The Godfather & Taormina: Private Shore Excursion from Messina

The Godfather filming locations, a medieval hilltop village, and Taormina's Greek theatre in one morning

A private shore excursion from Messina cruise port takes you to Savoca, the village where The Godfather was filmed, and Taormina, perched on the cliffs above the Ionian Sea. Your driver meets you at the ship's gate and handles all transport while you walk through Savoca's stone alleyways, visit the Bar Vitelli where Michael Corleone proposed, climb to the Church of San Nicolò, then spend free time exploring Taormina's Ancient Theatre and the flower-lined Corso Umberto with Mount Etna as the backdrop. The route includes a stop at Messina's Cathedral and Astronomical Clock Tower before your return to the port.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Messina, Savoca, and Taormina

• Meet driver at Messina Port
• Drive along scenic coastal road
• Admire Madonna della Lettera statue
• Visit Savoca village and Bar Vitelli
• Walk to Church of San Nicolò
• Explore Taormina and Ancient Theatre
• Shop along Corso Umberto
• Enjoy views of sea and Mount Etna
• Visit Messina Cathedral and Clock Tower

The experience

Your driver meets you directly at Messina cruise port's gate and drives you along the sickle-shaped harbor, past the statue of the Madonna della Lettera that has greeted arriving ships for centuries. The route climbs into the hills toward Savoca, a stone village built into the slope where Francis Ford Coppola shot scenes from The Godfather. You walk the narrow alleyways, step into the Bar Vitelli (the actual location where Michael Corleone asked for Apollonia's hand in marriage), and climb to the Church of San Nicolò for views across the valley. A traditional granita at the bar is part of the stop.

From Savoca, the drive continues to Taormina, which sits on a natural terrace overlooking the sea with Mount Etna rising behind it. You have free time to wander through the medieval streets lined with flowers, shop along the Corso Umberto, and visit the Ancient Greek Theatre, one of Italy's most preserved classical structures. The theatre's position means you stand inside it looking out over the Bay of Naxos and the mountain. There is no fixed itinerary for these hours. You choose what to see and how long to linger.

On the return to port, your driver makes a final stop at Messina's Cathedral to show you the Astronomical Clock Tower, a mechanical masterpiece with golden statues that move on the hour. The entire excursion runs between four and six hours depending on how you spend your time in Taormina, and you're back at the ship's gate with time to spare before departure.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water on board.
• WiFi during the drive.
• your driver meeting you at the cruise port gate and handling all logistics.
• entry to the sites you visit (Savoca, Taormina, Messina Cathedral) is included in the price.

Information

Lasts 4h–6h, runs every day with no fixed time, from € 141.51 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day

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 2 pickup points.

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Get in Sicily Shore Excursions

Is this one for you?Pick this if your ship docks at Messina and you want a private vehicle that meets you at the gate on the cruise line's schedule, so your group stays together without coordinating with other passengers or local transport.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Bar Vitelli and why is it famous?

The Bar Vitelli in Savoca is the actual location where scenes from The Godfather were filmed, including the scene where Michael Corleone proposes to Apollonia. You visit it as part of the Savoca stop and can order a traditional granita there.

Can I see the Ancient Theatre in Taormina during this excursion?

Yes. The Ancient Greek Theatre is one of Taormina's main attractions and you have free time to visit it during the tour. The theatre is remarkably well preserved and sits at a position where you can see the Bay of Naxos and Mount Etna from inside it.

How much free time do I get in Taormina?

The tour gives you plenty of free time in Taormina to explore at your own pace. The exact amount depends on how long you spend in Savoca, but the total excursion lasts between four and six hours, with Taormina being the main stop.

What happens if my ship is delayed and I'm not back by departure time?

Your driver is coordinating with the cruise port and knows the ship's schedule. The excursion is timed so you return to the port gate with time before the ship leaves. If you have concerns about your specific sailing time, confirm it with your driver when he meets you.

Does the tour include a stop in Messina itself?

Yes. On the return journey to the port, your driver makes a stop at Messina's Cathedral to show you the Astronomical Clock Tower, a one-of-a-kind mechanical structure with golden statues that move on the hour.