MessinaSicily · Italy

All About Messina

Rising up among the coastal hills of northern Sicily, Messina is the third-largest city on the Mediterranean island. Limited by the hilly interior, it instead stretches along the coast to the extent that it’s able to boast some 30 kilometers of beaches. First founded by the Greeks some 10,000 years ago, Messina has been a celebrated escape long before the invention of the beach vacation. As rich in wines, citrus fruit, and olives as it is in historic wonders, there’s certainly plenty here for a visitor to sink their teeth into.

Lying at the closest point of Sicily to mainland Italy, on the northeastern-most tip of the island, Messina stands facing the town of Villa San Giovanni. Its strategic position on the Strait of Messina means that the vast majority of visitors decide to visit the city by sea, taking advantage of extraordinary vistas along the way. The city is also one of the main ports for ferries to the Aeolian Islands. The Ferryscanner website provides a simple way to compare routes and book ferry tickets to Messina.
 

Routes and Ferries to Messina

Incredibly, Messina lies just 30 minutes away from mainland Italy. What’s more, the journey to Reggio Calabria, on the opposite side of the Strait of Messina, costs as little as €4. An important route for both residents and visitors, there is at least one sailing per day in either direction.

When it comes to ferry tickets to Messina from the Aeolian Islands, the shortest journeys are those to the islands of Lipari and Stromboli. They are operated by Liberty Lines, like all the services currently linking Messina with the Aeolian Islands. One of the region’s busiest ferry companies, it provides ticket holders with modern, well-maintained vessels. Ferries to Lipari and Stromboli are scheduled to last less than 1.5 hours. There are up to four sailings per day to Lipari and an average of two sailings per day to Stromboli.

The ferries to the island of Vulcano are only slightly longer at one hour 45 minutes, with those with ferry tickets to Messina able to take advantage of up to three sailings in either direction each day. The sea passage to Panarea lasts just over two hours and has a schedule that includes up to 13 sailings per week. Rinella on the island of Salina can be reached from Messina in two hours and twenty minutes. There are also 13 sailings per week, with prices for adult passengers ranging from €16-45.

If you have the misfortune of finding that ferry tickets to Messina are already fully booked, the next best option for landscape lovers is Italy’s impressive high-speed rail network. Trains can have you in Messina from Rome in less than six hours, with up to 11 daily trains. The nearest airport to Messina is Catania, the capital of Sicily. It is also connected to Messina by rail.
 

Ports of Messina

Facing west, the ports of Messina have formed over generations around an impressive natural harbor. Their entrance is marked by the gilt statue of Madonna della Lettera, the city’s patron saint, which stands on a high stone column. In addition to being the departure and arrival points for ferries to Messina, the ports also welcome a steady flow of cruise ships and cargo vessels. Ferries dock at various points around the ports, and although the city’s main attractions are never more than 500 meters away, the various ferry terminals are also connected with the center of the city via Messina Maritima railway station and a tram line.
 

Best Beaches

Its Mediterranean climate means the sun is never far from the minds of visitors to Messina. The city’s location on the strait of the same name ensures the sea isn’t either. But what about the sand? Here are some of the best beaches in and around Messina.

Spiaggia di Ali Termi

Around 25 kilometers south of Messina, Spiaggia di Ali Termi is a pebble beach that stretches for several hundred meters. Despite its popularity, it has remains largely untouched and provides plenty of opportunity for those keen on sampling the area’s snorkeling opportunities.

Spiaggia di Isola Bella

Further south still, Spiaggia di Isola Bella can be found close to the famed theater of Taormina. No boats are needed to get here, with it being named after an offshore island that can be seen from the beach. Also largely formed from pebbles, many consider it the most naturally beautiful in the area.

Spiagge Nere di Vulcano

This series of linked beaches is found on the island of Vulcano, easily accessible from the ferries docking at the ports of Messina. They occupy the island’s northern coast, and make for a pleasant contrast to the pebbles around Messina. Volcanic in origin, they have a dramatic black hue.
 

Places to Visit

Although it would be easy to spend any length of trip on Messina enjoying its best beaches, the city also has some impressive places to visit. They include world-famous historic sites, museums, and cultural attractions. Here’s just a few of them.

The Cathedral

The rather plain exterior of the cathedral in central Messina look to date back hundreds of years, although it was largely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in the early 1900s. Within the cathedral are a number of survivors, including the tomb of Conrad, the island’s thirteenth-century king. The separate bell tower next door contains one of the world’s largest astronomical clocks.

Messina Regional Museum

Art lovers shouldn’t miss the ‘Museo Interdisciplinare Regionale’ or MuMe. Consisting of 13 different rooms, the museum aims to tell the story of Sicilian art from the twelfth to the eighteenth centuries. Its collection includes several works by Caravaggio, who has an entire room to himself.

Fountain of Orion

Almost impossible to miss from its prime position in front of the city’s cathedral, the Fountain of Orion was constructed in 1547. Created by one of Michelangelo’s students, its intricate carving is thought to be some of the best from the era.
 

Transportation Around Messina

The main places to visit in Messina are close enough to the ports that it’s unlikely you’ll need to consider transport other than your feet for shorter stays in the city. There is a comprehensive bus network operated by ATM, although it can be difficult to know where to get on and off, with stops little more than curbside stands.

The tranvia di Messina, or Messina tram, has made transportation much easier for those new to the city. It operates a single eight-kilometer route running north-south along the coast and ports. It is also known as line 28. At its northern end is the station of Annunziata, while its southern terminus is called Gazzi. Its 16 intermediate stops include one at Messina Centrale railway station. Trams run every 10-15 minutes throughout the day.

Taxis are another option. You should find vehicles awaiting the arrival of the ferries, and it’s also possible to hail them from the side of the road. Taxis operate on a meter system, based on the number of kilometers traveled, rather than time spent in the vehicle. It’s therefore important to ensure the driver blanks and then re-starts the electronic meter. Tips are appreciated but not expected.