Un posto al sole filming locations in Naples: what you can see
Palazzo Palladini, the building at the heart of the Italian soap Un posto al sole, is Villa Volpicelli in Posillipo, along Via Ferdinando Russo. It is a private home and you can only see it from outside. The interiors are shot at the Rai production centre in Naples, at Via Guglielmo Marconi 9, which is not open to visitors.
At a glance
- Palazzo Palladini
- Villa Volpicelli, Via Ferdinando Russo, Posillipo
- Can you go inside?
- No: it is a private home, outside view only
- Interiors
- Rai production centre, Via Guglielmo Marconi 9: no visits
- Getting there
- Bus 140 from Santa Lucia or C27 from Piazza Amedeo, then downhill on foot
- Time needed
- About 2 hours from Mergellina, with the bus and the walk
What you can and cannot see
| Place | In the series | Can you visit? |
|---|---|---|
| Villa Volpicelli, Posillipo | Exterior and terrace of Palazzo Palladini | No, outside view only |
| Rai production centre, Via Marconi 9 | Apartment interiors | No |
| Caffè Vulcano | The bar in the series | No, the interior is built in the studio |
| Villa Rocca Matilde | Palazzo Palladini in the early seasons | Sources mention no openings |
| Riva Fiorita | The cove below the villa | Access unclear: see below |
| Seafront, Gaiola, viewpoints | Backdrops in some episodes | Yes, public spaces |
The villa is a private, lived-in home. Visits have been rare and tied to special occasions, such as a one-night Airbnb promotion in 2023. Do not plan on an opening.
Getting to Via Ferdinando Russo
Posillipo has no metro stop close by, so you need a bus.
- Bus 140: starts at Santa Lucia and runs along Riviera di Chiaia and Via Posillipo to the Capo.
- Bus C27: from Piazza Amedeo to Capo Posillipo.
- From the centre: take Metro Line 2 to Mergellina or Amedeo, then change to the bus.
Get off near Piazza Salvatore Di Giacomo, on the main road. Check the exact stop in the ANM transport app, because routes can change. Via Ferdinando Russo starts here.
The walk
- From Piazza Salvatore Di Giacomo, turn onto Via Ferdinando Russo.
- The road drops steeply for a few hundred metres between private homes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes.
- You pass near the entrance to Villa Rosebery, the Italian President's residence in Naples, which is not open for ordinary visits.
- At the bottom is the small harbour of Riva Fiorita, with the villa.
- Walk back the same way. The climb is tiring, so bring water and comfortable shoes.
Stay on the road and do not stop at gates or doorways. Please do not photograph people or homes.
Tip: the best view is from the sea. If you take a boat trip along Posillipo, ask first whether it passes Riva Fiorita.
Riva Fiorita: check access
Sources disagree. Some guides describe a small free beach. Others say private property makes the shore hard to reach from the road. Do not count on getting to the beach. In summer, parts of the area may also have traffic restrictions.
A little history
The show has aired on Rai 3 since 21 October 1996 and has passed 6,000 episodes. In the early seasons Palazzo Palladini was Villa Rocca Matilde, before Villa Volpicelli took over the role.
The villa already appears in a view from 1629. Raffaele Volpicelli bought it in 1884 and had it restored.
To round off the day, Posillipo has public spaces such as Parco Virgiliano and Gaiola. Mergellina's harbour is a handy way back.
More film locations
- Film and TV locations in Naplesall our guides
- Mergellina and Posillipothe villa's neighbourhood
- The Sea Beyond locationsGaiola appears in this series too
- Seafront and Castel dell'Ovonear Santa Lucia, where bus 140 starts
Frequently asked questions
Where is Un posto al sole filmed?
The exteriors of Palazzo Palladini are shot at Villa Volpicelli in Posillipo. The interiors are filmed at the Rai production centre in Naples, at Via Guglielmo Marconi 9. Some episodes also use the seafront, Gaiola and the Posillipo viewpoints.
Where is Palazzo Palladini?
It is Villa Volpicelli, along Via Ferdinando Russo in Posillipo, on the Riva Fiorita cove. Sources differ on the street number: SiViaggia and Napolike give 4, FAI gives 23.
Can you visit Palazzo Palladini?
No. It is a private, lived-in home. You can only see it from outside, and the best view is from the sea. Visits have been rare, one-off occasions.
Can you tour the Un posto al sole studios?
No. The Rai production centre is not open to visitors, and interiors such as Caffè Vulcano are built in the studio.
How do I get to Villa Volpicelli by public transport?
Take bus 140 from Santa Lucia or bus C27 from Piazza Amedeo to the Piazza Salvatore Di Giacomo area, then walk down the steep Via Ferdinando Russo. Check the exact stop in the ANM app.
Where to stay in Mergellina and Posillipo
17 places to stay in Mergellina and Posillipo on Napolibnb.it, the Naples holiday-rental portal: you contact the host directly, with no booking fees. Every listing shows its official CIN code.
