Cruises to Messina Italy

op on board one of MSC's Mediterranean Cruises to Messina Italy. Messina is a pleasant town located to the northeast of the island of Sicily. Find the best cruises to Messina with MSC Cruises.

Messina: A beautiful natural harbor full of history

Located on the Messina Straits and with a large natural harbor, Messina is one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean. Its strategic location just five kilometers from the Italian mainland has made it an important site for silk, textile and chemical industries and a regular a port for ferries and cruise liners.

A day away from your luxury MSC cruise ship can encompass the ancient city of Messina itself, with panoramic tour or take in towns further afield. Consult our comprehensive excursion packages to learn more about the deals available and the best way to make the most of your time onshore.

A holiday stopover in Messina provides the perfect opportunity to view Europe’s highest and most famous active volcano, Mount Etna, and a visit to the Silvestri craters. Those in search of a spiritual dimension to their vacation may like to visit the ‘picture-perfect’ town of Tindari, which is home to the ancient black Madonna.

Families can offer little ones a fun day out during our beach tour, which includes a trip to the local leisure centre and Lido.

Finally, a trip to Taormina makes a lovely day out, thanks to its beautiful architecture, stunning setting, excellent shopping opportunities and ancient monuments, including a Greco-Roman theatre, cathedral and 11th century palaces.

Make Messina part of your Mediterranean cruise vacation. Find the best cruise to Messina Italy with MSC cruises.

Cruise to Messina - Italy - Mediterranean - MSC Cruises

Directions


Ships dock only a block away from Messina’s city centre. The train station is a 10 minute walk from the dock.

Port average temperature

The temperate figures shown are based on monthly average weather conditions for the selected port. Weather data is not real-time, and sometimes no data is shown for a specific date, month or port in general.

MESSINAMonths
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high °C141415172126292927221815
Average low °C101011121620232421181411
 MES01 - TAORMINA (approx. 4 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: moderate  Panoramic Tour  Cultural  Shopping  Best Seller  After leaving the port, a bus transfer will take you to Taormina, one of the jewels of Sicily. A pleasant walk takes you to the renowned ancient Greco-Roman theatre, first built by the Greeks before being re-built by the Romans. Enjoy the wonderful view before continuing to Corvaia Palace (external visit); an historic XV century building that formerly housed the Sicilian Parliament. We will also admire the small Roman theatre or “Odeon” (external visit) of Taormina and the St. Nicholas Cathedral. Free time for shopping. Please note: in case of religious celebrations the visit to the Cathedral will be limited to the exterior of the site. Conservative attire is recommended for visiting sites of religious importance. Click HERE to watch the video

Price per person $68.00 Adults $48.00 Children

   


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 MES02 - ETNA (approx. 4 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: moderate  Panoramic Tour  Best Seller  Departing from the port of Messina, an approx. 1.5-hour coach ride will take you to Mount Etna, Europe’s highest volcano reaching almost 3,300 m above sea level, on a route that will also pass through Zafferana Etnea, a town situated on the volcano’s southern flank that affords lovely views of the mountain and the sea. Once at the Rifugio Sapienza cable car station, which was buried twice in the course of eruptions over the years, at an elevation of 1,900 metres, you will then be taken to visit the famous Silvestri craters amid an otherworldly lava landscape of outstanding natural beauty. Breathtaking views of the city of Catania below also present themselves to visitors, a perfect vista for a snapshot. Your adventurous volcano tour comes to a close with your return to the port and your ship. Please note: this tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair. In case of bad weather conditions the program of the tour will have an alternative routing that will be reconfirmed onboard. It is advisable to wear a wind cheater and comfortable shoes. Click HERE to watch the video

Price per person $66.00 Adults $46.00 Children

   


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 MES03 - TINDARI & THE SANCTUARY OF BLACK MADONNA (approx. 4 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: moderate  Panoramic Tour  Cultural  Shopping  An enjoyable 1-hour coach transfer from Messina begins this tour to Tindari, a small coastal town of Greek origin that is rich in art and history. It is particularly known for the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna, a site you will visit to view the statue of the Madonna. A romantic local legend has it that Tindari’s lagoon was created after a woman accidentally dropped her baby into the ocean upon being startled by the black colour of the statue, whereupon the Madonna is said to have made the land rise to save the child. A visit to a Greek archaeological site is next, with a chance to step back in time and get a unique insight into early Grecian life. There will be time for you do some shopping in Tindari before you return to Messina and your ship. Please note: conservative attire is recommended for visiting sites of religious importance. Shooting videos or taking photos may be prohibited inside the Sanctuary.

Price per person $65.00 Adults $46.00 Children

   


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 MES04 - BEACH TOUR (approx. 4 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: easy  There may be Opportunities to take a swim. It is Advisable tobring a beach towel, bathing suit, sun protection cream, and a hat.  Limited Availability  No guide available  Recommended for families  If spending a few hours enjoying beach life sounds like fun, this is the perfect excursion for you. A short transfer from Messina will take you to a pretty beach for a few hours to enjoy the sun, go for a swim and simply relax. Look forward to the delightful feeling of sand squishing between your toes, the refreshing cool of the water, amazing views out to sea and drying off again in Italy’s hot summer sun. Your beach tour ends with your return to the port and the ship. Please note: this excursion operates only during summer calls from June until the end of September. Click HERE to watch the video

Price per person $61.00 Adults $43.00 Children

   


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 MES05 - CITY TOUR (approx. 3.5 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: easy  Panoramic Tour  Wheelchair and disabled-friendly tour  Cultural  Messina was founded in 730 B.C. by the Greek, Zancle; the city was systematically destroyed by earthquakes, in particular by the eruptions of 1783 and 1908. Our tour departs by bus from the port to reach Ganzirri, a small fishing village situated near the Pantano Grande and Pantano Piccolo lakes, which are rich in marine nutrients. You will continue to Capo Peloro, the nearest point to the coast of Calabria. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Messina, admiring Piazza Cairoli, the Court House, the University and the Cristo Re Church which dominates Messina’s harbour and the strait. We will stop for photos before continuing our tour past the San Francesco Church, the Government Hall, the Fountain of Neptune and the main street, “Viale della Libertá”. Visit the Cathedral and the Cathedral Treasure to admire the famous Golden Mantle (Manta d’Oro), a special cloth that covers the picture of the Madonna and Child and which is studded with precious stones. Please note: conservative attire is recommended for visiting sites of religious importance. Shooting videos or taking photos may be prohibited inside the Cathedral. In case of religious celebrations the visit to the Cathedral will be limited to the exterior of the site. Click HERE to watch the video

Price per person $54.00 Adults $38.00 Children

   


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 MES08 - JEEP ADVENTURE  (approx. 4 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: difficult  Panoramic Tour  Limited Availability  Tastings  Best Seller  Thanks to its strategic coastal location near Mount Peloritani, the Sicilian city and region of Messina boasts a rich heritage of 19th-century forts and old military roads that were once used to defend Sicily and the Strait of Messina. This tour gives you a chance to explore the beautiful landscape, folk traditions, historical roads and strongholds in the comfort of a modern off-road vehicle. The first stop is Puntal Ferraro, a 19th-century fort that is now run as a wildlife recovery centre with exhibition rooms and extensive grounds in which wild deer roam. A little further along the road lies Forte Campone, where a short stop will be made, after which you will head for the Dinnamare vantage point. Typical Sicilian pastries and fortified wine will be served while you enjoy the view of the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas. Please note: participants must be at least 8 years of age, provided that they can be properly seated and wearing a seatbelt. The safari leader will provide you with information only in English during the trip. Comfortable shoes and casual clothing are recommended. The tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair. Click HERE to watch the video

Price per person $120.00 Adults $84.00 Children

   


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The excursions in the program above are intended to provide MSC Guests with an idea of the different tours that can be arranged in each port of call; this program is merely a guide and confirmation of each excursion and its description and prices will be made during your cruise. Full information can be found in the onboard Tour Magazine.