Messina

What to see, things to do, what to eat, interesting facts

State: ME - Area: Messina surroundings

Messina lies on the north-eastern tip of Sicily, guardian of the Strait and its mysteries.
Messina is a city with ancient roots and cultural heritage of great value. It was a thriving Greek colony and then the most important port of the Roman Empire, second only to that of Constantinople.
Messina has a troubled history: the 1908 earthquake destroyed most of the buildings in the city and the rest was destroyed by bombing of the Allies during the Second World War. Despite the damage suffered in the last century, the city still preserves some monuments of considerable value intact.
Bell tower of Cathedral is the largest and most complex mechanical and astronomical clock in the world.

What is the best time to visit Messina?

Messina can be visited all year round: the welcome and warmth of the Sicilians will amaze you. But for an unforgettable experience, admiring the colors, tasting the flavors and fully experiencing the traditions, it is advisable to plan a visit on the days of one of the festivals that take place in Messina during the year.

If you want to know about upcoming festivals and events Click here and you will find a list of the most important ones.

What to see in Messina

Sanctuary of the Madonna di Dinnammare in Messina

Hannibal of France Museum in Messina

Cavalli Fort in Messina

San Jachiddu Fort in Messina

Serra La Croce Fort in Messina

Petrazza Fort a Messina

Badiazza in Messina

Church of Santa Maria di Mili in Mili San Pietro

Natural Reserve of Capo Peloro Lagoon

Aquarium of Messina

Monastery San Placido Calonerò in Messina

Rufo Ruffo Castle in Scaletta Superiore

Gonzaga Castle in Messina

Pylon of the Strait of Messina

Fountain of Neptune in Messina

San Filippo Superiore Waterfall

Del Monte di Pietà Palace in Messina

Bell Tower Of Cathedral in Messina

Treasure Museum of the Cathedral of Messina

Interdisciplinary Museum of Messina

Botanical Garden in Messina

Church of San Camillo in Messina

Fort of the Most Holy Savior in Messina

Church of Santa Maria Alemanna in Messina

Real Cittadella in Messina

Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Carmine in Messina

Basilica of Sant'Antonio in Messina

Grazia Gate in Messina

Shrine of Christ the King in Messina

Sanctuary of the Madonna di Montalto in Messina

Santissima dei Catalani Church in Messina

Fountain of Orion in Messina

Cathedral of Messina

Things to do

Traditional Festivals, Events, Live Show, Concerts,... Messina

Concerts and Shows in Messina
2025 / 2026

Christmas in Messina
Dec 2025

Living Nativity Scene in Santo Stefano di Briga
Dec 2025

Epiphany in Bordonaro - U Pagghiaru
Jan 2026

Francesco Cicchella in Messina
25 Jan 2026

Gipsy Kings by Pablo Reyes a Messina
6 Mar 2026

Luchè Concert in Messina
26 Mar 2026

Renato Zero concert in Messina
15, 16, 18 Apr 2026

Gigi D'Alessio concert
24 Apr 2026

Flower Festival in Santo Stefano Medio
May 2026

Feast of St. Hannibal of France in Messina
May 2026

Festa Madonna della Lettera a Messina
Jun 2026

Eros Ramazzotti concert in Messina
20 Jun 2026

Geolier Concert in Messina
23 Jun 2026

Max Pezzali concert in Messina
1, 2 Jul 2026

Concert by Tiziano Ferro in Messina
12 Jul 2026

Zucchero concert in Messina
14 Jul 2026

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‹ Events in Messina area

‹ Events in Sicily

What to eat in Messina

Typical food, local wines and drinks, traditional dish to taste in Messina

You can obviously taste all the typical products of Sicilian cuisine, the most well-known ones, such as cannoli, Sicilian cassata, arancini, etc. But there are some specialties typical of this area that are more difficult to find in other areas of Sicily.

To view a list of business activity within tourism in Messina Click here

Interesting and Fun Facts

Interesting and fun facts, mythology, legend, folk tales and more to know about Messina

Colapesce legend
The legend of Colapesce is an ancient Sicilian story that tells the story of a young man from Capo Peloro, with a passion for the sea.

Legend of Scilla and Cariddi
The legend of Scilla and Charybdis tells of mythological deeds of gods and mortals in the stretch of water of the Strait of Messina.

Morgana fairy and the Strait of Messina
A trick of the cunning Fata Morgana makes Sicily and Calabria seem to touch on certain days.

‹ Sicily Interesting Facts