Taormina is one of the best bases in Sicily, not only for what is in town but for everything within an hour of it. In a single day you can stand on the slopes of Europe’s highest active volcano, walk through the villages where The Godfather was filmed, swim in a river gorge of basalt columns or wander the island old town of Ortigia. This guide to the best day trips from Taormina covers each option with travel times, what to expect and the tours worth booking, so you can choose the days that fit your trip.
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The best day trips from Taormina at a glance
- Mount Etna: about 1 hour, full or half day
- Godfather villages (Savoca and Forza d’Agrò): 25 to 35 minutes, half day
- Etna wineries: about 1 hour, half or full day
- Alcantara Gorges: about 45 minutes, half day
- Castelmola: 10 minutes, a few hours
- Isola Bella and the coast by boat: from Mazzarò or Giardini Naxos, half day
- Syracuse and Ortigia: about 1 hour 30 minutes, full day
- Catania: about 1 hour, half or full day
- Lipari and Vulcano: long full day
1. The Godfather Tour: Savoca and Forza d’Agrò
When Francis Ford Coppola filmed the Sicilian scenes of The Godfather, he did not shoot in the real Corleone near Palermo, which had changed too much by the early 1970s. Instead he found two hill villages just north of Taormina that still looked the way Sicily did decades earlier: Savoca and Forza d’Agrò. Today they make one of the most atmospheric half day trips from Taormina, whether or not you are a fan of the films.
Savoca
Savoca sits on a ridge about 30 minutes from Taormina. Its most famous address is Bar Vitelli, where Michael Corleone asks Apollonia’s father for permission to court her. The bar still serves granita and lemonade on the same terrace, and the interior is full of photos from the shoot. A short walk up the hill leads to the Church of San Nicolò, where the wedding scene was filmed. The village also has a Capuchin crypt with mummified remains, which is not for everyone but is one of the more unusual sights in this part of Sicily.
Forza d’Agrò
Forza d’Agrò, around 25 minutes from Taormina, was used for scenes in The Godfather Part II and Part III. Its medieval lanes, steep stairways, small church squares and the ruined castle at the top of the village give wide views over the coast towards Taormina and Etna. It is quieter than Savoca, and well worth combining with it on the same morning.
How to do the Godfather tour
Both villages are small and the roads up are narrow, so most visitors join a tour with a driver. Group tours run in the main season, while private tours can be booked for a more personal experience, including one in a vintage car.
Godfather film locations half day tour from Taormina
Private Godfather tour in a vintage car from Taormina
Charlotte’s tip: go in the late afternoon
Savoca gets busy with tour groups late in the morning. If you have a car or a private driver, go in the late afternoon, have a granita at Bar Vitelli and stay for the sunset over the coast from Forza d’Agrò on the way back.
2. Mount Etna
Etna is the classic day trip from Taormina and the one most visitors would not want to miss. The south side route climbs to Rifugio Sapienza at around 1,900 metres, where a cable car continues to around 2,500 metres and 4×4 vehicles and guided treks go higher still, conditions permitting. The northern side is quieter, with walks through lava flows and pine forest. Sunset tours by jeep are especially popular in summer. Bring a warm jacket and closed shoes, as the temperature at altitude is far lower than on the coast.
Guided Etna day trip from Taormina with transfer
Mount Etna half day volcano tour from Taormina
Our complete guide to Mount Etna tours, the cable car and the summit craters compares the options in detail.
3. Etna Wineries
The volcanic soils on the northern and eastern slopes of Etna produce some of the most interesting wines in Italy, based on the red Nerello Mascalese and the white Carricante. Many estates around Castiglione di Sicilia, Passopisciaro, Randazzo and Milo offer tastings with lunch, and a day combining a short volcano walk with a long winery lunch is one of the most enjoyable ways to see Etna.
Private Etna 4×4 day tour with winery lunch from Taormina
See our guide to Etna wine tours, and if you want to spend a night among the vineyards, our guide to wine hotels on Mount Etna.
4. The Alcantara Gorges
About 45 minutes inland, the Alcantara river has cut a narrow gorge through an old lava flow, leaving walls of dark basalt columns on either side. In summer you can wade into the very cold water, and some operators offer body rafting and river trekking with wetsuits. The gorges are often combined with Etna or with the medieval town of Castiglione di Sicilia on organised tours. Water shoes are useful, and outside summer the river can be closed after heavy rain.
5. Castelmola
The easiest trip of all is the short drive or bus ride up to Castelmola, a small village perched on a rock above Taormina. The views over Taormina, the coast and Etna are the reason to come, especially at sunset. Locals recommend a glass of almond wine in one of the village bars. Fit walkers can take the steep footpath back down to Taormina, which takes about 45 minutes.
6. Isola Bella and the Coast by Boat
Some of the most beautiful parts of the coast around Taormina can only be seen properly from the water: Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto at Capo Sant’Andrea and the small coves between Mazzarò and Giardini Naxos. Boat tours leave from Mazzarò and Giardini Naxos and range from short shared trips to sunset tours and private charters.
Isola Bella guided boat tour with pastries and drinks
Taormina coast cruise from Giardini Naxos
Sunset dolphin tour with aperitif
See our guide to boat tours in Taormina and Isola Bella.
7. Syracuse and Ortigia
Syracuse is around an hour and a half south of Taormina, which makes it a long but rewarding day trip. Focus on Ortigia, the island old town with its cathedral built into a Greek temple and the Fountain of Arethusa, and if time allows the Neapolis Archaeological Park with its Greek Theatre. A boat trip around Ortigia and its sea caves is a beautiful way to end the day. If you can, stay a night or two instead: see our guide on where to stay in Ortigia and Syracuse.
Shared boat tour around Ortigia and the sea caves
8. Catania
Catania, about an hour away, is a lively baroque city built from black lava stone in the shadow of Etna. Walk Via Etnea, see the Elephant Fountain in Piazza Duomo, and visit the fish market in the morning, when it is at its most dramatic. It is also one of the best places in Sicily for street food, from arancini to horse meat sandwiches for the adventurous. Many travellers combine Catania with their transfer day to or from the airport. See our guide to transfers from Catania Airport to Taormina.
9. Lipari and Vulcano
A day trip to the Aeolian Islands from Taormina is possible, but it is a very long day: tours usually include a coach to the port of Milazzo, then a boat to Lipari and Vulcano and the same journey back. If the islands are on your list, they are far more rewarding with at least two nights. See our guides to where to stay in the Aeolian Islands and the Aeolian Islands by boat.
Without Leaving Taormina
If you would rather stay in town for a day, book an early ticket for the Greek Theatre and a cooking class in the afternoon.
Ancient Theatre of Taormina ticket with audio guide
Pasta and tiramisu cooking class in Taormina
How to Plan Your Day Trips from Taormina
With three or four days: Etna, the Godfather villages and a boat trip are the best combination. Add Castelmola for a sunset.
With a week: add an Etna winery day, the Alcantara Gorges and a day in Syracuse, or move on to Ortigia for a few nights as in our 7 day Sicily itinerary.
Car or tour: Taormina has very limited parking, so many visitors rely on tours and private drivers for day trips. A rental car is most useful for the Godfather villages, the Etna wineries and Alcantara, where you can set your own pace.
Find your base in Taormina
All of these day trips are easiest from a hotel in or just below Taormina. Compare rates for your dates:
Where to Stay in Taormina
Our full guide on where to stay in Taormina compares every area. Three favourites:
San Domenico Palace
A former monastery on the cliff edge of the old town, run by Four Seasons, with an infinity pool facing Etna and a Michelin starred restaurant.
Best for: a once in a lifetime stay in the centre.
Check rates at San Domenico Palace
Grand Hotel Timeo
The oldest grand hotel in Taormina, next to the Greek Theatre, with terraces looking out over the bay. Read our Grand Hotel Timeo review.
Best for: couples and classic elegance.
Check rates at Grand Hotel Timeo
Villa Sant’Andrea
A villa hotel on the beach at Mazzarò with its own private beach, close to the boat departures and the cable car up to town.
Best for: combining day trips with time by the sea.
Check rates at Villa Sant’Andrea
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was The Godfather filmed in Sicily?
The Sicilian scenes were filmed mainly in Savoca and Forza d’Agrò, two villages near Taormina, which stood in for the town of Corleone. Bar Vitelli and the Church of San Nicolò in Savoca are the best known locations.
How far is Savoca from Taormina?
About 30 minutes by car. Forza d’Agrò is around 25 minutes away, and the two are easy to combine in a half day.
What is the best day trip from Taormina?
Mount Etna is the most popular and, for most visitors, the most memorable. If you have time for two, add the Godfather villages or a boat trip along the coast.
Can you do day trips from Taormina without a car?
Yes. Tours with hotel pick up run to Etna, the Godfather villages, Alcantara, Syracuse and the Aeolian Islands, and boat tours leave from Mazzarò and Giardini Naxos.
