Messina & Taormina Day Tour: Two Coastal Towns in One Day

See two towns on Sicily's Ionian coast without switching hotels or renting a car

A six-hour day tour from Messina to Taormina and back with a professional English-speaking guide, hotel or port pickup, and an air-conditioned vehicle. You walk Corso Umberto, Taormina's main street, and visit the Cathedral and Piazza del Duomo, spend two and a half hours exploring the town and tasting local food, then return to Messina to see the Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock, the Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, and a viewpoint overlooking Capo Peloro and the Strait. The tour includes bottled water and live commentary on board. Entrance to the Greek-Roman theatre is separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Corso Umberto I2h · entry included
2. Taormina Cathedral and Piazza del Duomopass by
3. Santa Caterina Churchpass by
4. Corvaja Palacepass by
5. Bell Tower and Astronomical Clockpass by
6. Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalanipass by

Explore Taormina and Messina

• Drive from Messina to Taormina
• Walk from Porta Catania to Corso Umberto
• Discover monuments and squares in Taormina
• Taste Sicilian cannoli or arancino
• Drive back to Messina
• Visit Messina monuments and churches
• Admire viewpoint over city center and Capo Peloro
• Return to departure point

The experience

The route covers about an hour's drive north from Messina to Taormina, where you enter through Porta Catania, the southern gate, and walk into Corso Umberto, the main street lined with monuments and squares. The Cathedral and Piazza del Duomo sit at the heart of the old town, with views toward Mt. Etna and the coast. You'll see Santa Caterina Church and Corvaja Palace as you move through the center. Two and a half hours gives you time to walk the streets, step inside the churches, and stop for an authentic Sicilian cannoli or arancino at a local spot.

After Taormina, the drive back to Messina takes you through the island's third-largest city. The tour includes the Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock, Messina's most recognizable landmark, along with the Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani and a viewpoint that overlooks the city center and Capo Peloro, the nearest point of Sicily to mainland Italy and the best vantage for watching the Strait of Messina. The guide provides live commentary throughout, and the vehicle is air-conditioned with bottled water on board.

You choose between a shared group tour, a private tour for your party alone, or a small group capped at sixteen people. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as is pickup from the port if you're arriving by ship. The full day runs six hours from start to return.

What’s included

• Hotel or port pickup and drop-off in Messina.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• professional tour guide speaking English.
• live commentary on board.
• bottled water.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guide in English6 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 12:30

Guide in English6 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 12:30

Guide in English6 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 12:30

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 12:30

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 48 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by DISCOVER MESSINA SICILY

Is this one for you?Choose the shared tour if you're comfortable meeting other travelers and want the best price; pick the private tour if you're traveling as a family or group and prefer not to share the vehicle and guide's attention; go with the small group option if you want a middle ground: fewer people than a full shared tour, but lower cost than fully private.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How much time do I actually spend walking around Taormina?

Two and a half hours in Taormina gives you time to walk Corso Umberto from Porta Catania through the main monuments (the Cathedral, Piazza del Duomo, Santa Caterina Church, and Corvaja Palace), and stop to eat. It's enough to see the town without rushing, but not enough for a full exploration of every side street.

What's the difference between the shared tour, private tour, and small group option?

The shared tour travels with other visitors; the private tour is for your group alone; the small group caps at sixteen people. All three follow the same route, include the same guide and stops, and cost differently depending on group size and exclusivity.

Does the tour include entry to the Greek-Roman theatre in Taormina?

No, entrance to the Greek-Roman theatre is not included and must be purchased separately if you want to visit it during your time in the town.

What happens if I'm arriving by ship in Messina? Do I still get picked up?

Yes, port pickup is included. The tour meets you at the port and returns you there at the end of the day, so you don't need to arrange separate transport from the ship.

Is there time to eat lunch, or do I need to bring food?

The two and a half hours in Taormina includes time to stop and eat. You can grab a cannoli, arancino, or a full meal at a local restaurant. The guide can point you toward options, but meals are not included in the tour price.