10 Things to Do in Messina That You Shouldn't Miss

November 22, 2017 Marianna Hollaway

At Sicily’s northeast tip, Messina is the first city being kicked by mainland Italy’s boot, just three miles across the Strait of Messina. It's a main port of entry for visitors via hydrofoils and ferries. Trains board the ferry, too, before continuing service. The 12th-century Norman cathedral, rebuilt after a 1908 earthquake destroyed it and much of the town, is the most famous attraction.
Restaurants in Messina

1. Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock (Orologio Astronomico)

Piazza Duomo, 98122, Messina, Sicily, Italy +39 090 675175
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock (Orologio Astronomico)

Reviewed By Borzov - Rijeka, Croatia

The sixty meters high tower was built in the 16th century and completely rebuilt in 1908 after the earthquake. The clock was installed in 1933 by the Ungerer company of Strasbourg and it is still one of the greatest astronomical clocks in the world. Every day at noon there is a 12-minutes long show that includes the lion roaring, a rooster crows and a procession of golden statues that represent the course of human life, the days of the week and biblical scenes. On the south side of the tower you can see the moon phases, the Planetarium and the perpetual calendar.

2. La Vara

Messina, Sicily, Italy
Excellent
74%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 177 reviews

La Vara

Reviewed By Crissy5266 - Messina, Italy

Have lived here in Sicily for many years but had never previously seen La vara of the duomo. Took visiting family and it was well worth the visit. Would strongly recommend to any one visiting Messina or indeed any part of Sicily.

3. Duomo di Messina

Piazza del Duomo, Messina, Sicily, Italy +39 346 973 3560
Excellent
61%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 970 reviews

Duomo di Messina

This Cathedral, a fine example of Sicilian Norman architecture, has retained its original medieval lines even after a long history: built under Roger II, consecrated in 1197, destroyed in the 1908 earthquake and rebuilt.

Reviewed By Borzov - Rijeka, Croatia

The Cathedral of Messina dates back to the 12th century, but it was thoroughly restored in 1920 due to the serious damage in 1908 earthquake. The apsidal area is constructed in the Norman style and the three portals of the facade are decorated in the Gothic style. The Cathedral is a burial ground of King Conrad IV and many archbishops.

4. Annunziata dei Catalani Church

Piazza dei Catalani, Via Garibaldi, Messina, Sicily, Italy
Excellent
62%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 148 reviews

Annunziata dei Catalani Church

Reviewed By DanielLifeguard - Island of Gozo, Malta

This very old church is built at the previous street level, the one that was before the earthquake. It is 3m below the current street level. Messina is literally built upon the ruins of the previous buildings. There was no cleanup of the rubble.

5. Fontana di Orione

Piazza del Duomo, Messina, Sicily, Italy
Excellent
47%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 176 reviews

Fontana di Orione

Reviewed By Borzov - Rijeka, Croatia

The monumental Fountain, situated at the Piazza Duomo, was designed by Fra Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli in the 16th century. With the help of the student Martino Montanini, he built a pyramidal Fountain dedicated to Orione, the mythical founder of the city, that was considered to be one of the greatest Fountain of its time.

6. La Madonnina del Porto

98122, Messina, Sicily, Italy
Excellent
63%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 79 reviews

La Madonnina del Porto

Reviewed By JT_Turner3 - Phoenix, Arizona

The Stele Madonna della Lettera (Our Lady of the Letter Monument) is on the tip of the spit that protects Messina Harbor and stands almost 200 feet tall. The brilliantly gilded statue of Madonna blessing those coming and going was such a peaceful sight. On the seawall base, it is written in Latin "VOS ET IPSAM CIVITATEM BENEDICIMUS" which reads "I Bless You And Your City." The monument was consecrated in 1934.

7. Faro di Capo Peloro

Localita Torre Faro, Messina, Sicily, Italy
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 123 reviews

Faro di Capo Peloro

Reviewed By theresadelblues - Catania, Italy

I took my hungarian clients to See the spot and they were very excited and grateful for having driver them out there !

8. Tempio Votivo di Cristo Re

Viale Principe Umberto, Messina, Sicily, Italy
Excellent
61%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 122 reviews

Tempio Votivo di Cristo Re

Reviewed By DanielLifeguard - Island of Gozo, Malta

The view from up here is spectacular. You can see the whole natural port underneath you and most of the city and also the Santuario della Madonna di Montalto opposite your position on a neighboring hill.
Furthermore there are volunteer guides at it's entrance which offer free 20mins tours to whoever is interested in many languages. The languages I'm sure they give the tour in are: English, Italian, French, German and Spanish.
The tour is excellent and gives a brief history of Messina and the Temple in 20mins.

9. Santuario della Madonna di Montalto

Via Dina E Clarenza 16, 98122, Messina, Sicily, Italy +39 090 774816
Excellent
55%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 114 reviews

Santuario della Madonna di Montalto

Reviewed By Giorgio G - Washington DC, District of Columbia

.. to tell you the truth, the church itself is like many in Messina.. the foundations are still there but the rest has been destroyed and rebuilt several times after the various earthquakes that have befallen the city.. but the view of the city, the harbor, the coast to the North to Capo Peloro and the Calabrian coast across the Stretto, that you have from the square in front of the church is incomparable and should not be missed..

10. Fontana di Nettuno

Messina, Sicily, Italy
Excellent
46%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 130 reviews

Fontana di Nettuno

Reviewed By LetterioZ - Fair Lawn, New Jersey

While I may be prejudiced because this sculpture was actually done by my grandfather's uncle, I thought it was great, and I enjoyed seeing it :)
Having said that, I must say that it is in a very busy area in a very busy city. It is extremely difficult to drive in, or park in, Messina. If you can find a parking space in a lot somewhere, my advice would be to walk through the city a bit , see this statue and any other sights that you are interested in.

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