Taormina & Castelmola tour: Private transport, 5 stops

Medieval village, ancient theatre, and a panoramic balcony over the Strait

A private guided tour departing from Messina port covers Castelmola, Taormina, Isola Bella and Cristo Re in five to six hours, with an English-, Spanish-, Italian- or French-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport and bottled water included. The tour stops for roughly an hour in the medieval village of Castelmola to visit its cathedral and the Turrisi bar, then two hours in Taormina's Old Town to walk the Corso Umberto and see the ancient Greek theatre, with time to taste local food or extend for lunch if you choose. On the return to Messina, you stop at a panoramic point overlooking Isola Bella Nature Reserve, then at Cristo Re to see the Strait of Messina and the Duomo's astronomical clock: the largest in Europe.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Castelmola, Taormina, and Messina

• Depart from Messina port
• Travel 60 minutes to Castelmola
• Stop 1 hour in Castelmola for views and almond wine
• Travel to Taormina
• Stop 2 hours in Taormina Old Town
• Visit Isola Bella panoramic point
• Return to Messina
• Stop at Cristo Re viewpoint
• Taste local products in Messina
• End tour at Messina Duomo and astronomical clock

The experience

You're picked up from Messina port and driven about an hour into the interior, climbing toward Castelmola, a medieval village perched above the coast. The stop there lasts roughly an hour: enough time to walk through the narrow streets, visit the cathedral with its view of Mount Etna, and step into the Turrisi bar, where the house specialty is almond wine. A local drink worth tasting if you want it. The driver and guide handle the route. You move at your own pace through the village.

From Castelmola it's a short drive down to Taormina, where the tour gives you two hours to explore on your own. The Corso Umberto, the main pedestrian street, runs through the heart of the Old Town with shops and restaurants lining both sides. The ancient Greek theatre sits above it, open to walk through and photograph. If you want to eat lunch here instead of moving on, you can extend your time. Just let the guide know. The tour includes bottled water and snacks on board, but food in Taormina is on you unless you choose to stay longer and eat there.

The drive back to Messina includes two more stops. First is a panoramic point, locals call it "the balcony", where you can see across to Isola Bella Nature Reserve and take photos. The stop is brief, about ten minutes. Then comes Cristo Re, a historical viewpoint where the Strait of Messina opens up in front of you. From there it's a short ride into Messina itself, where the tour ends at the Duomo. The cathedral's astronomical clock is the largest in Europe, and if you're interested in trying arancini, granita or cannoli before heading back to the port, the guide can point you toward places locals go.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transport from Messina port.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language.
• bottled water and snacks on board.
• WiFi on the vehicle.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Sicily Tour with Angelo

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving at Messina port with a few hours to spend and want to see the highlights of the coast without arranging your own transport or navigation. The guide handles the route and timing, so you step out at each stop ready to explore.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

How long does it take to drive from Messina port to Castelmola?

The drive to Castelmola takes about 60 minutes from Messina port, with the route following the landscapes and history of Sicily along the way.

What can I do during the two hours in Taormina?

In Taormina you can walk the Corso Umberto, visit the ancient Greek theatre, browse shops, taste local products, or have lunch at a restaurant. The time is yours to use as you wish, and you can extend the stop if you want to eat there.

Is the Turrisi bar in Castelmola worth visiting?

The Turrisi bar is the famous spot in Castelmola where you can taste almond wine, a typical local drink. It's a small stop within the hour you spend in the village, and trying it is optional.

What does the tour include besides transport?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board, bottled water, snacks, and a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language. Meals in restaurants are separate.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at the Duomo in Messina, where you can see the astronomical clock before returning to the port.

Can I bring a stroller or car seat for a small child?

Yes, infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available on request.