A guide to the island's screen locations, from Savoca to Taormina, with bookable tours and practical details.
Sicily attracts screen tourists for its varied landscapes and historic villages. The Godfather (1972) used Savoca and Forza d'Agrò, The White Lotus Season 2 (2022) filmed at Taormina's San Domenico Palace, and Inspector Montalbano (1999-2021) made Ragusa Ibla and Scicli fan destinations. Key sites include Bar Vitelli, Punta Secca, and Palazzo Adriano.
Movie and TV location tourism in Sicily spans coastal villages, baroque towns, and island landscapes. The island's screen history reaches back to 1948 with La Terra Trema and continues through recent productions like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) and The Lions of Sicily (2023).
The Sicilia Film Commission maintains a Location Guide with nearly 350 filming sites and provides free assistance, permits, and support for productions. Recent supported titles include Indiana Jones 5, The White Lotus Season 2, and The Lions of Sicily.
Sicily's filmography includes productions from The Godfather (1972) and Cinema Paradiso (1988) to Inspector Montalbano (1999-2021) and The White Lotus (2022). Other notable titles include The Leopard (1963), Il Postino (1994), Malèna (2000), Ocean's Twelve (2004), Baarìa (2009), Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023), and the upcoming Il Gattopardo (Netflix, 2025).
| Title | Year | Type | What was filmed here |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Godfather | 1972 | Film | Scenes set in Corleone village in Savoca and Forza d’Agrò |
| Inspector Montalbano | 1999-2021 | TV | Vigata police station in Scicli and Ragusa Ibla; Montalbano’s house in Punta Secca |
| The White Lotus | 2022 | TV | Season 2 at San Domenico Palace hotel and Taormina historic centre |
| Cinema Paradiso | 1988 | Film | Palazzo Adriano main square and Bagheria |
| The Leopard | 1963 | Film | Palermo palaces including Palazzo Valguarnera Gangi |
| Il Postino | 1994 | Film | Pollara Bay on Salina island |
| Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny | 2023 | Film | Syracuse Ear of Dionysus and Cefalù streets |
| Malèna | 2000 | Film | Noto, Syracuse and Taormina |
| The Lions of Sicily | 2023 | TV | Palermo, Trapani, Marsala and Favignana |
| Baarìa | 2009 | Film | Bagheria |
| L'Avventura | 1960 | Film | Taormina and Aeolian Islands |
| Ocean's Twelve | 2004 | Film | Tonnara di Scopello |
| Stromboli | 1950 | Film | Stromboli island |
| La Terra Trema | 1948 | Film | Aci Trezza |
| Màkari | 2021- | TV | Trapani coast and Favignana |
| Il Gattopardo (Netflix) | 2025 | TV | Palermo historic centre |
| Respiro | 2002 | Film | Lampedusa |
| Kaos | 1984 | Film | Segesta and other Sicilian sites |
12 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Messina, Savoca Free to see
Filmed here: Michael asks for Apollonia’s hand; wedding scenes at San Nicolò church
Michael asks for Apollonia's hand and wedding scenes at San Nicolò church were filmed here. The Bar Vitelli still operates and is a popular photo stop. Small parking is available. The village sits in Messina province and is a key stop on many Godfather tours.
Ragusa, Punta Secca Outside only
Filmed here: Montalbano’s home overlooking the sea
Montalbano's home overlooking the sea was filmed at this private B&B. The exterior is freely viewable from the beach and is popular for photos. Located in Ragusa province, the house appears throughout Inspector Montalbano. Visitors can walk along the waterfront to see the terrace and facade.
Messina, Taormina Ticketed
Filmed here: Main hotel in Season 2; cloisters, terraces, pool
The main hotel in The White Lotus Season 2, including cloisters, terraces, and pool, was filmed here. This luxury Four Seasons hotel in Taormina allows public areas and exterior viewing, while interiors are for guests. Ticketed access applies to some areas. The palace is a central location for fans of the series.
Ragusa Free to see
Filmed here: Vigata town squares and streets
Vigata town squares and streets were filmed in this UNESCO baroque town. The historic centre is free to access and features the same architecture seen throughout Inspector Montalbano. Located in Ragusa province, Ragusa Ibla is a major fan destination with its stone lanes and churches.
Ragusa, Scicli Free to see
Filmed here: Vigata police headquarters
The Vigata police headquarters was filmed at this active municipal building. The exterior is viewable by the public, and the town hall sits in Scicli, a baroque town in Ragusa province. Fans of Inspector Montalbano often photograph the facade and the surrounding square.
Palermo, Palazzo Adriano Free to see
Filmed here: Town square with church and fountain
The town square with church and fountain was filmed for Cinema Paradiso. This small mountain town in Palermo province has a museum on site dedicated to the film with props and memorabilia. The square is public and free to visit, and it remains a pilgrimage site for fans.
Trapani, Scopello Ticketed
Filmed here: Final scenes with characters walking
Final scenes with characters walking were filmed at this historic tuna fishery. Ticketed visitor access is available. The site sits in Scopello, Trapani province, and appears in Ocean's Twelve. The coastal setting with its old buildings is a popular stop for film location tours.
Messina, Salina Free to see
Filmed here: Beach and village scenes
Beach and village scenes for Il Postino were filmed at this Aeolian Island beach on Salina. The bay is public and accessible by ferry. Pollara Bay offers a volcanic coastline and the same views seen in the 1994 film. Visitors can swim and walk along the shore.
Syracuse Ticketed
Filmed here: Cave scenes
Cave scenes for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny were filmed at this archaeological park site. Ticketed access applies, and the cave is combined with other ancient sites in Syracuse. The Ear of Dionysus is a large limestone cavern with notable acoustics.
Palermo, Cefalù Free to see
Filmed here: Streets and piazza scenes
Streets and piazza scenes for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and The Lions of Sicily were filmed here. This beach town with a Norman cathedral has easy public access. The historic centre in Palermo province offers a mix of medieval lanes and coastal views.
Palermo Private property
Filmed here: Ballroom waltz scene
The ballroom waltz scene in The Leopard was filmed at this historic palace in Palermo. Limited public access applies, as it is a private residence. The palace is known for its grand interiors and appears in the 1963 film. Visitors can view the exterior from the street.
Catania, Aci Trezza Free to see
Filmed here: Fishing village scenes
Fishing village scenes for La Terra Trema were filmed at this coastal village near Catania. Free public access applies. Aci Trezza is known for its basalt sea stacks and traditional fishing boats. The 1948 film used local nonprofessional actors and real village settings.
Sicily offers guided location tours and a film museum. Godfather Filming Locations Tours run from Taormina or Catania and visit Savoca and Forza d'Agrò. Montalbano Tour Southeast Sicily visits Scicli, Ragusa Ibla, and Punta Secca. Museo Nuovo Cinema Paradiso in Palazzo Adriano displays props and memorabilia from the 1988 film.
Bookable tours on this page focus heavily on The Godfather filming locations, with options from Taormina, Catania, and Messina port. Choices include hop-on hop-off routes, small-group visits, private tours, and combinations with Taormina. Prices range from $28.46 to $216.26, and ratings vary from 3.5 to 5 across 1 to 278 reviews.
The Godfather tour Sicily
Departs from Taormina, rated 4.6 from 278 reviews.
'The Godfather' Movie Tour from Taormina
A movie tour departing from Taormina, rated 4.2 from 192 reviews.
CityBySee Hop On-Hop Off - Green Line Godfather Tour - Half Day
A half-day hop-on hop-off route covers Savoca and Forza d'Agrò, including Bar Vitelli and San Nicolò church. Priced at $28.46 with a 3.5 rating from 56 reviews.
Godfather tour
A tour of Savoca and Forza d'Agrò filming locations, rated 4.9 from 19 reviews, priced at $216.26.
Taormina: Private/Guided Godfather with Granita at Bar Vitelli
A private or guided tour with a granita stop at Bar Vitelli, rated 5 from 15 reviews, priced at $216.26.
Godfather Tour
Departs from Catania, rated 4.7 from 14 reviews.
Taormina & The Godfather
Combines Taormina with filming locations, rated 4.5 from 10 reviews.
The Godfather Movie Iconic Locations: Savoca & Forza D'Agrò small group tour
A small-group tour of Savoca and Forza d'Agrò, rated 4.7 from 9 reviews.
Godfather Tour and Taormina
Combines filming locations with a visit to Taormina, rated 5 from 7 reviews, priced at $204.88.
Tour the Set of The Godfather
A budget set tour priced at $54.63, rated 4.3 from 4 reviews.
Following the trail of the Godfather from Messina port: private tour
A private tour from Messina port, rated 5 from 1 review.
Scenes set in Corleone village were filmed in Savoca and Forza d'Agrò. Michael asks for Apollonia's hand and wedding scenes at San Nicolò church in Savoca. Bar Vitelli still operates as a photo stop.
Season 2 filmed at San Domenico Palace hotel and Taormina historic centre. The palace is a Four Seasons hotel with public areas and exterior visible, interiors for guests.
Vigata police station was filmed at Scicli Town Hall, town squares in Ragusa Ibla, and Montalbano's house at Punta Secca beach house. Ragusa Ibla and Scicli are free to access, Punta Secca exterior viewable.
Yes, Museo Nuovo Cinema Paradiso in Palazzo Adriano displays props and memorabilia from the 1988 film. The town square with church and fountain was a filming location.
Other productions include The Leopard (1963), Il Postino (1994), Ocean's Twelve (2004), Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023), and The Lions of Sicily (2023). Locations include Tonnara di Scopello, Pollara Bay, Syracuse Ear of Dionysus, and Cefalù.
The Sicilia Film Commission maintains a Location Guide with nearly 350 filming sites and provides free assistance, permits, and support for productions. Recent supported titles include Indiana Jones 5, The White Lotus Season 2, and The Lions of Sicily.
Sicily's screen locations span the island, from Aeolian beaches to Palermo palaces. The Sicilia Film Commission's Location Guide lists nearly 350 filming sites, and many locations are free to visit or have ticketed access. Check opening hours and ferry schedules before traveling.
Before You Go
The tours travellers book most for Sicily.
