About the Port
The Strait of Messina separates Sicily from Italy's mainland, its swift currents long the stuff of maritime legend. The city of Messina itself, rebuilt after a devastating early twentieth-century earthquake, greets arrivals with a rebuilt cathedral, an astronomical clock, and harborfront streets that hint at centuries of trade between two coasts.
Most travelers use the port as a gateway rather than a destination, heading inland and up the coast to Taormina, where an ancient Greek theater frames sweeping views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna's distant plume. Taormina's flower-draped lanes invite an unhurried walk between shops, cafés, and gelato stands. Messina's cruise terminal sits close to the old town, making a brief stroll along the waterfront an easy option for those who prefer to stay near the ship.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Messina Strait.
Explore the Ancient Greek Theater
Taormina's cliffside amphitheater frames sweeping views of the Ionian Sea and smoking Mount Etna beyond. It's roughly an hour's drive from the pier, so plan a full excursion to make it worthwhile.
Wander Taormina's Flower-Draped Lanes
Corso Umberto and its side streets are lined with boutiques, cafés, and gelato stands beneath cascading bougainvillea. Set aside unhurried time for a leisurely lunch or a scoop between sights.
Walk Messina's Waterfront and Duomo
For those staying near the ship, the rebuilt cathedral and its astronomical clock sit a short stroll from the terminal. Time a visit to noon, when the clock's figures perform their mechanical show.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Messina Strait
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 7, 2026 | Cunard | Queen Victoria | 7 | $1,359 | |
| Sep 7, 2026 | Cunard | Queen Victoria | 14 | $2,859 | |
| Sep 14, 2026 | Cunard | Queen Victoria | 14 | $1,489 | |
| Sep 21, 2026 | Cunard | Queen Victoria | 14 | $2,739 | |
| Sep 21, 2026 | Cunard | Queen Victoria | 7 | $1,429 | |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Cunard | Queen Victoria | 7 | $1,229 | |
| Oct 14, 2026 | Holland America | Oosterdam | 21 | $3,794 | |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Holland America | Oosterdam | 25 | $6,469 | |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Holland America | Oosterdam | 11 | $2,874 | |
| Apr 4, 2027 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Jupiter | 12 | $7,099 | |
| May 2, 2027 | Cunard | Queen Elizabeth | 33 | $4,299 | |
| May 2, 2027 | Cunard | Queen Elizabeth | 26 | $2,879 | |
| May 2, 2027 | Cunard | Queen Elizabeth | 40 | $16,029 | |
| May 2, 2027 | Cunard | Queen Elizabeth | 19 | $2,449 | |
| May 14, 2027 | Cunard | Queen Elizabeth | 28 | $3,879 | |
| May 14, 2027 | Cunard | Queen Elizabeth | 14 | $1,579 | |
| May 14, 2027 | Cunard | Queen Elizabeth | 21 | $2,849 | |
| May 21, 2027 | Cunard | Queen Elizabeth | 7 | $1,229 | |
| May 21, 2027 | Cunard | Queen Elizabeth | 21 | $2,699 | |
| May 21, 2027 | Cunard | Queen Elizabeth | 14 | $2,089 |
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