Messina
Country: Italy · Region: Western Mediterranean · Currency: Euro
Messina is a northeastern Sicilian port city mostly visited by cruise passengers ferrying to mainland Italy. Though modern and rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake and WWII bombing, it offers enough historical sights and panoramic views to justify a day visit.
Top sights
Duomo di Messina with its astronomical clock, Campanile del duomo, Madonna della Lettera statue, Museo regionale di Messina, Santuario della Madonna di Montalto, Pilone di Torre Faro
Things to do
- Campanile del duomo di Messina
- Houses one of the largest astronomical clocks in the world, built in 1933, with a daily show at 12:00 featuring moving metal animals and statues.
- Museo regionale di Messina
- Features medieval art and modern works including pieces by Antonello da Messina and Caravaggio.
- Pilone di Torre Faro
- A 224-meter-tall decommissioned electricity pylon with a 200-meter-high observation platform offering views over the Messina Strait (1250 steps).
- Duomo di Messina
- A 12th-century Gothic cathedral restored after the 1908 earthquake and WWII bombing, dedicated to the Virgin of the Letter.
Beaches
- Lakes of Ganzirri and Faro
- Located at Capo Peloro Lighthouse in the northeastern tip of Sicily, reachable by bus 79, offering extraordinary marine landscapes.
Where to eat
- Al Gattopardo
- Serves Mediterranean cuisine, located on Via Santa Cecilia with lunch and dinner service Tuesday to Sunday.
- Pizza Napoletana
- Central pizzeria located on Via Cannizzaro near the port and railway station.
Bars and nightlife
- Dockers
- Bar, grill, and Irish pub on Via Vittorio Emanuele open daily from 06:30.
Getting around
Cruise passengers can walk to most central sights from the main port; use tram or local buses (ATM) to reach the northern ferry terminal 4 km away or nearby attractions like Torre Faro.
What to eat
Al Gattopardo serves Mediterranean cuisine, and the Lakes of Ganzirri area north of the city offers excellent fish and seafood with Sicilian specialties.
Tips
Visit the Campanile's astronomical clock show at 12:00 noon daily, and take bus 79 north to Torre Faro and the Lakes of Ganzirri for panoramic views and fresh seafood.
Best for
Historical architecture, panoramic views, religious sites