Messina is a town of 216,458 inhabitants in the province of Messina, in Sicily, Italy. It is the capital of its province.
The municipality covers 211.23 km², with a density of 1,025 inhabitants per km².
The nearest airport is Reggio Calabria (REG), about 16 km away as the crow flies. Read our guide to the airport.
Things to see in Messina
Gateway to Sicily
Messina stands on the Strait that separates Sicily from the mainland, the legendary passage between Scylla and Charybdis. Rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1908, it is the arrival point for anyone crossing by ferry.
What to see
The cathedral has a bell tower with the largest astronomical clock in the world: every day at noon its gilded bronze figures move in a show that lasts about twelve minutes. The Fountain of Orion by Montorsoli stands in front of it. The Regional Museum has two masterpieces by Caravaggio and a polyptych by Antonello da Messina, born here. The Fountain of Neptune, the church of the Annunziata dei Catalani and the seafront promenade looking at Calabria complete the visit.
Food
Swordfish, focaccia messinese with escarole and anchovies, arancini (called "arancine" in the west of the island), pidoni and granita with brioche for breakfast.
Around Messina
Taormina and Castelmola, Savoca and Forza d'Agrò, locations of The Godfather, Milazzo and the hydrofoils to the Aeolian Islands with Lipari, the sanctuary of Tindari near Patti and the Nebrodi mountains. Catania airport is 1 hour 15 minutes away and Reggio Calabria's across the Strait.
Messina on the map
Nearby towns
Where to stay in and around Messina
Tours and activities nearby
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