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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.
Messina walking tour of the historical center
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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!
Messina city tour 360°: the city, the coast and the mountain view
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.
Messina Cathedral
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.
What are some free activities near Messina cruise port?
At one end of Corso Umberto street, Piazza IX Aprile offers the most beautiful views of the bay below and Mount Etna. While there, make sure you check out the medieval Duomo di Taormina and Villa Communale, a peaceful oasis offering breathtaking coastal views. A day trip to Etna volcano is by far the most popular shore excursion in Catania cruise port. Etna stands at a height of 3329 meters and is known as one of the most dangerous and active volcanoes in Europe known for its exceptional level of volcanic activity. Etna volcano covers 59,000 hectares in the province of Catania and has been erupting for a hundred thousand years. It’s constantly active, and you can see the fumes coming out of craters even in the wintertime.
In the 9th century, the Arabs took over and converted churches to mosques and the common language to Arabic. The Norman period followed, and in the 13th century Palermo was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. All this means that this decidedly Italian city -- and the entire western Sicily area -- has flavors and architecture from all of its periods. The cannoli is a local art form that started in the Sicilian town of Palermo and now enjoys worldwide acclaim. You can’t fully experience a Messina cruise without enjoying one (or several) cannolis during your vacation. Take a boat ride along the strait, admiring the blues of the cool Ionian sea and views of Torre Faro.
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.
The city boasts a vibrant food scene that is simply impossible to resist. When wandering around the area near the cruise port, you will come across several food shops and restaurants that offer traditional Sicilian dishes, which are worth trying. Begin your adventure by experiencing a blend of unique flavors to the local food. You will be visiting the town of Savoca, located near Taormina, around 43 km/27 miles (a 50-minute drive) south of Messina cruise port. It takes about 20 minutes a slightly uphill walk from the port to reach the church. From the platform in front of it, you can admire stunning views of the city and port.
Norman Palace
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.
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.
Today, visitors can admire the picturesque aviary structures set amidst tropical and exotic plants and trees. Villa Comunale is another great spot offering breathtaking views of the coast and has a playground for kids. When traveling on cruises to Messina, you’ll use the euro as the official currency. It’s recommended you carry a bit of cash whenever you’re in Italy, because some merchants prefer it and won’t accept credit cards.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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