Taormina and Savoca tour from Messina cruise port

Two Sicilian towns in one morning: Godfather villages and coastal views

A guided tour from Messina cruise port covers Savoca, where The Godfather was filmed, and Taormina, with stops at Corso Umberto, the Quattro Fontane fountain, Taormina Cathedral, and Chiesa di Santa Caterina. The tour includes port pickup and drop-off, a certified English-speaking guide, and air-conditioned transport, with guaranteed return to your ship.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Corso Umberto I1h
2. Taormina Cathedral and Piazza del Duomo20m
3. Santa Caterina Church30m

Explore Savoca and Taormina

• Welcome at Messina cruise terminal
• Travel to Savoca (40 minutes)
• Visit Godfather filming locations in Savoca
• Walk along Corso Umberto in Taormina
• See the Four Fountains in Taormina
• Pass by Palazzo Ciampoli
• Visit Taormina Cathedral Fortress
• Explore Chiesa di Santa Caterina
• Return to Messina cruise port (40 minutes)

The experience

The tour starts at the cruise terminal in Messina and heads to Savoca, a 40-minute drive through the Sicilian landscape. Once there, you walk through the village where scenes from The Godfather were shot, visiting Bar Vitelli and the cathedral where Michael Corleone's wedding took place in the film. It's a chance to stand in the actual locations rather than just see photos of them.

Taormina is the second stop, and you get free time to explore Corso Umberto, the main street lined with shops, cafés, and old architecture. Along the way, the guide points out the Quattro Fontane, a Baroque fountain with four columns and seahorse sculptures, and Palazzo Ciampoli, a Catalan-style noble residence. You'll also see Taormina Cathedral, built around 1400 on the ruins of an older church, and Chiesa di Santa Caterina, which sits on top of an ancient Greek theater dedicated to Aphrodite: layers of history stacked into one building.

The tour runs for about six hours total. Your guide is certified in English, the vehicle is air-conditioned, and the operator guarantees you'll get back to the ship on time, which matters when you're on a cruise schedule. The itinerary can shift depending on traffic or crowds, but the main sites stay the same.

What’s included

• Modern air-conditioned transportation.
• certified English-speaking guide.
• pickup and drop-off at Messina cruise terminal.
• free time to explore Taormina on your own.

Before you book

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

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (3 to 15 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h 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 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Telia Travel

Is this one for you?The tour is six hours start to finish with walking through Savoca and Taormina's streets, so it suits anyone comfortable on their feet for a morning. The pace is guided but not rushed, and you control how much time you spend exploring Corso Umberto.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years); Infant (under 3): 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 24 h before the start.

How long is the drive from Messina to Savoca?

The drive takes approximately 40 minutes, giving you time to settle in and take in the Sicilian countryside before arriving in the village.

What Godfather locations do you actually visit in Savoca?

You visit Bar Vitelli and the cathedral where Michael Corleone's wedding scene was filmed, walking through the village where those scenes took place.

Is there time to explore Taormina on your own, or is it all guided?

You get free time in Taormina to wander Corso Umberto and explore at your own pace, while the guide highlights key sites like the Quattro Fontane and Chiesa di Santa Caterina along the way.

What happens if my ship leaves early or the tour runs late?

The operator guarantees an on-time return to Messina cruise port, factoring in your ship's schedule. Check your email the day before for your exact pickup time.

What is Chiesa di Santa Caterina built on top of?

Chiesa di Santa Caterina stands on the ruins of an ancient Odeon, which itself was built over the remains of a Greek theater dedicated to Aphrodite.