Messina

By boat

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".

• BluferriesHydrofoils (take cars) hourly from VSG to Messina Porto Storico.

• Liberty LinesFast cats from Reggio Calabria to downtown port, no vehicles.

• Caronte & TouristVSG to Messina only with car.

• Meridiano LinesFerries Messina downtown - Reggio Calabria (Every 2 hours 24/7, taking 40 min).

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

By plane

The closest airports to Messina are:

• Reggio di Calabria (REG) across the straits on the mainland
• Catania Fontanarossa (CTA) south
• Palermo (PMO) west

Catania and Palermo have flights to the major European cities.

By train

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.

• Messina Centrale

  address: Piazza della Repubblica
  For left luggage, use SAIS office outside.

By bus

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) for the Aeolian Islands.

• Bus station

  address: Piazza della Repubblica
  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.

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

ATM

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).

• Madonna della LetteraThe 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.

• Duomo di Messina

  address: 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.

• Campanile del duomo di Messina

  address: Piazza del 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.

• Fontana di Orione

  address: Piazza del Duomo
  Work of Montorsoli (1547), a student of Michelangelo. Orion, with his dog Sirius, is portrayed as one of the legendary founders of Messina.

Palazzo Calapaj-d'AlcontresAn 18th-century building, perhaps of a relatively modest exterior, but it's one of a few ones survived the earthquake of 1908.

Palazzo Zanca

address: Piazza Unione Europea

Municipio of Messina was built in 1924 in Neoclassical style under direction by Antonio Zanca.

• Fontana Senatoria

Museo regionale di Messina

phone: +39 09 036 1292

address: Viale della Libertà 465

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.

Chiesa dei CatalaniOne of a few survivors of the earthquake in 1908. Its origin dates to the 12th century in later Norman style with Arabic-influenced elements.

Quattro FontaneTwo smaller fountains survived out of four built between 1666 and 1742.

ex Chiesa di Santa Maria AlemannaThis 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.

Chiesa del CarmineA church with 7 chapels decorated inside with polychrome marble. It also known for its Tamburini Organ renown for its complex rich sounds (installed in 1950s).

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele IIIAn 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.

Palazzo del Monte di PietàThe current building is essentially a ground floor of the former palazzo which was severely damaged by earthquakes and World War II bombing.

Santuario della Madonna di MontaltoSanctuary 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.

Fontana Falconieri

address: Piazza Basicò

Sacrario di Cristo ReBuilt 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.

Chiesa di MontevergineThe church hosts remains of the Catholic saint Eustochia Smeralda Calafato.

Fontana del Nettuno

address: Via G. Garibaldi

Another monumental fountain by Montorsoli featuring Neptune accompanied with Scylla and Charybdis.

Porta Grazia di Messina

address: 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.

Villa de Pasquale

phone: +39 0903674611

address: Via Marco Polo 266

A beautiful Neo-Renaissance villa in Liberty style built in 1912 and restored in 2016.

• Orto Botanico

  phone: +39 090 391940
  address: Piazza XX Settembre

• Teatro Vittorio Emanuele II

  address: Via G. Garibaldi

• Pilone di Torre FaroIt'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.

• 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.

• Al Gattopardo

  phone: +39 090 673 076
  address: Via Santa Cecilia, 184
  Med cuisine.

• Pizza Napoletana

  address: 42 Via Cannizzaro
  Central pizzeria.

• Dockers

  phone: +39 366 488 6865
  address: 31 Via Vittorio Emanuele
  Bar, grill & Irish pub.

Budget

Try along Via Cannizzaro near the port and railway station.

Mid-range

• La Residenza

  phone: +39 907 7631
  address: 115 Via 27 Luglio
  Charming, elegant, central four star hotel.

• Royal Hotel

  phone: +39 090 6503
  address: 3 Via T Cannizzaro
  Small very central hotel.

• Il Parco degli Ulivi

  phone: +39 903 379 529
  address: Contrada Romeo, Villafranca Tirrena
  Small 3-star hotel set in the hills looking north over Tyrrheian Sea.

Splurge

• Hotel Avalon Sikani Resort

  phone: +39 941 301 100
  address: Contrada Licari, Goioiosa Marea
  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.

• 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.