Things to do in Taormina, Sicily: The Best Archaeology Tours

September 12, 2021 Russell Mellin

Volcanic Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea provide the cinema-worthy backdrop for Taormina, Sicily's legendary resort town. Twisting medieval streets and a second-century Greek theater add to its romantic air, which inspired the writings of D.H. Lawrence and Truman Capote. Take a cable car to the beach, or walk uphill behind the Church of St. Joseph for panoramic views.
Restaurants in Taormina

1. Syracuse's Archaeological Park Private Walking Tour

Neapolis Archaeological Park, Via del Teatro Greco, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy Prestelli Sicily Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Take a private walking tour of the ancient Neapolis Archaeological Park of Syracuse, UNESCO world heritage, and one of the most important archaeological parks of Italy. During this 2 hour private walking tour with a local knowledgeable guide, you will discover the most important ancient Greek and Roman monuments - the Greek Theater, the biggest Greek theater in Sicily, the legendary "Ear of Dionysius", famous for its unique acoustics, the altar of Hiero, and the ancient Greek quarries "Latomie", the Roman amphitheater. Private tour guarantees friendly and relaxed atmosphere and personal attention from your guide. Up to 10 travelers can be accommodated per booking.

Inclusions: Local, professional guide, Private tour

Exclusions: Entrance fees (10 euro for adults, discounts for children), Hotel pickup and drop-off (available on request), Food and drinks (available for purchase)

Reviewed By LMA5001

Incredible experience. Pasquale is a very nice and upbeat person. He took us to the best wineries. From the moment he picked us up it was clear that he had the entire day in perfect control. He is always professional and also fun. We really enjoyed the wine and food and the cellar tours. Pasquale even sent us several pictures from the day of fun that we had together. It was the highlight of our trip to Sicily. The communication was great - I asked Pasquale to arrange to have a cake for my girlfriend's birthday ... he made sure that at every destination there was a cake and everyone sang. He made me look like a hero! Thank you Pasquale!!!

2. 7-Day Highlights PRIVATE Sicily Tour - Only for you

Handy Sicily
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Destinations included in this tour: Catania, Etna, Taormina, Siracusa, Noto, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Selinunte, Erice, Palermo, Monreale, Cefalù. Arrival Catania - Departure Palermo. The tour includes the following must-see spots : Palatina Chapel (Palermo) – Valley of Temples by night (Agrigento) – Sicilian cookies tasting (Erice), Granita or Cannolo (Noto) – Historical center and Seaview (Cefalù) – Greek ruins with seaview (Selinunte), 3 Dinners with Sicilian specialty

Inclusions: Dinner, Overnight in wine resort in the Etna area with a wine tasting and food, Overnights in Noto center or Relais 2 km from Noto with breakfast, Overnight in 4-star hotel with breakfast in Agrigento, Overnights in 4-star hotel or B&B superior apartment with breakfast in Palermo, Airport transfers, English speaking driver/guide or driver +English speaking tour guides every day, Transport by Luxury Mercedes vehicles with all the comforts

Exclusions: City Taxes or Tourist Tax, payable directly at hotel, during the check out (only in some cities), Lunches, dinners (Except 1 dinner on day 1), Tips

Reviewed By RossoVinoSusan

Came here with my husband for our wedding anniversary and we had a lovely experience is Cassa de montabalno. Maria the housekeeper was amazing. Very helpful friendly and when we arrived we had to organise a Covid test. She organised it with the help of Ivana and we were very happy that they helped us. Maria was a source of information and arranged us to go on a day tour on a Montabalno Day Tour with Nunzio the taxi driver. We had a wonderful day. I would highly recommend this b&b to anyone who loves the tv show. Only negative was we missed the season and not many restaurants were open but we didn’t starve. We bought our food in the local shop and ate on the balcony in the evening. Thank you for having us!

3. 3 Days TREASURES OF THE EAST - with Local Guide -Private Excursions from Catania

Mimmo Sicily Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

- Exclusive Tours for personalized itineraries and flexibility - Led by a licensed LOCAL GUIDE for undivided attention - Comfortable Transport from your hotel by Top Class Mercedes Minivan - Customizable tours according to your interests - Available also starting from Taormina - SYRACUSE - NOTO - AGRIGENTO - TAORMINA - CYCLOPS COAST - CATANIA - ETNA  Visiting Sicily is exciting and enriches the soul. The central position of the island in the Mediterranean has for centuries made it the ideal place for the integration of Mediterranean culture. Just think of the Carthaginian, Greek and Roman colonizations, when usages and customs of the Siculi, Elimi, and of the Sicani blended with those of the peoples who came from beyond the sea.

Inclusions: Private Guided Tours in archeological areas and towns, Transportation by Mercedes V-Class Minivan, Bottled water, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Winery Visit & Tasting, Food and drinks, Accommodation in Catania (booked by traveler), Gratuities, Entrance fees

Reviewed By amongthecastelli

Mimmo is a superb driver and guide. Informed, considerate and kind, he drove us across Sicily and revealed the character and mystery of Sicily to us along the way with intelligence, good cheer and humor. His English is impeccable. When we return, we will certainly use his services again. We loved Sicily, and Mimmo was a big part of the experience.

4. Taormina, Castelmola, Giardini Naxos, Isolabella (max 20 pax)

Catania Tour Private Day Tour
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Enjoy the beauties of the most beautiful coast of Sicily, visiting 4 amazing sites: Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Isolabella and Castelmola, with a special stop to take pictures of the coast and Isolabella with its breathtaking views.

Inclusions: Professional English - speaking driver (or other language you prefer), Transportation by Mercedes luxury AC vehicle, all taxes and parking fees., Port pickup and drop-off, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Bottled water

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities

Reviewed By Trench50

Tour knew our port was changed right when we did and adjusted the itenirary. Guide was very knowledgeable about the different areas. She also went out of her way to take us to the theatre in Taormina. Was one of the top days on entire trip.

5. Best Of Messina Shore Excursion: Taormina, Naxos, Isolabella, Castelmola Tour

MESSINA CRUISE TOUR
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

FEW HRS IN MESSINA? THAT'S THE BEST TOUR FOR YOU. A PERFECT COMBINATION OF LANSCAPES, HISTORY, ARCAEOLOGY AND SPECTACULAR SCENARIES

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water

Exclusions: ENTRANCE TICKETS AND MEALS

Reviewed By antonysM5377JU

The tour was fantastic and the sites we visited stunning. The driver was punctual and professional, the vehicle, comfortble and clean. 100% recommended

6. Taormina tour for small groups from Messina

Port of Messina, Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 27, 98122 Messina ME, Italy Sicily Best Tour
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

The chance to visit Taormina, one of the most interesting and suggestive places on the Ionian coast in full autonomy, dedicating yourself to doing what you like best, shopping, photos, visits to monuments, tasting gastronomic specialties, without forgetting to know the main attractions of the city of Messina such as the Duomo with the largest astronomical clock tower in the world and the Shrine of Christ the King from where you will see the whole coast kissing the city of Messina and being able to take some pictures with the port behind it with the cruise ship with the which you have arrived.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water,  Mini Van 8 seats Mini bus 19 seats

Exclusions: Authorized Tour Guide, Entrance to museums, theaters, food and drinks

Reviewed By Diana Z

Sicily is beautiful and very different. Definitely a place to return. Though would not advise to stay in Giardini Naxos, the only benefit being sandy beaches.

7. Tour Mount Etna

Thesicilyexperience.com
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5.0 based on 8 reviews

Mount Etna is the second largest active volcano in the world. The volcano sits at the boundary of the African plate subducting underneath the Eurasian plate, combined with sitting underneath a hotspot or crustal break means the volcano has a frequent eruptive history

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Lunch

Reviewed By VTladybird

My family has been coming to Sicily regularly for nearly a decade and Calo is far and away the most personable chauffeur who has driven us there. His enthusiasm, gift for languages and depth of knowledge of the Island means a journey with Calo is far more than a trip from A to B. We fully intend to engage him on our return. The Calo experience surpasses all others, so no one else would do!

8. Mount Etna and Taormina Tour fom Palermo

Mondello Palace Hotel, Viale Principe di Scalea, 90151 Palermo PA, Italy Tour of Sicily - Day Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Multilanguage tour who will take you to Mount Etna up to 1900 meters. Short stop on the way climbing up the Volcano. Continuing our climb we will reach the ski resort Rifugio Sapienza (1900 meters a.s.l.). Here you will have free time to walk on the Silvester Craters, to explore the area and to relax. Lunch and ascent to the top (over 1900 meters) are not included, to purchase on your own. To ascent to the top (optional) you can buy cable car tickets directly on the spot, weather and volcanic conditions permitting. After your independent ascent to the top or hiking around Rifugio Sapienza, meet again your Driver and transfer to Taormina, the most glamorous town in Sicily. Here time at leisure to stroll around or visit on your own the Greek Theatre. At the end of the tour get back to Palermo. Please Note: this is a very long day tour (approx. 11vhours and half) which involves the team to drive for around 3 hours each way.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Multilingual tour escort or driver-escort, Pick-up & Drop-off at meeting point in Palermo, Visits as per itinerary

Exclusions: Meals and beverages, Gratuities, Etna ascent fees (if you wish to climb above 1900 meters), Entrance fees

Reviewed By person1987

Great sites and tour - enough time to explore sites at own pace. Driver / guide very nice and helpful. I was on a tour with just one other person, and our driver was flexible in light of small group size. Everyone wore masks.

9. Mount Etna and Taormina day tour

Sicily Grand Tour
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4.9 based on 7 reviews

Enjoy two Sicilians must-see places in one day. Jump on the highest active volcano in Europe,explore a lava tube with hard hats and flashlights,take a walk in the Silvestri's crater and taste typical local products such as olive,olive oil,honey,wines and liquors. Have a break at volcano's foothill to taste Sicilian pizza (not included). Spend the afternoon in a free walking tour of Taormina,the pearl of the Mediterranean sea. Visit the Greek theater (tickets not included),the cathedral,the botanical garden and more.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Round-trip shared transfer, Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Lunch, Gratuities

Reviewed By TravelGeek25

I and my wife went on a private tour of Noto, Modica and Ragusa with Alessio, the owner of Sicily Grand Tour. Alessio is a native of Sicily and speaks very clear English without any Italian accent, which is a great plus; particularly when he has to drive the car with his mask on and speak. He is very knowledgeable not just about Sicily but also gave informative tidbits of faraway cities like Trieste in the northeast of Italy. We found him very personable as he was always keen to engage in conversation, enthusiastically clicked our pictures with a DSLR, and of course took us to the best spots in each of the three towns. I can easily recommend him for Sicily tours as his communication/approach right from the time I contacted him via email/whatsapp until the very end of the tour was prompt, clear and amicable. SD

10. Noto and Marzamemi Day Trip from Taormina

Via Luigi Pirandello, 36c, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy SAT Group Tours
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4.5 based on 6 reviews

Get to know Sicily’s deep southeast on a day trip to Noto and Marzamemi from Taormina! After exploring the town of Noto with a local host and admiring its Baroque architecture, travel along the Noto coast and stop at Villa Romana del Tellaro, an ancient villa with stunning mosaics. Spend the rest of your afternoon in Marzamemi on Sicily’s southernmost tip, and sightsee at leisure, swim and indulge in a fresh seafood lunch (own expense).

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Tour multilingual escort/host

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Entrance fee to Villa Romana del Tellaro (free for EU citizens under 18 years with a valid ID)

Reviewed By Mity9887

Great couple of hours taking part in Italian cooking! See as it was during Covid-19, my partner and I were the only participants. We were greeted by Luca and offered coffee while they prepared the kitchen for us. We helped make bread, learnt how to make macaroni and of course, pizza! we had 2 breaks - and at each, we ate what we made and had a litre of house wine! The macaroni was made into '"pasta alla norma'' and it was my favourite dish of the course. They even emailed us the recipes after. I highly recommend doing this class, it's a cool way to experience with locals.

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