Savoca The Godfather Filming Location in Sicily · Province of Messina

Savoca is a village in the hills of the Province of Messina in eastern Sicily. It was founded in the 12th century, has kept much of its medieval layout, and is known as a filming location for scenes of Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather."

Most visitors come for one of two reasons: to walk through a hill village whose streets still follow a medieval plan, or to see the setting of a movie they have known for years. In Savoca both sit within a short walk of each other.

History and village layout

The village dates from the 12th century, and its medieval structure has largely survived. Narrow lanes and cobblestone streets lead past historic buildings, old churches and palaces, opening onto small squares. Because Savoca sits high on a hill, gaps between the houses give wide views over the surrounding countryside.

The village is best explored on foot. A loop through the historic core takes in the churches and the central square with Bar Vitelli.

The churches of San Michele and Santa Lucia

The Chiesa di San Michele is the best known of Savoca's well-preserved churches. Its interior holds frescoes and artworks from the 16th century.

The church of Santa Lucia (San Nicolò) is a Baroque building. From where it stands, the view reaches far across the landscape around the village, so it is worth the walk even for visitors who come mainly for the scenery.

The Godfather: filming locations in Savoca

Francis Ford Coppola shot scenes for "The Godfather" in Savoca. The most famous location is Bar Vitelli, a café on the central square. This is where Michael Corleone asks Apollonia's father for her hand.

Michael and Apollonia's wedding was shot in Savoca too, in the church of San Nicolò, which locals also call Santa Lucia. The bar and the church are a few minutes' walk apart.

Bar Vitelli still serves coffee, so you can order an espresso and compare the square with the scene in the movie. For film fans, this is the main reason to make the drive into the hills.

Food and local specialties

The village trattorias serve Sicilian dishes, among them arancini, fried rice balls with a filling; cannoli, pastry shells filled with ricotta; and pasta alla Norma. After walking the lanes, a meal in one of the trattorias makes an easy break.

Hiking and beaches nearby

Trails run through the hills around Savoca and are suitable for hiking. There are also beaches nearby for anyone who wants a swim after visiting the village, so a day can combine the historic village with the coast.

Getting there and when to go

Savoca can be reached from both Messina and Catania. The village is quiet compared with the traffic of the two cities.

Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are comfortable for walking the lanes and hiking the hills. As a reference, figures from the north coast near Palermo: average daily highs are about 19 °C (66 °F) in April and about 23 °C (74 °F) in October, and around 30 °C (86 °F) in July and August. The Catania plain gets hotter in July, at 32 to 35 °C (90 to 95 °F). On the north coast the sea averages about 24 °C (76 °F) in June and about 26 °C (79 °F) in September.