Messina

Italy

Ascend the hilltop Sanctuary of Montalto for breathtaking views of the Strait of Messina and Sicily's dramatic coastline.

💱 Currency Euro (EUR)

🗣 Language Italian

🕐 Time Zone CET (UTC+1)

☀️ Best Time to Visit Mar–Oct

🚢 Typical Duration 7-14 nights

💰 Price Range From $459 pp

⚓ Port Type Departure & Port of Call

🚤 Tender Port No

Gateway to Sicily's rich history and culture, offering easy access to ancient Greek ruins, baroque architecture, and the vibrant Strait of Messina strait crossing experience.

Cruises that visit Messina

Build Your Day in Messina

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM

Usually about 10 hours ashore

🛳 Embarkation port — worth arriving early

My ship arrives around: Getting around:

Basilica Cattedrale "Santa Maria Assunta" Chill bell tower with giant gears on different floors. Cathedral · ★ 4.7 · 7k 🕐 Closed · Opens 7:30 AM Thu

Centro Commerciale Tremestieri Good selection of shoes Shopping mall · ★ 3.9 · 4k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

Il Siciliano Sat outside, stellar service, the food was exquisite. Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 3k

Astronomical Clock of the Cathedral of Messina This is amazing, only at 12pm many things move. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 3k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu

Centro Commerciale Maregrosso Pretty small mall but the prices of shops are really affordable Shopping mall · ★ 3.8 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

Fontana di Nettuno I expected a little more but it is ok to have seen it Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 2k

Zio Angelo – Cocktail Bar & Apericena Messina Excellent service and lovely cocktails and ambience. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.7 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 6 PM Thu

Bar Torino The staff is pleasant and prices are very reasonable. Bar · ★ 4.5 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 6:30 AM Thu

Museo Regionale Interdisciplinare di Messina Great medieval art section! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

Passeggiata a Mare Messina You can also watch the boats from here and watch people fishing. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.2 · 2k

Bar Pasticceria Messina Friendly staff, clean and nice bar. Bar · ★ 4.3 · 1k 🕐 Closes soon · 11:30 PM

Orion fountain It is very artistic and meaningful to me. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 1k

Tempio di Cristo Re they’re really worth seeing. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

Eden They have some tables outside to sit and enjoy the view of the streets. Bar · ★ 4.5 · 1k 🕐 Closes soon · 11:30 PM

Casa & Putia Ristorante The pasta with pistachio pesto is to die for... Best experience ever Sicilian restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu

Ristorante Arcadia The seafood was outstanding - fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Italian · ★ 4.6 · 1k 🕐 Closes soon · 11 PM

M'inchìa! Attentive service, complex flavors, excellent house white wine. Italian · ★ 4.8 · 1k 🕐 Closes soon · 11 PM

'A Cucchiara Fantastic food, delicious wine and great service. Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 1k 🕐 Closes soon · 11 PM

Docker's Pub Beautiful staff, perfect guinness, fantastic service. Irish pub · ★ 4.4 · 1k

Mari & Muddichi It was unique with fresh seafood, burrata and wonderful bread. Sicilian restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu

I Parenti Family Cocktail Bar & Ristorante Cool place!Delicious cocktail and food, friendly staff! Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 1k

Discover Messina Sicily Tour operator · ★ 4.9 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

I Ruggeri Lovely dinner, with very tasty food and service, thanks to the team Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 1k 🕐 Closes soon · 10:45 PM

Port of Messina Some nice buildings but not too much to do. Port authority · ★ 4 · 0k

Beer Bang Relaxing, comfortable place with a good selection of beers and food. Pub · ★ 4.7 · 0k

BAR Garibaldi Lounge Amazing service and quality cocktails and drinks for a great price. Bar · ★ 4.9 · 0k

Rosso DiVino Delicious food, great service and a very Zen atmosphere! Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Thu

Ristorante Marina del Nettuno Yachting club Messina Great food and Great Atmosphere. Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 0k

Shopping Chinatown Shopping mall · ★ 3.5 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Thu

Carducci Ristorante / Cocktail bar Cozy atmosphere, excellent food, and flawless service. Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Thu

Chiesa Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani Beautiful architecture and photographer's dream! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

Palazzo del Monte di Pietà It happened to be opened and used as a gallery for art and sculpture. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.3 · 0k

Le Roi Emotional Drinks Monumental place to drink delicious and exotic coctels, drinks and shots Cocktail bar · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Centro Commerciale Arcieri There is a parking on the minus 1 floor and outside too. Shopping mall · ★ 4.2 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Thu

Hops Pub Hands down the best PUB in Messina. Bar · ★ 4.5 · 0k

Campanile del Duomo di Messina Only stairs but very comfortable. Museum · ★ 4.8 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10:30 AM Thu

Piazza Duomo The 12 noon tower show was fascinating. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Messina Cruise Dock Does what is built to do. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 0k

Quattro fontane Worth the visit but keep your eyes open for pick pockets and false sellers. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 0k

I Love Messina Lovely place Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Shopping Center 40c plenty shops for women just a few for men. Wedding souvenir shop · ★ 3.7 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

La Via degli Artisti Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu

Scritta Messina Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 0k

Centro Shopping Shopping mall · ★ 4 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Messina is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here — it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.

Next Departures from Messina

About Messina

Messina stands as a vibrant Mediterranean port of call, welcoming passengers from ten major cruise lines including MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line. With over 1,400 upcoming cruises calling here, this Sicilian destination serves as a popular stop on seven-night Mediterranean itineraries that also visit Barcelona, Marseille, Civitavecchia, Naples, and Valletta. The port experiences peak activity during spring and autumn months, making it a bustling hub for cruise travelers exploring the region.

As a port of call, Messina offers cruise passengers the perfect opportunity to experience authentic Sicilian culture and history. The city's iconic Strait of Messina views and charming waterfront create an inviting atmosphere, while the nearby Cathedral and its famous astronomical clock provide fascinating glimpses into the city's rich heritage. Whether you're looking for a few hours of exploration or a full day of discovery, Messina delivers the Mediterranean charm that makes cruising through this region so memorable.

Messina's Iconic Cathedral Clock

Witness the stunning 12th-century Cathedral and its famous astronomical clock—one of the world's largest and most intricate. The hourly mechanical performance features moving figures and celestial displays that have captivated visitors for centuries. This architectural masterpiece dominates the waterfront and is just steps from the cruise terminal.

Arancini and Street Food Paradise

Savor authentic Sicilian arancini, pasta con le sarde, and fresh seafood pasta at bustling local osterias near the port. Messina's street food culture offers incredible flavors at affordable prices—grab a panelle sandwich or granita with brioche for an authentic Sicilian breakfast experience you won't forget.

Panoramic Views from Montalto

Take a scenic drive or guided tour up to Montalto for breathtaking panoramic vistas of the Strait of Messina and the Calabrian coast. On clear days, you'll see across to mainland Italy with stunning Mediterranean backdrops perfect for photography and memorable moments during your port day.

Vucciria Market's Vibrant Energy

Explore the colorful Vucciria market, where vendors enthusiastically hawk fresh produce, local cheeses, and traditional Sicilian crafts. This lively marketplace captures authentic Sicilian culture with its energetic atmosphere, regional specialties, and opportunities to interact with locals and discover unique souvenirs.

Strait of Messina Boat Tour

Experience a thrilling boat excursion through the legendary Strait of Messina, famous in mythology and known for its powerful currents and marine life. Local guides share fascinating stories about this historic waterway while you enjoy close-up views of dramatic coastal cliffs and hidden coves inaccessible from shore.