Sights
Fountain of Orion
A 16th-century marble fountain in Piazza Duomo honouring Orion, the city's mythical founder, with river gods around its basin.
Boat & day trips
Taormina and its ancient theatre
A hilltop resort town above the sea, with a Greek-built, Roman-rebuilt theatre that frames Mount Etna. Allow time for the main street, Corso Umberto, and the public gardens.
From the ship
| Terminal | One way | How |
|---|---|---|
| Colapesce, Vespri and I Settembre quays (Messina cruise terminal) | 80 min | train + bus |
Times are estimates. Allow extra on busy days and for tender queues.
Nearby
Sights
Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani
A small 12th-century church that survived the 1908 earthquake, mixing Arab, Norman and Byzantine touches. Opening is irregular, but the outside alone is worth a look.
Sights
Bell tower and astronomical clock
The cathedral's bell tower holds one of the largest mechanical clocks anywhere. At noon its gilded figures move, a lion roars and a cockerel crows; tower visits are by ticket and times vary.