Messina

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
Getting around:
Basilica Cattedrale "Santa Maria Assunta" Chill bell tower with giant gears on different floors. Catholic cathedral · ★ 4.7 · 7k Closed · Opens 7:30 AM Thu
Rosticceria Famulari Food was amazing and super affordable! Sicilian restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 6k
Centro Commerciale Tremestieri Good selection of shoes Shopping mall · ★ 3.9 · 5k Closes soon · 8:30 PM
Marinello Lakes Nature Reserve Well kept Beach and not crowded Nature preserve · ★ 4.7 · 4k
Il Siciliano Sat outside, stellar service, the food was exquisite. Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 3k
Astronomical Clock of the Cathedral of Messina Worth walking,there for 12 noon...very incredible and sounded ... Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 3k Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Venus Pool - Cape Milazzo Marine Protected Area Free car park, free access to the pool and absolutely beautiful view! Nature preserve · ★ 4.8 · 3k Closes soon · 8:30 PM
Centro Commerciale Maregrosso Pretty small mall but the prices of shops are really affordable Shopping mall · ★ 3.9 · 2k Closes soon · 8:30 PM
Fratelli La Bufala The spaghetti pomadoro and margarita pizza were perfect. Pizza · ★ 4.4 · 2k
Zio Angelo – Cocktail Bar & Apericena Messina Good food and fair prices. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.8 · 2k
Gelateria Graniteria Eden Brioche was very fresh and the granita is just amazing 😍 Ice Cream · ★ 4.5 · 2k
Number One The meat was top quality, perfectly cooked, juicy, and full of flavor. Chophouse restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 2k
Fontana di Nettuno I expected a little more but it is ok to have seen it Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 2k
Museo Regionale Interdisciplinare di Messina Great medieval art section! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 2k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Bar Torino Very nice food and good quality food and coffee ☕️ Bar · ★ 4.5 · 2k Closes soon · 8:30 PM
Passeggiata a Mare Messina good place to spend with kids and a good view. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.2 · 2k
Eden Freshly baked Brioche, the best coffee we’ve had in Sicily so far. Bar · ★ 4.5 · 1k
Orion fountain Beautiful and perfectly detailed masterpiece Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 1k
Miscela d'Oro - Sicilia 1946 Delicious meals, friendly staff, beautiful atmosphere and great location. Cafe · ★ 4.4 · 1k
Bar Pasticceria Messina Yummy granita served with warm brioche. Bar · ★ 4.3 · 1k
Tempio di Cristo Re they’re really worth seeing. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 1k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Galloway Messina A great place to dine. Gastropub · ★ 4.3 · 1k
Casa & Putia Ristorante Atmosphere, Service, and the quality of the food were all extraordinary! Sicilian restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 1k
Ristorante Porta Messina The food is delicious, service is fast and kind and the restaurant is clean. Italian · ★ 4.4 · 1k
Ristorante Arcadia The seafood was outstanding - fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Italian · ★ 4.6 · 1k
M'inchìa! Awesome service, friendly and helpful staff and the foood was top tier. Italian · ★ 4.8 · 1k
Trattoria Del Popolo The pistachio and pancetta pasta was fantastic as was the pasta alla norma. Sicilian restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 1k
Vecchio Porto The variety of dishes and the creativity behind it is second to none. Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 1k Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
La Matta Reasonable prices and a good location on a scenic square. Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 1k
L'A Gourmet L'Accademia Sophisticated food in a pleasant environment with panoramic views. Fine Dining · ★ 4.7 · 1k Closed · Opens 12:30 PM Thu
Mari & Muddichi It was unique with fresh seafood, burrata and wonderful bread. Sicilian restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 1k
'A Cucchiara Fantastic food, delicious wine and great service. Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 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
Port of Messina Across from the main attractions and shopping. Port authority · ★ 4.1 · 1k
Trattoria Paradisiculo We had the vegetable and mixed fish antipasto which was out of this world. Sicilian restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 1k
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
Stele della Madonna della Lettera Enjoyed the opportunity, highly recommend Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 0k
Al Piccolo Caffè Great coffee and pistachio croissants. Bar · ★ 4.4 · 0k Closed · Opens 6:30 AM Thu
Shopping Chinatown Shopping mall · ★ 3.5 · 0k Closes soon · 9 PM
Caffè dello Stretto Very warm local coffee place, also very friendly and with good English. Bar · ★ 4.6 · 0k Closes soon · 9 PM
Lido La Spiaggetta Rocky beach, w/ a menu via QR code. Lido · ★ 4 · 0k
Chiesa Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani Beautiful architecture and photographer's dream! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Piccolino Pasta Bar Gorgeous pasta dishes, served quickly and with a smile by the kindest staff. Italian · ★ 4.7 · 0k Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu
I Mori Messina - Healthy Bar e Restaurant Delicious food and a very kind service! Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Royal Lido ... h chairs are 15 euros with umbrella and they have food and a pool. Lido · ★ 4.3 · 0k
Lido Beach Messina Marmora It's got crystal clear water, sand and small pebbles. Lido · ★ 4.2 · 0k Closes soon · 9 PM
Centro Commerciale Arcieri There is a parking on the minus 1 floor and outside too. Shopping mall · ★ 4.2 · 0k Closes soon · 8:30 PM
Montagne di sabbia The biggest clear water pool I've been in so far. Beach · ★ 4.5 · 0k
Spiaggia di San Saba Beautiful beach Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Smok Smokehouse Friendly staff and good food. Meat · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Campanile del Duomo di Messina Only stairs but very comfortable. Museum · ★ 4.8 · 0k Closed · Opens 10:30 AM Thu
Duomo14 Excellent food, great cocktails, and a fantastic atmosphere. Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 0k
Piazza Duomo The 12 noon tower show was fascinating. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Spiaggia del Ringo Clean and thin beach next to the road easily accessible Tourist attraction · ★ 4.3 · 0k
Ramenya - Ramen & Izakaya Highly recommend if you are looking for a different cuisine in Messina. Ramen · ★ 4.9 · 0k
Messina Cruise Dock Does what is built to do. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 0k
Dar Romano-Street Food Helpful staff, tasty food, great location. Food court · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Spiaggia dopo lungomare San Saba Nice beach.Quiet except on Sundays Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Quattro fontane Probably better with water. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Mood Cafè Messina I can only recommend! Espresso bar · ★ 4.9 · 0k Closes soon · 9 PM
Spiaggia di Tono A good place to sea-bath in summer 🇮🇹 Tourist attraction · ★ 3.9 · 0k
I Love Messina It is located in nice square in front of a governmental building. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Letrevì Dine-in·No takeout Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Shopping Center 40c plenty shops for women just a few for men. Wedding souvenir shop · ★ 3.7 · 0k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Av Lunch Cucina Siciliana Delicious food! Diner · ★ 5 · 0k
Scritta Messina Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Centro Shopping Shopping mall · ★ 4 · 0k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Panorama Blick Tourist attraction · ★ 5 · 0k

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.
Explore

Reasons to Visit

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

Cruise Lines at Messina

Cruises Departing From Messina

Cruises Visiting Messina

Ship Schedule at Messina

Messina Location

Other Cruise Ports in Italy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Messina known for?

Messina is home to the Museo Regionale and features two Caravaggio paintings; historically it was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Sicily.

Where is Messina located?

Messina is a port city in Sicily, Italy, facing the Strait of Messina.

What are must-see sights in Messina?

Messina Cathedral and its astronomical clock, plus the Museo Regionale and Caravaggio paintings.

How can I visit Messina?

Messina is accessible by road, rail, and sea, with ferries across the Strait and connections to Sicily and the Italian peninsula.