Messina’s Must-Sees: A Top Ten Guide to the “Door of Sicily

Located on the northeastern coast of Sicily, Messina is a captivating city brimming with history, culture, and natural beauty. From its ancient origins to its vibrant present, Messina offers visitors a charming mix of architectural wonders, picturesque waterfront views, mouthwatering cuisine, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Known for its beautiful cathedrals and wineries, Messina is the perfect location to experience Sicilian culture firsthand.

Quick History Check

Messina is the third largest city in Sicily and an important gateway between Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. This charming seaside port in Sicily has changed hands many times over the centuries, from the Greek colonists in 8th century BC to Italian mercenaries, the Goths, Arabs, Normans, and the Byzantine Empire.

Messina has endured its share of bad luck; it lost 48,000 residents in the 1743 plague, then around 60,000 more in the December 1908 earthquake with its resultant tsunami that devastated Messina as well as many nearby cities. Some of Messina’s survivors relocated to other cities within Italy, while hundreds more were shipped to America to start their lives over. Messina slowly rebuilt itself, only to suffer heavy artillery shelling during WWII.

Today this resilient “Door to Sicily” is a thriving city and cruise port welcoming thousands of visitors to its shores each year. Its commercial port handles the area’s coveted exports including oranges, olives, and lemons — and, of course, its famous wines!  Messina is also home to the University of Messina, the world’s first Jesuit college, founded by Ignatius of Loyola in 1548.

Discover Messina, Sicily

Is Messina, Sicily worth visiting? Absolutely! The city is a main tourist destination for cruise vacationers to Italy and the starting port for many excursions throughout Sicily. There is no shortage of things to do in Messina and its surrounding areas.

Messina is a history and archeology lover’s paradise with its many architectural gems including the Santissima Annunziata del Catalini, Tempio Votivo di Cristo, and Messina Cathedral. The city’s wide variety of settlers brought their own influences to Messina, which is why you will see many architectural styles including Baroque, Norman, Gothic, Arabic, and Neoclassical. Of particular note is Sicilian Baroque, a type of Baroque that evolved with Spanish influences. You can tell this style by the putti (chubby male children), the grinning masks, and a splashy take on the more typical Baroque curves and embellishments.

Come fall in love with the pastoral Sicilian countryside when you visit the medieval seaside towns of Taormina, Naxos, Savoca, Palermo, Catania, and Isola Bella — each with their own flavor and charm.

Exploring the City

You know you are in for a treat when the city welcomes you with the Madonnina, a gold statue of the Madonna della Lettera atop a 60 meter octagonal tower as you pull into the port!

Explore the historical center of Messina

Just outside of the Port of Messina is the Piazza del Duomo, a buzzy public square where you will find the Fountain of Orion and the (reconstructed) Messina Cathedral. There are also many shops, restaurants, and cafes nearby to browse or just sit with a creamy cappuccino and people watch.

Messina Cathedral

This impressive Norman-style building with its bell tower dates back to the 12th century, but suffered significant damage with the earthquake of 1908. During WWII it received another blow, this time from shelling fire. The original structure itself was largely spared, including three portals of the Gothic facade and the tympanum, dating to the 15th century. The church’s pipe organ is the second largest one in Italy, and the remains of King Conrad IV of Germany and Sicily (13th-century) are interred here, along with archbishops and town notables.

Fortunately the cathedral was able to be restored both times, and contains  some of the original decorative elements, including the beautiful 14th century mosaics in the Chapel of the Sacrament.

The Cathedral’s famous astronomical clock, one of the largest in the world, is housed in the church’s four tier, 60 meter high bell tower. At noon, visitors are treated to a 15 minute show as the gilded bronze statues start to move while Schubert’s Ave Maria plays in the background. You can go inside to watch the clock’s gears and counterweights for a unique view of the clock show. A truly magical experience!

Fountain of Orion (Fontana di orione) and its mythological connection

This ornate fountain was built in 1547 by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli, a student of the famed artist Michelangelo. It features four nude statues that represent the world’s four major rivers: the Nile, Tiber, Camaro, and Ebro; at the top is a statue of Orion standing with his dog Sirius.

Orion is considered the mythical founder of Messina. A giant huntsman and son of Poseidon and Euryale (per Greek mythology), Orion is said to have helped build the city’s port; in another legend, he is said to have moved the earth around the city’s harbor to protect Messina from ferocious storms.

Fontana di Nettuno

Overlooking the harbor is another one of Montorsoli’s fountains, this one dedicated to the sea god Neptune. This particular design is innovative for having one raised central figure, breaking with the standard fountain designs of the time. Gaze up to marvel at Neptune holding his strident as several mythical and legendary characters surround him from below.

The Regional Museum of Messina   

Formerly a seaside silk weaving mill, this structure has been host to the Regional Museum of Messina since 1914. Its 14 rooms are divided into three sections: one for sculptures, one for paintings, and one for archeology. This museum is a must-do for fans of Italian or Renaissance art.

Inside you can view its many artworks, including priceless items rescued from churches and palaces that were destroyed in the 1908 earthquake and during WWII. You will also find famed oil works such as the Polyptych of San Gregorio by Antonello da Messina and The Resurrection of Lazarus by Michelangelo Merisi dCaravaggio. 

Top Messina Full Day Tours and Excursions

Visit Taormina and explore its ancient Greek theater

The hilltop town of Taormina is known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean and Sicily’s premiere resort town. It will delight you with its ancient churches, palaces, charming cafes, upscale boutiques, and potential celebrity sightings.

Here you will find the Teatro Antico Di Taormina, a Hellenistic theater built in the third century BC, and rebuilt later under Roman rule. This jaw dropping theater — still in use — hugs the top of the cliff and can hold up to 10,000 spectators along its circular sloped sides.

Mount Etna

Soaring almost 11,000 feet above sea level, Mount Etna is Europe’s largest active volcano and the highest peak in Italy south of the Alps. It is also a must-do destination for visitors with an appreciation for lunar-like landscapes and breathtaking coastal views.

A trip up the mountainside can yield many experiences: winding past vineyards and orchards along the base of the mountain, passing by quaint hillside villages such as Santa Venerina and Zafferana, and seeing the solidified lava of past eruptions. A stop at the Silvestri, a pair of inactive craters (6,500 feet above sea level) offers splendid views of the Catania Gulf. And Sapienza refuge is a popular spot to watch climbers test their mettle as they make their way up the mountain.

The mineral-rich volcanic soil around Mount Etna greatly contributes to Sicily’s robust wine flavors, and this is evident when you join in on a wine tour. Visit a famous winery nestled in the mountain’s park and learn the secrets of winemaking with a Sicilian twist. Afterward, enjoy a wine tasting complete with delicious Sicilian appetizers while you soak in the serene environment.

Castelmola

This ancient village overlooking Taormina will mesmerize you with its narrow, medieval streets and heart stopping views. While here you can browse the shops and boutiques, and check out Saint Giorgio’s Church. This simple yet sacred sanctuary has one nave and contains several artworks, including a wooden statue of Saint George that is carried through the streets in an annual procession during the feast of Saint George.

Tindari

This ancient city along the Tyrrhenian Coast is full of Roman ruins, including Roman baths, floor mosaics, and a system to radiate heat. The most famous icon in town is the Black Madonna, a Byzantine statue of Madonna carved out of Lebanon cedar with a mysterious arrival; she remained despite numerous raids on the city, including one by the famous pirate Barbarossa (Red Beard). 

The Godfather connection

Messina is a magnet for countless Godfather film fans who flock to the city and surrounding areas where many of the movies’ scenes were filmed.

You may recognize the narrow streets of Taormina and Savaca on this tour to some of the filming locations. At Bar Vitelli you can see artisan tools and photographs taken while Francis Ford Coppola was in the area during the filming of The Godfather II. You will also visit the charming village of Forza d’Agro where Al Pacino and Sofia Coppola taped some scenes for The Godfather III. Along the way you will enjoy scenic views, remnants of a Norman castle, the Gothic Church of St. Agostino, and the Baroque-style Chiesa Madre.

Exploring the beautiful beaches and coastal areas near Messina

Messina’s location at Sicily’s northeastern tip gives the city the opportunity to offer not just one, but two coastlines for beachgoers to enjoy. As with the area villages, Messina’s beaches have their own distinct views and vibes.

Marinello Beach — this beach actually flanks a series of marine lakes that form a protected nature preserve. Stretch out on the white sands as you watch the tranquil sea in the background.

Lido dei Tirreno — popular with the locals, this beach offers many amenities to make you as comfortable as possible while you have fun under the Mediterranean sun.

Castel di Tusa Beach — the “sand” on this beach is actually smooth pebbles, decorating the ground in a wide spectrum of hues. Dramatic rock formations jut out of the water in the distance, making this an Insta-worthy beach spot.

Must-Know Facts Before Visiting

Best time to visit Messina

The best times to visit Messina are in the spring (May and June) or the fall (September and October) as the weather is milder and the crowds are thinner.

Tips for navigating the city and getting around

Messina itself is a very easy city to explore on foot, and there is public transportation (trams and buses) for those who can’t walk long distances or just want to give their legs a break.  Cabs, buses, and trains are available if you want to venture into the surrounding areas. And with our excursions, we handle those logistics so you don’t have to!

Local Cuisine

Salami, vermicelli, focaccia, granita, affogato … these traditional foods and drinks are synonymous with Italy and can be found everywhere in Messina.

Messina is big on comfort food, with dishes like sciusceddu, a hearty baked dish of meatballs, eggs, and local cheeses served with bread. Parmigiana di Melanzane is another local favorite with its layers of baked sliced eggplant, tomatoes, and cheese.

Street Food

Street foods are a fun way to explore the local tastes. Try a pitone, a calzone stuffed with escarole, vegetables, anchovies, tomatoes, and cheese. Another popular street food is arancini, made out of risotto-style rice and a ragu or cheese, then deep fried for the perfect snack-to-go. Mozzarella in carrozza, or “mozzarella in a carriage”, is Messina’s take on a grilled cheese sandwich; it is a deep fried sandwich using mild Sicilian cheese and full of gooey goodness!

One special dessert to try here is the Frutta Martorana; these marzipan sweets are made into tiny vegetables and fruits, and are almost too cute to eat! You can also take a cue from the locals and enjoy a Mezza con panna al caffè; this coffee-flavored granita with cream makes a refreshing snack or post dinner treat.

Messina’s Restaurants

Whether you want a traditional meal or a fine dining experience, you will find both in Messina. The city has no shortage of wonderful dining options, from satisfying local haunts to fine dining and even Michelin star restaurants.

If traditional is more your style, head to the cozy 1 Ruggeri to enjoy authentic dishes created with local meats and produce. A more upscale option is Bellavista Ristorante where you can savor nouvelle cuisine served with a side of stunning Strait of Messina views. The Michelin star rated Sacha treats you to culinary views in its open plan kitchen restaurant preparing seafood-inspired cuisine along with wine pairings from regional wineries.

Now is the perfect time to explore this enchanting city and hidden European gem! Our expert shore excursion guides will escort you to some of the most captivating spots in and around Messina —  so get off that ship and come experience the history, majesty, and beauty of Messina with your own eyes.