Top Messina How to Get Around

Skip the hassle of navigating Sicily’s hill towns on your own and make the most of limited time in port. This tour connects two of the region’s most scenic spots, pairing Castelmola’s sweeping views of Mt. Etna with Taormina’s lively streets and coastal panoramas. Enjoy a smooth, guided experience that lets you explore, shop, and take in the highlights without the stress of planning.

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.

Are you a cruise traveler docking in Messina, eager to dive into Sicily’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and timeless charm? Embark on an unforgettable journey that will leave you completely captivated! Step into cinematic history in Savoca, the enchanting village immortalized in The Godfather, where you’ll visit iconic filming locations like Bar Vitelli and the historic church where Michael Corleone wed. Next, journey to Taormina, a gem of Sicily renowned for its ancient beauty and vibrant culture. Wander through the charming Corso Umberto, admire the stunning Quattro Fontane di Taormina, and take in panoramic views from Chiesa di Santa Caterina, one of the most spectacular vantage points on the island. With our expert local guides, every moment of your experience is designed to be seamless, enriching, and unforgettable. Travel in comfortable transportation with a guaranteed on-time return to your ship, allowing you to explore stress-free and with complete confidence.

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.

Are you a cruise traveler docking in Messina, eager to immerse yourself in Sicily’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and undeniable charm? Join us on an unforgettable shore excursion that will leave you completely mesmerized! Step into the timeless beauty of Taormina. Stroll along the enchanting Corso Umberto, marvel at the stunning Quattro Fontane di Taormina, explore Castelmola, where you can admire the impressive Ancient Roman Arch and discover the historic Castelmola Castle, perched high on a hilltop. From here, enjoy some of the island’s most spectacular panoramic views of majestic Mt. Etna. With our expert local guides, every moment of your adventure is curated to be extraordinary. Enjoy comfortable transportation and a guaranteed on-time return to your ship—so you can explore with confidence and ease. Book now with a 24-hour risk-free cancellation and let us introduce you to the hidden treasures of Sicily, just as the locals cherish them!

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.

Discover the wonders of Castelmola, Taormina, and Messina in a day—without putting in hours of research time—thanks to this hassle-free private tour. Having a private driver means no need to worry about crowded buses or delays picking up other passengers. Just set off on your adventure and enjoy a scenic tour with lots of local highlights, including the Sanctuary of Christ the King, and views of Mount Etna.

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.

Immerse yourself in the history and culinary traditions of Messina with a walking tour and cooking class that combines culture, food, and authentic flavors. Start with a guided stroll through Messina’s streets, visiting local markets and food shops to discover fresh Sicilian ingredients and learn about the region’s cuisine. Afterward, head to a local kitchen for a hands-on class, where you'll prepare a traditional Messinese dish using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy your meal, paired with Sicilian wine, in the cozy atmosphere of a Messina home. Ideal for food lovers and travelers, this experience offers new cooking skills, authentic recipes, and lasting memories of Sicily.

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.

Are you a cruise traveler docking in Messina, eager to immerse yourself in Sicily’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and undeniable charm? Join us on an unforgettable shore excursion that will leave you completely mesmerized!Step into the timeless beauty of Taormina. Stroll along the enchanting Corso Umberto, marvel at the stunning Quattro Fontane di Taormina, explore Castelmola, where you can admire the impressive Ancient Roman Arch and discover the historic Castelmola Castle, perched high on a hilltop. From here, enjoy some of the island’s most spectacular panoramic views of majestic Mt. Etna. With the expert local guides, every moment of your adventure is curated to be extraordinary. Enjoy comfortable transportation and a guaranteed on-time return to your ship—so you can explore with confidence and ease.Book now with a 24-hour risk-free cancellation and let us introduce you to the hidden treasures of Sicily, just as the locals cherish them!

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.

Exciting Jeep tour and walk on the crests of the craters in search of hornito and lava flow caves until reaching the wonderful view of the prehistoric Valle del Bove to discover the origins of the Etna volcano. The emotion that our excursion provokes is unique. You will feel like walking on the moon and going 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 nature expresses itself simultaneously with destruction and reconstruction. Finally, the pleasant and relaxing tasting of typical Sicilian products will be the right reward for a unique and unrepeatable experience.

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.

Are you a cruiser docking in Messina, eager to immerse yourself in Sicily’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and undeniable charm? Let us take you on a tour that will leave you completely mesmerized! Step into cinematic history in Savoca, the enchanting village that became world-famous as a filming location for The Godfather. Walk in the footsteps of Michael Corleone, visit the legendary Bar Vitelli, and soak in the authentic Sicilian atmosphere that made this town iconic. Next, explore Taormina, a breathtaking hilltop town known for its timeless beauty, vibrant culture, and spectacular views. Stroll through the charming Corso Umberto, admire the stunning Quattro Fontane di Taormina, and take in the panoramic vistas from Chiesa di Santa Caterina With our expert guides, every moment of your journey is curated to be extraordinary. Travel in comfort and enjoy the peace of mind of a guaranteed on-time return to your ship—so you can explore stress-free and with complete confidence.

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.

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.

Are you a cruise traveler docking in Messina, eager to immerse yourself in Sicily’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and undeniable charm? Join us for an unforgettable shore excursion! Step into the timeless beauty of Taormina as you stroll along the enchanting Corso Umberto, marvel at the stunning Quattro Fontane di Taormina, and explore the charming village of Castelmola. Admire the impressive Ancient Roman Arch and discover the historic Castelmola Castle, perched high on a hilltop, offering some of the island’s most spectacular panoramic views—including the majestic Mt. Etna. With our expert local guides, every moment of your journey is thoughtfully curated to be extraordinary. Relax with comfortable transportation and a guaranteed on-time return to your ship, allowing you to explore with confidence and ease. Book now with 24-hour risk-free cancellation, and let us introduce you to the hidden treasures of Sicily—just as the locals cherish them!

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 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.

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.

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.

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.