Messina41 Hotel
Messina - Viale Boccetta 24
Book now
Overshadowed by other, more visited Sicilian cities, Messina offers the curious visitor an abundance of attractions and a distinctive atmosphere.
Positioned at the northernmost point of the Ionian coast, just a few kilometres from mainland Italy, Messina owes its fame to its port and the strait that bears its name. Though often regarded merely as a transit hub, these places are steeped in ancient stories and legends and hold a particular fascination, rather like what you feel in a border town.
Sicily’s first Greek colony and witness to significant historical events over the centuries, Messina was devastated by an earthquake in 1908 but rose again with elegant buildings and broad avenues that still give it a Belle Époque character, distinguishing it from typical Sicilian cities with their somewhat claustrophobic feel. The culinary tradition and the sea’s beauty, however, are unmistakably Sicilian.
It cannot rival other cities for the fame of its historical and artistic attractions, but it can boast one of Sicily’s most beautiful cathedrals, an interesting museum and other treasures scattered throughout the city centre. Enchanting beaches are just a few kilometres away.
Messina is a city that offers an abundance of attractions: palaces, churches, museums, fountains, scenic viewpoints. Here are the top things to see in Messina for an itinerary of one or two days.
The central Piazza del Duomo is the best starting point for a visit to Messina’s heart. This is where you’ll find the city’s main tourist attraction, and from here you can easily reach all the others on foot. It’s also a good spot if you enjoy watching the hustle and bustle of people.
Messina’s architectural marvel is its imposing Cathedral. Built in the 12th century in Norman style, it has had a turbulent history: first desecrated and converted into a mosque; later restored as a Catholic church, it was damaged by fire in 1254, destroyed by earthquakes in 1783 and 1908, and struck by a bomb during the Second World War.
Given these events, it’s hardly surprising that little remains of the original structure, but thanks to faithful reconstructions over the centuries, what we can admire today is a magnificent building that houses precious artistic treasures, including beautiful mosaics, frescoes, statues and funerary monuments.
Before entering, take a moment to admire the façade in its entirety, then look at the elegant crenellation and the central portal adorned with small columns featuring ornamental motifs and figures of saints.
Interestingly, the organ in Messina Cathedral is the second largest in Italy (the first is in Milan Cathedral) and the third in Europe. It was built by the Tamburini workshop from Crema in 1948.
Among the many beauties of Messina Cathedral, there is one that all tourist guides mention separately, as an attraction in itself. We do the same because the astronomical clock on the bell tower of Messina Cathedral is truly wonderful and deserves careful observation.
Created by the Ungerer brothers from Strasbourg and inaugurated in 1933, it represents one of the world’s largest and most complex astronomical mechanical clocks. It is a riot of gold and blue, decorated with historical scenes, mythological figures, zodiac signs and other astronomical symbols.
The best time to see it is at noon, when the bronze figurines come to life and move to the sound of Schubert’s Ave Maria. The spectacle lasts about 12 minutes.
Another fine photographic subject in Piazza del Duomo is the Fountain of Orion, a richly decorated 16th-century ornamental fountain adorned with Carrara marble sculptures.
The fountain was commissioned from Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli, a student of Michelangelo, to commemorate the construction of Messina’s aqueduct: an important event considering that the city was among the first in Sicily to receive running water.
The main figure in the sculptural group is Orion, the mythical founder of Messina, while the surrounding figures represent the rivers Tiber, Nile, Ebro and Camaro.
Another elegant 16th-century fountain by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli is the Fountain of Neptune, depicting the god of the sea in a proud and dignified pose dominating the sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis. The reference to Michelangelo’s style is even more evident here.
The statues of Neptune and Scylla are copies; the originals are kept in the regional museum.
Little known, the Interdisciplinary Regional Museum of Messina boasts an extensive collection of art and archaeology and is certainly worth a visit.
The museum’s highlights are the altarpiece of San Gregorio created by Antonello da Messina in 1473 and the paintings the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Resurrection of Lazarus created in the early 17th century by Caravaggio.
Also known as Santa Maria di Castello a Mare, the Church of the Most Holy Annunciation of the Catalans is a distinctive religious building constructed between the 12th and 13th centuries, probably on the remains of a temple to Neptune.
Due to the subsidence caused by earthquakes and fires over the centuries, the church now sits approximately three metres below street level. The architecture is a mix of styles with Byzantine elements predominating: a gem you’ll want to photograph from every angle.
A testament to Messina’s inseparable bond with the sea, the Madonna of the Letter or Madonna of the Port is a gilded bronze statue standing atop a votive stele at the end of the San Raineri arm, the point where ships enter and exit the harbour.
The statue, created by Messina-born artist Tore Calabrò, depicts the Madonna with her arm raised in blessing over ships entering and leaving. The stele, including its base, stands 60 metres high whilst the statue itself is 7 metres tall.
Messina’s historical and artistic heritage includes many other treasures beyond the top attractions we’ve listed so far.
If time permits, take a look at the Church of Santa Maria degli Alemanni, the Church of San Francesco d’Assisi, the Monastery of Montevergine of the Poor Clares of Santa Eustachia and the Church of San Giovanni di Malta.
Among the civic buildings worth noting are Palazzo Zanca (the town hall), the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele III and the Palazzo del Monte di Pietà.
If you’re passionate about theatre, music and dance, check the programme at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele II to see if there’s something of interest.
Otherwise, still take a moment to look at the façade of this historic Messina theatre: in neoclassical style, it’s adorned with bas-reliefs and sculptural groups. The theatre has the largest seating capacity of any in Sicily; it was opened in 1852, severely damaged by the 1908 earthquake and reopened in the 1980s.
In the village of Gesso, a hamlet of Messina on the Peloritani Mountains, there is a small but moving museum that will introduce you to the traditions of rural Sicily and its particular way of expressing itself through music: the Museum of Popular Culture and Music of the Peloritani. Well maintained, it houses a collection of musical instruments used by shepherds and peasants, all perfectly preserved and still in working order.
The Sanctuary of the Madonna of Montalto with its scenic overlook represents the best vantage point from which to enjoy a splendid view over Messina and the harbour. The church, largely rebuilt, dates back to the late 13th century and blends elements of Gothic and Romanesque architecture.
The city of Taormina is just an hour away and is the ideal destination for an exciting day trip.
A few ferries to the Aeolian Islands depart from Messina’s harbour, but they’re not very frequent; it’s better to go to Milazzo, which offers numerous connections to the islands and is just thirty kilometres away.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
If you didn’t pass through Calabria to reach Messina, you absolutely must visit the Strait of Messina.
On this iconic expanse of sea separating Sicily from mainland Italy, two different marine currents meet, generating turbulent whirlpools and vortices. The ancients believed these frightening phenomena were caused by two sea monsters, Scylla and Charybdis. Although we now know the scientific explanation for these phenomena, witnessing them firsthand is still an exhilarating spectacle.
There’s another good reason to visit the Strait of Messina: this location is one of the few places in the world where it’s possible to observe the Fata Morgana, an optical phenomenon that makes a non-existent city appear suspended between sky and sea to observers’ eyes.
Given the presence of a very active harbour, there are no beautiful beaches in central Messina. However, just a few kilometres away you’ll find dream beaches: the coast of Messina province features a succession of sandy shores and secluded coves to suit all tastes.
Among the most beautiful beaches in Messina and the surrounding area we recommend Capo Alì, Sant’Alessio Siculo Beach and Santa Teresa di Riva Beach.
If you’re willing to travel a bit further, also note these names:
Many tourists stop in Messina for just one night, just long enough to rest from the drive from the mainland and move on to other parts of Sicily. The hotel supply has adapted with a wide selection of functional and comfortable accommodation at reasonable prices.
Those who choose Messina as their base or a stop on their Sicilian holiday will find more charming hotels and bed & breakfasts, perhaps housed in historic buildings or with sea views.
Prices are generally lower than in other, more visited parts of Sicily.
The nearest airport to Messina is Catania, approximately 94 km away and served by a direct bus. Alternatively, you may consider a flight to Palermo: in that case the airport is 250 km away and to reach Messina you’ll need to take the shuttle bus to the city centre and then a bus to your final destination.
Ship is another popular way to reach Messina. Ferry and hydrofoil connections with Villa San Giovanni and Reggio Calabria are very frequent. The crossing is very brief, lasting between twenty and thirty minutes.
Another place from which you can reach Messina by sea is Salerno, though ferries are less frequent in this case. The crossing takes nine hours.
Buses from regional coach lines connect Messina to all the major towns in eastern Sicily including Taormina, Catania and Milazzo, and to Palermo. Long-distance coaches connect Messina with Rome. Trains are less frequent than buses and in some cases even slower, but if you prefer this means of transport, you can arrive in Messina by train from Catania, Syracuse and Palermo.
Your own car remains the best option as it gives you the freedom to move at your own pace and choose where to go. If you’re travelling around Sicily by car, you can easily reach Messina from Palermo, Milazzo, Catania and Syracuse via the A20 motorway.
What's the weather at Messina? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Messina for the next few days.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
Resorts