Messina Tours

Discover the famous Alcantara Gorges, the natural canyon with high walls of columnar basalt protected by the Alcantara River Park Authority. The tour on our off-road vehicles will continue on Etna where ancient craters, eruptive vents and breathtaking views await you!

Visit two of Sicily’s most popular destinations without thinking about driving and parking on this guided tour from Messina. You’ll get driven almost all of the way up Mount Etna, stop for views, and then take an excursion the rest of the way to the summit if you choose. Next, explore Taormina, where you’ll shop near Corso Umberto I (own expense) and see the Greek Theater (Teatro Greco). Plus, finish this tour with a cannoli tasting for an extra treat.

While your ship is in Messina, see more of Sicily on a half-day trip to Taormina. Take a guided tour of this historical city, including a stroll along Corso Umberto, once an ancient Roman street, and a visit to the Greco-Roman Theater. Plus, sample Sicilian delicacies, admire views of Mt. Etna and Giardini-Naxos bay from Castelmola, and on return to Messina, check out this ancient port’s highlights. Port and Taormina pickup and drop-off included.

Discover three different Sicilian wineries as you sample tasty regional reds, whites, and rosés. Driving in an air-conditioned car, cruise past picturesque villages, fruit orchards, and lava-made churches as you explore the fascinating region of Etna, known for its volcanic terroirs. Sip samples of the volcano-infused drink in family-run wineries, munching on local gastronomic delicacies, from cheeses to salami.

Soak up the atmosphere of some of the most popular Sicilian resorts on this private tour. See the top sites in Taormina, Castelmola, and Giardini Naxos where you will explore the Corso Umberto, the Greek and Odeon theaters, lovely historic palazzos St. Catherina Church, and the Duomo. Gain a deeper understanding of the beautiful island and its history as you spend approximately five hours touring and learning with your guide.

Explore Mt. Etna without the hassle of navigating on a private tour with round–trip transport from your Messina port or accommodations. Going with a guide ensures you see the best views of the Sicilian countryside, as well as visit secluded natural locations often missed by visitors. Enjoy a meal prepared with locally–sourced ingredients with wine pairings at a Messina vineyard to round out your authentic Italian experience.

Make the most of your time in Sicily on this immersive, small-group shore excursion. Over the course of just half a day, you’ll venture to Taormina (and will discover top landmarks like its Greek amphitheater), will visit the hilltop village of Castelmola (renowned for its impeccable scenery), and will finish with a walking tour of Messina’s historical city center. Port pickup and drop-off, and round-trip minivan transit, make logistics seamless and stress-free.

Visit Taormina and Castelmola on this tour from Messina. During a quick stop in the village of Castelmola, admire a view of the surrounding Sicilian landscape, including Mt Etna. Then head to Taormina to see sights like Isola Bella and the Greek Theatre. Browse local shops or bars, if you wish, and take a walk along Corso Umberto.

Experience life in the Sicilian Countryside with a private tour of a working farm founded in the 1800s. See picturesque vineyards, olive and citrus groves, and farm animals, then learn to ride a horse with a professional instructor. Finish the tour with a traditional Sicilian lunch made with fresh, local products and sample locally produced wines from Etna vineyards.

The Gole Alcantara is one of Sicily’s most popular attractions, and often has the crowds to match. On this private half-day tour, let a local guide help you sidestep the tourists and show you the park’s caverns and rock formations, gardens, and best swimming places. Later, explore the seaside town of Giardini Naxos on foot. Finish the tour with food and wine tasting at a local wine bar.

Make the most of your shore excursion with this 4-hour tour of the historic seaside resort of Taormina from Messina. See the beautiful cathedral and spectacular Greek Theater. Enjoy views over the Ionian Sea and Giardini Naxos Bay. Admire Mt. Etna looming over everything. Get a brief tour of Messina before returning to port.

Travel from your port or hotel through the Sicilian countryside to Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano. Admire the orchards of olive, lemon, orange, and almond trees along the way. Taste local wines and honey, visit natural areas around the crater, and enjoy free time to shop for lava souvenirs. End the day at a winery with views of the Ionian Sea, indulging in local foods like charcuterie, mushrooms, olives, and fresh bread.

Immerse yourself in The Godfather on a private tour with stops at the movie’s iconic film locations, from the Church of Santa Lucia to Bar Vitelli. In addition to navigating for you, your guide provides refreshments, entrance fees when necessary, and a wealth of stories often unheard by visitors. Upgrade to include lunch and/or dinner at a classic Sicilian seafood restaurant.

Explore the beautiful seaside resort towns of Taormina and Castelmola with a private tour from Messina. See Taormina's ancient Greek Theater overlooking the beach. Gaze at the gorgeous Giardini Naxos Bay to understand why this area has been a popular resort for a very long time. Continue to nearby Castelmola to browse its small boutiques before returning back to Messina.

Experience a side of Italy rarely available to visitors on a private tour of a 200–year–old farmhouse with round–trip transport from Messina. In addition to pointing out the best views of Mt. Etna, your guide tells little–known stories about Sicily’s history and culture as you explore. Afterwards, sit down for a meal prepared with organic local ingredients, including homemade bread and regional wine.

Explore the historic city of Messina on a walking tour with a local guide that’s a great overview and orientation for first-time visitors. Learn about Sicily’s Arab-Norman heritage as you make your way from Cathedral Square to a series of churches, landmarks, and artwork, and hear stories from Messina’s fascinating past. Multiple departures are available throughout the day.

Take advantage of your cruise stop in Messina to explore the seaside resort town of Taormina and the highlights of Messina in this half-day tour. Visit the sunny beaches or charming shopping streets of Taormina before marveling at its ancient Greek Theater. Stop at the Messina Cathedral and a particularly stunning viewpoint over the port city. Immerse yourself in two beautiful Sicilian towns in one combination tour.

Immerse yourself in a private pasta-making class at a local's home, learn the secrets of the region's most famous pasta dishes and taste the fruit of your labour accompanied by a selection of local wine. During the lesson, the local home cook will reveal the tricks of the trade of 3 authentic regional pasta recipes. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test. Each participant will have a workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients to make the dishes. Then, taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of red and white local wines. This experience is held by Cesarine: Italy’s oldest network of 1000+ home cooks all over the country in more than 500 cities. They are passionate and welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences.

With its Roman amphitheater and views over Mt. Etna, Taormina is a highlight of eastern Sicily. On this full-day tour, enjoy round-trip transportation from the Messina cruise port to visit both Taormina and the picturesque village of Castelmola overlooking the Bay of Giardini Naxos. Take in Messina’s top sights, including the cathedral and astronomical clock, before drop-off at the port.

Escape the tourist track and embark on an exclusive, private dining experience in a real-life local home. Taste hard-to-find, home-cooked delicacies, passed down in family cookbooks over generations. Dinners or lunches include four gourmet courses, plus a selection of regional red and white wines. You’ll also have a chance to watch a cooking demonstration to learn time-tested cooking secrets.

Discover Messina’s key historical sights—and immerse yourself in the city’s idyllic, relaxed ambiance—on a private walking tour. Meet your guide directly at your hotel or port, and travel via air-conditioned car to the city center, if required. You’ll see many of Messina’s top landmarks, from the Messina Cathedral and its famed Astronomical Clock to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele III and beyond. Afterwards, for an optional upgrade, head to a popular local wine bar for traditional Sicilian drinks and dishes.

Learn the secrets of Sicilian cuisine—and cook with a Messina local in their own home—when you sign up for this immersive, private cooking class. Pick between morning and afternoon class times to best suit your schedule. You’ll be cooking alongside a Cesarina; a local ambassador of Italian cuisine that has been carefully vetted and is part of a national network. Enjoy an authentic experience, prepare several gourmet dishes, and sit down to enjoy your meal (with local wine on the side).

Did you know that volcanoes are named after this island? The archipelago is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage because of its incredible volcanic activity, easily observable thanks to a pleasant walk on the Gran Cratere della Fossa, which constantly emits sulfur gases.

Bring The Godfather to life—and learn more about the history of the Sicilian mafia—on this private, half-day tour. Meet your guide directly at your area accommodation, and set off at a time that works best for you. You’ll visit numerous filming locations where Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic series was shot. See Bar Vitelli in Savoca, discover the church where Michael Corleone and Apollonia were married, explore the hilltop village of Castelmola, and learn stories about the local mafia clans as you go.