Top Sicily Layover Tours

Make the most of your time docked in Messina with this small-group shore excursion that can fit more stops in one day than a large coach tour. Explore the town of Savoca, setting of The Godfather films, before moving on to Taormina. Take in the Greek Theater, browse the shops along Corso Umberto, and soak in views overlooking the coastline before ending with a stop at the UNESCO-listed Isolabella marine reserve.

Mount Etna may be famous for its volcanic landscapes, but the mountain's lower slopes are covered in lush vineyards where some of the island's best wines are produced. Explore Mount Etna's winemaking culture with this full-day tour packed with cellar visits and tastings. Kick off by sampling a variety of local labels in Castiglione di Sicilia, then continue on to visit two local wineries for tastings and lunch.

A stop not to be missed. In one day you can visit the ancient archaeological heart of Syracuse, explore the most recent mysteries and walk on the island of Ortigia, the oldest part around which the city was born. Ortigia contains colors, smells, romantic stories and irresistible views. It is no coincidence that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A morning to spend among the many places that characterize the uniqueness of the Etna volcanic landscape, to then savor the flavors and smells in one of the most famous and ancient wine cellars of the eastern slope.

In one day we will visit the natural beauty of the Etna landscape and the suggestive scenery of the Alcantara Gorges, a park characterized by the cold waters of the river that flows between two high basaltic rock walls formed in ancient eruptions.

Sicily’s romantic atmosphere and unconventional history has seduced visitors for millennia, but they're easy to miss in the bustle of modern travel. This private walking tour immerses you in rustic hill towns and the history of the Sicilian Mafia—including visits to filming sites of The Godfather movie—and the anti-Mafia fight. Upgrade to end your tour with food and wine tastings or a traditional fish dinner at a local restaurant.

Spend your afternoon sailing—and swimming—along the Coast of the Cyclops. The 10-passenger yacht offers a small-group experience, allowing for anyone to learn the basics of sailing. Help to steer the boat if you’d like, and dive in at Ulysses’ Grotto. Toast your Catania sailing trip with a glass of provided Prosecco and a Sicilian aperitif. Bonus: booking this tour supports a non-profit mission to promote sustainable life at sea.

Explore Mount Etna during the most dazzling time of day with this sunset Jeep tour. Set off in the afternoon to take in the Valle del Bove and lunar landscapes of the lava and ash fields on the slopes of Europe’s highest active volcano. Discover side craters and extinguished lava flows, don a helmet and headlamp to venture into a lava tube, and admire the bird's-eye view at sunset.

The Etna 2000 Morning jeep tour is designed to give everyone the chance to discover the most important places of Etna and to have a complete picture of its history, evolution and activity. We will begin the excursion from the lava flows that in past centuries destroyed the Etna villages and we will arrive at about 2000m above sea level at the ski and tourist resort of Mount Etna. Along the way, equipped with helmets and torches, we will visit a wonderful volcanic cave (lava tube), the famous Valle del Bove from a lookout and always accompanied by our passionate guides we will make a pleasant trek around the side craters, like the Silvestri Craters . In fact, there are over 300 extinct lateral craters on Mount Etna. The excursion is carried out on board our 4X4 jeeps with which we reach the various points of interest and throughout the journey our guides will provide you with all the information on Etna and in the end you will love it as we do

Mount Etna is widely considered among Sicily’s top natural attractions, but its remote location and rugged terrain make exploring a challenge. On this tour, tackle the terrain by powerful 4x4 Jeep—with round-trip transport from Catania and Taormina hotels included. With your guide at the wheel, traverse old lava fields and dense forest, and stop along the way to admire the views and explore Mount Etna up-close on foot.

See why Taormina earned the nickname ‘the Pearl of the Ionian’ while exploring its picturesque coastline from the water. On this half-day boat tour, get the best perspective of dramatic sea caves, the Grotta Azurra and Capo Taormino as your captain navigates along the rocky shore and through spectacular bays. Splash into the crystal-clear waters for a swim, and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch with views of the Isola Bella island nature reserve.

Mount Etna is one of the most striking natural features in Sicily, and with this tour, you can experience both its beauty and geology. Set off from Catania, stopping at an organic farm on the mountain slopes to sample honey, wine, olive oil, and other specialties. Afterward, continue up to the Valle del Bove.

Finding the best cannoli bakeries—pasticcerie—in Taormina can be a fun challenge, but it can also turn into fruitless trips between neighborhoods. With this tour, take the guesswork out and let a chef help you prepare cannoli from scratch, using traditional recipes starting with the crusty shell and ending with sweet ricotta cream. When you’re done, taste your creations and receive a “cannoli expert” certificate.

See the stunning Aeolian Archipelago on this day trip to the islands of Vulcano and Lipari from Taormina. Take a motorboat across the turquoise waters to the UNESCO-listed chain of volcanic islands. Enjoy free time to explore, cooling off with a swim in the Tyrrhenian Sea or checking out the Lipari Archaeological Museum for a bit of island history. Your day concludes with transportation back to Taormina.

Get a taste of Sicily with this private tour to Mt. Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano. Leave the driving to your private guide and take in the scenery as you drive through mountain villages, stopping at a local honey farm. Visit the famous Silvestri Craters and an Etna winery for lunch and a tasting of both red and white Sicilian wines. This tour can be customized, including the addition of a cable car ascent to 3000 meters up the volcano.

Dig into delicious Sicilian cuisine by taking this fun half-day cooking class at a restaurant in central Taormina. With a professional Sicilian chef by your side, learn about the history of the regional cuisine and prepare a lush 3-course meal. Visit the outdoor market to purchase ingredients and then head back to the restaurant to begin cooking and, eventually, eating.

You will be able to enjoy a unique experience, enjoy a dip in the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Mondello. The day on a sailing boat will help regenerate you away from the chaos of the beaches and noises. The excursion includes stops in places of high historical and naturalistic interest, immersed in the landscape of the coast. The SUP with paddle and mattress will be at your disposal for an even more inense experience. I will be happy to offer you a refreshing aperitif and lunch cooked on board with typical products of the Sicilian tradition. In the afternoon, if the wind permits, we will do some sailing giving you the basics of this sport.

With this tour you'll discover the majesty of Modica with its history and its chocolate. Our visit start with monuments like fabolous San Giorgio Cathedral and will continue with visit a laboratory that produces the famous chocolate of Modica and it is possible to make a tasting of Modica chocolate of Bonaiuto. After, we'll get an experience through the flavours of Gli Aromi di Russino farm in Scicli. From tripadvisor reviews: This tour surely exceeded our expectations. Such an original idea. We are welcomed with local wine, prosecco and water. Enrico, the owner gave a detailed tour of the farm explaining the different herbs, their use and how they are grown. The setting is beautiful and you can see all the way to the sea. I could have stayed all day in this farm. The buffet was prepared by a buffet. This service must be booked one day in advance! Available from July and September every Thursday and Saturday