Savoca and Forza d'Agro

Savoca and Forza d'Agro are two hill villages above the Ionian coast of Messina province, about 65 to 70 km north of Catania. The drive takes about 1h 10min on the A18 to the Roccalumera exit, then local roads up to Savoca, with Forza d'Agro a further 10 minutes uphill. Public transport from Catania is not verified, so the Interbus and Etna Trasporti timetables should be checked for Savoca stops. Alternatively, visitors can take a train to Taormina-Giardini or Roccalumera-Furci and continue by taxi, and organised Godfather-locations tours leave from Taormina.

Savoca is best known as the village used for the Corleone scenes in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather. Bar Vitelli, where Michael Corleone asks for Apollonia's hand, still operates and serves granita and almond drinks. The village also has the Chiesa Madre di San Nicolo, the church of Santa Lucia, medieval remains of a castle, and a Capuchin crypt where mummified bodies are on display, which is a distinctive and sober stop. Narrow stone lanes and terraces give wide views of the coast. Forza d'Agro, higher still, is a quiet medieval village with a Norman-era gate, a castle ruin and a tranquil square, known for its panoramic views over the sea toward Calabria.

A suitable day starts with an arrival in Savoca by mid-morning, walking up through the village to the castle and viewpoints, then visiting Bar Vitelli for a granita. Lunch can be taken in a village trattoria with local pasta and grilled meats. The afternoon suits Forza d'Agro for quiet lanes and views, followed by a descent to the coast and, if time allows, a stop at Taormina or Giardini Naxos.

April to June and September to October offer the most comfortable weather for walking the steep lanes. Summer midday is hot, and the roads are narrow and winding, so careful driving is needed. The villages are small, and shops and restaurants may close in the afternoon, so lunch should be planned.