Tours That Will Let You Live Out Your Own Odyssey Adventure

Start your Odyssey adventure in the place where it all began: Troy. In both Homer’s epic poem and, of course, Nolan’s film, Troy takes center stage as a catalyst to the drama when the city’s prince “captures” Helen of Sparta, kicking off the 10-year Trojan War and Odysseus’ eventual epic journey.

On this day trip from Istanbul to Troy, Turkey, you’ll not only see the ruins of Troy itself, but you’ll also get a Turkish lunch and a chance to see a replica (naturally) of the famous Trojan Horse, the military prop devised by Odysseus himself, according to myth. Plus, you can make the most of your guide’s archaeological and mythological knowledge and press them for all the details that never made it to the big screen.

What one reviewer said: “Had an incredible Troy tour with Hasan! His storytelling really stood out, blending history, mythology, and archaeology in a way that made the site come alive. The long journey was absolutely worth it, and the ferry ride added a fun touch along the way. [...] Hasan’s expert guidance truly elevates the whole experience.” RIKA_P, May 2026

The source of the latest Odyssey adaptation comes from ancient Greek literature, a massive epic that spends plenty of time dedicated to Telemachus’ attempts to find his father—aka Odysseus himself. As such, Telemachus takes to the sea, journeying around the Greek Islands in his search—and you can do the same on a Greek Islands cruise (without the implied peril, of course).

On this full-day cruise—which takes place on an appropriately Odyssean wooden boat—you’ll visit three islands in the Saronic Gulf: Piraeus, Aegina (where you can see the Temple of Apollo), and Agistri. On each one you’ll have time to explore, plus you’ll enjoy a Greek lunch on board the boat and take a dip in the waters … with no worry of Scylla interrupting your adventures.

What one reviewer said: “A wonderful excursion to three islands, on a great vessel with an amazing crew. It was an amazing trip in the Saronic Gulf. We had sufficient time at each island, each unique, along with [time for] swimming in the Aegean Sea. [...] I highly recommend this tour.” Christine_B, July 2026

One of the most striking moments in both the epic poem and the new film (not to mention Madeline Miller’s 2008 reimagination of the myth, Circe) is when the goddess and sorceress Circe turns Odysseus’ raucous men into pigs. While we can all debate the morality of this move, why not instead recreate the island pig vibes in the Bahamas?

Famed for its swimming pigs, the Rose Island beach is the place to see these porcine creatures take to the water, and on this tour that sets out from New Providence Island, you’ll get time to visit Atlantis, snorkel off Pearl Island, and spot sea turtles at Green Turtle Cay, before finally docking on Rose Island to hang out with the hogs.

What one reviewer said: “We had the time of our lives on this tour. [...] We swam with turtles and snorkeled on a beautiful reef full of fish. Our last stop was the pig beach where we fed the pigs as they swam by. Such a funny and unique experience. The pigs seemed happy and well cared for, and our littles loved interacting with them.” Courtnee_C, June 2026

Sail like Odysseus and his crew on this journey through the Ionian Sea on a replica of an ancient Greek trireme (a sailboat with three rows of oars). Not only will you get a feel for what it was like to be on the water in such a vessel, but you’ll also learn all about Greek mythology and history—including tales of Odysseus—from your guides, and get the chance to explore a local fishing village.

In short, this family-run excursion (which includes lunch) is ideal if you want to skip the crowds on the major Greek Islands, and visit spots such as Papanikolis or the bay of Klimaki instead—or, yes, the famed Jackie Kennedy beach, Skorpios. And you’ll get to see the vast sail being hoisted, too.

What one reviewer said: “A perfect day on the Ionian Sea! Gerry and his crew took us out for a wonderful adventure. No crowds and clean swimming spots, plus a delicious beach lunch with more than enough homemade food. We will be doing this excursion the next time we are in Greece!” Diamanto_G, August 2026

Spoiler alert … for a 2,700-year-old epic poem: After the Trojan War, Odysseus is lost for a solid decade, during which time he washes up on the island of Ogygia, home to the goddess Calypso who—of course—falls in love with him. Alas, their love is not to be, and Odysseus continues his homeward-bound journey.

However, though Ogygia is a fictional, mythical island, many ancient scholars identified it as the Maltese island of Gozo. Skip the shipwreck and wash up on the shores of Gozo to explore the island that inspired the myth on this full-day Gozo tour, which includes time to ride a quad bike around the island before lunch and lounging on the beaches.

What one reviewer said: “The quad biking was amazing [...] and I was checked in on to make sure I felt comfortable throughout. [Our guides] were friendly, fun, and knowledgeable. [...] We had little stop-offs which made it even better—for lunch, [we went to] a little shop to sample local produce, [had] a drink and swim stop, and even the ferry on the way back took us to see the Blue Lagoon in Comino. This experience was probably the highlight of our Malta trip.” Lauren_W, June 2026

Penelope is Odysseus’ wife, who is abandoned on the island of Ithaca in Greece for two decades after her husband goes off to war and subsequently tries to return. Known for both her beauty and fidelity, she’s hounded over the years by suitors trying to win her hand in marriage; however, Penelope never wavers.

Ithaca, unlike Ogygia, is a real place—and you can visit on this private full-day tour departing from Kefalonia. During the day, you’ll be taken to hidden beaches and coves, enjoy views over the surrounding Ionian Sea, and tuck into a traditional Greek lunch. And you certainly won’t have to spend your day batting away admirers like Penelope.

What one reviewer said: “This trip to Greece was our graduation gift for our eldest daughter, who fell in love with Greek mythology when she was 5. [...] Visiting the land and Palace of Odysseus is a dream come true for her, and Dimitris made it happen! [...] Dimitris is warm and knowledgeable, [and showed] us all the important landmarks [... then] took us to some beautiful beaches with intense turquoise waters, a wonderful lunch spot by the water, [...], and gave us time to explore on our own in Vathy.” Sandra_N, June 2026

In both the epic poem and the film, Odysseus' ability to string a bow is telling, to say the least. So if you really want to live out your own Odyssean adventure, you should learn how to fire a few arrows, too—and you can during this private archery experience right outside Joshua Tree National Park in California, US.

In just an hour, you’ll be introduced to the activity by an experienced instructor and learn how to shoot from a distance that feels comfortable to you. Once you get the hang of things, you’ll upgrade to a heavier bow and arrows. All the equipment and guidance you need is provided—and it’s a totally beginner-friendly activity. (Plus, afterwards you can embark on an epic adventure into Joshua Tree itself.)

What one reviewer said: “A dirt road leads to a yard by a home in the desert. We were met by Frank, who was kind and helpful. He demonstrated and taught us how to shoot, and we were able to hang out and shoot for the hour. My kids (14, 11, and 8) and myself had a good time!” Jackie_H, April 2026

Poseidon is a thorn in Odysseus’ side throughout The Odyssey—and crossing the sea certainly isn’t easy when the God of the Oceans isn’t your biggest fan. But perhaps Poseidon has good reason, given that Odysseus did blind his son, the cyclops Polyphemus. Even so, you can do what Odysseus didn’t, and make good with the Sea God by visiting his temple in Athens.

This half-day tour takes you from central Athens to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon—a must on any Odyssey travel itinerary—and catch one of the most spectacular sunsets in Greece. Instead of figuring out how to get there via public transportation, you’ll be whisked over on a bus that’ll get you there in time to watch the sun going down. After all, not all Odyssey-themed tours need to involve a torturous journey.

What one reviewer said: “My friend and I did this tour (visiting from Canada), and it was wonderful! Our guide, Alice, was knowledgeable, personable, kind, and funny to listen, and talk to! The drive has beautiful scenery of the sea and cliffs—I recommend the right side of the bus! Once we got to the temple, we had a lot of time to have some food and walk around to take photos. The view and energy is gorgeous, and photos will never do it justice!” Katy_G, July 2026

Remember when Circe turned Odysseus’ men into pigs? Well, after she concedes and restores them to human form, they’re instructed to make their way to the underworld to speak with a prophet to discover how to return home. Obviously, visiting the underworld is a bit of a stretch, but you can certainly get underground in lots of places around the world, notably New York City.

On this candlelight tour of the NYC catacombs, you’ll explore what lurks beneath the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, right in the heart of Lower Manhattan. (Certainly a more convenient meeting point than the actual underworld, we’re sure you’ll agree.) There, you’ll have access to parts of the church that few people ever see—including the resting places of famous New Yorkers—all while getting a full immersion into New York City history from your guide.

What one reviewer said: “[This] was a really cool tour and very educational. Seeing the catacombs that survived the fires and thinking about how many people were there was kind of nuts. As a non-Catholic, it was very interesting to learn about the history and how much respect is shown. Very cool if you’re looking for something a little different that only takes a little over an hour.” Grace_M, May 2026

Zeus is a fickle figure in Greek mythology—King of the Gods and himself the God of the Sky, he’s known for vengeful behavior; throughout his eponymous odyssey, Odysseus riles up the big man several times over. So, see what all the fuss was about when it comes to Zeus at the aptly named Zeus Cave in Heraklion on the island of Crete.

Take this full-day tour to visit an olive oil factory (tastings included!), explore the villages of Mochos and Krasi, and sample local wine and even raki (an anise-flavored Cretan drink made with grapes). You’ll also stop at the Cave of Zeus—also known as the Diktean Cave or Psychro Cave—said to be the birthplace of the god. However, take that with a pinch of salt—he’s fictional, after all.

What one reviewer said: “A fantastic full day out. Spyros was a great tour guide and host, treating us to his encyclopaedic knowledge, warm hospitality, and sense of humor. We learned a lot about the history of Crete and Greece [and] the schedule was very well planned out, with the walk up to Zeus’ Cave just tiring enough to work up a nice appetite for the traditional meal, before exploring the Knossos ruins in the afternoon.” Amelia_N, June 2026

On the topic of Zeus, one of the principal ways Odysseus angers the God of the Sky in the Odyssey is by eating meat—yes, really! The Cattle of Helios (Helios being the God of the Sun) were considered sacred to the gods. And yet, Odysseus’ crew couldn’t resist, and after slaying and eating them, they set out once more … only to be met by a storm sent from Zeus that shipwrecked them and led Odysseus to wash up on Ogygia, Calypso’s island.

So, keep Zeus calm and carry on, and take this vegetarian food tour in Athens—no cows necessary. Though meat-eater-friendly versions are available, the whole tour can be customized for veggie diets, and you can expect to sample more than a dozen Greek dishes throughout the day. Come hungry!

What one reviewer said: “Arela was so informative and very nice. The tour was fantastic. I loved that they advertised there are vegetarian options [and] that’s why I picked this tour. You walk through the meat and fish market but there’s the option to skip that part if you want. [...] The drinks were just as awesome as the food. We tried honey, olive oil, olives, spices, nuts on the walk, and sat down for food at two different places.” Kristin_K, March 2025

On any mythology travel guide, Greece and Greek mythology tours will naturally make an appearance; if you’re feeling a little lost in the labyrinth of the mythological canon thus far, you’re not alone. Conflicting stories and fictitious inventions make keeping all the plotlines straight something of an ordeal, to say the least. That’s where this Athens and Acropolis Greek myth–focused tour comes in.

During the half-day of exploration, you’ll see major landmarks and learn about their importance in Greek mythology. Not only will this help you find your bearings in the capital, but it’ll also guide you through the murky waters of mythology, and you’ll learn the key details you need to understand what’s going on in The Odyssey.

What one reviewer said: “The tour was awesome! Vasiliki was outstanding! We got a great perspective on Athens, history, and mythology. She really helped me understand things in a way I hadn’t before. While it was hot, she did a good job of trying to keep us in the shade as much as possible. Definitely wear good shoes and bring lots of water!” Kristin_S, July 2026

Finally, while taking tours based on Homer’s Odyssey is all fun and games, it can be just as exciting to watch a theater show. Greek myth, legend, and literature were primarily an oral tradition, after all. (Which goes some way to explaining all those discrepancies in the stories over the centuries.)

So, take the time to attend a live production of The Odyssey at this open-air, English-language theater performance in Athens—plus skip-the-line access to the Koilon Theatre. Alternatively, you can catch the raucous adaptation of The Odyssey at the Webster University Library in Athens instead.

What one reviewer said: “This was a brilliant evening! I’ve studied drama and am a regular theatregoer, and I took my partner who isn’t a regular theatregoer. Honestly, it was just fantastic! The staging is simple but effective, the actors are great, and myself and my partner were belly laughing at parts! The backdrop of the Acropolis is amazing—we had a fantastic evening and left with lovely memories.” Sally_H, June 2026