Top Messina Day Trips

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.

Visit two of Sicily’s most popular destinations without thinking about driving and parking on this guided tour from Messina. You’ll get driven almost all of the way up Mount Etna, stop for views, and then take an excursion the rest of the way to the summit if you choose. Next, explore Taormina, where you’ll shop near Corso Umberto I (own expense) and see the Greek Theater (Teatro Greco). Plus, finish this tour with a cannoli tasting for an extra treat.

This tour allows you to quickly reach two very popular destinations in Sicily, namely Mount Etna and Taormina, to combine the spectacle of nature with history and monuments.

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.

Sicily is known for its postcard-worthy coastal scenery, but it can be difficult to check off must-see sights without spending days touring the island. Ideal for travelers with limited time to spare (including cruise ship passengers), this customizable private day tour takes in the highlights of Castemola and Taormina by chauffeured vehicle, handling all the logistics so you can focus on the sights.

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.

Etna and Wine is a combination that is more than just an excursion, it is a journey through the most authentic flavors and volcanic landscapes of Sicily. What makes Lady Etna tour unique is the multisensory experience it offers. You will walk through lava flows and silent craters, hear millennial stories of fire and earth, and at the end you will toast with fine wines born right from the volcano. Our tour combines the strength of Etna's nature with the warmth of local wine traditions, with visits to selected wineries and tastings guided by experts. It is an authentic, intense experience, designed for those who want to experience Etna with all their senses. Our guides, are ready to make you live a unique experience. During the tasting at the winery, alcohol will be served exclusively to participants aged 21 and over. In case of presence of children, a tasting experience will be proposed with a special non-alcoholic menu.

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.

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.

Trying to visit multiple destinations in Sicily in a single day can be a challenge, especially without your own transportation. Leave the driving and navigation to someone else on this private, hassle-free tour, which visits panoramic Taormina, the medieval village of Savoca, and Castelmola, home to an ancient Norman fortress. Door-to-door port or hotel pickup from Messina is included for a seamless experience.

Don't waste time with the usual tourist traps! Join us by choosing one of our tours and we will overwhelm you with a whirlwind of emotions, legends, traditions and culture. You will feel part of the family, but with an extra touch of Sicilian charm.

Take the guesswork out of visiting Taormina while docked at Messina's cruise ship port with this hassle-free shore excursion. Enjoy free time in Taormina to visit its famed Greek theater and other sights in the old town at your own pace. Stop for photos at Isola Bella and Messina's most famous scenic overlook, plus take in the Messina cathedral and astronomical clock before returning to port.

The Castelmola and Taormina tour takes place in modern Mercedes-Benz 8 pax minivans, ensuring comfort, safety and quality of service. Professionalism, punctuality, courtesy, flexibility and knowledge of the territory characterize the experience. The departure is from the Port of Messina. After about 45 minutes you reach Castelmola, a charming village above Taormina, from which you can admire beautiful views of the historic center, the Ionian coast and Mount Etna. Here it will be possible to walk through the characteristic streets and taste the famous almond wine in the iconic Bar Turrisi. The tour continues towards Taormina, after a brief explanatory introduction you will have about three hours free to visit the historic center and its main attractions: Greek-Roman Theater, panoramic squares, Villa Comunale, craft shops and boutiques. Before returning to the Port of Messina there is a short panoramic stop for a souvenir photo. An experience between culture, landscapes and Sicilian traditions.

Exciting tour by Jeep and walking on lava flows in search of hornito and lava flow caves until reaching the wonderful fracture that discovers the ancient flows that followed one another over the centuries to discover the origins of the volcano Etna. The emotion that our excursion provokes is unique. You'll feel like you're walking on the moon and going all the way to the center of the Earth. Walking along the perimeter of the great fracture you can admire the incredible succession of lava basalts. The pleasant excursion will take you to discover magical places where ETNA DOC WINES are produced where the nature of the volcanic soil mixes with the Sicilian sun. The best wineries are waiting for you to visit the vineyards grown on volcanic sand and taste the volcano wines unique in the world. Finally, a pleasant and relaxing lunch at an altitude of 6,561 ft. based on typical Sicilian products will be the right reward for a unique and unrepeatable experience.

Sicily’s eastern coast shouldn’t be missed, between the hilltop village of Castelmola, picturesque Taormina (nicknamed the “Pearl of the Ioanian Sea”), and vibrant, coastal Messina—but checking off the highlights in limited time can be tricky. Ideal for time-pressed travelers and cruise ship passengers, this easy, half-day morning sightseeing tour whisks you between all three locations by comfortable, air-conditioned minibus and wraps up by lunchtime.

Maximize your time in Sicily by checking off multiple dispersed highlights on one trip—including Savoca, Castelmola, Taormina, and Messina. Rather than organizing a rental car, you can benefit from the luxury of having a private driver. Along the way, stop to take photos and explore notable places on foot, including Bar Vitelli from the movie "The Godfather" and the Greek Theater Taormina.

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.

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.

The tour departs from the cruise terminal in the direction of Savoca (approximately 40 minutes by road). Savoca is the town where the film The Godfather was filmed. We will see all the most iconic places such as the Vitelli bar and the cathedral where Michael Corleone got married. After about an hour we leave to go to Castelmola (about 30 minutes from Savoca). Castelmola is a small village on the top of Taormina with a wonderful view of Mount Etna. After about an hour we move to Taormina, one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, reachable only on foot and full of shops and restaurants. After about 2 or 3 hours we return to Messina, but not before a nice panoramic tour of Isola Bella. As a last stop, we will visit the Sanctuary of Christ the King, a panoramic point over the Strait of Messina, and the Duomo cathedral, where you can admire the largest astronomical clock in Europe. The timetable is designed to make the most of your time in Sicily and to be perfectly on time with the cruise ship.

If you are looking for a different kind of tour, this one is the perfect option. Taormina has many beaches and is the closest beach resort on mainland Italy to Sicily. It is one of the most visited spots in Italy, with around 1,800,000 tourists a year and it is often referred to as "the most beautiful city in the world". Taormina is a city that has seen many changes throughout its long history. It has been inhabited since pre-historic times and was conquered by the Romans in 212 BC. The Greeks called it Tauromenion and then it became part of the Byzantine Empire before becoming part of the Kingdom of Sicily in 1072 AD. The tour includes visits to a one of the most popular places for visitors a small square Piazza IX Aprile, Teatro Greco and many other sites to take photos and enjoy the beautiful architecture. You will enjoy a private guided tour with an experienced local guide who will take you to see some of Taormina's best attractions on this day trip from Messina.

Mt. Etna is the most striking sight on Sicily’s Ionian coast, but climbing its volcanic peak can be a logistical hassle. With this tour, save hours with port or hotel pickup and transportation directly to the base camp. Set off with your guide through the lava fields, taking in sweeping views over the Sicilian countryside along the way. After your hike, relax at an alpine eatery to sample local gourmet specialties.

Instead of crowded bus tours, explore Sicily in style with a private adventure in an air-conditioned vehicle. To help you get the most out of the day, the driver-guide takes you on a special route to tick off the highlights and hidden gems of Savoca, Taormina, and Castelmola. Along the way, enjoy in-depth insights about Sicilian history and culture to ensure you don’t waste a moment.

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.