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.