Messina’s port churns with ferries and cruise ships arriving from the Strait of Messina, which links northeastern Sicily with the Italian mainland and ports across the Mediterranean. But Sicily’s third-largest city offers more than just a strategic transport hub. Things to do in Messina include admiring its Norman cathedral and Caravaggio masterpieces and experiencing some of Sicily’s best cuisine (think fresh seafood and sweet granita). You can also explore highlights strung like pearls along the eastern coastline: Taormina and Castelmola; Mount Etna and its famed volcanic wineries; and Syracuse’s ancient heart are all within striking distance.
Messina is one of Sicily’s main seaports. This means the city springs into action when the tourist season kicks off in early summer, with cruise ships and ferries buzzing in and out of the harbor. The city’s main festival—the Passeggiata dei Giganti (Procession of the Giants)—draws thousands each August with its procession of statues representing the city’s legendary founders, Mata and Grifone. The city’s torrid summer temperatures, however, make spring and fall more pleasant times to visit.
Though Messina is a sprawling modern city, most of its attractions are clustered in the historic city center and are easy to visit on foot. The cruise port and train station are about a 15-minute walk from the heart of the old town, and local ATM buses depart from Piazza della Repubblica for destinations outside the center. From this Sicilian transport hub, you can catch trains to A-list destinations like Taormina, Syracuse, and Palermo.
Messina is often the first place where travelers set foot on Sicily, and it’s a great city for a sampling of the island’s cuisine. Begin with street food classics like arancini (fried rice balls stuffed with meat ragù), mozzarella en carozza (picture a deep-fried cheese sandwich), and focaccia messinese (the city’s take on pizza). Then, satisfy your sweet tooth with an icy granita laced with fruit syrup or rich cannolo stuffed with sweetened ricotta before ending with a bracing espresso.
