Tours/Messina/Messina Private excursion Taormina and Castelmola
Messina Private excursion Taormina and Castelmola
4.9(176)Messina4–7 hours
VIATOR4.8(29)TRIPADVISOR4.9(147)
+40 photos
At a glance
Duration
4–7 hours
Price from
$171 / person
Location
Messina, Italy
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 176 reviews
Languages
EN, FA, IT, FR
Group
Private
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Hotel pickup
Available
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Sicily Best Excursions
Description
The tour departs from the cruise terminal towards Castelmola (approximately 45 minutes by road).
Castelmola is a small village on the top of Taormina with a wonderful view of Mount Etna.
After about an hour we move to Taormina, one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, reachable only on foot and full of shops and restaurants.
After about 2 or 3 hours we return to Messina, but not before a nice panoramic tour of Isola Bella.
As a last stop, we will visit the Sanctuary of Christ the King, a panoramic point over the Strait of Messina, and the Duomo cathedral, where you can admire the largest astronomical clock in Europe.
The timetable is designed to make the most of your time in Sicily and to be perfectly on time with the cruise ship.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Next available
Thu, Oct 8
Adult (ages 3+)
$171
Infant (ages 0–2)
Free
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 6.
Tour Options
Messina Private excursion Taormina and Castelmola
Pickup included
Itinerary
Castelmola
60 min
A small village, rich in Norman and Baroque culture, on the top of Taormina with a wonderful view of Mount Etna.
Taormina
180 min
Taormina is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, characterized by a mix of different cultures. A favorite destination for tourists, it can only be reached on foot and is full of shops and restaurants.
Messina
60 min
Small sightseeing tour of the city of Messina with a visit to the sanctuary of Christ the King, a panoramic point of the city from which it is possible to see the Strait of Messina from above. Finally we will see the Duomo cathedral with the largest astronomical clock in Europe.
What's included
Included
Private transportation
Soda/Pop
Bottled water
WiFi on board
Air-conditioned vehicle
Pickup Locations & Times
The contact method can be via WhatsApp, telephone or email.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
176 reviews
5
167
4
5
3
3
2
0
1
1
How it compares in Messina
No. 5 by number of reviews among 112 tours in Messina
Starting price $171 is close to the typical $182 for tours of similar length in Messina
Excurgo comparison of 112 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Messina Private excursion Taormina and Castelmola take?
Messina Private excursion Taormina and Castelmola lasts about 4–7 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does Messina Private excursion Taormina and Castelmola cost?
Prices start at $171 per person for this Messina experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Messina Private excursion Taormina and Castelmola run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day.
Can I cancel Messina Private excursion Taormina and Castelmola for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. The contact method can be via WhatsApp, telephone or email. Pickup points include Xenia Luxury Rooms, Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare.
What languages is Messina Private excursion Taormina and Castelmola offered in?
The experience is available in EN, FA, IT, FR, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Messina Private excursion Taormina and Castelmola worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 176 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Sicily Best Excursions.
Reviews(176)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
L
lorenw828
September 30, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A fantastic day with Best Sicily Excursions. Alberto was a brilliant driver — friendly, knowledgeable and made the whole
A fantastic day with Best Sicily Excursions. Alberto was a brilliant driver — friendly, knowledgeable and made the whole day completely relaxed. We loved both Castelmola and Taormina, but a real highlight was the little bar he recommended in Castelmola for cannoli and almond wine. We’d never have found it ourselves and absolutely loved it. A really memorable day and excellent service from start to finish. Highly recommend!
W
Wendy_R
September 30, 2026 · via Viator
Book this tour!
We had the best time on this tour. Alberto was an excellent driver and we all felt safe even on the winding roads. Pari was a fun tour guide, she has a passion for Sicily and we learned so much. Pari was very accommodating for our elderly parents. Many fun memories were made. We would highly recommend this tour.
V
Voyage45047083213
September 29, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
An amazing day in Sicily!!
Andrea was such a wonderful guide! He introduced us to the history and beauty of Messina, Castelmola, and Taormina. He also introduced us to some of the delicious foods in the area. Overall a great experience for our group of 8. Definitely recommend this experience!
M
michaelcwatson
September 27, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Sicily
Our guide took us to a beautiful town however because we were a small group we couldn’t hear her when she was answering questions or talking about certain sights. We should have had ear pieces
G
George_N
September 27, 2026 · via Viator
Excellent Messina & Taormina Tour with Great Communication!
The communication from this tour company was top-notch right from booking, including a WhatsApp message the day before and direct contact from our driver the morning of with his live location for a seamless port pickup in Messina.
We customized our itinerary to start in Taormina, making a fantastic preliminary stop in Castelmola for a church visit, local sight-seeing, and incredible cannolis and liquor. Our driver then dropped us off on the main street in Taormina. It’s worth noting for future travelers that this portion of the tour is free exploration time on your own (about 2 hours) rather than a walking tour with the driver. While we initially expected a guided walk based on the "private tour" label, it actually worked out wonderfully—giving our family group nice, uninterrupted time to shop, wander, and grab a bite.
Due to the weather, we couldn't get a clear view of Mt. Etna, though we would have loved if the itinerary had included going a bit closer to make Etna more of a central focus. That said, our driver's lunch recommendation was spot-on, and on the way back to Messina, he took us to several great sightseeing spots and an amazing dessert place.
Our driver was personable, fun, awesome to spend the day with, and made our time in Sicily unforgettable. Overall, it's a fantastic, high-value option to maximize a short port stay—just go in knowing what to expect for free time vs. guided time!
R
robesonw
September 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Book it!!!
Book it!! We had a fantastic day! Pari was an excellent guide, she has a passion for Sicily and is very knowledgeable and sweet. She was accommodating for a mixed age group and everyone had a good time. Alberto was a very good driver, he made us feel safe on the windy roads. When we return to the ship, it was pouring rain and Pari and Alberto escorted us to the ship with umbrellas. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone.
G
gorgieandme
September 22, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
THE Best way to get to Taormina!!
What a fabulous day!! Pick up was punctual, vehicle was air conditioned & comfortable and our guide Alberto was a safe & patient driver. He also shared his local knowledge as we travelled to Taormina. We had plenty of free time to explore the village and historic Theatre.
Alberto was friendly, helpful and kind.
Don’t hesitate- book it before someone else does 10/10 ✅
M
Michael_W
September 19, 2026 · via Viator
Sicily
The tour stops were great. And the the relaxing time for cannelloni and lunch was what we needed. Our guide was lovely however she was hard to understand and she spoke more to individuals rather than the group so not all of us we involved in instancing out tour sites. Additional the van/taxi was way too small for us to be comfortable.
D
Debbie_H
September 17, 2026 · via Viator
Fantastic
Andrea was a great communicator, he picked us up on time at the Port which was amazing. He Listened to what was important to us, gave us history and information and got us back to port by the time we requested. It was a fantastic day. Our whole group loved it.
M
Michael_B
September 15, 2026 · via Viator
Super Time
Great experience. We had a fantastic time with Andrea. He was so friendly and knowledgeable. Made the excursion memorable!
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