Taormina & Castelmola: Day Trip from Messina with Almond Wine

Summary

Colors and flavors in Taormina’s streets, Etna views from Castelmola, sweet almond wine and Sicilian stories

You’ll wind through Sicilian hills from Messina to Castelmola for almond wine in a local café before heading down to Taormina’s lively Corso Umberto. Expect real conversation with your guide, time to wander historic piazzas, and sudden glimpses of Mount Etna that stay with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I felt a weird mix of excitement and calm as our bus climbed up toward Castelmola from Messina. Maybe it was the way the air changed—cooler, with that faint mineral smell you get in hill towns. Our guide, Carmela, kept pointing out little things I’d never notice on my own: old stone terraces tucked into the hillside, laundry flapping like flags. When we finally stepped into Castelmola’s main square, I just stopped for a second. Mount Etna was there—huge but somehow quiet in the distance. Someone nearby was laughing over coffee, and the whole place had this sleepy-but-alive feeling I can’t really explain.

We ducked into a tiny café (I think Carmela knew everyone there), and she insisted we try the almond wine. It tasted sweeter than I expected—almost syrupy—and left this warmth at the back of my throat. I tried to say “grazie” with a bit of a Sicilian accent; one of the older men behind the counter grinned and corrected me gently. There’s something about sitting in a place like that, with locals chatting around you and not understanding every word, that makes you feel both out of place and totally welcome at once.

The drive down to Taormina was all switchbacks and flashes of blue sea between trees. Once we hit Corso Umberto, everything got louder—shopkeepers calling out, church bells somewhere off to the left, tourists taking photos near Piazza IX Aprile (I did too, couldn’t help it). The Duomo looked almost fortress-like; Carmela explained how it was built on medieval ruins. My favorite bit? Watching an artist sketching portraits in the piazza while people sipped espresso nearby—it felt like time slowed down for a minute there.

I still think about that view from Castelmola sometimes—the way Etna just sits on the horizon—and how sweet that first sip of almond wine was after all those winding roads. If you’re even a little curious about Sicily’s quieter corners (and don’t mind some hills), this day trip from Messina is worth it for those small moments alone.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Castelmola and Taormina highlights

• Travel to Castelmola village
• Enjoy panoramic views of Mount Etna
• Taste typical sweet almond wine
• Arrive in Taormina
• Walk along Corso Umberto main street
• See Piazza Duomo and start tour
• View Baroque style fountain
• Pass Palazzo Ciampoli residence
• Visit Taormina Cathedral (Duomo)
• Walk through fifteenth-century village walls
• Relax at Piazza IX Aprile square
• See church near Torre dell'orologio
• Visit Santa Caterina Church ruins

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Messina to Taormina & Castelmola?

The tour is a full-day trip departing from Messina with stops in both Castelmola and Taormina before returning.

Is almond wine tasting included in Castelmola?

Yes, there’s a stop at local cafés in Castelmola where you can taste traditional sweet almond wine.

Are entry fees or lunch included?

No entry fees or lunch are mentioned as included; only transport and guide services are provided.

What landmarks will I see in Taormina?

You’ll visit Corso Umberto I, Piazza IX Aprile, Taormina Cathedral (Duomo), Santa Caterina Church, and more historic sites.

Is hotel or port pickup available?

The tour includes pickup timed according to cruise ship arrivals in Messina; check specifics when booking.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Yes; infant seats are available and children must be accompanied by an adult. Note infant meals aren’t included.

Will there be a local guide during the tour?

A professional guide provides live commentary throughout the day; tours may be multilingual depending on participants.

How much walking is involved on this tour?

You should have at least moderate fitness as both towns have hilly streets and some walking is required.

What’s included

Your day includes transport by air-conditioned bus from Messina with pickup scheduled around cruise arrivals, live commentary from your professional guide throughout both Castelmola and Taormina stops—including that sweet almond wine tasting at a local café—before heading back again together at day’s end.