Godfather Movie Tour from Messina Port: Savoca & Forza D'Agrò

Summary

Visit Sicilian Godfather Filming Locations Near Messina

If you want to see real-life Godfather movie spots and wander through quiet Sicilian villages with someone who knows all the backstories, this tour’s for you. You’ll get local flavor (and maybe some lemon granita), plus plenty of time to soak up those classic scenes.

What’s the experience like?

Right after stepping off the ship in Messina, we hopped into a cool, air-conditioned van—thank goodness, since the Sicilian sun can be relentless even before noon. Our guide, Salvatore, grew up nearby and had this easy way of weaving stories about the area with little bits from his own childhood. As we wound up the narrow roads toward Savoca, I caught that faint smell of lemon groves drifting in through the window. You don’t get that anywhere else.

In Savoca, it’s like time slows down. The stone streets are so quiet you can hear your own footsteps echo. We ducked into Bar Vitelli—yes, the real one from The Godfather. There was an old espresso machine behind the counter and faded photos of Coppola with locals on the wall. Salvatore pointed out the exact spot where Michael Corleone asked for Apollonia’s hand. It felt almost unreal standing there, sipping a granita while watching a couple of cats nap in the shade outside.

The church where Michael and Apollonia “married” is just up the hill—a short walk, but those cobblestones are no joke if you’re in sandals. Inside, it’s cool and dim; you can still see little bouquets left by fans. Afterward, we drove over to Forza D’Agrò. That place sits high above Taormina and the Ionian Sea—on clear days, you can spot fishing boats way down below. We wandered under the old Arco Durazzesco gate and into another church used in the film. There weren’t many tourists around, just a couple of locals chatting outside a bakery about last night’s football match.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Godfather Tour: Savoca & Forza D'Agrò

• Visit medieval village Savoca
• See famous bar from Godfather
• Visit church of Michael and Apollonia's wedding
• Explore Forza d’Agrò village and views

Top questions

How long does the Godfather tour take?

The whole trip is about 3 hours: 1 hour each way between Messina and the villages, plus time exploring Savoca and Forza D’Agrò.

Is this tour suitable for kids or people with limited mobility?

Yes! The van is comfortable and there are options for strollers or infant seats. Some walking on cobblestones is needed though.

Will we visit actual filming locations from The Godfather?

Absolutely—you’ll see Bar Vitelli, the wedding church in Savoca, and key sites in Forza D’Agrò used in the movies.

What’s included

Your ride’s private and air-conditioned (trust me, that matters here). Bottled water’s included too. If you’ve got little ones or need a stroller or infant seat, just let us know—we’ve got it covered.