Savoca & Taormina tour from Messina: Private car with guide

See the Godfather bar and Taormina's Greek theater in one morning

A private car tour departing from Messina takes you inland to Savoca (where scenes from The Godfather were filmed), then to Taormina's hilltop center, the ancient Greek theater, Corso Umberto's pedestrian streets, and the Isola Bella overlook. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French. The tour runs 4 to 7 hours depending on how long you linger at each stop. Pickup from the cruise terminal is included, along with bottled water, snacks, WiFi and an air-conditioned vehicle.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour of Savoca and Taormina

• Drive to Savoca (1 hour)
• Visit Vitelli bar and church
• Travel to Taormina
• Tour Piazza San Pancrazio and Greek theater
• Walk Corso Umberto and Taormina streets
• Visit balcony with Isola Bella view
• Return to Messina cruise terminal

The experience

The drive inland from Messina takes about an hour on the motorway. Once you arrive in Savoca, you'll walk through the art town to the Vitelli bar and the church where The Godfather was filmed: the actual locations where Al Pacino's scenes were shot, not a replica or museum recreation. The bar sits in the town center, and stepping inside connects you to the film's real geography rather than a tourist version of it.

From Savoca, the route climbs to Taormina, where your guide leads you through Piazza San Pancrazio to begin the walking portion. The Greek theater stands as the main landmark (entry is separate from the tour price), but you'll also walk Corso Umberto, the main pedestrian street lined with shops and cafes, and explore the smaller streets that branch off it. The town itself is the draw: narrow passages, local architecture, the rhythm of a place that has been inhabited for centuries.

The final stop is the famous balcony overlooking Isola Bella, the small island just offshore. This is where most visitors take their souvenir photos: the view frames the island against the sea and the coastline beyond. After the panorama, your guide drives you back to the Messina cruise terminal or your hotel to end the tour.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• live guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Italian or French.
• bottled water and snacks.
• WiFi on board.
• pickup from Messina cruise terminal or hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French 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 17 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by booking Sicily Tours Alessandro

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see the actual Godfather filming locations and don't have a rental car. The private guide handles the driving and the route, so you focus on the stops themselves. The 4- to 7-hour window lets you control how long you stay at each place without holding up a group schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

What exactly did The Godfather film in Savoca?

The Vitelli bar and the church in Savoca are the actual locations where scenes with Al Pacino were shot for the movie. You visit both during the tour stop there.

Is entry to the Greek theater included in the tour price?

No, the Greek theater entrance ticket is separate. Your guide will take you to it and explain what you're seeing, but you pay to go inside if you choose to enter.

How much time do I spend walking in Taormina?

The walking portion covers Piazza San Pancrazio, the Greek theater area, Corso Umberto and the surrounding streets. The total time in Taormina depends on how long you spend at each spot, which is part of why the tour runs anywhere from 4 to 7 hours.

Does the tour include food or drinks?

Bottled water and snacks are included. If you want to eat at the Vitelli bar in Savoca or at a restaurant in Taormina, that's on your own, though your guide can recommend places.

Where does the tour pick me up?

Pickup is included from the Messina cruise terminal or your hotel in Messina. Your guide will confirm the exact meeting point when you book.