Our stop in Messina, Sicily quickly became one of the highlights of our Mediterranean cruise. With a private tour booked through Viator, we spent the day exploring the gorgeous hilltop town of Taormina and the historic streets of Messina — and yes, we finished with the most perfect cannoli in Italy.
🚌 Shore Excursion Details
- Tour through Viator: Taormina and Messina Private Tour with Sicilian Cannoli Tasting
- Guide: Sonia – fantastic with kids and incredibly knowledgeable
- Port: Messina, Sicily, Italy
🌋 Taormina: Cobblestones, Views & Granita Dreams
Our day began with a scenic drive from Messina to Taormina, complete with a photo stop overlooking Mount Etna in the distance. Even our kids were wowed!
Mount Etna in the distance — a breathtaking start to our day in Sicily!
We were dropped off at Porta Catania, one of the two iconic entrances to Corso Umberto — the charming pedestrian street that cuts through town. Along the way, we stopped to see:
- Fontana dei Quattro Fontane (Fountain of the Four Horses)
- The peaceful Duomo di Taormina (Cathedral of San Nicola)
- The breathtaking views from Piazza IX Aprile
Before leaving Taormina, we made a must-stop at the iconic Bam Bar, famous for its refreshing granita served with a soft brioche roll. It was hands-down one of our favorite treats of the trip — and totally kid-approved!
Granita with brioche at Bam Bar — a cold, sweet, Sicilian tradition!
⛪️ Messina: Clock Towers & Cannoli
Back in Messina, we visited the Cathedral of Messina, home to the largest astronomical clock in Europe — an absolute showstopper when it chimes at noon (though we missed the action this time).
The famous astronomical clock in Messina’s cathedral square.
We ended the tour on a sweet note: a visit to a local pastry shop for authentic Sicilian cannoli. Crispy, creamy, and totally unforgettable.
Chris and I approved! These cannoli were the real deal.
Look at that filling. Perfection.
💡 Would We Return?
Absolutely! This stop gave us a great taste of Sicily — both literally and figuratively. We’d love to return and spend more time exploring Mt. Etna, the beaches, and maybe even take a cooking class in the future. For now, this was the perfect first introduction to the magic of Sicily.
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