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Messina
Messina Shore Excursions - Taormina, Mount Etna and Sicily

Messina is the gateway to eastern Sicily, with Taormina's ancient Greek theater and the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna both reachable in a single day. A private guide and vehicle take you beyond Messina's own Regional Museum and old town to the island's most famous sights, all timed to your ship's schedule.

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$50 Deposit
Reserve private Messina tours with a low initial deposit.

Messina Cruise Tours - Best of Messina and Taormina Best of Messina and Taormina

Messina Shore Excursion - 8 / 8.5 Hours

This is the most popular tour for visitors to Messina. You see the highlights of Messina including the Regional Museum and you visit Taormina's Greek Theater, one of the most popular attractions in Sicily.



100% Private TourPort or Hotel Pickup
Starting at
$352.00 per person
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Messina Shore Excursion - Taormina and Mt Etna Taormina and Mt Etna

Messina Shore Excursion - 8.5 Hours

This Messina shore tour explores the Greek-Roman amphitheater in Taormina and then takes you to the 6,000 for elevation of Mt. Etna. You will see the peaks, caldera and lava flows.


100% Private TourPort or Hotel Pickup
Starting at
$329.00 per person
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(13)
Messina Shore Excursion - Highlights of Messina and Taormina Highlights of Messina and Taormina

Messina Shore Excursion - 6 Hours

This tour is a condensed version of the "Best of Messina and Taormina" tour. It is provided for those clients whose ships are not in port long enough to enjoy the full day tour.


100% Private TourPort or Hotel Pickup
Starting at
$303.00 per person
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(15)
Messina Shore Excursions - Messina and Tindari Messina and Tindari

Messina Shore Excursion - 9 Hours

This tour allows you to see the major sites in the beautiful city of Messina, followed by a visit to the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna located at the ancient Greek settlement in Tindari.



100% Private TourPort or Hotel Pickup
Starting at
$344.00 per person
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(13)
Messina Shore Trip - Highlights of Messina Highlights of Messina

Messina Shore Excursion - 4 Hours

This tour offers provides the visitor with an orientation to the city of Messina. Included is a short driving tour, a walking tour and visit to the Messina Regional Museum, allowing you to see all the city's major monuments.



100% Private TourPort or Hotel Pickup
Starting at
$244.00 per person
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(15)
Messina Shore Trips - Highlights of Taormina Highlights of Taormina

Messina Shore Excursion - 4 Hours

This is the most popular tour for visitors who only have a short amount of time available. You enjoy a walking tour of the resort town of Taormina and its famous Greek-Roman Theater. A small amount of free time is also included.



100% Private TourPort or Hotel Pickup
Starting at
$242.00 per person
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(14)
Custom Tours & Large Group Services - Private group tour with professional local guide Create Private Tours for Any Size Group

Your day, your way.

One private vehicle, just your party, at every port you visit.

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Messina Shore Excursions - Taormina, Mount Etna and Eastern Sicily

Messina shore excursions and tours from Messina cruise port are fully private, with an English speaking guide and vehicle for your group only. Your guide meets you directly at the pier, whether you plan a short orientation to Messina itself or a full day exploring Taormina and Mount Etna.

Taormina shore excursions are the most popular option from Messina, with several itineraries built around the resort town's Greek-Roman Theater, one of the most photographed sites in Sicily. Our Best of Messina and Taormina tour combines both destinations in a single 8 to 8.5 hour day, while Highlights of Taormina is a shorter option for guests who only have a few hours in port.

For guests who want to see Mount Etna, our Taormina and Mt Etna tour continues from the Greek-Roman Theater up to roughly 6,000 feet on Sicily's active volcano, with views of its peaks, caldera and lava flows. Our Messina and Tindari tour instead pairs the city's own highlights with the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna at the ancient Greek settlement of Tindari, and our Highlights of Messina tour stays close to the pier for a shorter orientation to the city's Regional Museum and old town.

Every Messina shore excursion includes a licensed local guide, a private vehicle for your group only, and our back-to-ship guarantee. Reserve with a $50 deposit, contact us for custom itineraries or large group requests.

Frequently Asked Questions - Messina Shore Excursions

Where do cruise ships dock in Messina?

Cruise ships dock directly in the port of Messina, within walking distance of the city center. Your private guide and driver meet you at the pier with a name sign, whether your tour stays in Messina or continues on to Taormina, Mount Etna or beyond.

Is Taormina a good day trip from Messina?

Yes, Taormina is the most popular shore excursion from Messina and typically the highlight of the day. The resort town's Greek-Roman Theater is one of the most photographed sites in Sicily, and our Best of Messina and Taormina tour combines it with the city's own Regional Museum in a single 8 to 8.5 hour day.

Can I visit Mount Etna from Messina?

Yes, our Taormina and Mt Etna tour continues from Taormina's Greek-Roman Theater up to roughly 6,000 feet on Sicily's active volcano, with views of its peaks, caldera and lava flows, in a full 8.5 hour day.

What is included in the Best of Messina and Taormina tour?

Our most popular Messina shore excursion combines the highlights of Messina, including the Regional Museum, with a visit to Taormina's Greek Theater, one of the most popular attractions in Sicily. A shorter 6 hour version, Highlights of Messina and Taormina, is available for ships with less time in port.

What is the Messina and Tindari tour?

This 9 hour tour pairs the major sites of Messina with a visit to the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna, located at the ancient Greek settlement of Tindari on the Sicilian coast.

Is there a shorter tour for guests who only have a few hours in Messina?

Yes, our Highlights of Messina tour is a 4 hour orientation to the city with a driving and walking tour plus a visit to the Regional Museum, and Highlights of Taormina is a 4 hour option focused entirely on Taormina's Greek-Roman Theater for guests short on time.

What is the back-to-ship guarantee?

Our back-to-ship guarantee means that if an unforeseen delay during your private tour prevents you from returning to Messina cruise port before your ship departs, we will arrange and cover the cost of transportation to your next port of call. This guarantee applies to all private shore excursions booked through us from Messina.

Popular Messina Tours

Browse our Messina shore excursions or nearby Sicily and southern Italy ports:

Popular Messina Tours Best of Messina and Taormina Taormina and Mt Etna Highlights of Messina and Taormina Messina and Tindari Highlights of Messina Highlights of Taormina More Sicily & Southern Italy Italy (All Ports) Catania Palermo Naples