What to see in Messina in 2 days: itinerary through the Strait, Norman art and the Nebrodi
Discover what to see in Messina in 2 days: from the Cathedral to the astronomical clock, from the Strait to the Ganzirri lakes and Tyrrhenian coast.
Why Messina deserves 2 days
Messina is the gateway to Sicily, the city where the Strait separates the island from Calabria by just three kilometres of sea. Devastated by the 1908 earthquake and the 1943 bombings, it was rebuilt with a unique character. Beyond the surviving monuments, it offers coastal lakes, hidden beaches and access to the Peloritani mountains.
Day 1: The historic centre and the Strait
Morning: The Cathedral and the astronomical clock
Start at the Duomo of Messina, the Cathedral dedicated to the Madonna della Lettera, rebuilt after the earthquake and bombings but preserving the original Gothic portal, Byzantine apse mosaics and the cathedral treasury. The wooden truss ceiling and the baptistery deserve attention.
Beside it stands the Bell Tower with the largest mechanical astronomical clock in the world, made by the Ungerer company of Strasbourg in 1933. Every day at noon the animated figures spring to life: the lion roars, the rooster crows and sacred scenes unfold for a quarter of an hour. It is a spectacle unique in Europe.
Hidden gem: the Fountain of Orion in Piazza Duomo, sculpted by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli, a pupil of Michelangelo, in 1553. It is considered one of Italy's most beautiful Renaissance fountains.
Afternoon: The Regional Museum and the Seafront Walk
The Regional Museum of Messina houses two absolute masterpieces: the Polyptych of San Gregorio by Antonello da Messina and Caravaggio's Resurrection of Lazarus and Adoration of the Shepherds. These three paintings alone are worth the journey.
From the museum, stroll along the Passeggiata a Mare and reach the Madonnina del Porto, the golden statue blessing those arriving by sea. The view over the Strait with Calabria opposite, the sea currents and the passing ferries is hypnotic.
Evening: The Palazzata and the seafront
The Palazzata, the building front overlooking the sickle-shaped harbour (hence the ancient name Zancle), was rebuilt after the war but retains a scenic charm. In the evening the seafront comes alive with strolls, gelaterias and seafood restaurants.
Day 2: The lakes, beaches and surroundings
Morning: Ganzirri and Capo Peloro
Head north to Ganzirri, where two brackish coastal lakes (Lago Grande and Lago Piccolo or Pantano Piccolo) host a unique ecosystem. Here the famous Ganzirri mussels, renowned throughout Sicily, are cultivated. The Capo Peloro Nature Reserve, at the extreme tip of Sicily, is where the Tyrrhenian meets the Ionian with spectacular currents.
From the Pilone, the old pylon of the never-completed bridge over the Strait, the view over Calabria and the coast is extraordinary.
Hidden gem: the Norman Church of Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani in the centre of Messina. Built in the 12th century, it is one of the few buildings to have survived the 1908 earthquake. The apses decorated with interlacing arches and columns are a masterpiece of Arab-Norman architecture.
Afternoon: Taormina or the Tyrrhenian coast
If you have time, reach Taormina (45 minutes by train), the hilltop village overlooking Etna with its Greek Theatre and Corso Umberto. Alternatively, explore the Tyrrhenian coast towards Milazzo, from where ferries depart for the Aeolian Islands, or climb up to the Peloritani for surprising mountain panoramas.
Hidden gem: Savoca
Savoca (40 minutes), the village where Coppola filmed the Sicilian scenes of The Godfather, retains an intact medieval charm. The Bar Vitelli, the Capuchin convent church with its mummies and the deserted lanes make it a perfect excursion.
Recommended walking routes
- **Monumental route** (3 km): Cathedral and clock - Fountain of Orion - Annunziata dei Catalani - Fountain of Neptune - Port
- **Coastal route** (4 km): Regional Museum - Seafront Walk - Madonnina del Porto - Fort San Salvatore
- **Nature route** (5 km): Ganzirri Lakes - Capo Peloro - Faro beach
Practical tips
- Messina is reached by ferry from Calabria (20 minutes from Villa San Giovanni)
- The train from Calabria crosses the Strait on the ferry: a unique experience
- The Cathedral clock chimes every day at noon: do not miss it
- For Taormina, the train is convenient but the station is below: take the cable car to the centre
- Ganzirri mussels are eaten at the kiosks along the lakes
- In summer the Strait provides cool breezes even on the hottest days
What not to miss
- The astronomical clock of the Bell Tower at noon
- The Caravaggios at the Regional Museum
- The view over the Strait from the Madonnina del Porto
- Ganzirri mussels
- The Norman Church of Annunziata dei Catalani
