Just a few kilometers from Taormina, perched on the hills overlooking the Ionian coast, lies Savoca, one of the most charming villages in eastern Sicily. A perfect destination for a day trip, away from the crowds and immersed in a timeless atmosphere. Visiting Savoca from Taormina means discovering a place where the past is still alive, among ancient stones, silent panoramas, and cinematic legends.
How to reach Savoca from Taormina
Savoca is about 20 km from Taormina and is easily reachable by car in about 30-35 minutes via the SS114 and then ascending along a panoramic road through olive groves, citrus orchards, and breathtaking sea views. Alternatively, you can book guided tours, private transfers, or daily minibus excursions departing directly from downtown Taormina. For adventure lovers, renting a scooter or an e-bike can make the experience even more fascinating.
A village of stone, silence, and cinema
Arriving in Savoca, you are immediately struck by its almost unreal quietness and the rustic charm of its cobbled streets. This small medieval village, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, became famous worldwide for being one of the main sets of the film “The Godfather”. Here is the famous Bar Vitelli, with its wrought iron terrace overlooking the small square, where Francis Ford Coppola shot some of the saga’s most iconic scenes. Entering the bar means stepping back in time: photos from the film, period furnishings, and the scent of lemon granita complete the atmosphere.
But Savoca is not just cinema. The village is a true open-air museum. Walking along its alleys you encounter the Church of San Nicolò, where the wedding scene between Michael Corleone and Apollonia was filmed, and the Mother Church of Santa Maria in Cielo Assunta, dating back to the 12th century. Also not to be missed is the Capuchin Convent, with its crypt housing well-preserved mummies from the 17th and 18th centuries: a haunting yet fascinating testimony to the spirituality and customs of the time.
What to see and do in Savoca
Besides the Godfather-related sites, Savoca offers unforgettable views of hills and sea, perfect for taking photos or simply breathing the clean air of the Sicilian countryside. Numerous viewpoints allow you to admire panoramas stretching all the way to the Calabrian coast on clear days. During the excursion, you can also taste local cuisine in one of the village’s small trattorias: simple, authentic dishes rich in Sicilian flavors like pasta alla norma, tomato preserves, or seasoned bread (pane cunzato).
Curiosities and tips
Savoca is also often chosen for weddings and photo shoots, precisely because of its timeless atmosphere. Although small, the village is best explored slowly: every corner tells a story. Comfortable shoes are recommended to tackle the ups and downs and the stone streets. The excursion can be enriched by stopping at local artisan workshops where ceramics, lemon liqueurs, or typical sweets are produced.
A must-see stop for those visiting Taormina
The excursion from Taormina to Savoca is an experience that leaves a mark: a short journey in distance, but deep in content. History, cinema, art, and nature blend in a place that enchants and relaxes, perfect for those seeking a more authentic and less touristic Sicily, made of silences and timeless beauty. Savoca is not just visited, it is lived.
Once you arrive in Savoca, let yourself be guided by the village’s slow rhythm. This is not a place to visit in a hurry: it is a destination to savor, step by step, among views, details, and scents that tell the story of the most authentic Sicily. Every stone, every arch, every flowered balcony seems to come from another era.
A very suggestive stop is the Historical and Ethno-Anthropological Museum, housed in the town hall. Here it is possible to discover ancient tools, photographs, and documents that tell the farming and maritime life of the village, offering a true glimpse into local culture. Alongside culture, art is also present: in several parts of the village you will find installations, discreet murals, and temporary exhibitions curated by local artists.
During the summer, Savoca comes alive with small cultural events, classical music concerts, tastings, and festivals, allowing you to experience the village also in the evening, under a different, enveloping, and romantic light. Many visitors choose to take the excursion in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset from the viewpoints and maybe end the day with a typical dinner under the stars.
You cannot leave Savoca without tasting a lemon granita with brioche at Bar Vitelli: a ritual that combines cinema and taste, memory and pleasure. If you prefer something more substantial, look for a trattoria offering “sciuscella”, a traditional soup made with stale bread, vegetables, and cheese, a humble but flavorful dish.
An excursion from Taormina to Savoca is not only a journey through space, but also through time: in a few hours, you go from the glamour of the coast to the quiet of the mountain village, among visual, historical, and cultural emotions that are hard to forget. Those who visit Savoca take home a piece of Sicily’s ancient soul.
Savoca is not just a place to photograph: it is a village to listen to. The sound of the wind through the alleys, the distant crowing of a rooster, the tolling of a bell are small elements that make the experience deeply sensory. Despite its cinematic fame, here you breathe a rare authenticity. The inhabitants welcome visitors with a genuine smile, ready to tell anecdotes, stories, and legends tied to their land.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Savoca is precisely the link between past and present, which can be perceived in the carefully preserved architecture, the ruins of the ancient city walls, and the natural terraces overlooking the Ionian Sea. From some panoramic points, you can even glimpse Mount Etna in the distance, adding an almost mystical touch to the landscape.
For lovers of nature walks, around Savoca there are also trails and rural paths, ideal for light trekking immersed in greenery. These often little-traveled routes cross vineyards, olive groves, and almond groves, offering the opportunity to experience the truest Sicilian countryside and observe local flora and fauna. In spring, the scent of orange blossom and lemons makes everything even more enchanting.
Those who wish to extend their experience can choose to stay overnight in one of the village’s small B&Bs or farmhouses in the village or nearby: family-run structures often managed by the inhabitants themselves, offering not only hospitality but also the chance to share stories and recipes handed down through generations.
Savoca is a destination that surprises, especially because it perfectly combines the charm of medieval Sicily, cinematic memory, and the unspoiled beauty of the landscape. It is the perfect place for those seeking sincere emotions, away from the busiest tourist routes.
An excursion from Taormina to Savoca is therefore much more than a simple trip: it is an intimate encounter with history, Sicilian culture, and a time that here has chosen to slow down, offering the visitor a different perspective on the island’s beauty.