Top Messina Art & Culture

Experience the ultimate 'Godfather' film-buff's dream come true with a private 'Godfather' movie tour from Messina. Visit the town of Savoca to see the 1971 filming location for the wedding, as well as the bar where Michael Corleone asked for Apollonia's hand. Continue to Forza d'Agrò to see the square that served as the main square of Corleone during the Francis Ford Coppola movie. Head for Taormina to enjoy some sightseeing and shopping before returning to Messina.

Meet your private driver right at the port of Messina and begin a scenic journey south along the coast toward the enchanting hilltop town of Taormina. Upon arrival, spend the morning exploring on your own its charming cobblestone streets, elegant boutiques, and stunning views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Don’t miss a visit to the ancient Greek Theatre, one of Sicily’s most iconic landmarks. Around lunchtime, enjoy a leisurely meal at a traditional trattoria with a terrace overlooking the sea, savoring local specialties like pasta alla norma and fresh seafood. After lunch, your driver will take you further uphill to the picturesque village of Castelmola, perched even higher above Taormina, where you can wander quiet lanes, sip a glass of almond wine, and take in breathtaking panoramic views. You'll have time to relax, explore at your own pace, and soak in the Sicilian charm before your return drive to Messina in the late afternoon.

While your ship is in port, see more of Sicily on a full-day to Taormina. Take a guided tour of this historical city, including a stroll along Corso Umberto, once an ancient Roman street, and a visit to the Greco-Roman Theater. Plus, admire views of Mt. Etna and Giardini-Naxos bay from Castelmola. Pickup and drop-off from the ports of Messina and Giardini Naxos are included.

Explore the historic city of Messina on a walking tour with a local guide that’s a great overview and orientation for first-time visitors. Learn about Sicily’s Arab-Norman heritage as you make your way from Cathedral Square to a series of churches, landmarks, and artwork, and hear stories from Messina’s fascinating past. Multiple departures are available throughout the day.

Make the most of your time in Sicily on this immersive, small-group shore excursion. Over the course of just half a day, you’ll venture to Taormina (and will discover top landmarks like its Greek amphitheater), will visit the hilltop village of Castelmola (renowned for its impeccable scenery), and will finish with a walking tour of Messina’s historical city center. Port pickup and drop-off, and round-trip minivan transit, make logistics seamless and stress-free.

The tour will be carried out only for you who will choose to live and taste the flavors of Sicily by calmly living a day first immersed in the greenery of one of the most famous wineries in Sicily and then experiencing some Greek Roman history by visiting Taormina in full autonomy spending a couple of hours between monuments and shops that attract the attention of tourists from all over the world.

Get ready to choose one of my tours, I am a driver who speaks English, Spanish French and Arabic. The seriousness, professionalism and that touch of Sicilianness that characterizes my activities and my tours will make your experience memorable and your memories unique.

This is the ideal tour for cruise passengers, arriving in Messina, which in less than an hour can visit one of the most beautiful and well-known tourist destinations in Sicily.

Make the most of your shore excursion with this 4-hour tour of the historic seaside resort of Taormina from Messina. See the beautiful cathedral and spectacular Greek Theater. Enjoy views over the Ionian Sea and Giardini Naxos Bay. Admire Mt. Etna looming over everything. Get a brief tour of Messina before returning to your drop-off location.

Tour suitable for cruise passengers arriving at the ports of the Ionian coast, allows you to visit the most interesting places from a landscape and cultural point of view, you will be picked up at the place of departure indicated by you and brought back within the time you set, you can ask your driver the possibility of a longer stop in one of the places you visited for a possible lunch in a restaurant, our staff will be happy to advise you and satisfy your every need.

Departure from the Hotel We will start our Godfather tour with a pick up from your hotel, this is a private tour just for you. Arrival in Savoca After a short journey we will reach the picturesque village of Savoca, famous for being one of the main locations of the film "The Godfather". During the visit to Savoca we will explore the locations linked to the film, such as the Bar Vitelli and the Church of Santa Lucia. Transfer to the Schiavi Castle After Savoca we will head to Castello Schiavi in Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, another iconic location from the film. Visit to the Slave Castle At Castello Schiavi you can explore the rooms and gardens used in the film. You will discover the unique atmosphere of this historic residence and admire the panoramic view of the Sicilian coast. End of the tour, optional lunch and return to the hotel After the visit to the Schiavi Castle, we will head to a local restaurant (optional) where you can enjoy a typical Sicilian lunch. Return transfer to your hotel.

The tour will be a unique experience as you will experience the experience of Taormina Castelmola and Savoca accompanied by our drivers / hostess who will give you information about the places you visit telling the traditions of habits and traditions of a land rich in history and legends, The particularity 'of this Tour you will decide the start and end times of the tour, the driver will be at your complete disposal for every need, the tour will be' done with mini van max 8 seats on specific request of a larger group we have 18-seater Mini Bus.

This tour will give you the chance to understand the past and present of this island. We will start with a walking tour of Messina, a city conquered by many and reconstructed after being devastated by several earthquakes in the past, it will show its intriguing history in every corner. Savoca, will let you into the world of Mafia, and how important it was in the history of this island. Past and present under one tour. In Top Private Tours we want you to have an amazing experience, that is why our tours can be customised to you liking! Hope to see you soon!

The day will conquer you with a private tour through Savoca, Taormina, Castelmola, and Isola Bella—a journey through breathtaking Mediterranean landscapes and timeless Sicilian charm. This isn’t your typical rushed, touristy group tour…it’s a private, fully customizable experience, led by true Sicilian passion and heartfelt stories. Travel aboard a brand-new Mercedes minivan, with an English-speaking Sicilian driver who knows every corner’s story. Stroll ancient alleys of Savoca and taste authentic Sicilian delights that leave crumbs (muddiche). As we say: Cu mancia fa muddichi, ma cu camina si godi u viaggiu! (“He who eats makes crumbs, but he who walks enjoys the journey.”) Admire panoramic views from Castelmola, soak up Taormina’s vibrant atmosphere, and relax by crystal-clear waters of Isola Bella. This tour is perfectly timed for cruise passengers, giving you freedom to customize your day—change the schedule, add stops, and organize your day at your own pace. With love from Sicily

This tour is suitable for cruisers who have little time but who want to see the main attractions of Eastern Sicily. * Personal pick-up from next to your ship * Personal drop-off at the end of the tour – 100% on time * Touring in a mini-van for minimal walking and access to sites * Touring with an English speaking driver-guide * Guiding services in one language only * High quality and personal experience * Tour duration : 6 - 8 hours * Worry free shore excursion * Money back if your ship does not dock * Satisfaction Guaranteed!

The tour will be a private tour, so you will decide the customization of the tour, such as the possibility of having lunch at a restaurant without any problem of time, which will make your experience unique. In fact, the driver will wait for you if you want to extend the time for some stops programmed. You will also receive information about the places you visit on board the minivan. You will see 2 of the most beautiful locations in Sicily not as tourists but as locals.

Experience the landscapes of the largest active Volcano in Europe recognized as Unesco heritage, taste the flavors of typical Sicilian products and be fascinated by the Greek Roman history that Taormina offers us.

Starting from Messina we will visit one of the most beautiful villages in Italy (Savoca), famous for the film The Godfather (Frank Coppola), where you can visit the catacombs, the mother church and the historic Vitelli bar for 2 hours. Then we continue to discover Taormina, passing by the Ionian coast where beautiful views surround us, once in Taormina you will be waited for 2 hours where you can visit the historic centre, the Greek-Roman theatre, the shops with the best designer labels and taste the typical products Sicilians. Before returning to Messina, we will stop for 15 minutes to admire the view of Isola Bella (Taormina sea) and take enchanting photos. Upon returning to the city of Messina, there will be a small tour of the city of the Strait of Messina.

This is a private tour that will take you between the iconic places of 'The Godfather' in Savoca and the timeless elegance of Taormina, also made famous by the series 'The White Lotus'. Among authentic villages, breathtaking views, film sets and local stories, you will live a tailor-made, relaxed and engaging experience, discovering two of the most fascinating souls of Sicily.

The tour allows people who have little time available to visit the most suggestive places of the Ionian coast of Sicily by mixing history, landscapes and culture. You will see the splendid panoramas of Etna, you will admire the town of Savoca where the most suggestive scenes of the film The Godfather were filmed and you will go shopping and walk in the historic Taormina full of restaurants, street food and souvenir shops.

TOUR DESIGNED FOR CRUISERS WHO WANT TO VISIT IN ONE DAY 2 OF THE MOST CHARACTERISTIC PLACES OF THE SICILIAN IONIAN COAST, ARRIVING ON THE LARGEST ACTIVE VOLCANO IN EUROPE UNESCO HERITAGE SITE. YOU WILL ALSO SEE TAORMINA A HISTORIC CITY BUT AT THE SAME TIME RICH IN SHOPS WHERE YOU CAN SHOP OR VISIT THE FAMOUS GREEK ROMAN THEATRE. * Personal pick-up from next to your ship * Personal drop-off at the end of the tour – 100% on time * Touring in a mini-van for minimal walking and access to sites * Touring with an English speaking driver-guide * Guiding services in one language only * High quality and personal experience * Tour duration : 6 - 8 hours * Worry free shore excursion * Money back if your ship does not dock * Satisfaction Guaranteed!

You will have the opportunity to visit the city of Messina, you will go to Taormina passing through the famous Isola Bella. You will be waiting for 3 hours of relaxation walking independently inside one of the most beautiful cities of Sicily you can decide to go to the beach or to have a street food tasting or have lunch in one of the most characteristic Sicilian restaurants. * Personal pick-up from next to your ship * Personal drop-off at the end of the tour – 100% on time * Touring in a mini-van for minimal walking and access to sites * Touring with an English speaking driver-guide * Guiding services in one language only * High quality and personal experience * Tour duration : 4 - 6 hours * Worry free shore excursion * Money back if your ship does not dock * Satisfaction Guaranteed!

Explore Mt. Etna on a private tour with round-trip transport from your Messina port or accommodations. See the best views of the Sicilian countryside and visit secluded natural spots often missed by visitors. Enjoy a meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients paired with wines at a Messina vineyard for an authentic Italian experience.