Things to do in Messina

Things to do in  Messina

Caravaggio on the coast

Messina’s port churns with ferries and cruise ships linking northeastern Sicily with the Italian mainland and ports across the Mediterranean, but this city offers more than just a strategic transport hub. Travelers linger to admire its Norman cathedral and Caravaggio masterpieces plus experience some of Sicily’s best cuisine (think fresh seafood and sweet granita) before striking out to explore highlights strung like pearls along the eastern coastline: Taormina and Castelmola; Mount Etna and its famed volcanic wineries; and Syracuse’s ancient heart are all within striking distance.

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Top 5 attractions in Messina

#1

Fountain of Neptune (Fontana di Nettuno)

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Lording over busy Via Giuseppe Garibaldi where it runs into Piazza dell’Unità, the monumental Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno) is one of Messina’s most eye-catching public fountains. Built in 1557 by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli—a collaborator of Michelangelo—the fountain symbolizes the city’s power over the hostile sea.   More
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#2

Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani (Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani)

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One of Messina’s most important examples of Norman architecture, the 12th-century Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani was one of the few buildings left standing after a devastating earthquake leveled much of the city in 1908. Architecture enthusiasts will especially appreciate its magnificent Arabic-Byzantine facade.More
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#3

Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock (Orologio Astronomico)

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Each day at noon, a crowd gathers beneath the bell tower of Messina’s Cathedral to watch as the gilded statues on the astronomical clock seem to come to life. As the bells chime, the lion roars, the rooster crows, statues strike the hour, and mechanical figures replay biblical and allegorical scenes. It's a spectacle no tourist should miss.More
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#4

Alcantara Gorges (Gole dell'Alcantara)

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Following the path of an ancient Mt. Etna lava flow, Sicily’s Alcantara River carved intricate ravines and underground passages through the volcanic rock. The resulting Alcantara Gorges (Gole dell'Alcantara) are part of the Alcantara River Park, popular with travelers drawn to the beautiful rock formations and the refreshing river water, especially in summer.More
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#5
Messina Cruise Port (Terminal Crociere di Messina)

Messina Cruise Port (Terminal Crociere di Messina)

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The Messina Cruise Port (Terminal Crociere di Messina), set in the busy port city on the narrow Strait of Messina, is many cruisers’ first taste of Sicily. The closest Sicilian city to mainland Italy and a popular port of call for Mediterranean and European cruises, Messina offers striking architecture, flavorful street food, and easy access to Taormina, Mount Etna, and other Sicilian sights.More

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Itineraries for your Messina trip

Top activities in Messina

Taormina and Castelmola Tour from Messina
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Taormina and Castelmola Tour from Messina

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$98.72
Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion
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Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion

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$120.66
The Godfather Movie Tour from Messina

The Godfather Movie Tour from Messina

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$84.38
Taormina and Castelmola from Messina Shared Group Tour

Taormina and Castelmola from Messina Shared Group Tour

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$109.65
2,5-Hour Messina Walking Tour
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2,5-Hour Messina Walking Tour

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$46.07
Messina and Taormina City Tour from Messina - Private tour

Messina and Taormina City Tour from Messina - Private tour

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$87.46
Wine Tasting tour from Messina

Wine Tasting tour from Messina

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$891.76
per group
Tour to Etna Volcano and Taormina from Messina

Tour to Etna Volcano and Taormina from Messina

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$260.80
Cesarine: Private Pasta Class at Local's Home in Messina

Cesarine: Private Pasta Class at Local's Home in Messina

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$159.05
Taormina Shore Excursion from Messina - Shared tour

Taormina Shore Excursion from Messina - Shared tour

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$87.74
Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Messina

Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Messina

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$159.05
Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Messina

Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Messina

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$115.17
Private Godfather tour from Messina Cruise Terminal - With Lunch

Private Godfather tour from Messina Cruise Terminal - With Lunch

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$383.90
Best Shore Excursion in one day: Etna - Taormina - Godfather with food

Best Shore Excursion in one day: Etna - Taormina - Godfather with food

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$559.40
Private Tour of Gole Alcantara with traditional food and wine

Private Tour of Gole Alcantara with traditional food and wine

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$274.22
Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Messina

Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Messina

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$152.46
Etna Private tour from Messina Cruise Terminal + Lunch at Winery

Etna Private tour from Messina Cruise Terminal + Lunch at Winery

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$416.81
Private 8-hour Excursion to Taormina and Castelmola from Messina
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Private 8-hour Excursion to Taormina and Castelmola from Messina

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Private Tour to Taormina and Castelmola from Messina

Private Tour to Taormina and Castelmola from Messina

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$206.18
Private tour from Messina Cruise Terminal to Etna + Etna Winery

Private tour from Messina Cruise Terminal to Etna + Etna Winery

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All about Messina

When to visit

Messina is one of Sicily’s main seaports. This means the city springs into action when the tourist season kicks off in early summer, with cruise ships and ferries buzzing in and out of the harbor. The city’s main festival—the Passeggiata dei Giganti (Procession of the Giants)—draws thousands each August with its procession of statues representing the city’s legendary founders, Mata and Grifone. The city’s torrid summer temperatures, however, make spring and fall more pleasant times to visit.

Getting around

Though Messina is a sprawling modern city, most of its attractions are clustered in the historic city center and are easy to visit on foot. The cruise port and train station are about a 15-minute walk from the heart of the old town, and local ATM buses depart from Piazza della Repubblica for destinations outside the center. From this Sicilian transport hub, visitors can also catch trains to A-list destinations like Taormina, Syracuse, and Palermo.

Traveler tips

Messina is often the first place where travelers set foot on Sicily, and it’s a great city for a sampling of the island’s cuisine. Begin with street food classics like arancini (fried rice balls stuffed with meat ragù), mozzarella en carozza (picture a deep-fried cheese sandwich), and focaccia messinese (the city’s take on pizza). Then, satisfy your sweet tooth with an icy granita laced with fruit syrup or rich cannolo stuffed with sweetened ricotta before ending with a bracing espresso.

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A local’s pocket guide to Messina

Rebecca Winke

A lover of all things Sicilian, writer Rebecca has taken many trips to the island and through Messina. She has come to see the city as a destination to savor rather than a port to pass through.

The first thing you should do in Messina is...

put as much distance between you and the chaotic port as possible and head into the center to Irrera 1910 for a reviving granita, considered the city's best.

A perfect Saturday in Messina...

begins and ends with the city’s pastries, from cannoli to cassata. Walk them off with plenty of sightseeing in between, taking a break at noon beneath the city’s astronomical clock to watch Messina’s lion roar.

One touristy thing that lives up to the hype is...

the city’s Duomo is a showstopper, even once you learn that it's a post-WWII replica of the original 12th-century cathedral, destroyed in a 1943 bombing raid.

To discover the "real" Messina...

join the locals for their evening passeggiata (stroll) along the seafront promenade, called the lungomare. The Messinesi stretch their legs here in the cooler evening hours and take in views across the strait.

For the best view of the town...

follow scenic Viale Italia as it winds its way above the city, changing into Viale Regina Margherita along the way. At the top, the Sacrario di Cristo Re panoramic terrace overlooks the city and sea.

One thing people get wrong...

is never venturing past the port. The belle epoque city center has an authentic, untouristy feel that's missing from many of Sicily’s more famous destinations.

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People Also Ask

What is Messina known for?

Messina is a Sicilian city known as a gateway between the island and mainland Italy. It has a port filled with ferries and cruise ships that travel from northeastern Sicily across the Mediterranean to Italy. Messina is also known as an entry point for Sicily’s food, charming seaside villages, and Mount Etna.

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Does Messina have a beach?

No, the port city of Messina does not have a sandy beach, though it does have a lovely waterfront promenade. However, the province of Messina offers many beautiful beaches. Popular beaches in northeastern Sicily include Marinello Beach, Lido del Tirreno, and the beaches of Capo D’Orlando.

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How far is Messina from port?

Messina is a port city in northeastern Sicily. Many travelers to Sicily from mainland Italy arrive via Messina before continuing on to seaside villages like Taormina. Messina itself is more than just a port, though; it also has a historic center with an impressive cathedral and views of the sea.

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What food is Messina known for?

Messina is known for fresh seafood, a refreshing icy treat called granita, and several kinds of pastries and cookies. You can find classic Sicilian street food, including arancini, plus traditional cheeses. Be sure to try pasta dishes that include seafood.

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Where in Sicily is Messina?

Messina is located in northeastern Sicily, across the Mediterranean from the edge of mainland Italy. This port city is a gateway to the rest of Sicily, with many ferries and cruise ships arriving daily. From this entry point, it is easy to explore popular places such as Mount Etna and Taormina.

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Is Messina worth visiting?

Yes, Messina is worth visiting. Some travelers pass through quickly on their way to other parts of Sicily, but Messina has a historic center with a striking cathedral, a scenic waterfront promenade, and excellent food such as seafood and an icy treat called granita.

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