Cinema Paradiso: Palazzo Adriano Locations

Winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film on March 26, 1990, Bagheria-born director Giuseppe Tornatore’s Cinema Paradiso chose Palazzo Adriano as its main set, a village in the Sicani Mountains south of Palermo. Its square is one of the most recognisable in Italian cinema. Here is the itinerary through the locations and the table.

The film’s square

The heart is Piazza Umberto I, where the “Cinema Paradiso” facade was built for the exterior scenes (and dismantled after filming). The square still has its 17th-century fountain, the bell tower with a sundial, two churches and the alleys that form the backdrop to the story of little Totò and the projectionist Alfredo. The cinema’s interior scenes were filmed in the Church of Maria Santissima del Carmelo.

Not just Palazzo Adriano: the film’s other Sicilian locations

Palazzo Adriano is the most famous location, but not the only one: filming also took place in Bagheria (Tornatore’s hometown), Cefalù, Castelbuono, Lascari, Chiusa Sclafani, Santa Flavia, San Nicola l’Arena, Termini Imerese and the ruins of Poggioreale. A true journey across Sicily, with Palazzo Adriano as the undisputed star.

The museum dedicated to the film

Since August 4, 2025, right across from the film’s square, the Cinema Paradiso Museum has been open, set up in the former town hall building. Inside: original set and behind-the-scenes photographs, a faithful reproduction of Alfredo’s projection booth, and the so-called “stolen kisses corner”, inspired by the film’s famous closing montage. A must-see stop for anyone visiting in Totò’s footsteps.

Where to stop and eat

In the village, a short walk from the square-set, is the historic Albergo Ristorante Pizzeria del Viale, a real stop between strolls in the very village the film portrays.

The flavours of the Sicani Mountains

The cuisine of this inland Sicily is honest and rural: homemade bread, local cheeses, cured meats and traditional almond sweets. A perfect village for a slow itinerary between cinema and authenticity.

How to get there from Palermo

Palazzo Adriano is about 80 km from Palermo, a little over 1h30 by car: follow the SS121/SS189 to Lercara Friddi, then the SS188 following signs for Palazzo Adriano. Without a car, the most practical option is train plus taxi for the final stretch, roughly 1h40 total.

You will find the connected stops on the Cinema Paradiso page and the venues of Palazzo Adriano.

In short

In Palazzo Adriano cinema is still in the air: stop at the Albergo Ristorante Pizzeria del Viale, look at the very square where Totò dreamed in front of the big screen, and finish your visit with a stop at the new museum dedicated to Tornatore’s masterpiece.