Top Sicily Day Trips

Marvel over the geological wonders of Mount Etna, then visit the elegant resort town of Taormina on this action-packed full-day tour from Catania. Soak up the dramatic scenery of Europe’s highest active volcano as you visit the hilltop resort of Rifugio Sapienza; ride the cable car to the 9,514-foot (2,900-meter) peak of Mount Etna (optional) and explore a natural lava cave. After exploring the lava cave, have a delicious tasting of the local products such as honey, oil and wine. On the way to Taormina, you will stop and see the beautiful "Isola Bella” from above. Then spend the afternoon enjoying your free time in Taormina, among medieval churches, ancient Greek theater, and lively shopping district.

Explore Europe’s largest active volcano this day trip to Mt Etna from Taormina. Relax with transportation to the base station of Rifugio Sapienza and then take off through the foothills for some time to spend hiking at your leisure. Alternatively, upgrade your ticket for a trip up to the upper craters and a guided walking tour through the volcanic craters. Soak up scenic views from the UNESCO-listed spot before concluding with transportation back to Taormina.

Mount Etna is Europe's largest active volcano, but you don’t have to climb the mighty peak to experience the natural wonder. On this full-day tour from Taormina, hike through the ancient woodlands and lava caves of Mt Etna; indulge in a Sicilian-style lunch and wine tasting; and explore the Alcantara Gorge. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Trek around Mount Etna on this tour with a small group and an expert trekking guide. Set off from Taormina to spend the day learning about the volcano's history, exploring craters and lava caves. Stop at a local chalet for an included snack and wine. Hotel or port pickup and drop-off can be arranged on request.

The volcanic landscapes around Mt. Etna are widely considered among the most fascinating in Italy, but they’re not always easy to explore without a guide. This adventurous half-day bus and hiking tour from Taormina includes food-tastings in Zafferana Etnea and a visit to the Parco dell’Etna. Delve into a lava cave with a guide, follow winding trails to the Rifugio Sapienza at 6,200 feet (1,900 meters) above sea level, and watch the sunset over the Silvestri craters.

Enjoy a physical perspective of Sicily on a tour to Mt. Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe. Do a little trekking, check out an old crater and lava flow caves, and admire gorgeous views of the mountain and surrounding landscape at sunset. Plus, stop by a farm to taste local products like honey and wine. Hotel pickup in Catania is included.

Compare the unforgettable storyline of "The Godfather" saga with real-life Mafia history during this in-depth guided tour of two Sicilian villages. See filming locations, like the church where Micheal Corleone married his young bride, Apollonia. You’ll also hear true stories from Sicilian Mafia clans and learn about their grip on southern Italy. The small-group tour is limited to eight and concludes with a tasty pasta buffet at a typical trattoria.

Leave the navigating to your driver and explore the history and architecture of Sicily with this full-day tour. See several popular landmarks in one day, including the Greek ruins of Agrigento and the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina. This small group tour through the Valley of the Temples offers an intimate atmosphere.

Discover the Aeolian Archipelago on this day trip to the islands of Stromboli and Panarea from Taormina. Journey to each island by motorboat, exploring the local shops at your leisure or taking a cool dip in the sea. Afterward, cruise around Stromboli to see the island’s volcano. Keep your eyes peeled for the crater of Sciara del Fuoco, known to light up the sky with its jet-like eruptions. After a full day of touring the UNESCO-listed islands, return to Taormina.

Indulge your love of food and wine on this all-day tour of the Etna countryside. After a convenient hotel pickup, learn about the region’s history and culture from a local guide as you cruise through scenic Sicilian villages. Stop at a family-run winery, a picturesque farmhouse with delicious food, and a pastry bar. Enjoy wine tastings and samples of local cheeses, salumi, and pastas included in the tour price.

UNESCO–listed Syracuse, Ortigia Island, and Noto are three of eastern Sicily’s most beautiful coastal settlements, with a history dating back to the days of the ancient Greeks. This full-day tour takes you to all three sites in one day, with round-trip travel from Catania, Taormina, and surrounding areas included. Discover Roman ruins in Nepaolis, and admire beautiful baroque architecture in Noto—with your guide on hand to bring Sicily’s history to life.

Spend the day exploring Europe’s tallest active volcano and touring the charming town of Taormina. Visit an abandoned lava quarry, take photos of a house engulfed by lava, circle the edge of the Crateri Silvestri, and explore a lava tube with flashlights and helmets. Enjoy a traditional lunch of arancini, Sicilian pizza, cannoli, and more in Zafferana. See the sights of Taormina before your tour concludes.

Delve into ancient Roman and Greek history on a visit to both Neapolis Archaeological Park and Ortygia Island in Syracuse. Neapolis is home to some of Syracuse's most notable ruins, including a massive Greek amphitheater that is still used for performances during the summer months. Marvel at age-old quarries and a Roman amphitheater where gladiators fought each other to the death. Afterward, head over to Ortygia Island―a small island that serves as Syracuse's historic center―and nearby Noto, a stunning town filled with exquisite, photo-worthy baroque architecture.

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.

Sicily is home to some of the most spectacular Greek and Roman archaeological sites in Italy, but visiting on your own means navigating the island’s confusing rural roads. With this tour, reach Villa Romana Del Casale in Piazza Armerina and the Valley of Temples in Agrigento with a private driver for a stress-free jaunt through ancient history, taking in these remarkable ruins at your own pace.

Spend a day discovering Europe’s highest active volcano and lava caves on this Mt. Etna tour. As you travel from Taormina or Giardini Naxos, learn all about the infamous Sicilian volcano from a guide. Then, leave the vehicle to trek along the trails of Parco dell’Etna, and visit an intriguing lava cave back at ground level. On your return to Catania, you have time for one last stop at an organic farm where samples of wine and honey await.

Complement your Taormina excursions with a dose of Italian culture when you attend this evening of opera. Talented singers will perform duets and arias from some of the most popular Italian-written operas, including La Traviata, Tosca, and La Bohème. Tickets also include a glass of Champagne, plus opportunities to admire photo-worthy views of the city from the theater's terrace.

Mt. Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe and home to fertile vineyards and farms. With this tour, avoid the stress of navigating the winding roads on the mountain on your own and instead visit the dramatic Silvestri Craters and a farm on the slopes of Mt. Etna with a driver. End your experience with a tasting and lunch at a local winery at the foot of the mountain.

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 best way to connect with any local culture is through food, and nowhere is this more true than Sicily. With this cooking class, shop for ingredients at the market in Taormina like a local before learning how to prepare a variety of traditional Sicilian dishes with Chef Massimo in his restaurant kitchen. Enjoy the fruits of our labors over lunch afterwards, served with two local wines.

Explore the southeastern coast of Sicily on a day trip to Syracuse from Taormina. Led by a professional guide, see the impressive collection of ancient Roman and Greek ruins, soak up scenic views of the water and learn the rich history behind the city from your guide. Visit the archaeological site of Parco Archeologico della Neapolis (own expense) and spend the afternoon discovering Ortygia, Syracuse’s island neighborhood.

The volcanic landscapes around Mt. Etna draw travelers from far and wide, but reaching the highest peaks can be a challenge. This adventurous full-day tour from Taormina includes food-tastings in Zafferana Etnea and a visit to the Parco dell’Etna. Delve into a lava cave with a guide, marvel at Italy’s volcanic landscape from the Rifugio Sapienza, and delve deep into the Alcantara Gorges—home to lava formations shaped over millions of years.

While your ship is in Messina, see more of Sicily on a half-day trip to Taormina. Take a guided tour of this historical city, including a stroll along Corso Umberto, once an ancient Roman street, and a visit to the Greco-Roman Theater. Plus, sample Sicilian delicacies, admire views of Mt. Etna and Giardini-Naxos bay from Castelmola, and on return to Messina, check out this ancient port’s highlights. Port and Taormina pickup and drop-off included.

Spend a day exploring the ancient sights of the Valley of the Temples with this day trip from Palermo. Travel to Agrigento for a quick coffee break (own expense) before visiting the fascinating site for a 1-hour tour. See the temples of Hera, Concordia and Apollo. Take a midday break for lunch (own expense) before stopping at the archaeology museum for a 1-hour self-guided visit.