What to do around Messina
Messina is the city of the STRETTO, the narrowest point between Sicily and the rest of Italy. It is located right in the the easternmost corner of the island. Its province is home of many amazing coastal and inland places and towns, and it is the birthplace of my favourite brekkie in the world. And so much more!
Getting there:
- By plane, you can easily reach the city – and any of the places listed below – both from Palermo or Catania Airport. By train or bus.
- coming by land from other parts of Italy, you firstly need to reach the Villa San Giovanni port in Calabria, right at the other side of the Stretto. And take a scenic ferry ride to Messina from there. Don’t forget to say hello to the Madonnina! A welcoming statue located right at the port entrance.
The ferry costs 2,50 € one way or 4,00 return. But if you’re travelling on a train to Messina centrale (or any other part of Sicily) it should be already included.
There’s also the option to ship your car to the island, for about 35,00 € each way from Villa.
- by sea, you can take the ferry from Naples, a 5 hours journey from there.
Or, If you are coming from the northern side of the country, you can also take a 20-hours long ferry from the City of Genova. Together with your car, van or bike, if you have one.
Note that this last one will arrive in Palermo, not Messina itself. But is still less than driving the way down along all Italy. Just consider a couple of more hours of travel, either by train, bus or your personal vehicle.
Or take the chance to enjoy the beautiful Palermo too!
Other than Visiting the beautiful marine city itself, here’s my list of the most amazing places and things around:
Kickstart your day!
As often, first thing first. And there is no better way to start an hot Sicilian summer day than this refreshing delicacy! Granita is a simple but delicious treat nowdays available pretty much everywhere around Sicily (and not only!), but originally from Messina. Reason why, among the many sweet and salty sicilian delicacies, that’s the one you really shouldn’t miss when visiting the city.
Granita is basically crushed flavoured ice, but the way they do it there makes it very creamy and special. You can get it in several different flavourings and pretty much at any time of the day, but if you want to enjoy a traditional breakfast: coffee or strawberries granita, freshly whipped cream and a fluffy sweet bun, called brioche.
It can also be a refreshing afternoon snack, especially in the lemon or almond versions.
Finding secret pools in Capo Milazzo
Capo Milazzo is the edge of a thin land peninsula stretching towards the sea from Milazzo town, the starting pint of most of the ferries and fast ferries to the Eolian islands, a volcanic archipelago really worthy the visit.
If you end up around the area, drive (or ride a bus) all the way along the coast until the end of the road, and the starting point of a nice walking track between cactus plants and olive trees. To finally reaching a long staircase to the amazing “Pool of Venus”, the perfect swimming spot with any kind of weather and sea condition.
The surrounding rocks protect the water hole from the outside waves and dangers, while a small channel connect it with the sea outside. Keeping its waters always calm and at the same time and fresh and pristine.
As a result, even with adverse marine conditions everyone can still enjoy a safe swim. While more confident swimmers can also taste a nice snorkel outside.
On the way back to the main road you can both choose to walk up the same path, or take a slightly longer coastal track by turning right from about half way to the top of the staircase, enjoying even better views. Along this way you will also meet a small beach with a couple of small ruins, probably old fisherman’s housings.
Driving back to Milazzo, a very nice discover on the way have also been the old part of the town and the overlooking castle.
Swiming in the narrowest point
known with different names, ranging from Torre Faro (literally lighthouse tower) to Pilone or Cariddi, the amazing sand beach located just a few kilometres from Messina’s city centre really worth the visit. It is located right at the end of the nice suburb of Ganzirri. Once home of a big mussels farming and also known as the “Lake Como of Sicily”. Because of the nice houses overlooking its lakes.
Other than one of the best swimming spots, it is also one of the closest beach places to the city. For this reason during the summer months it is usually pretty crowded, especially by young people. And it also hosts some nice cafes and restaurants.
The peculiarities of this triangular-shaped beach are its proximity with Calabria, which makes the seabed the steepest and bluest ever seen. The possibility to swim in two different seas: the Tyrrhenian on the left (northern) side, and the Ionian on the south-eastern. Sometimes it is also possible to clearly distinguish the meeting point between the two.
My personal favourite side is the Ionian, where the colours and clarity of the water are simply unique. Only downside, I feel like recommending even to expert swimmers to be careful and don’t go too far from the shore: the current here is often strong enough to make swimming against it pretty difficult, and without even notice you could be dragged away like in a river.
Spending a day there you will likely notice some strange boats with a long bridge and a tower sailing back and forth. Those are “Spadare”, the fishing boats used to catch the Swordfish: a sair located at the top of the tower spot the fish and give the directions. And the boat starts following it until getting close enough.
The name “Pilone” comes from the huge red and white pylon (Pilone in italian language) you will surely notice on both sides of the stretto. They were once used to bring electricity from mainland Italy to Sicily, thanks to the power cable suspended between the tops of the two.
If you got there by car, I would suggest to drive back along the panoramic road, taking a right turn after the lakes, when you hit the sign saying “Panoramica dello stretto”. It will both give you an amazing view over the sicilian and calabrian coasts, and also save a bit of your time from the city traffic, especially during peak hours.
You can also get there by bus, simply taking a n.1 bus to Torre Faro from the Central Train Station, or any other bus stop along the coast. The ticket price is 1,20 € or 1,50 € if purchased on board.
Head to the town of Taormina
Probably the best known spot in the province. The city of Taormina is a fancy town located about one hour south of Messina, on the way to the city of Catania. It is surely a lovely place, either for the town itself, with ancient buildings and the narrow tiled streets. And the beautiful views above the surrounding environment and the Sicilian coast. With the Etna Volcano on the background.
The main spot is the Ancient Greek Theatre. Nowdays it is still home of many concerts and shows, among with the beautiful panoramic views. It is always open for daily visits for a 13,50 euros ticket.
Be aware it is crazily touristy – and pretty expensive! So despite it is surely an unmissable stop on your Sicilian journey, I wouldn’t advise it as a place for staying, eating or doing much shopping.
Getting There:
With public transports, you can take a train or bus to Giardini Naxos, a close-by holiday coastal town. And get an interbus bus from the station. The journey lasts between 10 and 15 minutes, and tickets can be paid to the driver.
A scenic option is the cablecar running every 15 minutes between the town and the underneath beach area of Mazzarò. A single ride ticket is 3 euros.
Note that driving around Taormina is only allowed to residents, and there are no public carparks anyways. You can easily leave your vehicle in one of the two silos along the way. But as always, it won’t be cheap.
For me the real highlights are the beautiful beaches located right below and another small town located at the top of the overlying hill. See the next points to know more!
Visit Castelmola
As mentioned above, there is a less-know but in my opinion more unique town right above Taormina. Overhanging the coast at 550 metres of altitude. For me the town of Castelmola is really among the best places of the area, and if you don’t have time do do both, I’d suggest you to visit it instead of Taormina. Even because you will see it from above! Castelmola is similar for architecture and views. Just smaller, quieter and definitely more authentic.
A nice stop in Castelmola is the Turrisi Coffee place, known for its four-levels layout and the funny interiors. Get a taste of the peculiar Almond Vine from them of one on the many nice bar around the time. It is a very unique local product, and we use to get a bottle to bring home form the friendly lady in the main plaza every time we get there!
You can reach it by car simply following the road going uphill from Taormina to its carpark. Still charged but for a definitely lower price.
Swim around Isola Bella
The coast around Messina is simply full of beautiful swimming places, ranging from hidden rocky spots to wide sandy beaches. One of my favorite, even if pretty popular is Isola Bella, located right below the town of Taormina. The best part here is the seabed, and its beautiful snorkeling offer. And the tiny island connected to the coast by a thin stretch of sand, easily walkable with the low tide. The island is also home of a small house, today open for visits for a small fee.
The beach itself is very small and rocky. And it is reachable only by walking down (and obviously up on the way back!) along a steep staircase.
If fancy a bit more comfort, you can choose to rent a sunbed and beach umbrella for a quite reasonable price. I usually don’t need it, as I spend the whole day swimming!
Good and bad thing at the same time, it is located inside a small creek. Which usually means quieter waves and currents, but also more stagnating jellyfishes, if they are around.
The Alcantara River and Gorges
Looking for a bit more adrenaline or a break from the salty waters? Check out the Alcantara River, streaming from mt Etna to the Jonian sea, and its beautiful valley.
You can hike or go for a refreshing swim pretty much everywhere around its natural park. But the best spots is surely its narrowest Gorge. A proper tourist attraction during the summer months, when the stream is smaller.
It is possible to walk between the stone walls wearing tall boots. Or even trying to swim against the current, if you are brave enough to jump into the freezing cold waters. Even in the hottest summer days. From the same spot you can join a canyoneering tour uphill and then down the gorges, for a length depending on the quantity and power of the waters. Along with many other river activities.
You can easily reach the Alcantara driving, joining a tour or taking a public bus from Giardini Naxos.
There are two possible ways to enter the gorges: the first and more advised is through the botanic park, featuring also an elevator to the bottom of the gorge. The ticket is 13 euros during the high season.
And a slightly hidden second one, about 100 metres after the other. This one is own by the Municipality and accessible for an entrance fee of just 1,50 euros. And 200 steep steps to the river. If you don’t mind the effort!
Tindari and its sanctuary
A small town on the northern coast of Messina, floating between myth, art and traditions. Destination for visitors and pilgrims because of the Black Virgin sanctuary hanged on top of a cliff. And the peculiar stretch of white sand located underneath. The legend says it was created by the Virgin to save a child from falling into the waters from the cliff. I admit the beach there is not one of the best for swimming, especially if compared to the beautiful coast around. But you can still take a look at the unique lagoon.
If you visit the sanctuary, take a look at the many souvenirs shops around and their beautiful local ceramics. Or taste some of the typical sugar-roasted nuts!
Sail to the Aeolie Islands
A beautiful island surrounded by many beautiful islands! If Sicily itself is a big Island with a volcano in the middle, the members of the Aeolian arcipelagus are more like a volcano with some land around. The probably best known is Stromboli, the northernmost and home of the most active Volcano of the area. Reachable either from Messina or Naples, and a good stop along the sailing between the two. Other islands are Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Basiluzzo, Alicudi, Filicudi and Vulcano, the only other active one.
You can reach pretty much every island either by ferry or the faster hydrofoil, starting from Messina or the town of Milazzo. The latter, the closest point to the islands, is probably the most convenient, and has a wider sailing offer.
Climb the Etna Volcano
Shared between the Messina and Catania provinces, Etna is among the most active Volcanoes of Europe. And the perfect place for getting some mountain vibes – even in the deepest south of Italy!
It is actually part of Catania, but even a trip to Messina can be completed without a visit to the rocky giant. Even because its northern side is easy reachable from Messina too!
There are several ways to explore the Volcano, ranging from going for a quick walk up to taking part to proper exploration tours, including caves and jeep rides all the way to the top. Jumping on the cablecar to the top, and even skiing during the cooler winters! Most of its many craters are still active, and attending one of their eruptions would be a really amazing experience. While you should (obviously) be very careful!
That’s all for now! As often, for me is all mostly about natural wonders.
But If instead you are more into discovering the City, you will surely won’t be disappointed as well: explore one of the markets around.
Treat yourself with one of the many food delicacies or some shopping in viale San Martino.
Visit the Duomo, Messina’s main Cathedral. Make sure to head to its plaza at noon to admire the Bell Tower midday show!
And if you have the time, and possible a vehicle, jump back in time exploring one of the many countryside or coastal small towns located all over the territory.
And as always, Keep Exloring!
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