Volcanic drama and tuna feasts: Why you should visit The Odyssey’s Italian island filming locations
Christopher Nolan will movie scenes for The Odyssey on the Sicilian island the place Homer’s Greek hero Odysseus got here ashore.
Favignana is an Italian island of pale sand seashores, cliffsides coated in Mediterranean scrub and whitewashed hamlets. It was on this paradisiacal location that poet Homer’s Greek hero Odysseus got here ashore and roasted goats in The Odyssey.
Director Christopher Nolan has introduced that the island – a part of the Egadi archipelago off Sicily’s north-west coast – will even be one of many filming areas of his adaptation of the epic poem.
Different scenes will probably be set on the equally idyllic Aeolian islands mendacity off the north-east of Sicily.
As they be part of the record of set-jetting locations for 2025, we carry you professional recommendation on take advantage of these under-the-radar islands.
Go to the Aeolian islands for volcanic treks and evening crusing
The Aeolian islands provide experiences suited to each journey fashion, in accordance with Claudia Emanuel from boutique tour operator Emotional Sicily.
Journey seekers can discover volcanoes, trek by rugged landscapes, or sail between the islands. “Night time crusing round Stromboli to witness Sciara del Fuoco, the lava cascading down the volcano, is an unforgettable expertise,” Emanuel says.
As for trekking, you’ll be able to be part of a late afternoon guided hike up Stromboli volcano to 400m (the very best level allowed) to witness the volcanic exercise up shut.
On the neighbouring island of Salina, a four-hour trek takes you up Monte Fossa delle Felci, the very best peak within the Aeolian Islands with breathtaking views.
On Alicudi, Emotional Sicily organise customized trekking experiences with a neighborhood information to discover the car-free island the place transportation is by foot or mule alongside volcanic stone steps.
Seashore lovers can get pleasure from crystal-clear waters and secluded coves, greatest accessed by boat.
These on the lookout for successful of tradition are beneficial to go to Ginostra, a tiny Stromboli village accessible solely by sea, identified for having one of many world’s smallest ports, Il Buco.
Emanuel additionally recommends visiting archaeological websites and museums, such because the Luigi Bernabò Brea Archaeological Museum in Lipari or the Museo Eoliano dell’Emigrazione in Salina – a well-curated museum in Malfa that tells the story of Aeolian migration.
Finest eating places in Panarea and Vulcano
Foodies will discover a hyper-local delicacies of recent seafood together with tuna, swordfish and octopus. Emanuel suggests the restaurant Cusiritati on Panarea to get pleasure from fish alongside a shocking view.
Earlier than a volcano hike, you may need to gasoline up on ‘spaghetti alla Stromboliana’, a pasta dish with wild fennel, mint, anchovies, cherry tomatoes and breadcrumbs.
A must-try light-bite is ‘pane cunzato’, a legendary Aeolian-style sandwich with wood-fired bread soaked in native olive oil and topped with tomatoes, capers, tuna, mozzarella, and different recent components. Emanuel recommends Malvasia in Vulcano, the place the proprietor bought the sandwiches from a pushcart earlier than opening his now-famous backyard restaurant.
The islands are additionally well-known for Malvasia, a candy dessert wine produced primarily in Salina. Wonderful wineries for tastings embrace Caravaglio and Hauner wineries, Emanuel says.
When is the perfect time of 12 months to go to the Aeolian islands?
The very best time to go to is Could to June and September to October when the climate is ideal however the islands are much less crowded, Emanuel says. Most Italians take their lengthy summer season holidays in July and August so that is when vacation locations see essentially the most guests.
When you have restricted time to go to the islands, she recommends prioritising Salina for its inexperienced landscapes, wineries and wonderful eating places, and Stromboli for its dramatic volcanic exercise, distinctive climbing experiences and the Sciara del Fuoco evening show.
Discover hidden grottoes and backyard tunnels on Favignana
Favignana, a part of the Egadi Islands, lies off the west coast of Sicily close to Trapani and Marsala.
Not like the volcanic landscapes of the Aeolians, the Egadi Islands have a softer, limestone-based terrain, creating distinctive coastal formations and hidden grottoes.
Favignana provides a mix of pure magnificence and leisurely island exploration. Emanuel recommends climbing as much as Castello di Santa Caterina, an historical fortress perched on the very best level of the island, or visiting La Tonnara Florio, an outdated tuna fishery with an interesting historical past.
Go to Cala Bue Marino, a cove situated on the rocky japanese coast identified for its crystal-clear waters and dramatic limestone quarries, and Giardino dell’Impossibile, a Mediterranean backyard constructed inside sunken tufa-stone courtyards, tunnels and caves.
Emanuel additionally suggests setting apart a day to go to the close by islands of Levanzo (charming and quiet, with prehistoric cave work at Grotta del Genovese) and Marettimo (the wildest of the Egadi, nice for trekking and boat excursions).
Feast on tuna on Favignana
Favignana’s delicacies is closely influenced by its tuna fishing heritage and recent Mediterranean components. Some must-try dishes embrace a ‘panino con il tonno’ – a tuna sandwich typically paired with Sicilian olive oil, capers and tomatoes – and ‘couscous di pesce’, a dish impressed by North African flavours served with recent fish broth.
Standout eating spots embrace Trattoria La Bettola, the oldest trattoria on the island, and Formica Osteria, a Japanese-Sicilian fusion restaurant.
When are the perfect occasions to go to Favignana?
The very best months to go to Favignana are Could to June and September to October when the climate is heat however the crowds are smaller. July and August are peak seasons, with extra vacationers and better costs, however are additionally the perfect time for a vigorous environment.
For those who get pleasure from biking, climbing, and exploring, spring and autumn are superb. For swimming and sunbathing, summer season is ideal.
