Sicily · CITY TOURS
The 15 best city tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is first for a reason; start there.
Walk Catania’s old center with an English-speaking licensed guide such as Esther, Maria Luisa, or Matteo. See Piazza Duomo, the cathedral, fish market, Ursino Castle, Via Crociferi, and Piazza Università while picking up useful food, nightlife, shopping, and sightseeing tips.
“Very informative tour, enjoyed it very much. Ester is very knowledgeable tour guide.”
Join a live English- or Italian-speaking guide for a two-hour walk through central Catania. You’ll see Piazza Duomo, the Pescheria fish market, Ursino Castle, Via Crociferi, Piazza Stesicoro, and Piazza dell’Università, with time for historic squares and streets along the way.
Meet a local guide such as Ali, Francesca, Elena, or Salvatore at your accommodation or a central landmark, then shape a private two to six-hour walk around your interests. Expect Palermo history, food tips, neighborhood advice, and places you might miss on your own.
“Francesca is a very nice and knowledgeable guide who loves her city and did a great job with us and our 2 kids.”
Join guide Fabrizio Cavallaro for a focused walk through central Palermo, from Teatro Massimo and Capo Market to the Cathedral, Pretoria Fountain, Martorana, San Cataldo, and Quattro Canti. Expect history, architecture, street food, and practical advice on where to eat.
“Abbiamo apprezzato le spiegazioni ricche ma senza essere pesanti e la disponibilità per curiosità e consigli. Fabrizio molto gentile disponibile e preparato. grazie”
See Palermo from an open-top double-decker bus on two routes linking Teatro Massimo, Palermo Cathedral, Quattro Canti, Capo Market, Castello della Zisa, and more. Use the 24-hour ticket to hop off at major sights, though stop signs, bus gaps, audio equipment, and the early service finish require patience.
“Great to get acquainted with Palermo but that’s about it. Could have done the same thing by researching early on but this was a good shortcut.”
Meet an authorized Italian-speaking guide at Piazza Duomo for a 2-hour walk through Catania’s center. See the elephant fountain, cathedral, fish market, Ursino Castle, Via Crociferi, and Piazza Università, with local advice on food, shopping, and nightlife.
“The guide was quite comprehensive, but the tour could be improved and supplemented with other information when certain parts are not accessible.”
Meet a licensed GuidingSicily guide at Piazza Duomo for a 2 to 3 hour walk through Catania. Expect the cathedral, elephant fountain, fish market, Ursino Castle, Via Crociferi, and Piazza Università, with local stories and food tips along the way.
“Nel complesso un buon giro e delle belle spiegazioni ci sono stati anche momenti “gustosi” e simpatici , Totò un’ottima guida, ma sinceramente mi aspettavo un guizzo in più. Colpa sicuramente del cattivo tempo. Consigliato!”
Book a private Mercedes transfer between Palermo Airport and your Palermo address. Your driver meets you inside arrivals with a name sign, helps with luggage, and provides air conditioning, Wi-Fi, bottled water, and child seats on request. Marco is among the drivers praised for friendly service and local tips.
“Everything went perfectly, I received instructions and notifications regarding my reservation prior to our arrival date. It was very easy to locate our driver in the arrivals area. The driver was friendly, professional, and gave us a nice introduction to Sicily as we were driven to Palermo.”
Meet your English-speaking guide in Piazza Duomo for a 2.5-hour walk through Catania. Taste arancini, fried fish, cannoli, granita, and other Sicilian specialties while exploring Pescheria and central sights. Guides may include Dora, Luca, David, Maria, or Caterina.
“The guide was fantastic. Really knowledgeable, and showed us some sights and parts of the city we would not otherwise have seen. She also made great choices of eateries whose food was authentically Sicilian with friendly service. Highly recommended.”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Gate 5 in Messina’s cruise harbor for a two-hour walk through the cathedral district, Montalto Sanctuary, Palazzo Zanca, and the Church of S.S. Annunziata dei Catalani. See the noon clock show, visit a Sicilian puppet museum, and finish with a local sweet.
“This was a thoroughly enjoyable walking tour of Messina. Our guide, Chiara, was knowledgeable and informative. The tour was well paced and we enjoyed it all! We ended wth a sweet treat, gelato and granita, which was a perfect ending to our experience. This is a great way to appreciate and become oriented to Messina. Grazie, Chiara!”
Join a private English-speaking guide such as Karolina, Neil, or Salvatore for a 2.5-hour walk through Palermo’s Kalsa district. You’ll see medieval churches, old gates, palaces, markets, and the open-air Spasimo church, with time for local food advice and a snack stop.
“My mom and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening tour with Salvatore. This is our second time to Palermo. I would never have discovered this "off beaten track" without Salvatore's assistance. Thank you Salvatore for the wonderful memories! I would definitely recommend this tour with Salvatore.”
Spend four hours exploring Messina and Sicily’s Ionian coast by air-conditioned vehicle. You’ll see Capo Peloro, fishing villages, Neptune’s Fountain, the astronomical clock, and Arab-Norman churches. Guides such as Alessandra, Chiara, Sara, and Roberto have earned praise for clear English and personal local insight.
“This was one of the best experiences from our entire trip. The tour was so personal and informative. Our guides, Roberto and Andrea were fabulous and made the experience very special. We had our tour with another family so there were 8 adults - 6 in one van and only my husband and I in the other one. Along with main attractions we also went to neighborhoods and visited markets and beaches off the beaten path. The Bell Tower was fabulous and full of surprises. I would recommend this tour.”
Travel from Catania by air-conditioned minivan with a driver-guide such as Diego, Daniel, Antonio, or Luigi. Walk around Mount Etna’s Silvestri Craters, see old lava damage, explore Taormina’s Corso Umberto, and stop at Isola Bella. Pickup is available from Catania hotels, accommodations, and the harbor.
“Great tour - It was informational, enjoyable, and comprehensive. Our guide was excellent. He answered all questions and made sure that we got to experience all of Mt. Etna & Taormina had to offer.”
Travel from Messina’s cruise port, hotel, or train station to Taormina in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. Your driver-guide, often Michele, Michael, Sam, or Christian, shares local stories before leaving you time to explore Taormina independently, then returns you to Messina for cathedral and city views.
“Michele was amazing, he made sure to point out things he thought we’d want to know/see. Gave us suggestions for food to try and how to pick a good cannoli. He took photos of our group for us as well. When we come back we will definitely book him to take us around. This was the best excursion of our 10 day cruise.”
Set out with a private English-speaking guide for a 90-minute walk through Palermo’s historic center. Visit San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Norman Palace, Cathedral, Quattro Canti, Piazza Bellini, and Piazza Marina while gathering practical advice for the rest of your stay.
“Michelangelo was a fabulous tour guide. Very informative with a wonderful sense of humor. He made the tour a wonderful experience”
Pick a coast, a volcano or a kitchen.
