Private Taormina tour: Castelmola, Isola Bella & Greek Theater

Walk Taormina's medieval streets, then climb to mountain views and an island at the water's edge

A private guided tour of Taormina, Castelmola and Isola Bella in Sicily with live guide in English or Spanish, air-conditioned transportation and Sicilian sweets included. The day moves through the main streets and cathedral of Taormina, then climbs 5 kilometers to the hilltop town of Castelmola for panoramic views, and finishes at the small island that appears on every postcard of the coast. The Greek Theater is nearby if you want to add it separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Castelmola1h
2. Isola Bella30m
3. Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock20m · entry included

Explore Taormina and nearby sights

• Visit Corso Umberto main street
• See Piazza IX Aprile panoramic terrace
• Visit Duomo of Taormina cathedral
• Explore Greek Theater ancient monument
• Visit Castelmola town viewpoints
• See Isola Bella island
• Visit Messina Cathedral and Bell Tower

The experience

The tour starts on Corso Umberto, the main street running through the center of Taormina, lined with luxury shops and boutiques on both sides. You walk past the Duomo, the cathedral at the end of the street, recognizable by its medieval facade and Baroque-style door. Piazza IX Aprile comes next: one of the best panoramic points in Taormina, with a terrace that opens onto the coast and is especially good for photos at sunset.

From Taormina, the driver takes you 5 kilometers up to Castelmola, a small hilltop town built for the viewpoints. This is where you get the best sight lines over the whole area. After time there, you head down to Isola Bella, the small island at the foot of the city that shows up on every postcard of Taormina. The route is covered in an air-conditioned car with WiFi on board. A live guide in English or Spanish travels with you and explains what you are seeing as you move through each stop.

If time allows on the return, the driver can take you to the Cathedral of Messina, not far from the cruise port, to see the Bell Tower with its astronomical and astrological clock: the largest and most complex one in the world. The tour runs 5 to 7 hours depending on how long you spend at each place. Sicilian sweets and a drink come with the tour.

What’s included

• The tour includes private air-conditioned transportation.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• WiFi on board.
• Sicilian sweets and a drink.
• and hotel or port pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (30 to 69 years) · Senior (70 to 98 years) · Youth (13 to 20 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 28 pickup points.

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

Paid on site€ 16

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Private transfer sicily

Is this one for you?Book this if you're comfortable with sustained walking across three locations (town streets, a hilltop castle, and an island) over a full day, and prefer a guide-led route that connects them without backtracking.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 20 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What is the Greek Theater in Taormina and can I visit it on this tour?

The Greek Theater is the most famous monument in Taormina, a building from the 3rd century BC still well preserved today, used for performances of plays and concerts. It is not included in this tour, but you can arrange a separate visit to it.

How far is Castelmola from Taormina and what will I see there?

Castelmola sits 5 kilometers from Taormina and is a small town built on a hilltop with the best panoramic viewpoints over the whole area. The main reason it is worth the drive.

What is Isola Bella and where is it?

Isola Bella is a small island located at the foot of Taormina, visible from the city and the one that appears on every postcard of the coast.

How long does this tour take?

The tour runs 5 to 7 hours, depending on how much time you spend at each stop and whether the driver takes you to the Cathedral of Messina on the return.

What is included in the price?

Private transportation in an air-conditioned luxury car, the live guide, WiFi on board, and Sicilian sweets with a drink are all included.