The White Lotus: All the locations from the popular series

Where is The White Lotus filmed?

As many will know, Etna is on the Italian island of Sicily, known as the birthplace of the Italian mafia. The producers found the iconic palace of San Domenico, located in the city of Taormina, on a cliff 200 metres above the Ionian Sea. San Domenico housed a monastery as far back as the 1300s, and the former monastery has panoramic views of both the aforementioned volcano and the famous ancient Greek theatre in the city. We become familiar with the Greek theatre in one of the first episodes of the second season.

The Four Seasons has taken over the monastery

Today, the luxury Four Seasons hotel is located in San Domenico, where most of the series is filmed.

"With our selection of 'Only in Sicily' experiences, we help you discover the island's authentic character, whether it's with a spectacular morning walk up Etna, still an active volcano, or lunch at a local winery. Visit the mediaeval village of Castiglione di Sicilia and enjoy tastings at our top vineyards, where fertile volcanic soil produces exceptional wines," the hotel writes.

Book a unique stay. Experience the timeless beauty in an ancient italian monastery

In real life, you can also dine at the Michelin-starred restaurant Principe Cerami, pamper yourself at the spa, or stay in the luxurious Etna suite, just like the characters in the HBO series The White Lotus. All of the main characters have been replaced since the first season, with the exception of the somewhat annoying and whiny Tanya, portrayed by Emmy Award winner Jennifer Coolidge. Among others, the second season also sees the entrance of Michael Imperioli, known from a completely different HBO hit: The Sopranos. This year's edition of the American comedy drama also features Will Sharpe, whom many will recognise from Sherlock.

Ancient Taormina

The village of Taormina is ancient, with roots dating back to ancient Greece, which once colonised Sicily. You will find traces of history all over the city, not least in the Greek theatre, which was built in the fourth century and could seat 10,000 spectators. Today, the theatre is one of the island's biggest tourist attractions and consists of a cave in addition to the stage and orchestra. Taormina also offers a variety of cafés, restaurants, shops and hotels located in small, narrow and charming lanes. The terrain is hilly with stairs, terraces, and alleyways.

Popular Cefalù

The White Lotus menagerie has also visited a completely different part of Sicily. Medieval Cefalù with its Norman cathedral and popular beach is located not far from the capital, Palermo. The small town attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year. And the city probably won't be any less attractive as a destination after the beautiful pictures of Piazza Marina, which The White Lotus features in one episode.

Cefalù is teeming with Italian culture and atmosphere in the city's streets and squares. Everywhere you go, you'll be reminded of the city's long history, stretching all the way back to the Middle Ages. Strolling around the narrow alleys that surround Piazza Duomo with its impressive cathedral, you'll find market sellers, ice cream parlours, and countless restaurants. Cefalù is so compact that it's easy to experience it on foot.

Other Sicilian destinations that appear in the HBO series include Castello degli Schiavi in the coastal town of Fiumefreddo – also known from The Godfather – as well as the beach restaurant La Cambusa in Giardini Naxos. The studio scenes were shot at Lumina Studios, located not far from Rome.

Charming Noto

Viewers also become acquainted with the village of Noto, well known for its Baroque architecture. The series takes a detour to Noto in the form of a day trip. Here, you will find beautiful cathedrals, limestone squares, and plenty of Italian culture and charm. Like Taormina, Noto has found his way to the big screen in the past and is not unaccustomed to hosting film crews.

Noto, often called Sicily's most beautiful city, sits on a plateau among citrus groves, and olive and almond trees. Noto's old neighbourhoods with Baroque palaces and cathedrals from the 1700s have given the city a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Don't forget to taste granita, a frozen fruit dessert and a Sicilian speciality. If you visit at the right time in spring, you can end up in the middle of a colourful flower festival.

Amazing and lush Maui

Now back to the first season of the hit series. The Four Seasons hotel chain should send both its warm thanks and a bouquet of roses to Mike White, who is giving one of its hotels free advertising worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for the second time. Since one of the most important characters in the series has fallen in love with the Four Seasons, the chain should be very grateful for the choice.

The Hawaiian island of Maui is home to some of the world's most luxurious hotels, dotted along the lush and exclusive Wailea Beach. Here, you can swim with the big sea turtles, play golf, visit the Haleakala volcano, and enjoy a variety of other nature experiences. The Road to Hana is probably the island's most popular attraction. It's a long and spectacular road trip along the hilliest part of the island, with short stops here and there to swim or sample local food and drink.

Fancy a 700 square metre suite?

Back at Wailea, you can stay where the first season of The White Lotus was shot during the pandemic: the Four Seasons Resort Maui. Located close to the beach, the hotel has 380 rooms and suites, three pools, three restaurants, three golf courses, and a spa, and even has its own art museum.

In the series, there is a long-running conflict about the hotel's large and well-equipped suites, including The Palm Suite, The Pineapple Suite, Lokelani Presidential Suite, and The Tradewinds Suite, all of which can be booked in real life too. But it is not cheap. The biggest suite is almost 700 square metres in size and is priced accordingly!