Messina · Italy
Messina Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Messina tours and things to do on Sicily’s northeast tip: day-trip to clifftop Taormina and its Greek theatre, climb smouldering Mount Etna, follow The Godfather trail to hilltop Savoca, admire Messina’s astronomical clock, and taste Sicilian wine and food. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
129 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in Messina
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Messina
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
Explore Messina by interest
Whatever brings you to Messina — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Messina
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Taormina
Greek theatre.
15 toursView tours
Mount Etna
Active volcano.
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Savoca
Godfather village.
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Messina Cathedral
Astronomical clock.
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Alcantara Gorges
Basalt canyons.
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Greek Theatre
Taormina views.
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Etna Wines
Volcano vineyards.
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Etna Craters
Lava fields.
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45 min awayTaormina
Greek theatre.
from €63View trips
1.5 hr awayMount Etna
Active volcano.
from €69View trips
South awaySavoca
Godfather village.
from €141View trips
Near Etna awayAlcantara Gorges
Basalt canyons.
from €60View trips
City awayMessina Cathedral
Astronomical clock.
from €42View trips
Slopes awayEtna Wines
Volcano vineyards.
from €42View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Messina visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Mild and green — lovely for Taormina and Etna.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Hot and busy, best for the coast.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Warm, with grape harvest on Etna.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Cool below, with snow on Etna’s summit.
For Etna
Late spring to autumn for the best access.
Best overall
May, June, September and October.
One day
Taormina and the city, or a Savoca trip.
Two days
Add a full Mount Etna day.
Three days
Add the Alcantara Gorges and a wine tour.
For history
Taormina and the cathedral.
For nature
Mount Etna and the Alcantara Gorges.
For cruisers
A shore excursion to Taormina or Etna.
On foot
Messina’s centre and cathedral are walkable.
Day tours
Tours run to Taormina, Etna and Savoca.
By train
Trains link Messina and Taormina along the coast.
Cruise port
Shore excursions leave right from the port.
Where to stay
Stay in Messina or base in Taormina.
Euro
Italy uses the euro; cards widely accepted.
The clock
Be at the cathedral by noon for the show.
Taormina
Book the Greek theatre to skip the queue.
Etna
Bring layers; the summit is cold and windy.
Savoca
Stop at Bar Vitelli from The Godfather.
Cruisers
Choose a shore excursion timed to your ship.
Combos
Some tours pair Taormina with Savoca or Etna.
Taormina tours
Day trips fill up — book ahead.
Etna tours
Volcano trips fill up — reserve early.
Savoca tours
Godfather tours fill up — book ahead.
Shore excursions
Cruise tours fill up — reserve early.
Alcantara tours
Gorge trips fill up — book ahead.
Summer & cruise days
Peak days are busy — book far ahead.
Taormina tour
Around €63–110 for a Taormina day trip.
Etna tour
About €69–120 for a Mount Etna tour.
Savoca tour
Roughly €90–141 for a Savoca Godfather tour.
City tour
Around €42–70 for a city and cathedral tour.
Alcantara tour
About €60–100 for an Alcantara Gorges tour.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
When to visit
Messina through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Apr–Jun
- Best for
- Mild & green.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Jul–Aug
- Best for
- Coast & sun.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Busy.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Sep–Oct
- Best for
- Etna harvest.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Warm.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Nov–Mar
- Best for
- Snowy Etna.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cool.
People also ask
Messina travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Messina?
The highest-rated experiences are Taormina, Mount Etna, Savoca of Godfather fame, and Messina’s cathedral.
What should I book in advance in Messina?
Reserve Taormina trips, Etna tours and shore excursions ahead, especially on cruise days.
How many days do I need in Messina?
One day covers Taormina and the city, and two to three let you add Etna and the Alcantara Gorges.
Is Messina worth visiting?
Yes — as the gateway to Taormina, Etna and Sicily’s northeast, it is a superb base and cruise port.
When is the best time to visit Messina?
May, June, September and October for warm weather and easy Etna access.
What is Taormina known for?
Its ancient Greek theatre and clifftop views over Etna and the sea.
What is Mount Etna?
Europe’s highest and most active volcano.
129 Messina experiencesfrom €42 · free cancellation
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