Gated brick Tudor mansion with long tree-lined driveway and hedges in leafy Staten Island neighborhood

The Godfather Filming Locations And Tours

The real New York and Sicilian backdrops of the Corleone saga, and the tours that reach them.

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The Short Answer

The Godfather films were shot mainly in New York City and its boroughs, with the Sicilian scenes filmed in the villages of Savoca and Forza d'Agrò. Lake Tahoe stood in for the family compound in Part II, most interiors were shot at a since-demolished East Harlem studio, and Paramount in Hollywood handled production.

Francis Ford Coppola's trilogy, released between 1972 and 1990, relied heavily on real places rather than built sets. The Staten Island mansion where Connie marries, the Queens cemetery where Vito is buried, and the baptism church in Lower Manhattan all still stand, and most can be visited today.

Sicily is the other half of the pilgrimage. The production skipped the actual town of Corleone because it had grown too modern, and chose the hill villages of Savoca and Forza d'Agrò instead. Bar Vitelli, where Michael asks for Apollonia's hand, is still serving drinks to fans.

Every Location At A Glance

LocationWhereWhat was filmedAccess
Corleone MansionStaten Island, United StatesWedding of Connie Corleone and exterior of family homeOutside only
Bar VitelliSavoca, ItalyMichael meets Apollonia's father and proposes marriageFree to see
Forza d'AgròForza d'Agrò, ItalyVillage scenes representing Corleone, including wedding and streetsFree to see
Castello degli SchiaviFiumefreddo di Sicilia, ItalyVilla where Apollonia is killed in car bombingTicketed
Radio City Music HallNew York, United StatesMichael and Kay hear about Don's shooting after a showTicketed
St. Regis New YorkNew York, United StatesMichael and Kay stay at the hotelFree to see
Calvary CemeteryQueens, United StatesDon Vito Corleone's funeralFree to see
Old St. Patrick's CathedralNew York, United StatesBaptism scene interior where Michael becomes godfatherFree to see
Fleur du Lac EstatesLake Tahoe, United StatesCorleone family Lake Tahoe estate and compoundPrivate property

Filming Locations Map

9 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Location By Location

Corleone Mansion, Staten Island
Location 01

Corleone Mansion

New York, Staten Island, United States Outside only

Filmed here: Wedding of Connie Corleone and exterior of family home

The wedding of Connie Corleone and the exterior of the family home were filmed at this private house on Staten Island. The production built a fake stone wall from styrofoam to create the compound look. Today it remains a private residence, so the only option is viewing the exterior from the street. Visitors should respect the owners' privacy and keep the stop brief.

Bar Vitelli, Savoca
Location 02

Bar Vitelli

Sicily, Savoca, Italy Free to see

Filmed here: Michael meets Apollonia's father and proposes marriage

This is where Michael meets Apollonia's father and proposes marriage in the 1972 film. The bar is still operating and has become one of Sicily's most popular film-tourism stops, with photos from the shoot displayed inside. Fans can sit where the scene unfolded, order a drink, and several guided tours from Taormina and Catania include a stop here.

Forza d'Agrò, Forza d'Agrò
Location 03

Forza d'Agrò

Sicily, Forza d'Agrò, Italy Free to see

Filmed here: Village scenes representing Corleone, including wedding and streets

This hilltop village stood in for the town of Corleone in both the 1972 original and Part II, with village streets and wedding scenes shot among its lanes. Access is public and self-guided walks are popular with fans, though the climb rewards sensible shoes. The village is usually paired with nearby Savoca on organized tours from the coast.

Castello degli Schiavi, Fiumefreddo di Sicilia
Location 04

Castello degli Schiavi

Sicily, Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, Italy Ticketed

Filmed here: Villa where Apollonia is killed in car bombing

The villa where Apollonia is killed in the car bombing appears in both the 1972 film and Part III. It is privately owned, with access by ticket only and limited guided tours arranged by appointment. Some organized Sicily tours include the stop; independent travelers need to book ahead. The setting above Fiumefreddo di Sicilia retains the atmosphere seen on screen.

Radio City Music Hall, New York
Location 05

Radio City Music Hall

New York, United States Ticketed

Filmed here: Michael and Kay hear about Don's shooting after a show

Michael and Kay step out of a show here and learn that Don Vito has been shot. The venue remains an active theatre offering its own tours and a full schedule of shows, so visitors can combine the film connection with a performance or a behind-the-scenes visit. It sits in Midtown, a short walk from other Manhattan locations used in the film.

St. Regis New York, New York
Location 06

St. Regis New York

New York, United States Free to see

Filmed here: Michael and Kay stay at the hotel

Michael and Kay stay at this luxury hotel near the start of the first film. The hotel is still operating and its bar and public areas are accessible to visitors, so fans can walk in and see the setting without being a guest. Its Midtown location places it within easy walking distance of Radio City Music Hall, another stop from the same storyline.

Calvary Cemetery, Queens
Location 07

Calvary Cemetery

New York, Queens, United States Free to see

Filmed here: Don Vito Corleone's funeral

Don Vito Corleone's funeral was filmed in this historic Queens cemetery, a short subway ride from Manhattan. The grounds are open to visitors and remain an active burial site, so a quiet, respectful visit is expected. Several New York film-location tours include the cemetery, though many fans visit independently and pair it with other borough locations.

Old St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York
Location 08

Old St. Patrick's Cathedral

New York, United States Free to see

Filmed here: Baptism scene interior where Michael becomes godfather

The baptism scene, in which Michael becomes godfather to his nephew while his enemies are eliminated, was shot inside this basilica in Lower Manhattan. It remains an active church and visitors are welcome outside service times. The interior is recognizably the one on screen, making it one of the most rewarding stops for fans exploring the city on foot.

Fleur du Lac Estates, Lake Tahoe
Location 09

Fleur du Lac Estates

California, Lake Tahoe, United States Private property

Filmed here: Corleone family Lake Tahoe estate and compound

The Corleone family's Lake Tahoe compound in Part II was filmed at these private residences on the California shore. Access is limited to the private grounds, but exterior views are possible from the lake or the road, and boat trips offer the best angle. There is no public entry to the estates themselves, so plan on viewing rather than visiting.

Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed

The story is set in New York City, Sicily, Lake Tahoe, and Cuba, and the filmmakers matched those settings with real locations in most cases. The main exception is Sicily: the town of Corleone was considered too modernized, so Savoca and Forza d'Agrò portrayed it instead. Cuba scenes in Part II were actually filmed in the Dominican Republic, while the Lake Tahoe estate scenes used real California lakeside properties.

The Studio Side

Paramount Pictures in Hollywood produced the trilogy and offers a studio tour to the public. However, most of the interiors were not shot there: they were filmed at Filmways Studios in East Harlem, which has since been demolished. The famous horse head bedroom scene was an exception, shot at a real Beverly Hills estate once owned by William Randolph Hearst.

Tours That Visit These Locations

Nearly every bookable Godfather tour focuses on Sicily, where the key villages cluster within a short drive of Taormina, Giardini Naxos, and Catania. Options range from small-group minibus trips to private guides, with one pairing the film sites with mafia history and lunch. New York locations are easily visited independently by subway and on foot.

Film Sites Plus Pasta Lunch

Godfather vs Mafia Tour & Pasta Lunch (Small Group or Private)

Pairs the filming locations with mafia history and a pasta lunch, rated 4.8 across 351 reviews in small-group or private formats.

4.8 out of 5 · 351 reviewsTaormina

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Full-Day From Catania

The Godfather Movie Tour

Rated 4.9 from 350 reviews, the highest-rated frequently-booked tour on the page, departing from Catania.

4.9 out of 5 · 350 reviewsCatania

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Taormina Sicily Day Trip

The Godfather tour Sicily

The most-reviewed standard option out of Taormina, rated 4.6 across 278 reviews, covering the main Sicilian filming villages.

4.6 out of 5 · 278 reviewsTaormina

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Half-Day From Taormina

'The Godfather' Movie Tour from Taormina

A shorter Taormina departure rated 4.2 from 192 reviews, suited to travelers with half a day to spare.

4.2 out of 5 · 192 reviewsTaormina

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

From Catania By Minibus

The Godfather movie tour from Catania

A $102.44 Catania departure rated 4.6 from 23 reviews, balancing price and coverage.

4.6 out of 5 · 23 reviewsCatania

From$102Check availability

Private Tour With Granita

Taormina: Private/Guided Godfather with Granita at Bar Vitelli

A private guided tour rated 5.0 from 15 reviews that includes granita at Bar Vitelli, the film's most famous Sicilian interior.

5.0 out of 5 · 15 reviewsSicily

From$216Check availability

Private Departure From Catania

Godfather Tour

A Catania-based Godfather tour rated 4.7 from 14 reviews, ideal when staying on the city side of the island.

4.7 out of 5 · 14 reviewsCatania

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Two-Village Small Group Tour

The Godfather Movie Iconic Locations: Savoca & Forza D'Agrò small group tour

A small-group tour rated 4.7 from 9 reviews covering both Savoca and Forza d'Agrò, the two villages that played Corleone.

4.7 out of 5 · 9 reviewsSicily

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Budget Set Tour, Sicily

Tour the Set of The Godfather

At $54.63, the cheapest listed way onto the set locations, though it has only 4 reviews so far.

4.3 out of 5 · 4 reviewsSicily

From$55Check availability

Small Group From Giardini Naxos

The Godfather Movie Tour from Giardini Naxos - Small Group Tour

A $245.18 small-group tour from Giardini Naxos, convenient for stays outside Taormina itself.

4.0 out of 5 · 1 reviewsTaormina

From$245Check availability

Private From Messina Port

Following the trail of the Godfather from Messina port: private tour

A private tour designed for cruise passengers arriving at Messina port, rated 5.0 from a single review.

5.0 out of 5 · 1 reviewsSicily

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the Corleone mansion on Staten Island?

Only from the outside. The house used for the wedding and family compound exteriors is a private residence, so viewing is limited to the street and visitors are asked to respect the owners' privacy.

Was the film shot in the real town of Corleone?

No. The production found the actual Corleone too modernized and instead filmed in Savoca and Forza d'Agrò, two hilltop villages that provided the period atmosphere the story required.

Is Bar Vitelli a real bar you can drink at?

Yes. The bar where Michael proposes to Apollonia's father is still operating in Savoca and welcomes tourists, with photos from the filming on display.

Where was the baptism scene filmed?

Inside Old St. Patrick's Cathedral in Lower Manhattan. It remains an active basilica and visitors are welcome.

Which Sicily tour has the best reviews?

The Catania departure rated 4.9 across 350 reviews scores highest among frequently booked options. A private tour with granita at Bar Vitelli holds a perfect 5.0 rating from 15 reviews.

Can you see the Lake Tahoe estate from Part II?

The compound was filmed at private residences at Fleur du Lac Estates, so entry is not possible. Exterior views are available from the road or the lake, with boat trips offering the best vantage point.

Between the two, Sicily offers the richer guided experience: the villages, the bar, and the villa sit close together and tours run daily from Taormina and Catania. New York rewards independent exploring instead, with the cathedral, cemetery, and hotel all reachable by subway on a single afternoon. Choose based on which side of the story draws you, Michael's exile or the family's home turf.

Keep Exploring

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