View of Taormina’s coastline with turquoise water, hillside buildings and beaches, framed by pink blooming flowers and green shrubs.

Messina (Sicily), Italy

Cruises to Messina (Sicily), Italy

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Things to do in Messina

Framed by the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, Messina is a vibrant gateway to Sicily’s history, flavor and charm. Its marble piazzas, citrus-scented hills and warm coastal light have inspired centuries of art and film. The city is easily explored from the cruise pier — the cathedral and main square sit just a short walk away. From there, visitors can branch out to Taormina, Mount Etna or nearby vineyards for a taste of Sicily’s natural and cultural variety.

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  • Exterior of Messina Cathedral in Sicily, featuring its tall clock tower with golden figures and ornate astronomical dials, surrounded by visitors under a bright blue sky.

    At the heart of the city, the Messina Cathedral showcases centuries of craftsmanship, while the bell tower houses one of the world’s largest astronomical tower clocks that has a moving golden figure at noon.

  • Colorful hillside town of Taormina with Mount Etna’s snowy peak in the distance under a clear blue sky.

    The hilltop town of Taormina offers sweeping views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Its ancient Greek theater still hosts concerts today.

  • Yellow wildflowers growing among dark volcanic rocks with Mount Etna’s snow-dusted peak rising under a deep blue sky.

    Europe’s most active volcano provides an unforgettable adventure with its black slopes that stretch across vineyards and coastal towns.

  • Colorful ceramic plates and pottery displayed outside a Sicilian shop, arranged along the wall and storefront shelves.

    Steps from the pier, Messina’s marina and surrounding markets brim with Sicilian life — fresh seafood, handmade ceramics and the scent of espresso mingling with sea air.

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Shore excursions to explore in Messina

Cinematic landmarks, natural wonders — there are endless new sights to see with Princess® shore excursions, which reveal the full spectrum of Sicily.

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  • Steep rocky cliffs overlooking calm turquoise water near Taormina, with historic stone buildings and greenery along the cliff edge.

    Best of Mt. Etna & Taormina

    Journey from coastal Messina to Taormina’s cliffside streets, where ancient history meets Italian style. Then, ascend the slopes of Mount Etna to explore its volcanic craters and take in some of the most dramatic views in the Mediterranean.

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  • A medieval stone cathedral with a crenellated roofline in Piazza del Duomo, Taormina, surrounded by colorful buildings and planters filled with flowers on a bright sunny day.

    Messina

    See the best of Messina, from its seaside promenade to the breathtaking Piazza del Duomo. Pause at the Cathedral and its world-famous clock tower, then visit panoramic overlooks that frame the Strait of Messina and the hills beyond.

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  • Hillside village of Forzà d’Agrò in Sicily with pastel homes, terracotta rooftops and a historic stone church above the bright blue Mediterranean Sea on a clear summer day.

    In the Steps of "The Godfather"

    Film meets folklore in this half-day adventure through Savoca and Forzà d’Agrò, the picturesque villages where Francis Ford Coppola shot The Godfather. Enjoy lemon granita at Bar Vitelli and explore historic churches featured in the iconic films.

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  • Two small white boats anchored in clear turquoise water near a sandy beach in Giardini Naxos, with sunbathers, umbrellas and pastel seaside buildings in the background under a bright blue sky.

    Sicilian Beach Break

    Unwind on the sun-soaked shores of Giardini Naxos, the first Greek colony in Sicily. Swim, stroll or sample local pizza while admiring the view of Mount Etna rising in the distance.

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  • A grand estate with turreted towers surrounded by lush green vineyards, small village homes and distant mountain slopes under a clear sky.

    San Michele Estate Vineyards & Wine Tasting

    Travel through Sicily’s fertile countryside to the San Michele Estate for a guided vineyard tour and tasting. Sample wines shaped by volcanic soil and savor regional cheeses while taking in views that stretch from Taormina to Capo Mulini.

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  • Aerial view of Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore, showing terraced Baroque gardens, red-roofed buildings and deep blue water surrounded by distant mountains.

    Bay of Naxos and Panoramic Taormina by the sea

    Cruise the Bay of Naxos for views of Taormina, Isola Bella and The White Lotus filming locations. Swim in hidden coves and enjoy a traditional Sicilian aperitif before exploring the fishing village of Giardini Naxos.

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Explore all Messina shore excursions

Explore itineraries with cruises to Messina

Messina features on European and Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruise itineraries with Princess®. These voyages connect Sicily’s coastal elegance with nearby ports like Naples, Valletta and Santorini. Guests can step directly from ship to shore — the terminal sits right in town — making it one of Italy’s most accessible ports. Many itineraries also include visits to Taormina, Mount Etna or Palermo for a fuller taste of Sicily.

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Beautiful Oia village on Santorini island in Greece

7-Day Mediterranean with Greece & Italy

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Cape Drastis - Corfu, Greece

10-Day Mediterranean with Greek Isles & Turkey

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Bellver Castle, Palma, Mallorca

14-Day Mediterranean with Greece, Turkey, & Adriatic

 

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Discover Messina on your next cruise

A cruise to Messina feels like stepping into a postcard where the sea, city and countryside meet. Hear church bells echo over the piazza, taste arancini from a local café or sip wine as the sun sets over the Strait. Every corner of Messina will stir your curiosity and steal your heart.

Cruise to Messina
Interior of a grand Sicilian cathedral featuring an ornate golden altar, large religious frescoes, marble columns and a richly decorated wooden ceiling.

Step inside a golden glow of mosaics and soaring arches where Sicily’s history and devotion meet.

A narrow pedestrian street in Sicily with old balconies and shops leading to a stone archway, beyond which hills and rooftops are visible.

Step through Porta Messina and into the heart of Taormina.

A smiling couple stands at the railing of a Princess® cruise ship, enjoying the open sea and blue sky.

A couple stands together on the wooden deck of a Princess® cruise ship, gazing out at the open sea beneath a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.

Front-facing view of a Princess® cruise ship sailing through calm ocean waters.

Cut through the world’s waterways and experience the planet’s most exciting coastlines from a sea-side perspective; our fleet is your luxury-and-entertainment-packed transport to adventure.

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Step aboard any Princess® ship and discover your new favorite way to travel. Each vessel is a floating playground of flavor, comfort and top-deck experiences. Enjoy freshly prepared local dishes, Broadway-caliber entertainment, oceanview fitness and wellness studios, family programming and beds so comfortable they’ve won awards. 


No two ships are identical, but they all share one mission: turn your vacation into a standing ovation.

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Cruises to Messina FAQs

*The port location is subject to change. Please check itinerary details after you book for more information.

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