Games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey or Battlefield V can be more than just entertainment—they can spark real-world adventures. Here are three places that inspired iconic in-game locations, complete with travel tips for those ready to walk through history.
Athens, Greece (Assassin’s Creed Odyssey)
In Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Athens is a central highlight, set during the Peloponnesian War (431–422 BCE). Ubisoft’s recreation of the city, including the Parthenon and Acropolis, is incredibly detailed, built using over 13,000 photos taken during the development team’s research trips. While the game introduces fictional elements like oversized statues and grandiose plazas, the foundation is historically rooted.
Modern Athens is a bustling metropolis of 3.5 million, with the Acropolis still standing as a symbol of Greek heritage. One view not featured in the game—but worth seeing—is the panorama from Mount Lycabettus (277 metres), offering an unforgettable perspective of the city.
Flights from New York (JFK) take 10 – 11 hours with a transfer in Europe, and ticket prices range from $500 to $800, depending on the time of year. If you are travelling from Cyprus, for example, a flight from Larnaca to Athens takes only around 1 hour and 40 minutes straight. Ticket prices range from €70 to €150, depending on the time of year, and after the flight back, you can avail yourself of transfers from Paphos airport, which is extremely convenient.
Rotterdam, Netherlands (Battlefield V)
The Battlefield V Rotterdam map takes players to May 14, 1940, the day the city’s downtown was devastated by a 15-minute German air raid that left more than 800 dead. DICE utilized archival photographs and records from the Rotterdam Museum to reconstruct key areas, such as Delftsepoort Square and the bombed-out city hall, with striking accuracy.
While some structures were adjusted for game performance, the intensity of the bombing and the sound design were drawn directly from historical recordings.
Today, Rotterdam is a modern port city with a population of over 650,000 residents. Landmarks like the innovative Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen) and the rebuilt Erasmus Bridge (802 metres long) showcase how the city has transformed since the war.
Venice, Italy (Tom Clancy’s The Division 2)
Though The Division 2 is set in a fictional, post-apocalyptic Washington, D.C., Ubisoft Massive drew inspiration for its flooded combat zones from the canals of Venice. Developers used 3D scanning and photography to model the environment, adapting the iconic water-filled alleyways to fit their dystopian world.
Real-life Venice is a city of 118 islands, connected by more than 400 bridges across the Venetian Lagoon. Home to around 260,000 people, it’s known for historic landmarks like the Grand Canal (3.8 km long), the 16th-century Rialto Bridge, and the ornate Basilica di San Marco, which dates back to 1094.
The game’s vertical environments mirror Venice’s architecture, while the sense of layered exploration is lifted directly from the city’s unique geography.
Gear Up for Your Next Adventure
These destinations bridge the gap between the digital and the tangible. Whether you’re a history buff, a travel enthusiast, or a gamer looking to see your favourite landscapes in real life, these locations offer a powerful connection to the stories behind the screen.
Grab your camera, plan your transfers, and prepare to live out your next quest—this time, in person.
