Top Messina Outdoor Activities

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.

The tour departs from the cruise terminal towards Castelmola (approximately 45 minutes by road). 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.

We offer a service with friendly and pleasant staff who will guide you to discover the most evocative places in Sicily where I will let you taste our gastronomic specialties such as arancini, Messina granita, our Sicilian cannoli etc. All this at an extremely affordable price for families and more.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

We offer a service with friendly and pleasant staff who will guide you to discover the most evocative places in Sicily such as TAORMINA, the wonderful city where you can admire the GREEK ROMAN THEATER. SAVOCA famous city where they filmed the scenes of the film THE GODFATHER with a visit to BAR VITELLI, and I will let you taste our gastronomic specialties such as arancini, Messina granita, our Sicilian cannoli etc. All this at an extremely affordable price for families and more.

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.

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!

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.

Discover a land where ancient legends meet the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea. This is a private, bespoke escape from Messina to the monumental Sanctuary of Tindari and the mystical Marinello lagoons (the "Lake of Venus"). As your Travel Designer, I have curated a journey that balances the spiritual grandeur of the Black Madonna with the raw, natural beauty of Sicily’s protected reserves. Experience the island’s heritage with the intimacy and comfort. Licensed luxury transport (NCC) and all coordination are arranged on your behalf for total comfort. For travelers seeking a deeper dive into the Greco-Roman history and archaeology of Tindari, a licensed expert guide can be arranged as an exclusive add-on to your journey. Please contact your Travel Designer after booking to coordinate this premium service.

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.

Avoid the stress of navigating Sicily’s winding mountain roads, crowded group tours, and complex logistics when visiting Europe’s highest active volcano. This private journey from Messina to Mount Etna lets you travel comfortably with a local guide, exploring volcanic craters and panoramic viewpoints at your own pace. Along the way, enjoy curated stops at a honey farm and pistachio farm for authentic Sicilian tastings.

Mt Etna landscape and views: the highest active volcano in Europe will amaze you with its powerful natural activity and its natural landscape. From the top of Pizzi Deneri, you are going to see the most beautiful view on the Sicilian coast, from the archipelago of the Aeolian Islands located in the Tyrrhenian Sea to the entire Eastern coast facing Calabria with the Strait of Messina, the famous town of Taormina, the Bay of Giardini Naxos and down to Syracuse.

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.

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 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.

The tour includes 3 of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Sicily, a few km from the Port of the city of Messina.

A tour with Alessandro can be special for several reasons, especially if the focus is on the quality of the experience and the authenticity of the explorations. Here are some elements that could make a tour with him unique: 1. In-depth knowledge of Sicilian History and Culture Alessandro could have a thorough knowledge of Sicilian history, art and culture, offering participants an authentic immersion in local tradition. This makes the tour not only a visual experience, but also a cultural one, with little-known historical details and tales enriching the visit. 2. Authentic and Local Experiences One aspect that could distinguish Alessandro’s tour is access to authentic experiences that are often not included in mass tours. This could mean visits to small villages, tastings of local products such as cannoli and almond wine.