These 10 Breathtaking Locations That Inspired Homer’s Odyssey Are Worthy of Your Own Epic Journey

Telemachus's journey next takes him to Sparta, where he hopes King Menelaus can shed light on his father's fate. Today, Sparta is a modern city in Greece's Peloponnese region, but visitors can still experience echoes of the ancient city-state at the olive grove–dotted ruins of Ancient Sparta and the Archaeological Museum of Sparti, home to impressive Roman mosaics and statues of Greek gods.

The region also boasts one of Greece's most remarkable later-era landmarks: Mystra, a sprawling complex of Byzantine churches, monasteries, and palaces recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a day of exploring centuries of history, unwind at Euphoria Retreat, nestled in the foothills of Mount Taygetus just below Mystra, where wellness experiences nourish both body and mind.

For the first seven years after the Trojan War, Odysseus is said to have been held captive by the nymph Calypso on her island of Ogygia. Many literary historians believe Ogygia may have been present-day Gozo, which is part of the Maltese archipelago.

Although Calypso's Cave—traditionally believed to be the site of Odysseus's captivity—is currently closed, visitors can still soak up the island's mythic atmosphere at nearby Tal-Mixta Cave, perched above Ramla Bay, or admire the dramatic limestone arch of Wied il-Mielaħ. History lovers shouldn't miss the Ġgantija Archaeological Park, whose megalithic temples date back to the Neolithic period. After a day of exploring, unwind at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, a tranquil luxury retreat that feels like an island all its own.

After finally escaping Ogygia, Odysseus was shipwrecked on the shores of Phaeacia, where he met and fell for Nausicaa, the king's daughter, before proving his prowess in a series of athletic contests. Many scholars believe Phaeacia was inspired by the lush Greek island of Corfu in the Ionian Sea.

Today, Corfu Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famed for its pair of imposing Venetian fortresses that extend into the sea. Beyond the city, the island is fringed with pine-covered coves reminiscent of the beach where Odysseus is said to have first encountered Nausicaa. Offshore, tiny Pontikonisi (Mouse Island) is, according to local legend, the petrified ship that carried Odysseus to safety before an angry Zeus turned it to stone.

The landmark Corfu Palace hotel is scheduled to reopen in 2027 following an extensive renovation. In the meantime, visitors will find plenty of seaside stays across the island, including the Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa in nearby Benitses.

The Roman historian Strabo identified this island off Tunisia's southeastern coast as the land of the Lotus-Eaters, where Odysseus's crew fell into blissful forgetfulness after eating the legendary lotus fruit. Today, Djerba—the largest island in North Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—reflects a rich blend of Berber, Arab, Mediterranean, and Jewish cultures.

Visitors come to admire the historic El Ghriba Synagogue, browse everything from traditional pottery to vibrant street art, shop the bustling souks of the island's capital, Houmt Souk, and explore Djerba's beaches and whitewashed villages. Accommodations range from sprawling beachfront resorts, such as the Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso, to intimate boutique stays like Dar Bibine in the artisan village of Erriadh.

This rugged, cave-filled island is widely believed to have inspired the home of Polyphemus, the Cyclops who trapped Odysseus and his crew. According to local legend, the Faraglioni sea stacks off Sicily's eastern coast are the very boulders Polyphemus hurled at Odysseus as he made his escape. Ancient historians including Thucydides and Pliny also identified Sicily as the land of the Laestrygonians, the man-eating giants who ambushed Odysseus and decimated his fleet.

Shifting from ancient myth to modern moviemaking, Christopher Nolan filmed scenes depicting Odysseus's castle at the 15th-century Castello di Santa Caterina on the island of Favignana, just off Sicily's western coast. Once you've traced the hero's footsteps, step into another iconic screen setting with a stay at the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina, the backdrop for The White Lotus. While you're there, don't miss Mount Etna and Taormina's spectacular ancient Greek theater.

Circe, the powerful sorceress who transformed Odysseus's unruly crew into pigs and revealed the secret to reaching the Land of the Dead, is said to have lived on the island of Aeaea. Many scholars believe Aeaea was inspired by Ponza, the volcanic island off Italy's central west coast.

Today, Ponza enchants visitors with its cobalt-blue coves, dramatic cliffs, and exceptional seafood. You can swim in crystal-clear waters and linger over the day's fresh catch. And there’s no need to worry about Circe's spells—the only magic you'll encounter is the island itself, especially if you stay at the Grand Hotel Santa Domitilla.

To find his way home, Odysseus journeys to the Land of the Dead to seek guidance from the blind prophet Teiresias. Modern travelers can make a pilgrimage of their own to the Necromanteion, or Oracle of the Dead, one of Greece's most intriguing archaeological sites.

Located about a 30-minute drive from the seaside town of Parga in the Epirus region, the Necromanteion can also be reached the more mythic way: by boat from Parga's harbor up the Acheron River—identified in Greek mythology with the River Styx—followed by a scenic walk to the ruins. There, visitors descend an iron staircase into the ancient crypt, where pilgrims once fasted and consumed hallucinogenic substances before seeking communion with the souls of the dead.

After your own journey into the underworld, return to the world of the living with a stay at the luxurious Lichnos Beach Hotel, perched on a tree-lined hillside overlooking the sea.

Odysseus's long-awaited homecoming ends on the quiet island of Ithaca, which has become an enduring symbol of the journey home. Today, visitors can explore sites tied to the legendary king, including the School of Homer archaeological site, Dexa Cave (also known as the Cave of the Nymphs), where Odysseus is said to have hidden the gifts he received from the Phaeacians, and Loizos Cave, where an ancient cult is believed to have worshipped him.

Artifacts from these sites are displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Stavros in the northern part of the island and the Archaeological Museum of Ithaki in the picturesque port town of Vathy. For an authentic stay, book a room at Hotel Familia, a lovingly restored 19th-century olive press in Vathy that's the perfect place to reflect on your own journey.

You'll fall for the island itself, but remember the words of poet C.P. Cavafy: "Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey."