From Catania: Guided Tour of Taormina and Castelmola

About This Experience

This is a shorter, town-focused day from Catania. A van takes about an hour to Taormina, where the itinerary lists a guided tour of 2 hours along Corso Umberto, Piazza Duomo, Palazzo Corvaja and Piazza IX Aprile.

The Ancient Greek Theatre is described as something you can visit on your own. The listing excludes entrance fees, so admission to the theatre is not included. If you want to go in, buy the official ticket (EUR 14 full price, checked 3 November 2026). A 2-hour stop is tight if you also want the guided walk, so ask your guide where to be and when before heading uphill.

After a 20-minute drive you reach Castelmola, a medieval village above Taormina, for a further 2 hours. The description covers the castle ruins, the Cathedral of San Nicola di Bari, the Church of San Giorgio and the almond liqueur at Bar Turrisi. Food and drink are not included.

The tour has a multilingual guide, with French, English, Italian and Spanish listed. Several reviewers say the guide mostly drove and gave little commentary, so expect lighter guiding than the title suggests. The price is from about $122 per person (checked November 2026).

Highlights

• Corso Umberto, Piazza Duomo, Palazzo Corvaja and Piazza IX Aprile in Taormina
• The Ancient Greek Theatre, visited on your own, with views of Etna and the Ionian coast
• The castle ruins at Castelmola
• The Cathedral of San Nicola di Bari and the Church of San Giorgio
• Almond liqueur at Bar Turrisi, the eccentric bar in Castelmola's main square
• 2 hours in Taormina and 2 hours in Castelmola

What's Included

• ✓ Pickup and drop-off from and to your accommodation
• ✓ A multilingual guide (French, English, Italian and Spanish are listed)
• ✓ A guided tour of Taormina, listed at 2 hours
• ✓ A guided tour of Castelmola, listed at 2 hours
• ✓ Transport by van, about 1 hour each way
• ✓ Time to visit the Ancient Greek Theatre on your own

Not Included

• Entrance fees, so no Ancient Theatre ticket
• Food and drinks
• Wi-Fi on board

What to Bring

• Comfortable shoes for steps and cobbled streets
• Cash or card for a theatre ticket
• Money for a drink at Bar Turrisi
• Sun protection
• Water

Good to Know & Caveats

• Entrance fees are not included. The listing calls the Greek Theatre something you visit on your own.
• Taormina is listed at 2 hours. If you spend that inside the theatre, you will see little else.
• Several reviewers describe the driver as giving little commentary. Treat the guiding as light.
• Some reviewers had pickup points that differed from the hotel stated, which delayed departures. Confirm yours the day before.
• Taormina can be crowded; reviewers mention long free time and heavy tourist numbers.
• Not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments or back problems.

Meeting Point

Pickup is at your accommodation in Catania, with return to Catania. Start times appear when you check availability; reviewers say the pickup spot was sometimes changed.