Sicily · TAORMINA TOURS
Taormina is two towns, the one on the cliff and the one at the waterline. The 15 below cover the theatre and Castelmola up top, Isola Bella and the grottoes below, and the Etna and Godfather trips that leave from both.
Visit Taormina’s Ancient Theater with a skip-the-ticket-line entry and a self-guided audio tour in English, Spanish, French, or German. Explore at your own pace, tracing the site from its Greek-era design through its Roman use as an arena, with sweeping views of Taormina and the sea along the way.
“It was so great to not have to wait in the long line for tickets.”
Meet Chef Mimmo in Taormina, visit a small local producer to sample Sicilian fruit and vegetables, then ride to Ahoy Bistrò Siciliano in Giardini Naxos. Make fresh pasta and traditional dishes with Mimmo and his family, taste local wine and cheese, and sit down to lunch beside the Bay of Naxos.
“Our cooking class with Mimmo & his family was fabulous! They made you feel as though we were family coming for Sunday dinner. And we actually learned how to cook some delicious food… not the basic cooking class, a class you are engaged in from the very beginning. The food was sooo good & the wine sooo good most of us wanted to stay on longer just to visit with our newly made friends. This class is one you shouldn’t miss because you will love them & their food!”
At the small Nazarena Theater, hear international singers perform familiar arias and duets by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti, Rossini and others, with piano accompaniment. The 90-minute concert includes water and a glass of Prosecco, enjoyed on a terrace overlooking Taormina’s bay. Past performers have included soprano Marianna Capellani and tenor Federico Parisi.
“A Big Woh my first Opera marvellous beautiful voices . The piona player marvellous beautiful wish I had the talent to play like this. remarkable. All well done . glad I joined in at the end everyone else nearly was too shy . Thanks Claire”
From Giardini Naxos, take a two-hour boat trip past Taormina’s bays and sea caves, including the Blue Grotto, with time to swim near Isola Bella. Your skipper shares local sights as you cruise, then serves fruit, almond paste, and drinks. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to look underwater.
“Very good value for money. Get to see Naxos and Taormina from the coast. Very beautiful. We were also lucky and saw many dolphins on our tour. Would recommend but especially if short on tome and want to see the full beauty of this Ionian coast”
Leave Taormina for a guided Etna walk among craters and lava fields, with a helmet-and-flashlight visit to a lava cave. The roughly six-hour outing includes optional hotel pickup, loaner hiking boots and jackets, and a stop for Sicilian snacks, wine, cake, and almond wine. Guides may include Saro, Tony, Ugo, Daniele, or Roberto, but assignments vary.
“Fantastic experience. Ricardo was our guide. He was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and easy to understand.”
From Taormina, Naxos, or Letojanni, ride to Savoca and Forza d’Agrò with a live English- or Italian-speaking guide. See Bar Vitelli and the church linked to Michael and Apollonia’s wedding, then explore more filming locations and town history. Marcello is a frequent guide. The five-hour trip includes pickup, drop-off, and admissions; food and drinks cost extra.
“Marcello was really helpful and kind. We took our 3 year-old son with us and he made sure que was OK every step of the way. The towns we visited are beautiful and a must-see if you’re a true Godfather fan. I recommend it.”
Meet Chef Massimo in Taormina at 9:30 am, shop for seasonal produce and other ingredients, then cook Sicilian dishes together in his home. Expect hands-on pasta and fish preparation, a generous shared lunch with local wine, recipes to take home and a complimentary apron. The experience lasts about five and a half hours.
“Do NOT miss this opportunity! If there is an absolute must do on your trip this is it. Entertaining, personal, engaging, authentic and delicious!!! Make sure you book with Chef Massimo there is NO one better.”
From Taormina or Giardini Naxos, a multilingual guide takes you to Etna’s craters and lava fields, then into a lava cave with a helmet and headlamp. Finish with local honey, olive oil, and wine tastings. Guides such as Alessandro, Giuseppe, and Salvatore have led trips here, sharing the volcano’s geology and Sicilian stories along the way.
“Alessandro was absolutely wonderful. He is a brilliant commentator, very professional and expert. The overall program was very comprehensive. I loved that we could all options ie Quad bike on Etna at small extra cost. I rate the excursion and Alessandro ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
From Taormina, travel by coach to Mount Etna, then take a cable car and 4x4 Jeep toward the upper crater zone. A licensed Alpine guide leads the walk and explains the volcano’s craters and vents. SAT guides such as Alexandra and Marco have been praised for clear commentary on the drive. Bring warm layers and sturdy shoes; weather can change quickly.
“A bus drive from Taormina with a guide telling information about the region on the way. You skip the line because the guide gets a ticket for you. Then everyone goes on their own to the top with the cable cart and jeeps. You can choose how long you stay up there. A couple of hours later you meet at the bus and the journey back starts. A lot of free time and great you don’t have to wait in line. I also forgot my jacket on the bus and I could pick it up the next day in Taormina, which was nice! Good quality for what you pay for…”
From Taormina, take a 6.5-hour guided trip to Etna’s slopes, around 2,000 meters above sea level. Walk for about 1.5 hours past extinct craters and through ancient woods, then enter a lava cave. Guides such as Roberto, Tony, and Ugo bring geology and local stories to life. Boots, poles, and jackets are available to borrow, and a winery stop adds lunch and wine tasting.
“Our guide, Ugo, was excellent. Knowledgeable, fun, interesting and all in perfect English. As a qualified geologist, he was able to offer a unique insight into the volcano and its history.”
This two-hour boat tour leaves from Giardini Naxos and follows Taormina’s coast past White Lotus filming spots, Isola Bella, and several sea caves. Captain Enzo and crew, including Tindaro, combine local commentary with music, snacks, drinks, and a swim or snorkel stop. Dolphins may appear, but sightings are not assured.
“The boat captain and skipper were friendly and fun. The champagne poured generously throughout and the views were beautiful”
This 11-hour excursion takes you from Palermo to Mount Etna and Taormina by air-conditioned vehicle, with an Italian-, English-, or Spanish-speaking host. Expect long stretches on the road and about two hours at each main stop. The Etna cable car is extra, and the driver or guide varies by departure.
“Mount Etna & Taoromina are well worth visiting. The transport was comfortable but it is a long drive from Palermo. Giovanni our driver was a gentleman.”
Set out from Giardini Naxos aboard the Blue Diamond for a small-group sunset cruise along Taormina’s coast. Graziella and Captain Saro guide you past sea caves, bays, and Isola Bella, with time to swim or snorkel and a chance to spot bottlenose dolphins. Snacks and drinks are included; dolphin sightings are not guaranteed.
“Great people who were keen to make sure everyone was happy Lovely boat”
Join Antonio and Mariella for a shared three-hour boat trip from Giardini Naxos along the Taormina coast. You’ll pass Isola Bella and several bays, stop for a swim or snorkel, and enjoy pizza or arancini with prosecco and water. The crew then searches for dolphins offshore, but sightings are not guaranteed.
“Antonio was great and we loved everything about this trip. No dolphins unfortunately (quite unusual apparently) but they searched for a long time and seemed more disappointed than us!”
Ride from Taormina through Etna-side villages to Gambino Winery for a guided tasting of four wines and Sicilian appetizers. The five-hour afternoon tour includes commentary in English, Italian, or French, with guides such as Isabella and Simona sharing local context along the way.
“Great wine tasting and very knowledgeable sommelier and tour guide”
Choose a volcano, a harbour or a kitchen.
