hours), so pair it with Ancient Corinth at the base of the hill, which is a 5-minute drive or a steep 3km walk away, and its museum (separate ticket, around €8).
Find flights from Manchester Airport to Athens here.
Voidokilia Beach
- Free to visit with no entrance fee, but it’s a wild beach, meaning no shade, no sunbeds, no shop, and the nearest café is roughly 1km away in Petrochori, so bring water and sun protection.
- It’s best reached by parking at the end of the dirt road in Petrochori (a 10–15 minute walk through the dunes) or from the Gialova Lagoon side; it’s advised that low-clearance cars shouldn’t attempt the sandy track right to the water’s edge.
- The beach sits directly beside the Gialova Lagoon, a protected Natura 2000 wetland and major migratory bird stopover. It’s advised to stick to marked paths and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
Find flights from Manchester Airport to Kalamata here.
Methoni Castle
- Entry is €5 (often free for EU citizens under 25), and the site is large and mostly uncovered, so a hat, water and suncream are worth packing.
- Late afternoon is the best time to visit for softer light over the causeway to the octagonal Bourtzi tower; this way you also avoid the midday heat.
- There’s no on-site café or WC, so plan around the harbourside restaurants in Methoni town just outside the walls.
Find flights from Manchester Airport to Kalamata here.
Palace of Nestor
- Entry is around €10 (or you can get a 3-day combined ticket covering Methoni Castle, Pylos Castle and the Chora museum for €15). Worth it if visiting multiple sites in the same trip.
- The Archaeological Museum of Chora, which houses finds from the palace, is open Wednesday to Monday and can be visited on a joint ticket. It’s advised to confirm hours locally before travelling, as these can shift seasonally.
- Raised walkways let visitors view the Mycenaean ruins from above without walking directly on the remains; allow 1–2 hours, and note the site closes earlier than peak-season attractions elsewhere in Greece.
Find flights from Manchester Airport to Kalamata here.
A warning to The Odyssey fans travelling to filming locations
Fans keen to visit the film’s real-life locations are encouraged to plan, checking opening hours, dress codes and facilities in advance, and to treat the region as a living community rather than a film set.
