Sea, mountains, beaches, nature reserves and islands: all this and much more in the province of Messina, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and lush territories of Sicily. Among the most popular destinations for tourists and travelers, the Messinese territory conquers and fascinates the visitor for the numerous beauties that are here preserved and guarded. A historical and artistic territory that embraces the Sicilian culture and food traditions and in which they cohabit in harmony with the cobalt blue sea (San Gregorio at Capo d'Orlando, Capo Calavà at Gioiosa Marea, Marinello beach at Patti), historical places of incomparable beauty (Ancient Theater of Taormina and the Castle of Milazzo), natural areas protected (Parco dei Nebrodi) and places of worship with a centenary history (Sanctuary of the Madonna di Tindari). But the territory of the province of Messina, which extends over 3 thousand km² reaches far beyond the coastline. In fact, it returns in the province of Messina the Aeolian archipelago (Lipari, Salina, Vulcano, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea): destinations easily reachable from the port of Messina and from Milazzo. The province of Messina faces north in Tyrrhenian Sea, to the East on the Strait of Messina, which separates it from Calabria, borders to the East with the province of Reggio Calabria to the west with the Province of Palermo, to the South with the Province of Enna and the Province of Catania. Includes altogether 108 municipalities and has about 650 thousand inhabitants. Among the most popular places the city of Messina, the capital of the homonymous province, Taormina, Lipari, Milazzo, Patti and Sant'Agata di Militello.

Strait of Messina (Source: piervincenzocanale - CC BY 2.0)

How to arrive and move in the Messina area

By car

The main motorway arteries to reach the territory of Messina are the A20 (with toll), which connects the municipalities of Messina, Milazzo and Patti to the Sicilian capital (the shortest route recommended). The distance from Messina to Palermo is about 223 km and takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes to travel with an estimated fuel cost of € 32. The A18 motorway, however, connects the Messina area with the towns of Acireale and Catania. To reach Catania from Messina the distance is about 100 km and it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to go along it.

By plane

The territory of Messina is not served by airports. To reach the province of Messina by plane it is therefore necessary to reach the airports "Falcone Borsellino" of Palermo or the "Vincenzo Florio" of Catania. A choice alternative (recommended) is to reach the "Tito Minniti" airport of Reggio Calabria. From "Dello Stretto" airport, connected with the companies Alitalia, AirMalta, in fact, direct connections with the city of Messina are foreseen through shuttle buses and hydrofoils.

By Train or Bus

The territory of Messina is served by a capillary railway network that reaches most of the "historical" localities of the province. The main train station serves the city of Messina and is managed by State Railways. Scheduled connections to Palermo and Catania with fast regional routes. From Palermo it takes about 3 hours to reach the station of Messina and the minimum cost of the ticket is € 13. From Catania, however, the railway line to Messina takes about 2 hours and the cost of the ticket is about € 10. To know in detail the routes, timetables and costs of trains you can consult the website of Trenitalia. In the province of Messina there are also transport services with buses and shuttles operated by private companies that connect the territory of Messina to the cities of Rome, Naples, Brindisi, Palermo and Catania. The service is offered by the company Sais.

By ship or hydrofoil

The main port for the thousands of tourists who reach Sicily every year, the coast of Messina and the Aeolian archipelago is the port of Messina: the center of the city "Dello Stretto" and the beating heart of life economic city. From the pier "Rizzo" of Messina are in fact scheduled connections with the ports of Villa San Giovanni, Civitavecchia and Salerno offered by the ferry company Caronte Tourist . For the Aeolian Islands, however, direct connections from the port of Messina and Milazzo offered by the companies Siremar, Ustica Lines and Ngi. For information on timetables and availability, visit the web pages of the respective shipping companies.

The Nebrodi park and the Messinese nature reserves

Maples, ash trees, apple trees, holly: a large forest that includes the imposing Nebrodi Park. When one speaks generally of the Nebrodi, it is necessary to describe and list majestic trees, dense forests and temperatures much lower than those for which the island is famous. The Nebrodi Park, together with the "Madonie" and Etna, is one of the three natural parks established by the Sicilian Region to safeguard and protect the environment as much as possible of the island. To reach the Nebrodi Park from Palermo, take the Messina-Palermo A20 motorway to the Sant'Agata di Militello junction and continue on the SS 185 towards Floresta. From Messina, however, release Falcone and then continue on the SS 116 towards Floresta-Cesarò. The itinerary includes signs of the Park. As regards, instead, the natural reserves, in the territory of Messina, are planned in the area of ​​Monte Soro, between Cesarò and Alcara Li Fusi and between the mountains of the Ferns and Leeks of the Salina Island in the Aeolian Archipelago.