What to see in Messina?

Messina is a small but beautiful town located on the strait between Sicily and mainland Italy. It’s a must-stop destination, whether you’re traveling by car through Sicily or arriving by cruise ship. The city center is right in front of the Cruise terminal, which makes it easy to explore on foot, an ideal shore excursion for cruisers who want to experience a taste of Sicily in just a few hours. Among the must-see historic attractions, we recommend the Duomo di Messina and its midday clock show, home to the largest astronomical clock in the world. The medieval Church of SS Annunziata dei Catalani is a unique example of Sicilian medieval art, and its quiet, solemn interior will leave you in awe. At the Regional Museum, you can admire two masterpieces by Caravaggio, created during his stay in Sicily between 1608 and 1609. Cruisers choose Streaty’s Messina food & cultural walking tours because they offer a chance to make the most of their time, while enjoying great food, local wine, and fine art.

What to eat in Messina?

Sicilian cuisine is incredibly rich and varied, and Messina acts as a true culinary ambassador of the island, sitting right at the gateway on the strait. Messina’s most famous specialty is the pidone, a dish unknown to most tourists but a real reason for Sicilians from other parts of the island to visit the city. It’s a soft, panzerotto-style pastry filled with cheese and escarole, a real treat for vegetarian travelers. Meat lovers joining a Streaty Messina street food tour will enjoy the stop dedicated to the famous braciole messinesi, a signature of the local cuisine: veal rolls stuffed with a soft mix of breadcrumbs and cheese.
Of course, no food tour in Messina would be complete without the iconic Messina-style Arancino rice pie, shaped like a cone and often filled with mortadella. Cruise passengers in the city love to enjoy some people-watching in Piazza Duomo while tasting a refreshing Sicilian granita, though few are familiar with the local specialty known as “caldo-freddo messinese.”You’ll discover this and much more on a Streaty food tour in Messina! Streaty Messina walking tour starts from the city hall palace, right in front of the Cruise terminal.

Visiting Taormina from Messina 

Many travelers and cruisers head straight to Taormina first and save a walk in Messina for the way back. Taormina is a picturesque, colorful small town perched on a promontory on the eastern coast of Sicily. It is only about a one-hour drive from Messina, making it an easy and quick excursion to soak in some Mediterranean beauty. It is one of the island’s top tourist destinations, famous for its postcard-perfect views and its stunning ancient Greek theatre. If you’re interested in visiting Taormina, contact us and we’ll organize a memorable excursion for you, including a guided tour of the town and the ancient Greco-Roman theatre, along with delicious tastings of local products.
No need to worry about transportation—we’ll take care of everything for you!