Messina, Savoca & Taormina: Godfather Movie Day Trip

Summary

Follow Coppola’s lens from Messina to Savoca and Taormina streets

You’ll follow real Godfather film locations from Messina to Savoca and Taormina with a local guide leading the way. Sip granita at Bar Vitelli, wander medieval streets, and take in coastal views—all with transport included so you can just soak up every detail.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered if those Godfather scenes really feel as haunting in person? I did—so we set off from Messina, early enough that the city still smelled like espresso and sea. Our guide, Marco, had this habit of pausing mid-sentence to point out little things—like the faded paint on a church wall or the way locals greet each other with a nod you’d miss if you blinked. The drive up to Savoca twisted through lemon groves and stone villages. When we finally stepped out, the air was cooler than I’d expected, almost sharp against my skin.

Savoca itself is tiny—almost too quiet at first. But then you see Bar Vitelli, just sitting there like it’s waiting for Michael Corleone to walk in again. We sat outside for a minute (couldn’t resist), and Marco told us about Coppola’s first visit here—how he picked this spot because it felt untouched by time. There’s a statue of him in the main square; someone had left fresh flowers at its base that morning. I tried ordering granita in Italian and got a smile from the woman behind the bar—she switched to English when she heard my accent, but not in a bad way. That’s something I keep thinking about: how everyone seemed quietly proud of their village being part of movie history.

The road down winds along cliffs—sometimes you catch flashes of blue sea between olive trees. Taormina is different: louder, brighter, more people drifting along Corso Umberto with gelato or shopping bags. Our guide pointed out White Lotus filming spots (I haven’t seen it yet), but honestly I was more taken by the old stone archways and how sunlight hit the Piazza del Duomo fountain just right around noon. The cathedral doors were open so we slipped inside for a moment; it smelled like wax and old wood, cool after all that sun.

By late afternoon my feet hurt but I didn’t care much—I kept thinking about that first quiet moment in Savoca, sitting where movie legends sat, watching locals go about their day like nothing had changed since 1972. If you’re even half-curious about Sicily or The Godfather—or just want a day where history feels oddly close—this tour from Messina is worth it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Godfather and Taormina sightseeing tour

• Depart from Messina
• Visit Savoca village
• See Godfather statue in Savoca
• Visit Bar Vitelli in Savoca
• Tour main attraction in Savoca
• Travel to Taormina
• Walk Corso Umberto I street
• Visit Taormina Cathedral and Piazza del Duomo
• See Baroque Fountain of the Minotaur
• Pass by Neptune Fountain in Messina
• Pass by stele by Archbishop Angelo Paino
• Pass by large Messina church
• Pass by Godfather filming churchyard
• Visit Southern defence walls in Taormina

Top questions

How long does the Godfather tour from Messina take?

The day trip usually lasts several hours including travel time between Messina, Savoca, and Taormina.

Is pickup included for this Savoca and Taormina tour?

Yes, pickup is available from Messina port or city center as part of your booking.

What are the main stops on this day trip?

You’ll visit Savoca (including Bar Vitelli), then head to Taormina to explore Corso Umberto and Piazza del Duomo.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No full lunch is included but treats and bottled water are provided on board the bus.

Are there any famous filming locations on this tour?

Yes, Bar Vitelli in Savoca and several sites in Taormina featured in The Godfather movies are visited.

Can children join this day trip?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult; infant seats are available upon request.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Will we have free time in Taormina?

You’ll have some time to stroll Corso Umberto and explore key sites at your own pace during the visit.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Messina port or city center, all transportation by air-conditioned bus between stops, live commentary from your multilingual guide throughout the journey, plus treats and bottled water provided onboard so you can relax between visits to Savoca and Taormina.