15 Sicily Shore Excursions Tours to Build a Day Around

Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion - Walking Corso Umberto and Cathedral Square

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 237 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $145Our pick

Travel from Messina or Giardini Naxos port to hilltop Castelmola and Taormina with guides such as Sabrina, Katia, Sara, or Mariarita. Walk Corso Umberto, enter the Greek-Roman Theater, enjoy Etna views, and have free time for food and shopping.

“This was a great private excursion off of the cruise ship. We were picked up the cruise terminal as planned and on time. Our guide Katia and driver Peppe were very friendly and we started our journey to Castleloma. We knew at the start of the day that rain was imminent and throughout the day they were to receive about 2” of rain. We were prepared for it and so was Katia and she provided full size umbrellas for our group of four. Casteloma was stunning, but heavy fog severely limited visibility which was a shame. We proceeded to Taormina and toured the area including the Greek/Roman theater. We had…”

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Food & Drink, Messina Tours, Mount Etna Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Messina, Sicily Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours

Best Shore Excursion Etna, Taormina, Messina With Tasting Of Sicilian Products

2.Best Shore Excursion Etna, Taormina, Messina With Tasting Of Sicilian Products

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $227Top rated

From Messina’s port, a private driver and hostess take you to Mount Etna, Taormina, and Messina’s cathedral square. You’ll have time for crater views, independent exploring, and a tasting of honey, olives, wines, liqueurs, and olive oil. Museum and theater tickets cost extra.

“The tour we received did not cover most of the items from the tour description on Viator website (see below for summary), so this misrepresentation is very disappointing. We contacted Viator to no avail. We will be disputing this charge with our credit card company immediately. From Tour Description on Website: Mount Etna Walk on the sylvan craters with a breathtaking view of the Ionian coast of Sicily. 1 hour • Admission Ticket Free 2 Tempio Votivo di Cristo Re Short stop for souvenir photos from the panoramic balcony of Messina 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free NOT PROVIDED 3 Duomo di Messina Stop to visit the famous Piazza del…”

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Messina Tours, Private, Shore Excursions in Messina, Sicily Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours

Taormina Private Tour from Hotel or Cruise Terminal of Messina

3.Taormina Private Tour from Hotel or Cruise Terminal of Messina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $156

Travel by private air-conditioned van from Messina’s cruise port or your hotel to Taormina. You get two hours on your own in the old town, with photo stops at Isola Bella and the Votive Temple of Christ the King. Filippo may also provide useful commentary along the route.

“Excellent tour and well worth the expense! Filippo was an excellent tour guide and driver. He told us so many interesting facts along the way while pointing out unique things in and around the cities of Messina and Taormina. Would definitely recommend!”

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Messina Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Messina, Sicily Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours

Taormina Shore Excursion from Messina – Shared

4.Taormina Shore Excursion from Messina – Shared

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 30 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $118Best value

Ride from Messina’s cruise port to Taormina in an air-conditioned vehicle, see the Greek Theater and town sights, then enjoy about two hours on your own. Guides such as Michael, Michele, Erika, Sam, and Chris have led past departures. The return includes Messina sights and port drop-off.

“Our tour guide was very good. She had a true passion for her work. Each stop was well worth seeing Thanks!”

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Lunch Experiences, Messina Tours, Private, Shore Excursions in Messina, Sicily Godfather Movie Tours, Sicily Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Messina Cruise Terminal: Private Godfather tour + Lunch

5.From Messina Cruise Terminal: Private Godfather tour + Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 5 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $355

Meet your English-speaking guide at Messina port, hotel, or station for a private drive to Savoca and Forza d’Agro. Visit Bar Vitelli, Michael and Apollonia’s wedding church, Norman castle ruins, and other film sites, then enjoy a traditional Sicilian lunch with a sea view.

“Pepito and Marco were absolutely the best guides we could have asked for. Went above and beyond expectations. Pepito even gifted us with fruit from his own garden. Such a gentleman! Will forever remember the kindness of Pepito!!”

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Catania Tours, Lunch Experiences, Mount Etna Tours, Private, Sicily Shore Excursions, Sicily Wine Tastings, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tastings in Catania, Wine Tours

Etna Private tour from Messina Cruise Terminal + Lunch at Winery

6.Etna Private tour from Messina Cruise Terminal + Lunch at Winery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $416

Travel privately from Messina to Mount Etna with an English-speaking guide such as Marco, Maurizio, or Alberto. Visit a honey shop, walk volcanic craters, and share a winery lunch with local foods and four Etna wines. The route can be adjusted for your group.

“While Mt Etna was interesting, the real star of the show was the vineyard. It was such a beautiful place. Our guide Maurizio was very knowledge and friendly. we really enjoyed seeing the Sicilian countryside. A must do”

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Private Etna tour from Messina Cruise Terminal+ Lunch at Winery

7.Private Etna tour from Messina Cruise Terminal+ Lunch at Winery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $316

Travel privately from Messina, Taormina, or Catania to Mount Etna with guides such as Marco, Massimo, Mauricio, or Alberto. Visit lava craters at 2,000 meters, taste honey and liqueurs, then enjoy four Etna DOC wines and local food at a winery. Cable car access costs extra.

“We loved our trip to Mount Etna, we felt it was one of the highlights of our trip in Sicily. Mauricio was a real treasure to have as our tour guide. He was very upbeat and passionate about our excursion, which made it positively more enhanced! We found him superb, very knowledgeable, informative and a lot of fun. His English was spot on and very easy to understand. He definitely exceeded our expectations as a tour guide. We would highly recommend him on this tour or any other tour he may provide.”

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Castelmola Tours, Messina Tours, Mount Etna Tours, Shore Excursions in Messina, Sicily Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours

Etna Taormina and Castelmola The best excursion for cruise passengers from Messina

8.Etna Taormina and Castelmola The best excursion for cruise passengers from Messina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $228

Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle from Messina, Catania, or Giardini Naxos to Mount Etna, Castelmola, Taormina, and Messina Cathedral. Sonia, Filippo, Erika, and Juan Carlo may guide your day, with time to adjust plans when weather changes.

“Philipo and Erika are a get team and look after your every need. They are both very knowledgeable, passionate, and proud Sicilians which makes for an excellent tour. They are also very adaptable if you would like to change. When we arrived at Mt Etna it was all fogged in so rather than spend a whole day there in the fog they took us around showing us many other sites we would have never seen otherwise.”

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Castelmola Tours, Catania Tours, Shore Excursions, Sicily Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours

Catania Shore Excursion: Catania to Taormina and Castelmola

9.Catania Shore Excursion: Catania to Taormina and Castelmola

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $156

Spend about six hours touring Taormina and Castelmola from Catania, with port pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a driver-guide such as Michele or Michael. Expect guided history, free time on Corso Umberto, views of Mount Etna and the Bay of Naxos, plus a quick look at Catania’s cathedral.

“This was an amazing trip. Taormina was a lovely town. There were spectacular view of Mount Etna. Castelmola has a very interesting pub where we sampled almond wine. Our driver was fantastic Michael. Would definitely do this again.”

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Monreale Cathedral Tours, Palermo Tours, Sicily Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours

Half Day Excursion in Palermo and Monreale from Palermo and Cruise Ship

10.Half Day Excursion in Palermo and Monreale from Palermo and Cruise Ship

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $237

See Palermo and Monreale in about four hours with private transport from your hotel, accommodation, or cruise port. Driver Cristian and guide Salvatore di Bella are named in guest feedback, with Monreale Cathedral and Teatro Massimo as key highlights. Confirm guide service and entry fees before booking.

“Christian was a great guide and a very safe driver. It’s a very crowded place and he got us to everywhere we wanted to go.”

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Messina Tours, Shore Excursions in Messina, Sicily Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews

Research Your Ancestors in Sicily from Cruise Terminal of Messina

11.Research Your Ancestors in Sicily from Cruise Terminal of Messina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 3 to 8 hours (approx.)

Meet Erika and Filippo at Messina’s cruise terminal for a private, custom-built search through your Sicilian roots. Visit municipal offices, ancestral towns, churches, family homes, and possibly distant relatives, with translation and optional food, artisan, or winery stops.

“My husband and I have traveled extensively. Taken many excursions; both through cruise ships and privately. Going to see the town where my mother was born in Sicily was always on my bucket list. When I found this excursion on Viator I was excited to give it a try. Our guides, Erika and Filippo, were the most knowledgeable, intelligent, accommodating, guides we’ve EVER had. The entire experience was nothing short of a magical bucket list experience. Highly recommend you ask for Erika and Filippo on your next visit to Sicily.”

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Sicily Godfather Movie Tours, Sicily Shore Excursions, Taormina Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Shore tour from Messina port: Taormina & Godfather Places

12.Shore tour from Messina port: Taormina & Godfather Places

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 9 reviews

Meet your driver at Gate 5 of Messina cruise terminal for a private six-hour outing to Taormina and Savoca. Explore Taormina independently, then see the Church of Santa Lucia and Bar Vitelli, both linked to The Godfather. Drivers Giovanni and Nino have received especially warm praise.

“Driver was kind and helpful. But hope to inform us famous restaurant or spot.”

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City Tours, Shore Excursions, Sicily Segway and Tuk Tuk Tours, Sicily Shore Excursions, Sicily Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Messina Shore Excursion: City Segway Tour

13.Messina Shore Excursion: City Segway Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · from $126

Spend three hours exploring Messina by Segway, starting near the cruise port with a 30-minute lesson. A local guide leads you past Piazza Cairoli, the University, Piazza Duomo, Catalani Church, San Francesco, and the Fountain of Neptune, with stories of the 1908 earthquake and Don Juan of Austria.

“Little bit of trouble finding the meeting spot, However once found, the Guide & his father were terrific ! Segways were fairly easy to operate. Our Young Guide was really good, knowledgeable about the History. And we were introduced to Granadas and brioche!”

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Food, Food & Drink, Messina Tours, Mount Etna Tours, Shore Excursions in Messina, Sicily Godfather Movie Tours, Sicily Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews

From Messina Cruise Terminal: Etna -Taormina-Godfather with food

14.From Messina Cruise Terminal: Etna -Taormina-Godfather with food

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $522

Travel by private air-conditioned car from Messina Port or your hotel to Mount Etna, Taormina, and Savoca. Guides such as Marco, Elena, Omar, and Maurizio bring local stories to the day. Expect volcano views, Bar Vitelli, a traditional lunch, and a tightly packed schedule.

“We had an amazing tour with Omar. He was informative, friendlly and made our all day tour an unforgettable experience.”

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Castelmola Tours, Sicily Shore Excursions, Taormina Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Shore tour from Messina cruise port: Taormina and Castelmola

15.Shore tour from Messina cruise port: Taormina and Castelmola

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 5 reviews

Meet your Italian driver at Messina cruise port for a private ride to Castelmola and Taormina. Enjoy one hour in the hill village, then explore Taormina independently, including the Greek Roman Theatre, cathedral, public gardens, and Corso Umberto. A guide is available for an added fee.

“Very beautiful cities we visited. The landscapes were magnificent. The driver was waiting for us at the door on time as described. On the other hand, the big difficulty was the communication with the driver, he did not say a word of English except beautiful... and this when we had booked in English. Very very disappointing.”

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