+39 090 213 5672 booking@discovermessina.com
- Home
- About Us
- Day tours from Taormina
- Shore Excursions 2026
- Roots tourism
- Tour Search
- Travel blog
Perched 900-mt a.s.l. is the charming medieval village of Montalbano Elicona Sicily with its warm atmosphere. Discover its historic center with the beautiful Aragon Castle, 14th-century old churches, and lovely houses that still retain unique sandstone decorations on their front doors.
Meet the locals in the main square and buy some typical products such as the famous cheese “Provola di Montalbano”. After the village experience, we will reach the astonishing Argimusco Plateau.
Here with a peaceful walk, visitors will learn about the geology of its huge sandstone rocks and their very surprising profiles.
Possibility to do an interesting hike in Malabotta wood.
Montalbano Elicona Sicily: we will visit the medieval town of Montalbano Elicona Sicily with its beautiful Aragon Castle that tower over the village. Meet the locals in the main square and be charmed by narrow streets and alleways.
Argimusco Plateau: let yourself be enchanted by the wonderful and mysterious sandstone rocks of the Argimusco plateau.
Hikes: with your expert and local guide, you can choose the activity level of your hike. The walk in the Argimusco Plateau is very easy and suitable for everyone, but if you want to reach the heart of Malabotta wood you may need a higher fitness level.
Guided tour of Montalbano Sicily: with your guide, you will visit the medieval town of Montalbano Elicona and its beautiful Aragon Castle. The Mother Church and the beautiful viewpoint on the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Aeolian Islands.
Geology: discover the impressive sandstone rock formations of the Argimusco Plateau with a focus provided by your expert tour guide.
Nature: visiting a nature reserve of Malabotta wood you will find yourself in a nature reserve with century-old oaks and many other local specimens typical of the Mediterranean vegetation.
Archaeoastronomy: the unique site of the Argimusco Plateau was probably used in pre-historic times as a skyscape observatory, because of the presence of the Salvatesta Rock behind which the sun rises at the equinoxes.
History: the medieval village of Montalbano Elicona still keeps its fascinating atmosphere. Discover the village and especially the Aragon Castle.
Starting from the cruise pier or from your accommodation, we will first reach the medieval and cozy village of Montalbano Elicona. Here you will spend the morning visiting the ancient Aragon Castle, exploring the village with its stone houses, ancient churches, and palaces with beautifully decorated doors, and enjoying the panoramic views over the Tyrrhenian coast.
Lunch break at a local restaurant to taste the typical delicacies of the area. After lunch, possibility to visit a local bakery to buy the famous bread of Montalbano, and a store to taste local cheese. Other typical products of the area are hazelnuts and chestnuts.
In the afternoon we will reach by van the magic Argimusco Plateau, not far from the village of Montalbano Elicona. Here we will have a peaceful hike among ferns and sandstone rocks with the strangest forms: the eagle, the praying goddess, the priest, and many more. Your guide will provide you with a focus on the geological origins of these rocks and the historical background of the area. As the sun goes down, the most suggestive and warm sunset will round off our day.
English, French
Remember that this tour will take you at 900/1200 mt a.s.l, then in autumn, you may need warm clothes. Hiking shoes are recommended.
This tour will start from the cruise port of Messina or from your accommodation located in the city of Messina.
Thank you Sara and Giacomo for a great day out touring Montalbano and for personalising this tour so we could see where my husbands mother was born and raised.
Sara is extremely friendly and her knowledge of the town is extensive. Lunch was local produce and was the freshest and flavoursome antipasto plate we have eaten to date.
Not to forget the little extras they supplied cold drinks and the most delicious Italian biscuits in the comfort of an air conditioned van. This all contributed to being our best day and best tour we did throughout our 10 day stay in Italy.
Highly recommend this tour and Discover Messina Sicily
Three generations aged 6 to 77 booked this tour because family originated from Montalbano. We simply could not have been more delighted. Our guide, Sara, customized the tour for our needs and kept all ages entertained and educated. Sara was sensitive to our interests and was knowledgeable about everyone of them, even following up with research or phone calls to get complete information. She took photographs of our group at special spots and sent them to us. We enjoyed the chance to explore nature and learn the history of this very special spot. In addition to the announced schedule she took us to a small cheese shop where the owner makes the cheese himself as well as a fantastic bakery. Montalbano is a beautiful city nearly completely devoid of tourists. We lunched within the castle walls at a Michelin star worthy restaurant and returned to Taormina after a very full day. The van was very comfortable and Genaco navigated the tight spaces masterfully. This tour will forever have a special spot in my heart. My advice; do yourself a favor and book this tour.
Bellissima
Ho partecipato a tanti viaggi organizzati da Discover Messina, devo fare i complimenti a tutto lo staff, sempre gentili e preparati.
Grande organizzazione sia nei percorsi dei viaggi scelti, che negli alberghi in cui abbiamo pernottato e soprattutto nel cibo di ottima qualità, il tutto condito da tanta allegria e divertimento provare per credere.
UNA GIORNATA TRA CULTURA E MERAVIGLIE NATURALI
Ottima organizzazione ed assistenza durante la gita. visitato oltre Argimusco anche il bosco di Malabotta
e il castello di Montalbano. da rifare. posti unici. buono il pranzo a base di pietanze tipiche del luogo.
