Il Postino in Salina: the Film's Locations

Il Postino (The Postman), Massimo Troisi’s final film (1994, directed by Michael Radford), made the island of Salina in the Aeolian archipelago immortal. Its pebble beaches, dry-stone walls and deep-blue sea are the backdrop to the friendship between the postman Mario and the poet Pablo Neruda. The film is loosely based on the novel Il postino di Neruda (Ardiente paciencia) by Chilean writer Antonio Skármeta. Here is the itinerary through the locations and the island’s flavours.

A production that made Italian film history

Filming began on March 14, 1994, and lasted 12 weeks, taking place between Cinecittà, Salina and Procida. Behind the film’s poetic lightness lies a moving production story: Troisi urgently needed delicate heart surgery, but chose to finish filming first. He died in his sleep just hours after shooting wrapped, on the very last night of production — which is why Il Postino is still remembered as his testament film.

The film’s locations in Salina

The heart of filming is Pollara, a hamlet of the municipality of Malfa, on the western side of the island. Pollara beach, sheltered by high rock walls and facing the Faraglione stack, is where Mario and Neruda have their conversations. From here, the road climbing to the poet’s “red house” offers a view over the whole archipelago.

Where to eat in Salina

For a stop at the table, the Trattoria Cucinotta serves authentic Aeolian cuisine: fresh fish, Salina capers (among the finest in Italy), pane cunzato and the sweet Malvasia delle Lipari. Simple, intense flavours, just like the film’s island.

What to taste in the Aeolian Islands

Salina’s signature products are capers, Malvasia wine and seafood dishes. Also try pasta with wild fennel and the humble cuisine of oily fish. A weekend here is a dive into Mediterranean slowness.

You will find the connected stops on the Il postino page and the venues of Salina.

In short

Salina is Il Postino turned into an island: sea, poetry and honest cooking. Start from the Trattoria Cucinotta and let the flavours of the Aeolian Islands win you over.