--- title: "Messina Cruise Port" url: https://cruisello.com/destinations/western-mediterranean/messina description: "Sicily's gateway to Mount Etna and Taormina" --- # Messina 🇮🇹 · Italy · Western Mediterranean > "Sicily's gateway to Mount Etna and Taormina" ## At a Glance - **Avg. Ships/Day:** 1.1 - **Avg. Time in Port:** 9.2h - **Departure Sailings:** 99 - **Visiting Sailings:** 1,067 - **Cruise Lines:** 10 ## Photos - ![Messina, Italy](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1558652361-3d3b72a5dc79?ixid=M3w5Nzg1OTl8MHwxfGFsbHx8fHx8fHx8fDE3OTM5MTk3Mzd8&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&w=1920&fit=max&fm=jpg&q=75) Photo by [Luca N](https://unsplash.com/@itsdynamo?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) - ![Messina, Italy](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1586632567957-15eb0bd211dc?ixid=M3w5Nzg1OTl8MHwxfGFsbHx8fHx8fHx8fDE3OTM2NDE4MTJ8&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&w=1920&fit=max&fm=jpg&q=75) Photo by [Tomas Eidsvold](https://unsplash.com/@eidsvold?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) - ![Messina, Italy](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1611547701677-9c2678feab55?ixid=M3w5Nzg1OTl8MHwxfGFsbHx8fHx8fHx8fDE3OTM5MTkyNzF8&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&w=1920&fit=max&fm=jpg&q=75) Photo by [Jonathan Skule](https://unsplash.com/@jonathanskule?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) - ![Messina, Italy](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1666079757423-7cb18ec1865d?ixid=M3w5Nzg1OTl8MHwxfGFsbHx8fHx8fHx8fDE3OTM5MTkyMTh8&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&w=1920&fit=max&fm=jpg&q=75) Photo by [Johan Mouchet](https://unsplash.com/@johanmouchet?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) - ![Messina, Italy](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1617103099853-6dd647eb1489?ixid=M3w5Nzg1OTl8MHwxfGFsbHx8fHx8fHx8fDE3OTM5MDM1OTl8&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&w=1920&fit=max&fm=jpg&q=75) Photo by [Federico Di Dio photography](https://unsplash.com/@didiofederico_photographer?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) - ![Messina, Italy](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1683978392614-e49bbaa2c531?ixid=M3w5Nzg1OTl8MHwxfGFsbHx8fHx8fHx8fDE3OTM4MDA2Nzd8&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&w=1920&fit=max&fm=jpg&q=75) Photo by [Stepan Dudycha](https://unsplash.com/@stepan_d?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) - ![Messina, Italy](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1678043006565-1a2c3eec0796?ixid=M3w5Nzg1OTl8MHwxfGFsbHx8fHx8fHx8fDE3OTM2Mjk1ODB8&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&w=1920&fit=max&fm=jpg&q=75) Photo by [Casey Lovegrove](https://unsplash.com/@clovegrove7?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=cruisello&utm_medium=referral) - ![Messina, Italy](https://cruisello.com/img/ports/western-mediterranean/messina/messina-pexels-5469917.webp) © [Alexandra Holbea / Pexels License](https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-view-of-city-buildings-5469917/) ## Peak season Apr – Oct 1,207 sailings over the next 12 months Busiest months: Sept (143 sailings), Oct (137 sailings), Jul (134 sailings) ## About Messina Messina sits at the northeastern tip of Sicily, facing the narrow strait that separates the island from mainland Italy. Ships dock steps from the city streets. Much of the city was rebuilt after earthquakes and wartime damage, and the reconstructed Baroque architecture reflects that long pattern of destruction and recovery. The Duomo's bell tower has one of the largest astronomical clocks in the world, with mechanical figures that move at noon. The waterfront has views straight across to Calabria. Fresh seafood, particularly swordfish, dominates the restaurant menus. Messina also works well as a jumping-off point: Taormina, with its Greek theatre and views of Mount Etna, is about an hour by bus or train. Mount Etna itself can be reached on a half-day excursion. Closer to port, the Regional Museum holds paintings by Caravaggio and Antonello da Messina. The city is walkable, and local buses cover the wider area. ## Your day in Messina Ships dock on the city waterfront; the cathedral and Piazza del Duomo are a five to ten minute walk. ### Map - **Cruise terminal**: Messina Cruise Terminal quay (I Settembre, north end of the cruise berths) (38.19287, 15.55791) - **Train to Taormina**: Messina Centrale, 15 min walk (38.18489, 15.56136) Walking times from the cruise terminal: - Within 15 min: Messina Cathedral, Messina Astronomical Clock, Fountain of Orion, Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, Fountain of Neptune - Within 45 min: Regional Museum of Messina Map data with the walking areas: [GeoJSON](https://cruisello.com/api/day-in-port/9fb27b7f-88fe-45f6-b016-80f46b719fa1.geojson) ### What to see #### Messina Cathedral Norman cathedral rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake and wartime bombing. 5 min walk. (38.19223, 15.55524) ![Messina Cathedral](https://cruisello.com/img/places/Q733217/94c315a55ab3244d-1440.webp) Photo: Abxbay, [Public domain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain), [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Messina_duomo_2.JPG) #### Messina Astronomical Clock Astronomical clock in the bell tower, with figures that move at noon. 5 min walk. (38.19232, 15.55469) ![Messina Astronomical Clock](https://cruisello.com/img/places/Q546826/d0fcfc9ace55d170-1440.webp) Photo: Benreis, [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Messina_Domuhr.JPG) #### Fountain of Orion Fountain of 1553 by Montorsoli, centrepiece of the cathedral square. 5 min walk. (38.19229, 15.55431) ![Fountain of Orion](https://cruisello.com/img/places/Q3747419/98abb20f5b5f332d-537.webp) Photo: User:Sebas, [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fontanaduomo.JPG) #### Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani 12th-century church with Arab-Byzantine decoration that survived the 1908 earthquake. 4 min walk. (38.19125, 15.55625) ![Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani](https://cruisello.com/img/places/Q3669197/a41ae63457b9c113-1440.webp) Photo: sailko, [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maria_Santissima_Annunziata_dei_Catalani_(Messina)_00.JPG) #### Fountain of Neptune 1557 fountain of Neptune with Scylla and Charybdis at his feet. 8 min walk. (38.19922, 15.55738) ![Fountain of Neptune](https://cruisello.com/img/places/Q3747360/b75ac67cae90af39-1440.webp) Photo: Hajotthu, [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fontana_di_Nettuno_Messina%4020171018.jpg) #### Regional Museum of Messina City art museum, with works by Caravaggio and Antonello da Messina. 34 min walk. (38.21710, 15.56466) ![Regional Museum of Messina](https://cruisello.com/img/places/Q1526140/f18d78c6a9d79123-1440.webp) Photo: sailko, [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Museo_regionale_di_messina%2C_00_ingresso.JPG) ### Day trips Based on 9 h in port, with 1 h spare before all aboard. - **Taormina**: Train from Messina Centrale, 57 min. About 3 h 30 in Taormina. Tour: [Ancient Theater of Taormina: Entry Ticket + Audio Guide](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/tiqets/999917?via=markdown) from €24 - **Mount Etna**: Car or tour, about 1 h 30 each way. About 6 h 30 round trip, 3 h at Mount Etna. Starting prices per person. We may earn a commission when you book through our partner links, at no extra cost to you. ## Quick facts - **Currency:** Euro (EUR) - **Language:** Italian - **Timezone:** Europe/Rome (UTC+1) - **Tipping:** Service often included; €1-2 for good service ## Location Coordinates: 38.1929, 15.5582 - [Open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/cruise+terminal+Messina/@38.19289,15.55819,13z) - [Open in Apple Maps](https://maps.apple.com/?q=cruise%20terminal%20Messina&ll=38.19289,15.55819&z=13) ## Things to do in Messina Top-rated shore excursions that fit a typical ~9h port call | Tour | Rating | Duration | Times | Fits Port Day | From | Provider | |------|------|------|------|------|------|------| | [Messina: Sicilian Street Food Tour by Do Eat Better](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/991b9d9f-93c8-46d4-9113-86b138b30418?via=markdown) | 4.9★ (49) | 3h | 10:30 AM–1:30 PM, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Fits your port day | €65 | Viator | | [2,5-Hour Messina Walking Tour](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/4a452a0e-2573-43d9-9eaf-fcb9eba9af96?via=markdown) | 4.5★ (338) | 2h 30m | 10:30 AM–1:00 PM, 11:30 AM–2:00 PM, 12:30 PM–3:00 PM, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM, 1:30 PM–4:00 PM, 2:30 PM–5:00 PM | Fits your port day | €42 | Viator | | [Taormina and Castelmola Tour from Messina](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/2515151f-6b8b-4a19-b89f-333406f80edc?via=markdown) | 4.8★ (855) | 6h | 7:30 AM–1:30 PM, 8:30 AM–2:30 PM, 9:30 AM–3:30 PM, 10:30 AM–4:30 PM, 11:30 AM–5:30 PM, 12:30 PM–6:30 PM | – | €95 | Viator | | [Messina: Private Pasta Class with a Local by Cesarine](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/02b8ef7e-b0b8-4e77-8d00-8ec1437a3495?via=markdown) | 5.0★ (59) | 3h | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM | Fits your port day | €145 | Viator | | [Etna Jeep OffRoad Tour: Lava Flows,Etna Wines,Lunch at 6,561 ft](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/5e34b5da-16be-44aa-a7e6-cf50dae7d8b9?via=markdown) | 4.8★ (115) | 5h | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM, 8:15 AM–1:15 PM, 8:30 AM–1:30 PM, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, 9:30 AM–2:30 PM, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM | Fits your port day | €129 | Viator | | [Taormina Shore Excursion from Messina - Shared](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/b3b8950b-57b9-4cc6-a0d2-181edc31b246?via=markdown) | 4.5★ (48) | 4h | – | Fits your port day | €83 | Viator | | [Taormina and Castelmola private and guided tour with Arancino](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/129835dd-b5e1-4397-839c-28cd6aa6aae0?via=markdown) | 4.7★ (59) | 5h | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, 3:00 PM–8:00 PM | Fits your port day | €252 | Viator | | [Taormina Private Tour from Hotel or Cruise Terminal of Messina](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/90411bde-869b-4b97-b29f-9b7bbcfd7c15?via=markdown) | 5.0★ (40) | 5h | 7:00 AM–12:00 PM, 7:30 AM–12:30 PM, 8:00 AM–1:00 PM, 8:30 AM–1:30 PM, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, 9:30 AM–2:30 PM, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, 10:30 AM–3:30 PM, 11:00 AM–4:00 PM, 11:30 AM–4:30 PM, 12:00 PM–5:00 PM, 12:30 PM–5:30 PM, 1:00 PM–6:00 PM, 1:30 PM–6:30 PM, 2:00 PM–7:00 PM, 2:30 PM–7:30 PM, 3:00 PM–8:00 PM, 3:30 PM–8:30 PM, 4:00 PM–9:00 PM, 4:30 PM–9:30 PM, 5:00 PM–10:00 PM, 5:30 PM–10:30 PM | Fits your port day | €120 | Viator | | [Cook and Taste with a Local in Messina by Cesarine](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/6f846a1f-df4d-4a93-b71b-e3e31c18308d?via=markdown) | 5.0★ (31) | 3h | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM, 3:00 PM–6:00 PM, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM, 5:30 PM–8:30 PM, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Fits your port day | €75 | Viator | | [Messina Shore Excursion: Private Tour Tindari, Milazzo And Messina](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/af72d4b7-9dbd-409d-9fe7-3f645f040e53?via=markdown) | 5.0★ (5) | 5h | – | Fits your port day | €180 | Viator | | [Private Tour Taormina, Isola Bella and Messina. Departure from Messina](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/e44624e1-e944-4ad7-bb81-0b8c1a98a787?via=markdown) | 4.9★ (66) | 6h | – | – | €85 | Viator | | [Taormina and Messina Private Tour with Sicilian Cannoli tasting](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/6e3191b0-a60b-404c-837f-56a1aa01fc2d?via=markdown) | 5.0★ (40) | 5h | – | Fits your port day | €159 | Viator | Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Starting prices per person. We may earn a commission when you book through our partner links, at no extra cost to you. ## Nearby ports - [Giardini Naxos (Taormina)](https://cruisello.com/destinations/western-mediterranean/giardini-naxos-taormina.md): 48 km (26 nm) · Italy - [Catania](https://cruisello.com/destinations/western-mediterranean/catania.md): 87 km (47 nm) · Italy - [Syracuse (Siracusa)](https://cruisello.com/destinations/western-mediterranean/syracuse-siracusa.md): 128 km (69 nm) · Italy ## Cruise lines stopping here - [AIDA Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/aida-cruises.md) - [Celebrity Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/celebrity-cruises.md) - [Costa Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/costa-cruises.md) - [Disney Cruise Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/disney-cruise-line.md) - [Holland America Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/holland-america-line.md) - [MSC Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/msc-cruises.md) - [Norwegian Cruise Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/norwegian-cruise-line.md) - [P&O Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/p-o-cruises.md) - [Princess Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/princess-cruises.md) - [Royal Caribbean](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/royal-caribbean.md) ## Cheapest Available Sailing **[View this cruise →](https://cruisello.com/cruises/salt-siren-tyrrhenian-to-iberia~MSC-MAGNIFICA-20261130-4.md)** - **Price:** €297 per person (€595 total for 2 guests) - **Cruise Line:** [MSC Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/msc-cruises.md) - **Ship:** [MSC Magnifica](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/msc-cruises/msc-magnifica.md) - **Duration:** 4 nights - **Departure:** 2026-11-30 - **Itinerary:** Salt & Siren – Tyrrhenian to Iberia ## Cruises from Messina Prices are per person, two sharing. | Cruise | Ship | Line | From | Departure | Nights | Price | |------|------|------|------|------|------|------| | [Grotto Light – Sicily, Genoa & Provence](https://cruisello.com/cruises/grotto-light-sicily-genoa-provence~MSC-MAGNIFICA-20261113-7.md) | MSC Magnifica | MSC Cruises | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 2026-11-13 | 7 | €539 | | [Sunken Empires – Valletta, Tunis & Palermo](https://cruisello.com/cruises/sunken-empires-valletta-tunis-palermo~NCL-DAWN-20270429-10.md) | Norwegian Dawn | Norwegian Cruise Line | 🇮🇹 Civitavecchia (Rome) | 2027-04-29 | 10 | €869 | | [Amber Odyssey – Marseille & Rome](https://cruisello.com/cruises/amber-odyssey-marseille-rome~NCL-EPIC-20270530-7.md) | Norwegian Epic | Norwegian Cruise Line | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 2027-05-30 | 7 | €613 | [See all Messina cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruises.md?stopoverPorts=messina) ## Ready to sail to Messina? 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