Last updated on March 18th, 2024.
We were on a trip to New York the first time I’d heard about the TV show The White Lotus.
The HBO Max TV series was airing its second season at this point, which happened to take place in Sicily. It was the turning point that made me want to look more into it.
As frequent visitors, and part-time residents in Sicily, I was keen to see all the places featured in the show.
And after completing the season, it only made sense that I write about all The White Lotus Sicily film locations.
To be clear, these locations only relate to the second series in Sicily. Hawaii was the location of the first season of The White Lotus. A destination I’d love to visit one day, it’s not yet one that I’ve had the chance to see.
A fun idea for your Italy bucket list, use this post to help plan your trip to Italy.
Warning: this post may contain spoilers to the show so be mindful of this when reading.
The Godfather and The White Lotus
While the plot for The Godfather and The White Lotus couldn’t be anymore different, they share a connection through Sicily.
My post on The Godfather movie locations in Sicily pinpoints all of the places where they filmed the franchise.
And in season two of The White Lotus, the characters make several references to the classic movie franchise throughout the show.
What is The White Lotus?
The White Lotus is a black comedy TV series that’s based on a fictional resort chain (The White Lotus) and its guests/workers.
While on the outside the show paints a carefree picture of the guests and employees, the truth is anything but. The show has had 2 seasons so far and a third — at the time of writing — is in the works.
Some of the main characters in The White Lotus season 2 are:
- Tanya McQuoid-Hunt
- Bert Di Grasso
- Albie Di Grasso
- Daphne Sullivan
- Camerona Sullivan
- Quentin
- Harper Spiller
- Ethan Spiller
- Lucia
- Mia
13 The White Lotus Sicily film locations
Episode 1 — start in Cefalù
Season 2 of The White Lotus begins with a shot of the beach in the coastal town of Cefalù.
It’s a dark start to the season when Daphne is swimming and finds a body floating in the water. However, it’s not the only dead body they find that day as we soon find out.
Cefalù is located on the northern coast of Sicily, around 43mi (70km) east of Sicily’s capital city of Palermo. One of the most beautiful places in Sicily, Cefalù’s beach is hands down one of the town’s main attractions.
One thing to note is that Cefalù is quite a distance from ‘The White Lotus’ resort location of Taormina. Cefalù is in the province of Palermo while Taormina is in Messina. By car, the journey takes around 2hr and 30mins.
Cefalù beach (spiaggia di Cefalù)
Other sights to see in Cefalù
A historic center characterized by narrow, winding streets, Cefalù makes a great Sicily day trip. Stroll through the town, take in the medieval architecture and stop by one of the many bars or restaurants.
Another reason why visitors come to Cefalù is to see its 12th century cathedral. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the cathedral reflects a blend of Norman, Arab, and Byzantine architectural styles.
Cefalù Cathedral (Cattedrale di Cefalù), Piazza del Duomo, Cefalù
The White Lotus resort in Sicily
The hotel that plays the principal role of The White Lotus resort in Sicily is San Domenico Palace. A Four Seasons 5-star hotel, the luxury hotel perfectly blends Sicilian elements with modern design.
Booking.comOne example of this is in the first episode. Ethan is walking through the hotel with the manager Rocco. He sees a traditional ‘Testa di Moro’ and asks, ‘what is with these head things?’
Another scene is in the hotel’s courtyard where Tanya greets her husband. The background is filled with several Sicilian orange trees, a perfect reference to one of Sicily’s best exports.
Suffice it to say you should consider booking San Domenico Palace if you love The White Lotus. One of the best Sicily hotels with a view, it’s in a prime location in Taormina.
Just note that its luxury tag doesn’t make it the best choice for budget travelers.
San Domenico Palace, Piazza S. Domenico de Guzman, 5, Taormina
Episode 2 — explore Taormina
Cefalù beach makes another appearance in episode 2 where Ethan, Harper, Daphne and Cameron are talking.
In episode 2, we’re also introduced to one of Taormina’s most popular landmarks (read things to know about Taormina). Three members of the Di Grasso family are visiting the Ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina (Teatro Antico di Taormina).
A landmark that dates to the 3rd century BC, it’s open to the public and hosts year-round events and concerts.
Unlike the episode, one thing you won’t find on your visit is no other visitors. The theater’s always busy and the lines can build very quickly. It’s why I always recommend getting a skip-the-line ticket so you can beat the crowds and the daytime heat.
Ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina (Teatro Antico di Taormina), Via Teatro Greco, 1, Taormina
Map: all of The White Lotus film locations in Sicily
Episode 3 — off to Noto
One of my favorite cities in Sicily, Noto and its Sicilian Baroque architecture makes an appearance in episode 3.
Two of the characters, Daphne and Harper, walk the main street of Corso Vittorio Emanuele in the historic center. You see them on the grand stairs of Noto Cathedral after which they stop for an aperitivo nearby.
Other landmarks they pass include the impressive Ducezio Palace (Palazzo Ducezio) and Landolina Palace (Palazzo Landolina). Noto is also one of several places that makes an ideal destination for any East Sicily itinerary.
In the same episode, Daphne surprises Harper by telling her she’s booked them into a hotel overnight.
The incredible hotel in question is the sublime Villa Tasca. But while the audience is led to believe it’s in Noto, it’s in fact around 3 hours away in Palermo.
Noto Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Nicolò), Piazza del Municipio, Noto
Ducezio Palace (Palazzo Ducezio), Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Noto
Villa Tasca, Viale Regione Siciliana Sud Est, 399, Palermo
Episode 4 — stay in Palermo
In the fourth episode of The White Lotus season 2, we’re introduced to the pretty island of Isola Bella. Though small, Isola Bella is one island where Italians come to vacation in summer.
Isola Bella sits in the background when Tanya and Portia come to meet Quentin and Jack at the beach club.
The ‘beach club’ is in fact Le Grand Bleu by ‘UNA Cucina’ restaurant at UNAHOTELS Capotaormina. A waterfront hotel, its private sandy beach also features in this episode.
Booking.comLater in the scene, Quentin tells Tanya what happened to the owner of the house on Isola Bella. Thankfully, Quentin’s version of the story is just as fictitious as the show.
The house was bought from its owner, Englishwoman Florence Trevelyan, by the Region of Sicily in 1990. Today it’s a nature reserve and a favorite visitor destination.
UNAHOTELS Capotaormina, Via Nazionale, Taormina
Episode 5 — wine time
The producers of one of my favorite Sicilian wines features in episode 5 of The White Lotus season 2.
Planeta Sciaranuova winery sets the backdrop of a visit by Harper, Ethan, Daphne and Cameron. The winery’s open to the public and makes for a fun Sicily day trip. It’s also one of the prettiest The White Lotus Sicily film locations in season 2.
Check the website or call beforehand first to confirm the opening hours.
We made this mistake on our road trip from Agrigento to Palermo and it had already closed when we arrived.
Planeta Sciaranuova, Contrada Sciara Nuova, Castiglione di Sicilia
The magical Villa Elena — all The White Lotus Sicily film locations
A real showstopper in episode 5 is Quentin’s villa also known as Villa Elena. Tanya, Portia and Jack have also come to spend a few nights at the glorious property.
The 17th century villa’s official name (on Google Maps) is Jacques Garcia Noto. It’s named after the interior designer who bought and transformed the former monastery. Filled with chandeliers, marble furnishings, statues and busts, Villa Elena is the dreamiest setting.
If you’d like to follow in the characters’ footsteps, Villa Elena is available to rent (price on request). But, be prepared to pay a pretty penny as this kind of setting doesn’t come cheap.
Jacques Garcia Noto is around a 17-minute drive from Noto’s historic center.
Jacques Garcia Noto, SS115, Noto
Night at the theater
Later in the episode, Quentin takes Tanya to watch Madama Butterfly in Teatro Massimo in Palermo.
A beautiful theater inside and out, the 19th century building also featured in The Godfather Part III.
We booked a guided tour of Teatro Massimo during our 2 days in Palermo and it was highly enjoyable.
It’s also in episode 5 where Jack and Portia try traditional Sicilian arancini but leave without paying.
I couldn’t tell where the restaurant was from the scene. Arancini is Sicilian street food and something you’d order from a rosticceria or bar rather than a restaurant.
Teatro Massimo, Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, Palermo
Episode 6 — back to your roots
The story surrounding Quentin and Tanya continues into episode 6, taking place once again in Villa Elena.
Also in this episode, the members of the Di Grasso family visit their ancestral village. The grandfather attempts to reconnect with his blood relatives but the women angrily turn him away.
The scene of the ‘village’ is also vague, it’s difficult to pinpoint where it was filmed. If I’d to guess, I’d say it was still in Noto but in a remote location.
Episode 7 — say arrivederci
In the final episode of The White Lotus season 2, we see several repeat The White Lotus Sicily film locations. Villa Elena and its opulent interiors feature again as does Cefalù’s sandy beach.
In a scene with Portia and Jack, their talk takes place in Noto’s historic center. Tanya meets her end on a Sicily boat trip and we see Lucia and Mia gleefully stroll through Taormina’s town center.
Finally, in episode 7, we see one of Sicily’s main airports, Catania Fontanarossa. It’s here that scenes with several of the main characters take place inside and outside the terminal building.
And that’s it. All The White Lotus Sicily film locations in one detailed post. What did you think of the show? Did you enjoy the second season, or did you much prefer the first? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
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Welcome to my site. I'm Lisa, an Italy-based travel and lifestyle blogger behind Following the Rivera. Find out more about me and my story.
Where was The White Lotus season 2 filmed in Sicily?
1. Spiaggia di Cefalù (Cefalù beach)
2. Taormina
3. Teatro Antico di Taormina (Ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina
4. Villa Elena
5. Teatro Massimo, Palermo
6. Noto
I have not heard of this show before but the locations just look amazing!
It’s a great show, very dark comedy and in a beautiful location 🙂