About this tour
This 6–8 hour excursion sweeps across Sicily's northeast coast, starting with Europe's tallest volcano, Mount Etna, then descending to the clifftop village of Castelmola for sweeping views across the Ionian Sea. You'll spend 1–2 hours exploring Taormina, the ancient Greek settlement famous for its amphitheatre and car-free medieval streets lined with galleries and trattorias. The tour wraps with a brief stop in either Messina or Catania before returning you to your port or accommodation.
Highlights
- Mount Etna: Europe's highest volcano at 3,330 metres
- Castelmola: hilltop village with panoramic bay views
- Taormina's Greek theatre and Roman-era pedestrian lanes
- Giardini-Naxos Bay coastal scenery
- Local shops, cafés and restaurants in Taormina
- City tour of Messina or Catania
What to expect
You'll be collected from the dock or your arrival point and driven inland toward Etna's slopes, where you'll see the dramatic volcanic landscape. The real standout is Castelmola—a postcard-perfect perch above Taormina where you can photograph the coast and crater in a single frame. Then it's a five-minute descent into Taormina itself, where the car-free centro storico rewards wandering: Roman paving stones, a genuinely impressive ancient theatre, and enough cafés to justify a long lunch. The return leg includes a quick tour of either Messina or Catania before dropping you back at the port with time to spare before departure.
Good to know
Entrance fees to the theatre and sites aren't included; budget accordingly. Taormina's streets are steep and narrow—wear comfortable shoes. The tour suits all fitness levels and is wheelchair accessible. Bottled water and WiFi on board are provided.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.