10 best things to do in Savoca

Nestled in the hills overlooking the Ionian Sea in Eastern Sicily is the captivating village of Savoca. 

A borgo that combines historical significance and cultural allure, Savoca’s remote setting lets you enjoy an authentic side of Sicily.  

In this guide, I’ll be taking you through the 10 best things to do in Savoca Sicily. Written from a local’s perspective, I hope you’ll feel inspired to visit Savoca for yourself when you visit Sicily. 

One of the most beautiful places in Sicily, use this post to help plan your Italy trip. 

Visiting Savoca: the basics 

Savoca sits in the province of Messina and is approximately 10mi (16km) northeast of its namesake city.

A destination to add to your East Sicily itinerary, the village is considered as one of the most beautiful borghi in Italy. Like I wrote in my post on visiting Asolo, a borgo can have different meanings. 

It can refer to a small settlement or community, typically characterized by historic features. Borghi can vary in size, often dating to medieval times and are typically located in picturesque settings.  

10 best things to do in Savoca Sicily 

1. Walk The Godfather route 

Aside from being known for its scenic charm and medieval architecture, Savoca is also famous for its Godfather connection.  

One of The Godfather movie locations in Sicily, visiting Savoca is like walking onto a real-life film set. 

On your Godfather tour of Savoca, make sure to underline Bar Vitelli and St. Nicholas’s Church (Chiesa di San Nicolò).  

The former is the bar where many social gatherings take place, while the latter is where Michael and Apollonia get married. You can retrace The Godfather ‘wedding walk’ for yourself along the street of San Nicolò. 

One of the best things to do in Savoca, don’t miss out on exploring The Godfather route. 

2. Have a drink at Bar Vitelli  

Bar Vitelli is one of the first places you’ll see upon entering Piazza Fossia in Savoca. Half its exterior is covered in glorious green shrubbery while the top half reveals its striking architecture.  

As mentioned above, Bar Vitelli was made famous for its Godfather connection. Inside, there’s a room turned museum with plenty of The Godfather memorabilia adorning the walls.  

It's free to visit the gallery in Bar Vitelli and no member of staff will stop you from having a look. However, most patrons do stop for a drink or for something to eat. The views are unbeatable and it’s a unique memento to take away from Savoca.  

Bar Vitelli, Piazza Fossia, 7 

3. Visit the churches in Savoca 

An integral part of the village and of the community, the churches in Savoca are unmissable. They may not have the status of the likes of the Vatican, but their medieval style has its own allure. 

In no particular order, these are the most notable churches to see in Savoca. 

St. Nicholas’s Church (Chiesa di San Nicolò) 

The origins of St. Nicholas’s Church are said to date to the 13th century. As previously mentioned, the church was featured in The Godfather movie franchise. Mixing a blend of architectural styles, its significance in the village outweighs its movie status.  

St. Nicholas’s Church (Chiesa di San Nicolò), Via San Nicolò 4 

Mother Church of Savoca (Chiesa Madre di Savoca) 

Believed to be constructed in the 12th century, the Mother Church of Savoca has undergone several renovations. One such renovation was made by local architect Pietro Trimarchi towards the end of the 15th century. The church’s design abandoned its Sicilian-Norman style in favor of a Sicilian-renaissance style. 

Mother Church of Savoca (Chiesa Madre di Savoca), Via Chiesa Madre, 5 

St. Michael’s Church (Chiesa di San Michele) 

I got goosebumps the second I stepped foot inside St. Michael’s Church in Savoca. A small church (chiesetta) turned museum/restoration project, step inside to see its striking Sicilian baroque altar. 

St. Michael’s Church (Chiesa di San Michele), Via San Michele 

Convento dei Cappuccini  

If starting your Savoca tour from Bar Vitelli, it’s around a 3-minute walk to reach the Cappuccini Convent. Dating to the 17th century, the complex includes a church and crypt that are also from the same period.  

One of the best things to do in Savoca, visiting the church and crypt is also 100% free. 

Cappuccini Convent, Convento dei Cappuccini, Via Cappuccini 

Map: best things to do in Savoca Sicily

4. Devour a classic Sicilian sandwich 

When hunger strikes on your visit to Savoca, silence any tummy grumbles at Il Sambuco Pane Condito.  

The small hole in the wall eatery serves traditional Sicilian sandwiches called pane cunzatu. Slices of a type of sourdough bread are stuffed with fillings like prosciutto, cheese, dried tomatoes and olives. The sandwich is then heated on the grill until the bread turns golden and the fillings begin oozing out.  

There's plenty of outdoor seating, but this fills up very quickly during the busier seasons. 

On a separate note, there’s a pizzeria just a few steps from Il Sambuco Pane Condito. We’ve eaten here before and the pizza was decent.  

Il Sambuco Pane Condito, SP19, 13 

Ristorante Pizzeria del Parco dal 2021 

5. Take in the views and sunset 

One of my favorite things to do in Savoca is to take in the views and watch the sunsets. Spring, summer and fall is a good time to visit Sicily to capture blazing sunsets.

Such an underrated activity (in my opinion), but it’s one that makes you stop and fully appreciate where you are. 

There are several good viewing points from which we enjoy the views in Savoca. They include: 

• Hommage à Coppola (Piazza Fossia, 1) 
• Viewing point near the Dolce Vita Wine Bar (Via Chiesa Madre, 5) 
• The street winding around the Mother Church 

6. Walk the entire route 

The walk around Savoca will probably take around 40 to 50 minutes depending on your pace and how often you stop. It’ll take you uphill and down several bends, across uneven cobbled stone paths and smoother streets too. 

At some points, you’ll have to stick to the sides when cars come passing through. But it’s the best way to enjoy Savoca, its sights and the small Sicilian town ambience. 

7. Pass by Savoca’s synagogue 

‘Blink and you might miss it’ are the words that come to mind when thinking about Savoca’s synagogue. 

Construction likely dated to the 13/14th century and what remains are two stone arches joined to the wall. Steps away from St. Michael’s Church, Jews from Savoca and nearby towns and villages would come to worship here. 

Hailed as ‘Sicily’s last synagogue’, research is continuously being carried out on the ruins. In 2014 a tombstone with the Star of David carved on it was discovered in the synagogue's ruins. 

Anne Frank and Savoca

In April 2024, a commemorative brass plate — the size of a cobblestone — was placed in front of the synagogue. Named after Anne Frank, the young German Jewish girl behind the renowned diaries, the plate pays homage to victims of the holocaust and of Nazism.

The commemorative plates are part of a wider project taking place across Italy and other countries in Europe. Created by German artist Gunther Demnig, the plates are present across many places around Italy, including our home city of Vicenza.

Every plate bears the name, date of birth, the day and place of deportion and the date when they died.

Medieval synagogue, Via San Michele, 20 

8. Jump on board an ape 

A vehicle that you tend to see more around southern Italy, you may prefer visiting Savoca on an ape (ahh-pe).  

There are tours that’ll take you around Savoca inside the 3-wheeled ape. You’ll usually see them whizzing by in Piazza Fossia so try to flag one down if you’re interested. 

A fun way to get around Savoca, the ape is also a godsend when visiting Savoca during very hot summers. 

9. Experience a traditional festival 

Should you visit Savoca in August, you may be interested in coming along to watch its annual festival. 

Every second Sunday in August, the community comes together to celebrate its patron saint.  

Celebrating Savoca’s saint — things to do in Savoca 

The feast of St. Lucy of Savoca (Festa di Santa Lucia a Savoca) is a lively and colorful event. It consists of a procession accompanied by live music followed by a reenactment of the story of St. Lucy.  

Reenacting the triumph of good over evil (St. Lucy against the devil), it’s a one-of-a-kind Sicilian festival. 

The community celebrates its patron saint once again in December, but it’s a more solemn and prayer-based event. 

10. Enjoy a moonlit dinner at Resort Borgo San Rocco 

End your travel to Savoca on a delicious note at the beautiful Resort Borgo San Rocco. A 4-star hotel of the same name, it’s the ideal place to enjoy dinner outside beneath a moonlit sky. 

The restaurant serves traditional Sicilian food, good wine and will leave you with long-lasting happy memories. 

Resort Borgo San Rocco, Via San Rocco 

Things to know about Savoca before visiting 

Make a note of these things to know about Savoca before you visit. 

Wear appropriate walking shoes 

You’ll encounter several hilly paths when walking around Savoca, some of which are laden with uneven cobbled stones.  

Bring bottled water 

Keep yourself hydrated when visiting Savoca. The long walk around the village is beautiful but the Sicilian heat can be unbearable. 

Park outside Savoca 

Streets are very tight in Savoca, and parking is usually only reserved for residents. If arriving on a self-guided tour of Savoca, there’s plenty of parking along Strada Provinciale 19. 

Prices are slightly higher 

Being a popular destination among tourists, prices in Savoca can be higher than in less touristy parts. To give you an idea, we paid €2.50 ($2.62/£2.10) for a bottle of water from a local shop in Savoca. Just a few minutes’ drive away, you’d maybe pay €1 ($1.05/£0.86). 

Where to stay in Savoca 

Should you decide to spend a night or two in Savoca, here are some places that I’d recommend. 

• Resort Borgo San Rocco, Via San Rocco 
• Bar Vitelli Charming Suites, Piazza Fossia, 7 
• B&B Pentefur, Via Borgo, 4 
• Lemon House, Via Rina, 78 

What do you think of my guide on the best things to do in Savoca? Does it seem like a village in Sicily you’d like to visit? Let me know in the comments below.  

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