Top Messina Day Trips

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.

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.

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.

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.

Exciting tour by Jeep and walking on the crests of the craters in search of hornito and lava flow caves until reaching the wonderful view of the prehistoric valley of the bove 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 summit perimeter of the craters you can admire the incredible volcanic cone from where the lava came out. 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 based on typical Sicilian products will be the right reward for a unique and unrepeatable experience.

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.

This tour is the ideal way to check off multiple dispersed Sicilian highlights in a day. Rather than traveling by local bus, enjoy the upgraded option of having a private driver to take you around. During the trip, visit the hilltop village of Castelmola, stop at the Greek Theater of Taormina, and have a chance to discover the ancient astronomical clock at Messina Cathedral.

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.

We offer an excursion service from our beloved Sicily. In particular, in these tours we propose a visit to our hometown, Messina, going to visit the Sanctuary of Christ the King, one of the most beautiful panoramic points of the city from where you can see the Strait of Messina. Subsequently it will also be possible to visit the Cathedral of Messina with the largest astronomical clock in the world while also tasting Sicilian sweets and specialties. Another stage of the tour includes the arrival in Taormina, the most famous city in Sicily, with a walk along Corso Umberto, characterized by Gothic and Baroque influences. You will also go to see the "balcony", a panoramic place of the city of Taormina from where you can see the wonderful Isola Bella. The last stop of the tour, however, includes a visit to the village of Castelmola, one of the most evocative villages in Sicily, also influenced by Arab and Norman traditions and styles.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We offer a service of excursions and transfers of our beloved Sicily. In particular, in these transfers we propose a visit of Messina, going to visit the Shrine of Christ the King, one of the most beautiful panoramic points of the city from where you can see the Strait of Messina. Afterwards you can also visit the Cathedral of Messina with the largest astronomical clock in the world while tasting Sicilian desserts and specialties. Taormina, the most famous city in Sicily, with a walk on Corso Umberto, characterized by Gothic and Baroque influences. You will also see the "balcony" panoramic place of the city of Taormina from where you can see the wonderful Isola Bella. Finally on the beach of Taormina the beautiful island

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 for 2 hours, the catacombs, the mother church and the historic Vitelli bar. Afterwards we will set off to discover one of the most suggestive and panoramic villages of our beloved land. There you can visit the village with its characteristic architecture and visit some of the places featured in the famous film "The Godfather". After the tour, if you want, you can stop for lunch in one of the typical restaurants of the village called "The Godfather", where you can taste some fresh fish. (Lunch is not included in the price of the tour) Upon returning to the city of Messina, there will be a small tour of the city of the Strait of Messina.

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.

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.

Estimated arrival in Savoca, the famous village where the film "The Godfather" was filmed. In Savoca we will visit the Bar Vitelli, present in various scenes of the film, and the ancient cathedral where the wedding scene between Michael Corleone (played by Al Pacino) and Apollonia was filmed. Subsequently we reach the ancient village of Castelmola. During the tour of Castelmola you can visit the famous Turrisi bar, characterized by the presence of phallic shapes, where it will be possible to taste the famous almond wine. You can also taste excellent Sicilian cannoli or other typical products, offered by Zancle Sicily tour. The third stage of the tour is the arrival in Taormina, with a stop at "Porta Catania". Once in Taormina it will be possible to visit the Greco-Roman amphitheater and the beautiful Corso Umberto, the ancient street of Taormina. After visiting the city of Taormina we move to admire the famous panorama of Isola Bella from one of the most characteristic panoramic points of our land.

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.

Take advantage of your cruise stop in Messina to explore the seaside resort town of Taormina and the highlights of Messina in this half-day tour. Visit the sunny beaches or charming shopping streets of Taormina before marveling at its ancient Greek Theater. Stop at the Messina Cathedral and a particularly stunning viewpoint over the port city. Immerse yourself in two beautiful Sicilian towns in one combination tour.

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.

From the port of Messina we will reach Giardini Naxos in about 50 minutes, where a boat will await us for a wonderful excursion along the coast. The boat tour lasts about 2 hours and includes a visit to Isola Bella and its caves: Grotta delle Sirene, Grotta dell’Amore and Grotta Azzurra, with a stop for a swim in the crystal clear waters. During navigation will be offered almond pastries and prosecco. At the end we will arrive at Porta Catania with about 2 hours of free time to walk on Corso Umberto, visit the Greek Theatre, Shopping or taste local products. During the return there will be panoramic stops at the Belvedere of Isola Bella and Christ the King, overlooking the Strait of Messina. In Messina, if desired, we will offer a typical tasting before ending the tour at the Duomo with the famous astronomical clock. Mini-fridge with water included. Total duration: about 6.5–7 hours.