Best Sicily Shore Excursion Savoca and Taormina from Messina

Messina, Italy

5 to 6 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

What's Included

Cruise terminal pickup and drop off
Timely return guarantee
Modern a/c transportation
Certified English speaking guide
Safe professional driver
Free time in Taormina

Gratuity

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Messina Cruise Dock
Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 37, 98122 Messina ME, Italy

Pickup details

We will be waiting for you at the pier with a J A T sign Please note, that THE PICKUP TIME STATED IN YOUR BOOKING CONFIRMATION IS APPROXIMATE AND MAY BE ADJUSTED in accordance with your cruise ship's arrival time. The precise meeting time will be communicated to you via a subsequent email and message as your tour date approaches.

Itinerary

Messina Cruise Port

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Savoca

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Corso Umberto

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Quattro Fontane di Taormina

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Palazzo Ciampoli di Taormina (Pass By)

Duomo di Taormina

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Chiesa di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Messina Cruise Port

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Infants must sit on laps
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions

Most travelers can participate
Please note that the start time displayed on our website is a general estimate for the activity’s commencement and may not correspond to your specific pick-up time. We recommend checking your email the day before the scheduled activity to receive detailed pick-up information, including the exact pick-up time. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us via email, WhatsApp, or phone.
Please note that the sequence of the tour itinerary and the time spent at each location might be adjusted in response to variables like traffic conditions, crowd sizes, and unforeseen events. However, we will our best to cover all the sites mentioned in the itinerary.
Please be advised that this tour is not wheelchair or scooter accessible and may not be suitable for individuals with limited mobility.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.6

based on 16 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

You will only have a...

Kim_S, May 2025

You will only have a guide for a short portion of the excursion, otherwise you just have a driver who doesn’t share any information. I believe Maria was our guy that day and we had a hard time understanding her English. We also got a very, very late start due to overbooking, and there was some commotion about people being on the bus that we’re not supposed to be on there.

Response from Host, May 2025

We regret to hear that our services did not meet your expectations and appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. Please allow us to address the concerns you raised: 1. As outlined in the tour description, there is a 30-minute pickup window at the port to allow time for all guests to join. If waiting for fellow cruise passengers is not ideal for you, we recommend considering a private tour for a more personalized and flexible experience. 2. The two individuals who boarded the bus from your ship were not part of our tour. Despite our coordinator’s efforts, they refused to disembark. In order to avoid a further delay, and to prevent escalation involving port authorities, we made the difficult decision to proceed. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this caused. 3. The transfer from the cruise port is not guided and does not include driver commentary, as our top priority is the safety of our guests. Maria, your guide, joined the group upon arrival from the port and remained with you for the duration of the tour. 4. Maria is a fully licensed guide with over 14 years of experience in leading shore excursions. As is common across Europe, most guides speak international English, which may include an accent. We understand this may differ from American English, and kindly suggest that experiencing tours abroad may help in adjusting to diverse communication styles. We always strive to provide clear information in our tour descriptions, and we encourage guests to review these carefully when booking to ensure the best fit for their expectations. Thank you again for your feedback. We wish you safe and enjoyable travels ahead.

Excellent tour to see the countryside and towns in Sicily.

Diane_E, May 2025

This excursion was excellent. We had time in each town to shop after we saw the sights. All 3 involved in the tour were excellent. The tour guide was very informative and helpful. I highly recommend this tour.

Don’t do this trip!

david_b, May 2025

The day started 45 minutes later than when we were told to be there. There was supposed to be 3 different tours including one private tour but the put all of us on one bus. No explanation given at all. The took us to the first stop to change to a smaller bus. But that bus could not handle the size of the tour group they put together. So half of us set on the bus for 20 minutes while the first was taken to Savoca. They they came back for the rest of us. Not sure why we didn’t start with the bus all of us could fit in. When we left Savoca it was the same thing but we waited in the rain this time. Then we got back on the big bus to go to Taormina. There we transferred to a smaller bus to get to the town. In that town the dropped us off at a bus station and had us walk in the rain 3 quaters of a mile uphill. Other buses dropped massagers at the top of the hill. After that walk the guide showed up to walk the group around town. Many people were too tired to take the second walk of 3/4 mile. The tour leader on the bus did not tell anything about what the day would bring. This was by far the worst Viator trip I have taken. The total of 8 bus changes was too much. I feel we should get our money back and Viator should not use this company again.

Response from Host, May 2025

We’re sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations, and we appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns: 1. All cruise ships had to cancel their shore excursions due to a road closure for this season, as large coach buses are not permitted to proceed to Taormina under such conditions. 2. In contrast, we used vans, which are specifically permitted in the restricted zone—precisely to ensure that our guests could still access the area comfortably. A larger bus was also provided outside the restricted area 3. The tour you joined is a shared group tour, not a private one. All private tours are clearly labeled as such and are priced accordingly, usually at twice the cost. 4. The tour description mentions free time, but it does not require you to spend that time walking. Guests are free to relax at a café or explore at their own pace. 5. The accessibility section of the tour description clearly states that it is not wheelchair or scooter accessible, and NOT recommended for guests with limited mobility such as yourself 6. While we value all feedback, we respectfully encourage you to describe your own personal experience, rather than referring to others—especially since yours is the only negative feedback received from the entire group 7. For the reasons above, Viator declined your refund request, and we support their decision. That said, we sincerely wish you safe and enjoyable travels ahead, and we thank you for having joined us in Sicily!