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Messina is in the northeast of Sicily, Italy. It is only 5 km across the Straits of Messina to the region of Calabria on the mainland.

Cathedral tower

Get in

By boat

There are at least hourly ferries to Villa San Giovanni on the mainland and also several hydrofoils each day to Reggio di Calabria.

Some days, visitors arrive by cruise ships... most frequently in the summer season. Ships often berth right downtown, within an easy walk to a popular piazza, dominated by the clock tower (pictured), and which is served by many tour buses and a hop-on/hop-off double-decked bus offering a modest overview of the waterfront portion of the city.

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.

By bus

Long-distance buses stop in Messina, linking Rome and Naples to Catania and Palermo. Regular buses also run to Taormina and Milazzo (for the Aeolian Islands).


Get around

See

  • Cathedral Tower - A must-see for visitors with an amazing clock show every day at 12:00 (noon)!
  • Cathedral - A Gothic style cathedral which dates back 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.
  • Fountain of Orion - Next to the cathedral.
  • Old Town

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 ancient Tyndaris and Abacaenum. It is the archetype of a typical medieval town, with its friendly and accommodating people who speak a distinctive dialect.

Do

Visit Torre Faro, the former electricity pylon over Messina Strait. It is a 224 metres tall lattice tower, which is today an observation tower with an observation platform on 200 metres. 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! [1]

  • Walk around the city! It's a nice town with old architecture.

Buy

  • Coin Shopping Centre

Eat

The best pizza in town is Pizza Capitano just off Piazza Cairoli. The owner is a little gruff however the wood oven gives an authentic Sicilian flavor. Its also excellent value and is always busy especially during Series A football matches when the atmosphere reaches fever pitch.

For visitors there for just a day, look for family pastry store that offer cannoli... a genuine Sicilian treat.

Drink

For a taste of Irish authenticity drop into Dockers near the cruise mooring area.

Sleep

Budget

  • Acqualadroni.it. Flats with different sizes all provided with kitchen fridge and washing machine for a simple but good stay, they are located in the north part of the city, perfect for spending your holiday.

Mid-range

  • La Residenza. Charming, elegant, four stars hotel in the centre.
  • Hotel il Mulino, Via A. Doria, 46, Capo D'Orlando, Ph. +39 0941 902431 Fax +39 0941 911614 [2]. Among the hotels in Capo d'Orlando, the Hotel Il Mulino boasts a privileged position: overlooking the sea on the beautiful sandy beach in the centre. The hotel is about 200 meters from the pedestrian area and about 300 meters from the train station.
  • Liberty Hotel, Via I Settembre, 15, Tel.: +39 090 6409436, Fax: +39 090 6409340 [3]. Situated in the heart of Messina, NH Liberty, built in 1930, and newly renovated. It's position makes it ideal for business stays as well as holidays. There is another NH hotel in Messina [4] if this one is full.
  • Tourist Village Capo Calavà, +39 0941 302501, fax: +39 0941 301188. C.da Capo Calavà, Gioiosa Marea. Directly on the beach and in the heart of a verdant park with a piano bar, discotheque, miniclub, restaurant, wellness center, business center, and 280 comfortable rooms. Prices start from 420€ per week.

Splurge

  • Hilton Hotel Portarosa Messina, +39 0941 802 500, fax: +39 0941 802 555. Complesso Turistico Portorosa, Furnari. Luxury four star hotel outside the city with private beach, spa centre, windsurfing and sailing class, plus a Congress Centre for the ideal business meeting just a two steps away from the Sicilian Sea.
  • Hotel Royal Palace In the heart of the commercial centre, 200 meters far from the station. The restaurant "Lo Scrigno" offers a refined service and the best dishes of the cuisine of Messina and Sicily and selected specialties of the National cuisine as well.
  • Grand Avalon Sikani Resort & Residence Sicily, Contrada Licari, Goioiosa Marea, +39 0941 301100. Features 119 guest and family rooms wit sea view of the Aeolian Islands. Private beach. Located in the Northern Coast of Sicily (Goioiosa Marea) very near Messina. Facilities: A/C, infinity swimming pool, sea-view solarium, running center, spa & wellnes center, banquet facilities, conference centre.
  • Villa Luca Messina, +39 0941 702394, fax: +39 0941 701383. Contrada Muti 1, Sant'Agata Militello. Relaxing country house located on the edge of Messina, immerse in a fantastic green area with a swimming pool. The Villa Luca offers 12 guest rooms, one for disables, with private bath and breakfast included. Double and twin rooms €65; triple and family 92.

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