Taormina Savoca Castelmola tour: Medieval towns lunch

The Cappuccini Convent catacombs hold mummified monks and nobles from centuries past.

A small group tour of three medieval towns in Sicily — Savoca, Taormina and Castelmola — with a driver and shared minivan transport, lunch of typical Sicilian food and wine, and hotel pickup included. The driver provides information during the journey and a paper guide for the sites themselves; the Greek Theatre ticket is separate. The tour runs eight hours and covers towns famous for Godfather filming locations and views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Savoca, Taormina, and Castelmola

• Visit Savoca medieval town
• See catacombs at Cappuccini Convent
• Stop at Bar Vitelli for granita
• Explore Taormina and Greek Theatre
• Walk along Corso Umberto
• Visit Taormina Cathedral
• Enjoy Sicilian snack and wine
• Travel to Castelmola medieval suburb
• Walk alleys from Sant’Antonio square
• Shop local souvenirs and crafts
• Visit Bar Turrisi for coffee or almond wine

The Experience

Savoca opens the day as a characteristic medieval town where you descend into the Cappuccini Convent catacombs to see the mummified remains of monks and nobles preserved in the stone. The highlight is Bar Vitelli, the actual location where scenes from The Godfather were filmed — you taste Sicilian granita there and see the photographs from the shoot. The driver guides the route and timing; a paper guide covers the details once you step inside.

Taormina is the second stop, and the scale shifts. You walk Corso Umberto past the Cathedral and out to views of Capo Taormina bay, with Mount Etna rising across the water. The Greek Theatre sits above the town (entry is a separate ticket), but the real meal happens here: a free Sicilian snack of arancini, pizza, calzoni and other tavola calda — the hot table — paired with Sicilian Doc wine. This is where lunch anchors the day.

Castelmola, the third town, perches between sky and sea on a hilltop above Taormina. The walk through narrow alleys passes small shops selling local laces and embroideries, and the final stop is Bar Turrisi for coffee or almond wine, a typical Sicilian dessert wine. From the square Sant'Antonio the view opens to Etna on one side and the Ionian Sea on the other — the balcony effect the town is known for.

What’s included

• Lunch with typical Sicilian food, Etna wine and water.
• round-trip shared minivan transport with an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a driver who provides commentary during the journey.
• a paper guide for use inside the sites.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Sicily Day By Day

Is this one for you?The tour moves at a walking pace through three towns across eight hours with moderate effort — if you want the medieval streets, the Godfather locations and the Etna views without arranging your own transport or hiring a private guide, the shared minivan and fixed itinerary hold the day together.

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Top questions

What exactly is inside the Cappuccini Convent in Savoca?

The Cappuccini Convent in Savoca holds catacombs with the mummified bodies of monks and nobles from the town's history, preserved in the stone chambers below ground.

Is the Greek Theatre in Taormina included in the tour price?

The Greek Theatre ticket is not included; entry is a separate purchase if you want to visit the ancient site. The tour includes walking past it and the surrounding town.

What kind of food and drink do I get for lunch?

Lunch is a free Sicilian snack of typical local dishes — arancini, pizza, calzoni and other items from the tavola calda (hot table) — served with Sicilian Doc wine, tasted in Taormina.

Does the tour include a professional guide inside the historical sites?

The driver provides information during the journey in the minivan but does not enter the historical places as a touristic guide. A paper guide is provided for you to use inside the archaeological areas and sites.

How much walking is involved across the three towns?

The tour involves moderate walking through the medieval streets and alleys of each town, including the descent into Savoca's catacombs and the walk through Castelmola's narrow lanes to the viewpoints and bars.

What time does the tour start and how long does it run?

The tour runs for eight hours total and includes hotel pickup, so the start time depends on where you are staying; the driver collects you from your accommodation or a nearby meeting point.