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One remarkable example is the Astronomical Clock, located in the belfry of the Cathedral of Messina, featuring intricate carvings and mechanical animations. Apart from pasta, you can also indulge in various Italian main courses and pizzas available in Messina’s restaurants. Don’t forget to try the local wine, which adds another layer of flavor to the Sicilian culinary experience.
MSC's winter 2022-2023 cruise program features the newbuild ships World Europa & Seascape
From the cruise terminal you cross the street and you are in the centre of town. There are also a couple of other transport options available at the dock. At the dock there is a cruise terminal building where you will find limited facilities. The tourist information will either be at the terminal or at the nearest church in site as you exit the terminal. The Messina cruise port offers several popular excursions, including visits to the beautiful hilltop town of Taormina, the ancient Greek theater, and the stunning coastal town of Cefalù.
Seafood Delights
Among 2017's newcomers were the liners MSC Meraviglia (23 calls), Royal Princess, Celebrity Reflection, Norwegian Spirit. For season 2018 here booked Crown Princess (9 calls) and MSC Seaview (23 calls). Messina is a popular cruise port of call on many Mediterranean Sea itineraries. Among the 2017 scheduled ship calls, the largest vessels were Majestic Princess (2 visits), AIDAaura (1 visit), MSC Meraviglia (23 visits) and Norwegian Spirit (16 visits).
Taormina and Etna tour from Catania
Taormina is a gorgeous resort town and jewel of Sicily perched on a 200-meter-high cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. This ancient town dates from 734 BC and boasts remarkably preserved Teatro Antico that you can visit while in town. The city was founded by Ancient Greeks and eventually became part of the Roman Empire.
Cefalù is known for its picture-perfect waterfront, the 12th-century fortress-like Norman Cathedral, medieval churches and charming alleys. The port of Messina is the main gateway to the resort town of Taormina, which is located around 52 km/32 miles (a 45-minute drive) to the south. You can get to Taormina by train, bus, car, or with a shore excursion (read in detail further in the article). In case your cruise ship anchors in the Bay of Naxos near Taormina, check out my article Taormina Cruise Port Guide (Giardini Naxos) for more information.
Day tour: Taormina walking tour with Greek Theatre and Castelmola from Messina
You will be visiting the town of Savoca, located 23 km/15 miles (a 40-minute drive) northeast of Taormina cruise port. Continue walking five more minutes from Piazza IX Aprile along Corso Umberto, and you’ll soon reach Taormina Cathedral (also known as Duomo di Taormina). The medieval church was originally built in the 13th century on the ruins of the church dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Bari.
Isola Bella is a small rocky island located at the foot of Taormina, boasting a lovely pebble beach with crystal-clear waters. Isola Bella used to be owned by a lady who bought the island from the King of Sicily, but in 1992, Sicily purchased the island and turned it into a nature reserve. Take a trip to the top of this massive lighthouse, which has been in existence since 1884, and enjoy a beautiful view of Messina and the sea below. Messina is located in Sicily by the narrow strait with the Italian mainland. These delicious seafood options are likely to leave your taste buds craving for more. I hope you are able to plan and fulfill all of your fantastical travel dreams!
You will then continue to Forza d’Agrò village, which is located another 25 minutes drive, to see the square that served as the main square of Corleone during the Francis Ford Coppola movie. If your ship docks in Messina, this tour is usually offered as a combo with Taormina because they are located close to each other. The distance between Messina and Savoca is 43 km/27 miles (a 50-minute drive). Corso Umberto is the main street in Taormina and you can’t miss it as it runs through the heart of the old town. Besides a wide range of luxury boutiques, clothes, jewelry, and souvenir shops, here you’ll find gelaterias, bars and restaurants, as well as two main squares – Piazza Duomo and Piazza IX Aprile.
Neptune Fountain
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You must taste Arancini, deep-fried rice balls stuffed with ham and cheese, coated with breadcrumbs, and the famous Italian Cannoli to sweeten your day. You’ll also find a variety of seafood dishes, spices, cheeses, fruits, veggies, and somewhat strange-looking Sicilian bites, mostly made of fish. Built to accommodate Arab emirs, the palace was occupied by the Normans who expanded it, and then by Spaniards. It was the seat of the Kings of Sicily with the Hauteville dynasty in the 11th and 12th centuries and nowadays houses the Sicilian Regional Assembly.
Guided tours to Mount Etna, the highest and most active volcano in Europe, are also available. Additionally, you can explore the picturesque coastal villages of Noto and Ragusa if you prefer. Palermo cruise port consists of three berths that can accommodate cruise ships of all sizes and several berths for ferries serving major Mediterranean cities and mainland Italy.
Etna is located 35 km/22 miles (a 1-hour drive) northwest of Catania cruise port and the best way to get there is by car or on a shore excursion. If you decide to rent a car, you will drive to Rifugio Sapienza which sits at 2,000 m. Here, you’ll find a large free parking, cafes, shops and tour vendors where you can book tours to explore the higher altitudes of the volcano. Most often cruise ships dock at the Port of Messina just in front of the city centre.
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To get to Castelmola, you can take a bus, taxi (from Piazza San Pancrazio), or hike for about 45 minutes. A day trip to Castelmola is one of the most popular shore excursions in Taormina cruise port. Messina cruise terminal is located in the heart of the city, within a 5-minute walk from Piazza del Duomo, the main square dominated by the imposing Messina Cathedral. The cruise terminal has one berth and can accommodate 1 cruise ship at a time. There is no terminal building, but you can find all services (ATMs, currency exchange, taxis, shops, restaurants) right after you exit the terminal. Taxis, buses and trains are available upon exiting the cruise ship terminal terminal, as well as numerous restaurants and bars.
Don’t miss out on arancini, a delicious snack made of rice balls stuffed with different fillings, deep-fried to perfection. Messina is a charming city located in the northeastern tip of Sicily, and it is often considered as the gateway to this stunning island. A journey through Messina isn’t complete without indulging in its culinary delights. The city’s gastronomy is a vivid reflection of its storied past, a delectable mix of indigenous traditions blended with Greek, Arab, and Norman influences. Let’s embark on a culinary voyage through the gastronomic heart of Messina. Bordered by the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea and boasting a rich tapestry of history, Messina is more than just a stopover for Mediterranean cruise liners.
Here you can immerse in the local culture and experience the sounds, smells and sights of this daily centuries-old tradition. Fishes are emptied in front of your eyes, including swordfish, live lobsters, sardines, anchovies, shrimps, octopus and many others. Castelmola is a picturesque small village located around 5 km/3 miles (a minute drive) from Taormina old town. Whereas the neighboring Taormina lies at 204 m (670 ft), Castelmola is higher up at 518 m (1,700 ft) above sea level. This charming village is renowned for its almond wine and sweeping panoramic views of Taormina and the entire coast.
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