Day 1 in Messina

Welcome to the Messina! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Make your transfer to your destination, arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

Begin your afternoon with a pleasant lunch at one of the charming streetside cafes to be found on Viale San Martino, the biggest and most important street in the city of Messina. Afterward, we recommend that you get acquainted with the city, check out the quaint boutiques and shops along Viale San Martino. Enjoy a stroll in the Piazza Cairoli, the main square in Messina, one of the most popular places in the city. In the center, you can see the fountain.

Wander through the historic area around the Duomo Square, take in the scent of the sea while admiring the beautiful Cathedral with its three late-Gothic portals and its great mosaic of Christ Pantocrator over the apse. Once in the Church, admire the impressive polyphonic organ, one of the largest in Europe and still perfectly functioning. Messina`s Cathedral has the largest and most complex mechanical and astronomical clock in the world. At noon move to the square and look up to the golden bronze statues carousel, placed on the Bell Tower.

Another church worth noting is the Church of SS. Annunziata dei Catalani, a jewel of Arab Norman art, dating back to the XII century, rising on the site where the Temple of Neptune once stood. Not far away, the Galleria Vittorio emanuele III, designed in the Art Nouveau style: three branches converging toward the dome-enclosed center, with colorful stained glass ceilings and mosaic decorated floors.

As night falls, enjoy the ambiance of the Old Town at night. There are a wide variety of amazing restaurants and some lovely pubs with outdoor seating in the warmer months. Also, the Cathedral of Messina hosts numerous free classical and jazz concerts in its square throughout the summer months attracting many tourists from Italy and Europe.

Day 2 in Messina

Wake up early today and head to the Messina Regional Museum to discover the fascinating history of the area. The museum is split into three separate sections: archaeological section, a sculpture collection and painting gallery. These collections are extensive and contain a host of interesting and significant pieces such as Gagini`s sculpture of St. Antonius, and the Raising of Lazarus from the dead by the renowned Caravaggio. If you are interested in Italian and Renaissance art then this museum will offer ample amounts of fun.

Take some time to discover the Camposanto, a monumental cemetery that features a series of Neoclassical and Art Nouveau structures and sculptures, it is more like a public park rather than a graveyard. You`ll encounter some beautiful flower beds and fountains, as well as a large colonnade that sits on the top of the main hill. The Camposanto is often considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Italy and it is easy to see why.

Take a midday lunch to recharge your energy with a pit stop downtown at one of the delies and try the `arancino`, the typical fried rice balls filled with ragù sauce, or the traditional `focaccia`, with curly endive, salted anchovies, tuma cheese and grape tomatoes, or try the `pitone`, a type of calzone with escarole, tomatoe, first salted cheese and anchovy.

After lunch, take in some of the breath-taking panoramas that Messina has to offer. We recommend a visit to the Temple Christ the King located high up on the Viale Principe Umberto. This monument offers fantastic views across to the Mediterranean sea and the entire city of Messina. Created in 1937, the actual monument features a beautiful hexagonal design and has a large ornate dome that can be seen for miles. The church features several distinct time periods and combines elements of Corinthian design together with Baroque fixtures. From the front of the church, you can see across to the port and even to the mainland of Italy on a clear day.

If time allows, take a walk to the edge of the main port in Messina, the Zona Falcate. This area is filled with activity and is where most of the commercial shipping trade takes place. As you walk over the main trading railway and into the industrial zone, you will see the everyday workings of a busy Mediterranean port. Large cargo ships, tankers and cruise ships are continually entering and leaving the port, and goods are continually being moved form place to place. If you continue down the Via S Ranieri, you will eventually reach the edge of the port and the ornate lighthouse that stands here. From this position you can take in the stunning views of Messina.

Spend the remaining part of your day at the Piazza Cairoli, a shopper`s paradise just a short ten minutes walk from the central station. Take your time to wander the main streets and alleys of Viale Europa and Viale San Martino, browse designer shops and small boutiques. In this district you will find everything from bargains to designer clothes.

For dinner, you won`t have any difficulties finding a good location for fantastic seafood and local savory cuisine. Check out the places around Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Cairoli, Montalto and Cristo Re, all great for good pizza and local food.

Additional Days in Messina

Should you be able to spend additional days in Messina, we recommend a day trip to Torre Faro, a lovely coastal village situated on the easternmost promontory of land that sticks out towards the Italian mainland. Here, you`ll find a number of attractions and opportunity for relaxation. A stretch of white sandy beach is perfect for sunbathing, and the streets are lined with charming cafes and boutiques. Furthermore, there is a number of water sports and boating to take part in.

Another beautiful day trip from Messina is San Marco d`Alunzio. Nestled away on the top of a hill, the commune of San Marco d`Alunzio is a charming village and a fantastic drive about an hour and a half along the coast to get there from Messina. Once in the commune you can climb up the paths to reach the top of the hill and walk through the narrow streets of this wonderful area. The views of the surrounding countryside along with the beautiful architecture of the commune and the friendly people that live here make it a fantastic place to visit.

Your Last Day In Messina

Depart your hotel for the ferry station or airport, where you will head home or make your way to more Sicilian adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time in the Sicily region.