Messina

Things to do, attractions, interesting facts

Messina

State: ME - Area: Messina surroundings

Messina lies on the north-eastern tip of Sicily, guardian of the Strait and its mysteries.
Messina is a city with ancient roots and cultural heritage of great value. It was a thriving Greek colony and then the most important port of the Roman Empire, second only to that of Constantinople.
Messina has a troubled history: the 1908 earthquake destroyed most of the buildings in the city and the rest was destroyed by bombing of the Allies during the Second World War. Despite the damage suffered in the last century, the city still preserves some monuments of considerable value intact.
Bell tower of Cathedral is the largest and most complex mechanical and astronomical clock in the world.

What is the best time to visit Messina?

Messina can be visited all year round: the welcome and warmth of the Sicilians will amaze you. But for an unforgettable experience, admiring the colors, tasting the flavors and fully experiencing the traditions, it is advisable to plan a visit on the days of one of the festivals that take place in Messina during the year.

If you want to know about upcoming festivals and events Click here and you will find a list of the most important ones.

Things to do

Traditional Festivals, Events, Live Show, Concerts,... Messina

Living Nativity Scene in Santo Stefano di Briga

Living Nativity Scene in Santo Stefano di Briga
December
Christmas in Messina

Christmas in Messina
Dec 2024
Laura Pausini concert in Messina

Laura Pausini concert in Messina
31 Dec 2024
Epiphany in Bordonaro - U Pagghiaru

Epiphany in Bordonaro - U Pagghiaru
Jan 2025
Paolo Crepet - Mordere il Cielo

Paolo Crepet - Mordere il Cielo
19 Feb | 31 Mar | 1 Apr 2025
Infiorata of Santo Stefano Medio - Feast of Madonna dei Giardini

Infiorata of Santo Stefano Medio - Feast of Madonna dei Giardini
May 2025
Feast of St. Hannibal of France in Messina

Feast of St. Hannibal of France in Messina
May 2025
Festa Madonna della Lettera a Messina

Festa Madonna della Lettera a Messina
Jun 2025
Festa di S. Antonio di Padova a Messina

Festa di S. Antonio di Padova a Messina
Jun 2025
Vasco Rossi Concert

Vasco Rossi Concert
21, 22 Jun 2025
Feast of Vascelluzzo in Messina

Feast of Vascelluzzo in Messina
Jun 2025
Cesare Cremonini in Messina

Cesare Cremonini in Messina
28 Jun 2025
Ultimo Concert in Messina

Ultimo Concert in Messina
18 Jul 2025
Marco Mengoni concert in Messina

Marco Mengoni concert in Messina
23, 24 Jul 2025
Cavalcade of the giants Mata and Grifone in Messina

Cavalcade of the giants Mata and Grifone in Messina
Aug 2025
The Vara of the Madonna Assunta in Messina

The Vara of the Madonna Assunta in Messina
Aug 2025
Messinacon

Messinacon
Sep 2025
Kite Festival in Capo Peloro Messina

Kite Festival in Capo Peloro Messina
Sep 2025
October in Curcuraci - Messina

October in Curcuraci - Messina
Oct 2025
Messina Street Food Fest

Messina Street Food Fest
Oct 2025
Concert Negramaro in Messina

Concert Negramaro in Messina
23, 24, 25 Oct 2025
‹ Events in Messina area
‹ Events in Sicily

What to eat

Typical food, local wines and drinks, traditional dish to taste in Messina

You can obviously taste all the typical products of Sicilian cuisine, the most well-known ones, such as cannoli, Sicilian cassata, arancini, etc. But there are some specialties typical of this area that are more difficult to find in other areas of Sicily.

To view a list of business activity within tourism in Messina Click here

Interesting Facts

Interesting and fun facts, mythology, legend, folk tales and more to know about Messina

Colapesce legend
The legend of Colapesce is an ancient Sicilian story that tells the story of a young man from Capo Peloro, with a passion for the sea.
Legend of Scilla and Cariddi
The legend of Scilla and Charybdis tells of mythological deeds of gods and mortals in the stretch of water of the Strait of Messina.
Morgana fairy and the Strait of Messina
A trick of the cunning Fata Morgana makes Sicily and Calabria seem to touch on certain days.
‹ Sicily Interesting Facts
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