The 15 Best Messina Tours

1.Taormina and Castelmola Tour from Messina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 645 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $114Our pick

Ride from Messina to Castelmola and Taormina with an English-speaking guide, then explore their hilltop streets with time on your own. Expect winding mountain roads, far-reaching views, Taormina’s Corso Umberto, and a convenient pickup at Gate 5 for cruise passengers. The Greek-Roman Theatre is not included in the price.

“Great guide and driver. Seamless information provided by tour company. Tour excited pur expectations”

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2.Isola Bella, Blue Grotto, & Mazzarò Bay Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 568 reviews · 2 hours · from $43

Sail from Giardini Naxos past Taormina’s sea caves and the Faraglioni, with a swim stop near Isola Bella and photo stops at the Blue Grotto and Mazzarò Bay. The two-hour trip includes snacks and a welcome drink. Guides such as Francesco and Antonio have earned warm praise, but the crew can vary.

“Small group, comfortable boat, helpful guide. Saw lots of stunning places around Comino as described, and plenty of stops for snorkeling and swimming along the way.”

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3.2,5-Hour Messina Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 291 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Walk Messina’s central sights with a local guide, from the Norman-Arab Annunziata dei Catalani to the cathedral’s animated clock tower and a Sicilian puppet museum. The 2.5-hour route includes museum entry and a taste of Sicilian specialties. Some guides time the walk for the clock’s noon performance, so check your departure time if that matters to you.

“Great guide who was knowledgeable and friendly. Learned so much about the city and traditions. The puppet theater was a bit odd, but the host was friendly, the cannoli was outstanding-best one I had in Europe!”

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4.Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion

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

Ride from Messina to hilltop Castelmola and Taormina on a seven-hour guided shore excursion. Walk Corso Umberto, visit the Greek-Roman theater with admission included, then enjoy free time for food and shopping. Guides may include Sabrina, Katia, Mariarita, or Sara. Port pickup and air-conditioned transport are provided.

“The sites in Taormino and Castlemola were lovely. Shopping is better in Taormino. There isn’t much to do in Castlemola after you see the sights.”

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5.Taormina-Castelmola, dreamlike views!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 204 reviews · 4 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $193

Meet your driver at Messina port for a private 4 to 7 hour trip to Castelmola and Taormina. Expect Bar Turrisi’s unusual décor, almond wine and cannoli, time on Taormina’s Corso Umberto, and sweeping views of Mount Etna and Isola Bella. Guides named on past tours include Marisa, Aurora, Asena, Bahar, and Pary.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our day in Sicily! Fulvio (our driver) and Asena (our guide) picked us up right outside the Messina cruise port. They were waiting for us when we disembarked in a nice, clean, air conditioned Mercedes van. It was roomy and comfortable. We first traveled to Castelmola, where we visited an old castle and had a great viewing of Mt Etna. We then stopped for delicious gelato and espresso (our request instead of a cannoli tasting) and visited Bar Turrisi for a fun tasting of delicious almond wine. We then traveled to Taormina, stopping for a view of Taormina’s Ancient Greek theater and visiting the Sanctuary of Madonna…”

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6.Isola Bella and Grottos Cruise with Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 161 reviews · 2 hours · from $47

From Giardini Naxos, join a skipper-led, two-hour boat trip past Capotaormina, Isola Bella and several coastal grottos. You’ll stop for a swim, then enjoy prosecco, soft drinks and Sicilian almond paste. Boats carry up to 14 people; English and Italian commentary is available. Captains on recent trips have included Nando, Nuncio, Pepe and Roberto, though your skipper may differ.

“Incredible! We found it tricky to find the lady at the start (she’s sat inside a restaurant!) but other than that it was easily to best thing we did whilst in Sicily. Beautiful and so much fun!”

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7.Messina Private excursion Taormina and Castelmola

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 122 reviews · 5 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $181

Travel by private excursion from Messina to Castelmola, Taormina and back, with about an hour in the hilltop village, three hours in Taormina and a final hour in Messina. English is offered. Tour arrangements vary: some groups have a separate guide and driver, while the provider describes the driver as the guide, so confirm what your booking includes.

“What an amazing day. Great food, shopping, and most of all sites. We had a sweet young lady tour guide. She did a wonderful job!!!”

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8.The Best Private Tour: Taormina, Castelmola, Savoca from Messina.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 112 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $211

Spend six to seven hours exploring Sicily’s Ionian coast with a private driver and, depending on your tour, a local guide such as Sonia, Lillo, or Filippo. Visit Taormina, hilltop Castelmola, and Godfather filming locations in Savoca, then return to Messina. Port pickup, bottled water, and snacks are included; meals and attraction tickets cost extra.

“Driver and guide met us at the port as promised. As a group we had a good time, thought it was a little pricey for what we did, but could not have navigated without private driver.”

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9.Kayak Coastal Tour to Isola Bella and Blue Grotto

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 111 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Paddle a roughly 7 km circular route from Giardini Naxos to Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto, Grotta degli Innamorati, and Fico Rock. An English- or Italian-speaking instructor leads a small group of up to 10, with time to swim at Isola Bella. Guides have included Ernesto and Davide.

“Great way to tour for the active, with nice friendly staff and Davide was a great tour guide! Had an amazing time, completed something off my bucket list! You see all the locations up close that you can’t see on a boat and they gave us a traditional Sicilian sweet treat at the end. Would definitely recommend this activity😊”

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10.Boat Trip Isola Bella with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 89 reviews · 2 hours · from $65

Join a skipper and crew for a two-hour boat trip from Giardini Naxos along the Taormina coast to Isola Bella. The group is limited to 10, with snorkeling gear, fins, wetsuits when needed, soft drinks and snacks included. Swim in the marine reserve or relax on deck, weather permitting.

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11.Guided City Highlights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 89 reviews · 2 hours · from $59

Walk central Messina with an English-speaking guide, from Palazzo Zanca and the Madonna di Montalto Sanctuary to the cathedral, its famous astronomical clock, and the Church of S.S. Annunziata dei Catalani. The tour includes entry to a Sicilian puppet museum and a stop at a pastry shop. Guides have included Chiara, Claudio and Katia.

“Good group size. Chiara explained clearly and informational. Many interesting detailed. Duration was just perfect and not for a minute boring. Speed of walking was very doable. We very much enjoyed the tour by Chiara.”

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12.Savoca,Taormina,Castelmola jewels of Sicily

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 5 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $211

Meet your driver at Messina’s cruise port for a private 5-to-7-hour outing to Savoca, Castelmola and Taormina. See The Godfather filming sites, try Sicilian granita and cannoli, and visit Taormina’s Greek-Roman theater if you choose. Guides on the team include Alessandro, Marisa, Pary and others; the day can be adjusted to your group.

“Our tour guide Pari was amazing. The private tour for six of us was our best tour of our trip. We visited beautiful small mountain top villages, along with a great lunch.”

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13.Private Tour of Savoca, Castelmola, Taormina and Messina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $203

Spend five to six hours visiting Savoca, Taormina, Castelmola and Messina with a private driver and guide. Expect a stop at Savoca’s Godfather filming locations, time for Taormina’s streets and Greek Theater, and views of Isola Bella and the Strait of Messina. Past outings have featured guides including Yana, Silvia and Yanni; your guide may differ.

“Our tour guide Asya was fantastic. It was awesome to have our group of 10 all in one vehicle. They met us as we walked off the cruise ship and we visited all of the cities we wanted to. The only thing I would change is when visiting Taormina knowing to go straight to the Greek ruins instead of visiting all the shops. Also, I would want to spend more time in Messina especially the churches.”

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14.Boat Tour with Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 67 reviews · from $36Best value

From Giardini Naxos, Captain Filippo’s two-hour boat tour follows the Taormina coast past sea caves and White Lotus filming sites, with a stop near Isola Bella for swimming or snorkeling. The fare includes a Sicilian aperitif, snorkeling gear, a guide, music, Wi-Fi, and an onboard toilet. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

“It was a fun tour with nice upbeat music. The water and scenery is beautiful. They have life jackets for adults and kids if necessary. The tour guide speaks good English and was very helpful.”

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15.Taormina/Naxos: Mount Etna & Alcantara Gorges Tour w/ Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 62 reviews · from $124

From Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Letojanni or a selected nearby stop, travel to Piano Provenzana and ride an off-road vehicle up Etna to about 3,000 meters. Walk for roughly 30 minutes with a volcanological guide, then visit the Alcantara Gorges. A Sicilian product tasting is included; gorge admission, meals and drinks are extra. Graziella is one guide who has led the tour.

“Great trip. The guides were amazing and so knowledgeable.”

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