Location: Messina
Top Things to do in Messina
Things to do in Messina, Sicily: The Best Sights & Landmarks
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. Duomo di Messina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,240 reviews
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 Adventure_Steph_H - Bristol, United Kingdom
We visited Messina on a rainy day which meant that there were not very many people about. The clock tower is a beautiful structure and parts of it move as it chimes on the hour. Inside the cathedral the striking feature are the wooden beams across the ceiling with beautiful detailing on them. Its definitely worth a visit whilst in Messina although when we visited we had to split it into two parts as when we first visited at about lunchtime they closed the cathedral but were able to return later in the afternoon.
2. Fontana di Orione
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By CarolinaE5247ZH - Highlands, United States
I never thought I would visit such a wonderful place and have this experience. Clear waters rushed from the fountain but what I noticed besides the great work of art were the birds that sat upon it that only made it more natural and lovely and all the people gathered around it. All the while seeing this listening to Ave Maria played over the crowd of people. It is located in a piazza with a clock tower which is animated and beautiful and an old church with paintings and sculptures. All together it was perfect. I'm happy I was able to visit this beautiful place.
3. Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock (Orologio Astronomico)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,439 reviews
Reviewed By stewartc640 - Chatham, United Kingdom
We passed the Messina cathedral Bell tower whilst on a one day stopover in Messina. We were doing a self-guided walking tour armed with a fairly basic tourist map and had just arrived in the port. The bell tower and its associated cathedral sits in the reasonably spacious ‘Piazza del Duomo di Messina’ just inland from where the cruise ship docked. It is known for its animation occurring when the clock strikes particularly at 12 noon. Unfortunately, this is the time our ship docked so we missed what we have been told is quite a sight. We did get to see a shorter animation at one o’clock though. The bell tower is separate from the cathedral, and had ‘golden’ statues on various levels as well as other parts of the animation. The Piazza is quite busy and there are many sightseeing tours for tourists departing from here either on busses or ‘Dotto’ trains. There are also some souvenir shops and street traders here where tourists can buy mementoes of their visit to Messina, we tend to purchase porcelain thimbles on our travels and these were available here too.
4. Annunziata dei Catalani Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By jeanneg763
I visited it yesterday whilst in Messina for the day. Unfortunately it was closed however I never fail to receive a shock of pleasant surprise coming upon the exquisite medieval jewel in the nondescript commercial Via Garibaldi. It is my favourite church in Sicily and worth a trip to Messina just to see with your own eyes the magnificent treasure that miraculously survived both earthquakes that struck the unlucky city in 1783 and 1908.
5. Tempio Votivo di Cristo Re
6. Santuario della Madonna di Montalto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By B1918KUemmal
Our B&B owner, Fabio (Garibaldi B&B) recommended we see this church as it overlooks all of Messina, especially the harbor. Even though it was a trek to get there, it was worth every step. And, we were there at 12:00 and we could hear the bells and the movement of the Piazza Duomo's Bell Tower Astronomical Clock Movement which happens everyday at this time. The view from up here is absolutely beautiful. You could see the tip of Calabria.
7. Chiesa di Santa Maria Alemanna
8. San Marco D'alunzio
9. La Vara
10. Basilica Santuario S.Antonio
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