PRIVATE TAORMINA SHORE EXCURSIONS FROM GIARDINI NAXOS PORT 

Experience The Godfather locations and Taormina highlights in a classic Fiat 500

Maximize your time in port with the ultimate Taormina shore excursions in a classic vintage Fiat 500. This private guided tour offers a unique and authentic way to visit two of Eastern Sicily’s most beautiful and charming gems: Savoca, the hilltop village made famous by The Godfather film, and Taormina, the world-renowned “Pearl of the Ionian Sea” known for its glamorous Dolce Vita atmosphere. Whether you want to take the wheel yourself or prefer to sit back and be driven by our staff, this is the most stylish way to experience Sicily.
Completely Flexible & Tailored to Your Cruise Schedule
Planning Taormina shore excursions requires absolute precision. Cruise passengers have varying arrival and departure times, which is why our experiences are completely flexible. We customize the start time and duration to fit your specific docking schedule in Giardini Naxos Port perfectly.
Stress-Free Logistics from Giardini Naxos Harbor
Our meeting point is immediate and stress-free. The Giardini Naxos tender pier is just a 1-minute walk from where our colorful vintage Fiat 500 cars will be waiting to welcome you.
We offer seamless round-trip logistics designed specifically for cruise ships. We guarantee a safe, comfortable, and seamless return to your ship well in advance of your departure time, so you can enjoy your day with total peace of mind.
🎬 The Godfather Tour: Top Taormina Shore Excursions in Savoca
Follow the beautiful coastal drive to reach the ancient, hilltop town of Savoca, officially recognized as one of “Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages”. Here, your experience brings to life the authentic locations used in Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece, The Godfather.
  • Visit the iconic Bar Vitelli: Sit where Michael Corleone proposed to Apollonia, and enjoy a refreshing break with a typical Sicilian lemon granita or a quick Italian coffee.
  • Walk to San Nicolò Church: Admire the historic church where the famous movie wedding ceremony took place.
  • Discover historic charm: Walk through peaceful medieval streets filled with breathtaking views over the valley and the sea.
🏛️ Discover the Glamour of Taormina
Next, your vintage Fiat 500 journey takes you to the glamorous resort town of Taormina itself. Upon arrival, you will have ample free time to explore the city at your own leisure:
    • Stroll along Corso Umberto: Taormina’s vibrant main street is a beautiful pedestrian avenue lined with historic buildings. It is world-famous for high-end shopping, featuring luxury boutiques from fashion houses like Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton.
    • Admire local beauty: Browse elegant local craft shops, photograph the flower-filled balconies, and stop at historic pastry shops famous for traditional Sicilian cannoli and marzipan.
    • Visit the Teatro Antico (Optional): You can choose to explore the magnificent Ancient Greek Theater—the second largest amphitheater in Sicily—which offers world-class, breathtaking views of Mount Etna framing the blue sea (entry requires an optional entrance fee).

At the conclusion of your independent exploration, we will ensure a smooth, comfortable, and perfectly timed ride back to the Giardini Naxos port. Book one of the most unique Taormina shore excursions today and experience Sicily in true Italian style!

Things to note

Departures

Every Day

Duration

Approx. 5 / 6 hours

Pick-up

Taormina / Giardini Naxos harbor (Point 4)

Typology

Shore Excursion for cruise passengers

Optional

Lunch (for groups only)

Seats

2 adults ( or 2 adults and 2 children) in each Fiat 500

Some places you will visit during this Shore Excursion Tour:

Bar Vitelli – Savoca

In the Godfather’s motion picture Bar Vitelli was featured as the place where Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) meets Mr. Vitelli ( the bar owner ) and asks his permission to court his daughter Apollonia, and also for the official engagement and for the party after the wedding ceremony. While in town “a must” is the stop for a Lemon Granita in this famous bar.

Bar Vitelli
Fiat 500 parked for Taormina shore excursions from Giardini Naxos port

Church of the Wedding – Savoca

Next stop is the Church of Santa Lucia, where the scene of the wedding between Michael Corleone and Apollonia Vitelli was shot. This place was also used for the the scene when Michael and Apollonia, just married, walk down from the church, followed by their families and by the music brass band.

Cappuccini Convent – Savoca

The Cappuccini Convent was built in the 17th century. In the crypt of the church are stored 32 different mummies from the 18th century: lawyers, aristocrats, nobles, priests, poets and doctors bodies with their original clothes directly from the past.

Classic Italian Fiat 500 tour during Taormina shore excursions in Sicily
Corso Umberto – Ancient Theatre – Taormina

Corso Umberto – Ancient Theatre – Taormina

The Ancient Theatre in Taormina, is the second largest (after that of Syracuse) and one of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily. Frequently used for Opera performances, concerts and also for the famous “Taormina Film Fest“. Corso Umberto is Taormina’s main street that connects Porta Messina to Porta Catania, the two ancient doors of the city.

More Information

Our self-drive tour on themed itinerary will show you unveiled Sicily and its secrets.
You will drive one of our classic and convertible Fiat 500 following our tour leader car that will be driven by our staff.
A fun and professional fully licensed English-speaking tour guide will lead you through this fascinating trip.

Don’t forget to bring your driver’s license with you. To drive in Italy you need an EU driving licence, or an International Driving Permit, which is a translation of your non EU licence.

All drivers must be able to drive using a manual clutch / trasmission (stick shift gears). Occasional driving experience with manual cars is not enough to handle our vintage cars.

Infant under 3 years of age are not admitted to the car tour. Children 3-12 years old in the same car of parents are free.

Usually this “Cruise Shore Tour” lasts about 5/6 hour.

If you have more time to spend we can arrange a customized full day tour according to your needs.

Meeting point in Giardini Naxos (Taormina) is just 1 minute walk from the pier of the cruise ships (see the map).

We will wait for you at the stated time. You will recognise us by our colorful Fiat 500 classic car.

Times of pick-up and return depend on the schedule of the ships, which are reported in our confirmation email.

Taormina is a popular cruise ship destination of Sicily, the largest island of Italy.

Ships often dock at the port of Giardini Naxos, about 20 minutes away from Taormina.

Cruise ship lines that visit Taormina / Giardini Naxos are:

Star Clippers – Voyages to Antiquity – Windstar – Azamara Club Cruises – Crystal – Paul Gauguin – Seabourn – SeaDream Yacht Club – Holland America – Costa Magica – Costa Romatica – Vistamar – AIDA aura – MSC Splendida – Nieuw Amsterdam – AIDA diva – MS Columbus – Celebrity Silhouette – Mein Schiff – MS Europa – Seabourn Quest – Grandeur of the Seas – Silver Wind – Ryndam – Princess Daphne – MS Deutschland – Le Levant – Silver Sprint – Sea Cloud – Azamara Quest – Celebrity Reflection – AIDA blu – Crystal Serenity – MS Hamburg – Artania – AIDA mar – Costa Favolosa – Costa Classica – Legend Of The Seas – Azamara Journey- Braemar – Seabourn Pride – MS Rotterdam – Albatros – Balmoral – Aurora – Star Pride – Disney Magic – Celebrity Equinox – Arcadia – Voyager – Queen Victoria – Boudicca – Wind Surf – Amadea – AIDA sol – ms Noordam – Silver Whisper – Thomson Spirit.