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Messina ([mesˈsiːna], Sicilian: Missina, Greek: Μεσσήνη/Μεσσήνα) is a port in the northeast corner of Sicily. Most visitors are passing through, on the 5-km ferry-crossing to mainland Italy. Although it dates to ancient times, Messina is modern and nondescript. Older buildings were mostly destroyed by the great earthquake and tsunami of 28 Dec 1908, then Allied bombing in World War II finished what was left. Nevertheless, it has enough sights to justify spending a day. One modern claim to fame is that in June 1955, Messina hosted the conference that set up the European Community and common market, later the European Union.

Messina harbour - aerial view

The Tourist Information Centre is just outside the railway station. Open M-F 09:00-13:00 and 15:00-17:00 (M W to 18:30).

Understand[edit]

Climate[edit]

Messina has a Mediterranean Climate with mild, moderately rainy winters and hot, dry summers. It features the wettest conditions amongst the major cities of Sicily, and is significantly rainier than nearby Reggio di Calabria as well. Sunshine is virtually guaranteed in summer and stays abundant in winter.

Messina
Climate chart (explanation)
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Sicily Climate Averages
Imperial conversion
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Get in[edit]

By boat[edit]

Most travellers arrive from mainland Italy on the 20-minute shuttle from Villa San Giovanni. These ferries sail frequently round the clock, and as they're considered an extension of the road network to Sicily, fares are subsidised. There are also 30-min sailings from Reggio di Calabria.

Some of these ferries arrive in Messina's main port, a short walk from the railway and bus stations. But others land at the northern terminal 4 km north: if you're on foot you'll need to take the tram or local bus to reach the centre, see "Get around".

  • Bluferries. Hydrofoils (take cars) hourly from VSG to Messina Porto Storico. On foot €2.50, cars €37-€60.
  • Liberty Lines. Fast cats from Reggio Calabria to downtown port, no vehicles. On foot €3.50 single, €6.50 return.
  • Caronte & Tourist. VSG to Messina only with car. With car €36.
  • Meridiano Lines. Ferries Messina downtown - Reggio Calabria (Every 2 hours 24/7, taking 40 min). On foot €1.50, car €15.

Occasional cruise ships call on splurgy cruises of the Med, with customers landing at Messina in order to be bussed to Taormina, Agrigento and Etna. They're not available to book as point-to-point ferries.

By plane[edit]

The closest airports to Messina are:

Catania and Palermo have flights to the major European cities.

By train[edit]

Messina is Sicily's link to the main Italian train network. Long-distance trains from Rome and Naples cross the Straits of Messina by ferry and continue on to Palermo and Catania. Regular regional trains also run to Milazzo, Cefalu, Taormina and Syracuse.

By bus[edit]

Long-distance buses stop in Messina, linking Rome and Naples to Catania and Palermo (Sais Autolinee). Regional buses also run to Taormina (by Interbus), and Milazzo (by Giuntabus[dead link]) for the Aeolian Islands.

  • 2 Bus station, Piazza della Repubblica (next to the railway station). Inter-city buses run from the Piazza here. Several ticket offices (SAIS has left luggage office) and fast-food places. Local buses swing by the Piazza but their hub is one block inland, under the multi-storey car park.

Get around[edit]

Messina tranvia map

The few sights of interest in Messina are close to the main port and are easily reached on foot. You're only likely to use the bus or tram to get between central Messina and the northern ferry terminal 4 km up the coast - these run every 10-15 min. Bus 79 runs this way (every 30 min) and continues north to Ganzirri and Istituto Marino on the north-eastern tip of the island. Many buses and the railway run south, as described in "Get in".

The bus & tram company is 1 ATM (Azienda Trasporti di Messina) (buses & trams run through Piazza della Repubblica, in front of Stazione Centrale). Single fare €1.20; single on board €1.50; 90 min pass €1.25; 2-journey pass €1.70; day pass €2.60. Messina Tramway (Q1854143) on Wikidata Trams in Messina on Wikipedia

See[edit]

Fontana di Orione with Duomo and its campanile in the background
Palazzo Zanca (Municipio)
Monument to Giuseppe Natoli by Lio Gangeri, 1880
Portal of the Palazzo del Monte di Pietà

There is not too much of historical architecture remains in the city due to earthquakes (esp. in 1908) and World War II bombing. Still there are enough things to see there to make a good walk. Places around the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Montalto and Cristo Re offer beautiful panoramic views over the harbour and the Strait of Messina (see the banner).

  • 1 Madonna della Lettera (Statua della SS. Madonna di Messina). The Madonna of the Letter is venerated by the Catholic Church as a saint patron of Messina. A towering gilded statue of the Madonna della Lettera is located atop of the tall Forte San Salvatore tower at the tip of the sickle in the sickle-shaped harbour. The inscription "We bless you and your City" is taken from a letter from Mary in 42 AD. Madonna della Lettera (Q3842666) on Wikidata it:Madonna della Lettera on Wikipedia
  • 2 Duomo di Messina (Basilica Cattedrale metropolitana di Santa Maria Assunta), Piazza del Duomo. A Gothic cathedral which dates to the 12th century. The cathedral suffered serious damage in the 1908 earthquake and was restored between 1919 and 1920. During the Second World War, Allied bombings destroyed part of the Cathedral, which was rebuilt in 1943. It is consecrated to the “ Virgin of the Letter”, The Patronnes of the Town. Messina Cathedral (Q733217) on Wikidata Messina Cathedral on Wikipedia
  • 3 Campanile del duomo di Messina, Piazza del Duomo (next to the Duomo). The Duomo's bell tower has one of the largest astronomical clocks in the world, built in 1933 by the Ungerer Company of Strasbourg. A must-see for visitors with an amazing clock show, including symbolical and allegorical moving metal animals and statues, every day at 12:00. Horloge astronomique de Messine (Q546826) on Wikidata it:Orologio astronomico di Messina on Wikipedia
  • 4 Fontana di Orione, Piazza del Duomo (next to the Duomo). Work of Montorsoli (1547), a student of Michelangelo. Orion, with his dog Sirius, is portrayed as one of the legendary founders of Messina. Fountain of Orion (Q3747419) on Wikidata it:Fontana di Orione on Wikipedia
  • 5 Palazzo Calapaj-d'Alcontres (next to the Duomo). An 18th-century building, perhaps of a relatively modest exterior, but it's one of a few ones survived the earthquake of 1908. Palazzo Calapaj - d'Alcontres (Q3889746) on Wikidata it:Palazzo Calapaj-d'Alcontres on Wikipedia
  • 6 Palazzo Zanca, Piazza Unione Europea. Municipio of Messina was built in 1924 in Neoclassical style under direction by Antonio Zanca. Palazzo Zanca (Q3891107) on Wikidata it:Palazzo Zanca on Wikipedia
  • 7 Museo regionale di Messina, Viale della Libertà 465 (tram terminus "Museo"), +39 09 036 1292. Tu-Sa 09:00-19:00, Su 09:00-13:00. Collections of medieval art and modern works. Note especially the altarpiece of San Gregorio by Antonello da Messina, and the Resurrezione di Lazzaro (Raising of Lazarus) and Adorazione dei pastori (Adoration of the Shepherds) both by Caravaggio. €8. Regional museum of Messina (Q1526140) on Wikidata it:Museo regionale di Messina on Wikipedia
  • 8 Chiesa dei Catalani (Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani). One of a few survivors of the earthquake in 1908. Its origin dates to the 12th century in later Norman style with Arabic-influenced elements. Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani (Q3669197) on Wikidata Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani on Wikipedia
  • 9 Quattro Fontane. Two smaller fountains survived out of four built between 1666 and 1742. (Q28669612) on Wikidata it:Quattro Fontane (Messina) on Wikipedia
  • 10 ex Chiesa di Santa Maria Alemanna. This former church built early 13th century is a rare example of a Gothic style in the city. The church was badly damaged in 1908 and was open back to the public in 2001. It hosts various exhibitions. Santa Maria Alemanna (Q3673236) on Wikidata it:Chiesa di Santa Maria Alemanna on Wikipedia
  • 11 Chiesa del Carmine (Santuario della Madonna del Carmelo). A church with 7 chapels decorated inside with polychrome marble. It also known for its Tamburini Organ renowned for its complex rich sounds (installed in 1950s). Chiesa del Carmine (Messina)#The_Tamburini_organ on Wikipedia
  • 12 Galleria Vittorio Emanuele III. An eclectic building constructed between 1924 and 1929 in Liberty style. Inside it consists of 3 passages converging into a hexagonal centre covered by a glass dome. It's somewhat similar to other galleria's across Italy. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele III (Q3094793) on Wikidata it:Galleria Vittorio Emanuele III on Wikipedia
  • 13 Palazzo del Monte di Pietà. The current building is essentially a ground floor of the former palazzo which was severely damaged by earthquakes and World War II bombing. Palazzo del Monte di Pietà (Q1423732) on Wikidata Palazzo del Monte di Pietà (Messina) on Wikipedia
  • 14 Santuario della Madonna di Montalto. Sanctuary is a building made in an eclectic style with Gothic and Romanesque elements, located high above the Piazza del Duomo. From its lookout point, with a statue of the Pope admiring the view, you can enjoy a panorama of the Messina harbour and the Strait of Messina. (Q3949829) on Wikidata it:Santuario della Madonna di Montalto on Wikipedia
  • 15 Fontana Falconieri, Piazza Basicò.
  • 16 Sacrario di Cristo Re. Built at the remains of the medieval castle of Matagrifone, Christ the King is a majestic domed memorial chapel, located on a hilltop north of the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Montalto. also with a beautiful panoramic view of the harbour and strait. Built in 1937, it serves as a burial chamber in honour of some fellow citizens who died in Africa as soldiers in the Second World War. (Q3944604) on Wikidata it:Sacrario di Cristo Re on Wikipedia
  • 17 Chiesa di Montevergine (Santuario di Montevergine) (at the Monastero di Montevergine S. Eustochia Smeralda). The church hosts remains of the Catholic saint Eustochia Smeralda Calafato. Sant'Eustochia (Q28669610) on Wikidata it:Chiesa di Montevergine (Messina) on Wikipedia
  • 18 Fontana del Nettuno, Via G. Garibaldi. Another monumental fountain by Montorsoli featuring Neptune accompanied with Scylla and Charybdis. Fountain of Neptune (Q3747360) on Wikidata it:Fontana del Nettuno (Messina) on Wikipedia
  • 19 Porta Grazia di Messina, Piazza Casa Pia. The former main gate of the Messina's citadel. These days it stays at the Piazza Casa Pia dei Poveri. A few other surviving parts of the citadel still can be seen at the original location of the citadel at the SE corner of the port albeit in a pretty neglected state. Real Cittadella (Q3930982) on Wikidata Real Cittadella on Wikipedia
  • 20 Villa de Pasquale (Palazzo de Pasquale), Via Marco Polo 266 (Contesse district), +39 0903674611, . A beautiful Neo-Renaissance villa in Liberty style built in 1912 and restored in 2016.

Do[edit]

Pylon of Torre Faro overshadows the Capo Peloro lighthouse (right)
  • 1 Orto Botanico (Orto Botanico "Pietro Castelli" dell'Università di Messina), Piazza XX Settembre, +39 090 391940, . M-F 8:00-12:00. Admission free. Orto Botanico "Pietro Castelli" dell'Università di Messina (Q3886267) on Wikidata Orto Botanico "Pietro Castelli" dell'Università di Messina on Wikipedia
  • 2 Teatro Vittorio Emanuele II, Via G. Garibaldi. Teatro Vittorio Emanuele II (Q2398822) on Wikidata it:Teatro Vittorio Emanuele II on Wikipedia
  • 3 Pilone di Torre Faro (take bus 79 to the Torre Faro at the most NE tip of Sicily). It's one of two Piloni dello Stretto, decommissioned electricity pylons across Messina Strait. They were built in 1957 to support 220kV power line over the Strait of Messina. It is a 224 metres tall steel lattice tower, which is today an observation tower with an observation platform 200 metres high. Unfortunately you have to walk 1250 steps up and down, but the great view on the huge structure and the good view over Messina Strait is surely worth it! And while you're in Torre Faro, might as well visit the nearby active Capo Peloro lighthouse. Pylons of Messina (Q2356853) on Wikidata it:Piloni dello Stretto on Wikipedia
  • Lakes of Ganzirri and Faro, at the Capo Peloro Lighthouse area north of the city, in the north-eastern tip of Sicily. You can reach the two lakes by taking bus number 79 from ATM bus terminal (Parcheggio Cavallotti) close to the train station. At the lakes, the extraordinary marine landscapes are an awe-inspiring sight. It is also the site for the northern tower of the planned, twice-approved and twice-cancelled, Strait of Messina bridge (which locals hope will never be built) and the decommissioned Pylon of Torre Faro (see below). Moreover, the lakes are the right place to have very good fish, seafood, and many other Sicilian specialties.

Buy[edit]

Eat[edit]

  • Al Gattopardo, Via Santa Cecilia, 184, +39 090 673 076. Tu-Su lunch 12:00-15:00, dinner 19:00-00:00. Med cuisine.
  • Pizza Napoletana, 42 Via Cannizzaro. Central pizzeria.

Drink[edit]

  • Dockers, 31 Via Vittorio Emanuele, +39 366 488 6865. Daily 06:30-14:30. Bar, grill & Irish pub.

Sleep[edit]

Budget[edit]

Try along Via Cannizzaro near the port and railway station.

Mid-range[edit]

  • La Residenza, 115 Via 27 Luglio (300 m NW of railway station), +39 907 7631. Charming, elegant, central four star hotel.
  • Royal Hotel, 3 Via T Cannizzaro, +39 090 6503. Small very central hotel. €70.
  • Il Parco degli Ulivi, Contrada Romeo, Villafranca Tirrena (10 km from Messina, exit SS113 towards Palermo at Villafranca, follow SP52 up hill towards Calvaruso), +39 903 379 529, fax: +39 903 379 528, . Small 3-star hotel set in the hills looking north over Tyrrheian Sea.

Splurge[edit]

  • Hotel Avalon Sikani Resort, Contrada Licari, Goioiosa Marea (on N coast 60 km west of Messina on old coast road SP113), +39 941 301 100. Features 119 guest and family rooms with sea view towards the Aeolian Islands. Private beach. Facilities: A/C, infinity swimming pool, sea-view solarium, running centre, spa & wellness centre, banquet facilities, conference centre.

Go next[edit]

  • Novara di Sicilia - Located in the province of Messina on the northern side of Mt. Etna, this picturesque medieval town is nestled in the mountains overlooking Milazzo. It is the archetype of a typical medieval town, with its friendly and accommodating people who speak a distinctive dialect.
  • The main public transport routes are west to Milazzo and Palermo, south to Taormina, Catania and Syracuse, or east across the straits to mainland Italy.
This city travel guide to Messina is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.