Messina (Sicily)
Messina is a port city in northeastern Sicily, Italy, often called the “gateway to Sicily” for its strategic location on the Strait of Messina, which separates the island from mainland Italy. It is the third-largest city in Sicily and the 13th-largest in the country. Originally founded by Greek settlers in the 8th century BCE as Zancle, it was later renamed Messana and eventually became Messina, passing through the hands of Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, and other powers over the centuries.
Messina has a long and rich history, but it has also endured hardship—most notably two catastrophic earthquakes in 1783and 1908, the latter of which destroyed much of the city and caused tens of thousands of deaths. Despite this, Messina was rebuilt with modern urban planning, blending historical and contemporary architecture. Today, it remains a vibrant cultural and economic hub, known for landmarks like the Messina Cathedral, the Fountain of Orion, and one of the world’s largest astronomical clocks. The city is also a key stop for ferries and cruise ships, offering visitors easy access to the rest of Sicily and beyond.
💡Sicily (Messina): Good to Know
🛂 Visa: most European countries plus Canada, Australia, the US, Korea, and Japan are visa-exempt for a stay of up to 90 days
✈️ Closest Airport: Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (CTA)
💬 Language: Italian, but English is widely spoken
🏷️ Price Level: It is said that Italy is about 30% cheaper than the US
🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Italy US$ 6.00
💰 Currency: Euro (EUR)| 1 USD = ca. 0.90 EUR)
☀️ Best Times to Visit: The best times to visit Messina are during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October)
🚘 Transportation: buses, trams, regional trains, and taxis
🔌 Adapter: Italy uses type C and L plugs. No adapter is needed if you are from Europe but it is needed when coming from the US
🛜 WiFi: widely available; the city offers several options for free Wi-Fi access, including hotspots in public areas and through the "Italia.it" project in tourist ports
🏧💰ATM and “Cash or Card”: While some small stores take only cash, payments with cards are generally accepted; ATMs are available throughout the city
💸 Tipping: Service is often included in restaurant bills, but it’s polite to round up or leave a few euros for good service. Tipping in cafes or taxis is optional.
🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: 98122 Messina, Metropolitan City of Messina, Italy (docked)
✈️ 🚇 🚕 Getting There and Around
🎟️ In Messina, you can get around using public transport like buses and trams, taxis, or even by walking, especially in the city center. For payment, you can usually buy tickets for public transport at newsstands, bars, and tabacchi shops, and some services allow you to pay on board or via the MooneyGo app.
✈️ Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) is about 69 miles (111 km) from the city center of Messina. There are two options to get to Messina by public transport- the train and the bus. After arriving at Catania–Fontanarossa Airport, it’s just a short walk or quick shuttle ride to the nearby train station. From there, Trenitalia regional trains run regularly to Messina Centrale. The journey takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, with fares typically ranging between 6 EUR and 19 EUR, depending on the train type. Alternatively, you can opt for a direct bus with SAIS or FlixBus, which departs directly from the airport and arrives in Messina in roughly the same time—about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Bus tickets are slightly cheaper, usually around 9 EUR.
🚇 The Port of Messina is located within walking distance of the city center. The Piazza del Duomo can be reached within a few minutes. The closest tram station to the Messina cruise port is the Messina Centrale railway station, which is approximately 750 meters (about half a mile) away. It's a 10-15 minute walk from the port. You can also reach the station by turning left at the port exit and following the tram line.
🚌 The Hop-on Hop-off buses from City Sightseeing Messina offer two lines that connect the main sights; more info can be found here.
⭐️ Top Sights in Sicily (Messina)
" Colapesce is the Sicilian Aquaman who is said to live beneath the sea, holding up Sicily to prevent it from sinking."
📸 Duomo di Messina (Messina Cathedral): The Duomo di Messina, also known as the Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Messina, Sicily. Originally built by the Normans in the 12th century, it has been repeatedly rebuilt and restored due to destruction from earthquakes and wartime damage. Despite these challenges, it features a basilica plan with three naves and notable elements like mosaics in the apses and a statue of Saint John the Baptist. A prominent feature is the bell tower, which houses the world's largest astronomical clock, featuring animated figures that perform a daily show at noon.
📸 Campanile del Duomo (Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock): The Campanile del Duomo di Messina is a 60-meter-tall bell tower in Messina, Italy, housing the world's largest and most complex astronomical clock. Built by the Ungerer Company of Strasbourg in 1933, it features a daily noon show with mechanical figures enacting scenes from Sicilian history and culture, accompanied by the sound of bells. The clock's mechanism, designed by Frédéric Klinghammer, is a marvel of engineering, showcasing the city's rich history and artistic traditions.
📸 Santissima Annunziata del Catalani: The Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani is a historic church in Messina, Sicily, Italy, known for its unique blend of architectural styles. Originally built in the 12th century during the Norman rule, on the ruins of a temple dedicated to Neptune, its present form displays Norman, Arab, and Byzantine influences. Notably, the church survived the devastating 1908 earthquake that destroyed most of Messina, though it's now located 3 meters below the rebuilt street level. The name "dei Catalani" comes from Catalan merchants who used the church in the 16th century.
📸 Fontana di Orione: The Fontana di Orione in Messina, Italy, is a remarkable Renaissance fountain located in the Piazza del Duomo, created by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli (a student of Michelangelo) between 1547 and 1553. Commissioned to celebrate the city's first aqueduct, the fountain features a statue of Orion, the mythical founder of Messina, along with intricate carvings of river gods (Nile, Ebro, Camaro, Tiber) and mythological figures, reflecting both the city's history and its water connection. It is considered one of Messina's most impressive attractions.
📸 Fontana di Nettuno: The Fontana di Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune) in Messina, Sicily, is a prominent landmark featuring a colossal statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. It's located in Piazza Unità d'Italia, where Via Garibaldi meets the square. The fountain was built in 1557 by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli, a Florentine sculptor who was a collaborator of Michelangelo.
📸 Museo Regionale Interdisciplinare di Messina (MuMe): This museum is a regional museum in Messina, Sicily, showcasing a vast collection of art and artifacts spanning from the 12th to the 18th centuries. It houses works by renowned artists like Antonello da Messina and Caravaggio, as well as archaeological finds and other decorative objects. The museum was established to preserve and display items recovered from buildings damaged or destroyed in the 1908 Messina earthquake, and from the collections of the former Museo Civico Peloritano.
🍽️😋 Regional Specialties
Sicilian cuisine is a vibrant and diverse culinary tradition that reflects the island's rich history and cultural influences. It's known for its use of fresh, local ingredients, particularly seafood and produce, and for its combination of sweet and savory flavors. Key characteristics include a strong emphasis on seafood, the use of eggplant, citrus fruits, and pistachios, and a blend of Greek, Arab, and Spanish flavors.
🍽️ Arancini: Arancini, known as "little oranges," are a popular Sicilian street food. These deep-fried, breaded rice balls are typically filled with ragù (meat sauce), cheese, and peas. Originating during Arab rule in Sicily, they evolved from a way to transport meals to a beloved culinary staple. Variations exist across Sicily, with different shapes and fillings like butter or pistachio.
🍽️ Panel: Sicilian Chickpea Fritters, called Panelle, are a popular street food in Sicily. Made from chickpea flour, water, and salt, they are fried until golden and crispy, often served in a sandwich with lemon juice. These fritters are known for their simple ingredients and delicious, melt-in-your-mouth texture, making them a beloved treat.
🍽️ Pasta alla Norma: Pasta alla Norma is a classic Sicilian dish featuring pasta tossed in a rich tomato sauce, with fried eggplant, and topped with ricotta salata cheese and basil. It's a beloved vegetarian meal known for its simple yet flavorful combination of ingredients, often described as comforting and satisfying.
🍽️ Pasta con le Sarde: Pasta con le Sarde is a traditional Sicilian pasta dish featuring pasta (usually bucatini or spaghetti) tossed with a sauce of sardines, wild fennel, and other ingredients. It's known for its unique blend of sweet, savory, and slightly bitter flavors, due to the combination of sardines, fennel, raisins, and pine nuts.
🍽️ Busiate al Pesto Trapanese: Busiate al Pesto Trapanese is a classic Sicilian pasta dish that features busiate, a corkscrew-shaped pasta, paired with pesto alla Trapanese, a vibrant tomato-based sauce. This pesto substitutes almonds for pine nuts and includes fresh basil, garlic, tomatoes, and Pecorino cheese, offering a distinctively Sicilian flavor profile.
🍽️ Caponata: Caponata is a classic Sicilian dish, a sweet and sour stew featuring eggplant as its main ingredient. It's typically made with fried or roasted eggplant, along with other vegetables like celery, onions, and tomatoes. Olives, capers, and a sweet and sour sauce (often featuring vinegar and sugar) are also key components.
🥤Granita: In Sicily, granita is a semi-frozen dessert, a cross between sorbet and shaved ice, typically made with sugar, water, and fruit, and enjoyed for its refreshing, grainy texture. It's a staple in Sicilian cuisine, especially for breakfast, where it's traditionally paired with a soft, sweet brioche. The texture can vary from coarse and crunchy to smoother, depending on the region and preparation method. Typical flavors include lemon, almond, coffee, mulberry, or pistachio.
📍🗺️ Maps, Apps & Links
🌐 Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour
🚕 Uber Premier
🚕 itTaxi