Messina to Taormina Tour: Godfather Sites & Greek Theater

Bar Vallelli in Savoca is where they filmed the Godfather wedding scene.

A private guided tour from Messina takes you to Savoca, the Godfather filming location with a stop at Bar Vallelli, then to Taormina for the Greek-Roman theater, Corso Umberto shops and Sicilian food. The route includes five to six hours of travel and sightseeing, with hotel or city pickup, a live guide in your choice of four languages, bottled water and an air-conditioned vehicle. If your meeting point is Messina, the return can include the Shrine of Christ the King and the Cathedral with Europe's largest astronomical clock.

The experience

The tour leaves from your hotel or a set meeting point in Messina and heads first to Savoca, the hilltop town where Francis Ford Coppola shot the wedding scenes for The Godfather. You'll stop at Bar Vallelli, the actual location from the film, before moving on to Taormina. A private guide travels with you throughout, speaking English, Spanish, Italian or French depending on your choice at booking.

In Taormina you descend to Porta Catania, the main gateway to the old town, and walk Corso Umberto: the central street lined with shops and cafés. The ancient Greek-Roman theater sits within easy reach, and you'll have time to explore it and taste typical Sicilian cuisine at a restaurant of the guide's choosing. The pace lets you linger or move quickly depending on what interests you most.

After Taormina, you return to Porta Catania to meet your guide and head back to Messina. If that's where you started, the return route can include a stop at the Shrine of Christ the King, which overlooks the Strait of Messina, and the Cathedral, home to the largest astronomical clock in Europe. The vehicle is air-conditioned throughout, and bottled water is provided.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French.
• hotel or city pickup in Messina.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 23:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Sicily Tour by Coppola

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so the pace and stops are yours to shape with the guide rather than fixed to a group schedule. Choose it if you want to linger in Taormina's shops and theater or move quickly through both, and if seeing the Godfather filming location matters enough to justify the drive to Savoca.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly is Bar Vallelli in Savoca?

Bar Vallelli is the café in Savoca where the wedding feast scenes from The Godfather were filmed. You'll stop there during the tour to see the actual location and have a drink or snack if you wish.

Can I walk around Taormina on my own, or does the guide stay with me the whole time?

Once you reach Taormina's Corso Umberto and the Greek-Roman theater, you have freedom to explore at your own pace. Your guide is there to point out highlights and answer questions, but you're not on a fixed schedule through the town.

Is lunch included in the tour?

The tour includes time to taste typical Sicilian cuisine in Taormina, and your guide can recommend restaurants, but the cost of meals is separate from the tour price.

If I start in Messina, do I have to visit the Shrine and Cathedral on the way back?

The Shrine of Christ the King and the Cathedral are optional stops on the return to Messina. You can arrange this with your guide when you meet, depending on how much time you want to spend.