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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 private tour allows you to decide the breaks in the various places by sharing the timing with the driver and then pausing in the place that arouses more interest in you, upon request and based on the time at your disposal you can be accompanied to make your lunch in a characteristic restaurant on the Tyrrhenian coast.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The first stop of the tour includes the arrival in Taormina where passengers will have about 3 hours to calmly explore one of the most characteristic cities of Sicily. In Taormina it will be possible to walk along the famous Corso Umberto, the main street of the city, full of shops for shopping and restaurants to taste our typical dishes. We will continue our tour starting towards Piedimonte Etneo and visiting the vineyard "La Gelsomina". The tour includes several packages not included in the price of the tour. At the end of the tour we will return to Messina and we will take a short tour of the city, we will go to see Cristo Re, a panoramic point of the city from which you can admire the splendid Strait of Messina. Finally we will go to admire the Cathedral of Messina with the largest astronomical clock in Europe. Always on request we can stop in a bar for a small tasting of typical Sicilian products. (The tasting is not included in the price)

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.