Messina is an easy destination to plan yourself: hotels, flights, car rental and activities in one place, no juggling ten different sites. Messina works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns and scenic routes. The nearest airport is in a neighbouring city, and a rental car is the easiest way to cover the rest. There are currently around 20 places to stay listed in and around Messina, covering a range of budgets. The catalogue includes 8 vetted activities and tours with real guest ratings. 5 routes to nearby towns are mapped out from Messina, handy if you're planning side trips beyond the city itself.
Accommodation in Messina starts at around €65 per night, with a typical rate near €96 across roughly 20 nearby options — handy for budgeting your trip.
Well-reviewed hotels: Domus Lace, guest rating 9.4 from 100 reviews, from €87 per night; Villa La Fenice, guest rating 9.3 from 279 reviews, from €137 per night; Villa Pulejo, 4-star, guest rating 9.3 from 312 reviews, from €282 per night; Re Vittorio Deluxe, guest rating 9 from 46 reviews, from €78 per night; B&B Cairoli, guest rating 9 from 100 reviews, from €93 per night.
Day trips & routes: Taormina — about 52 km, 43m drive; Palermo — about 226 km, 2h 28m drive; Cinisi — about 257 km, 2h 51m drive; Santa Ninfa — about 320 km, 3h 27m drive; Trapani — about 318 km, 3h 29m drive. Fastest option is Taormina: 43m by car.
Messina: what to know
Things to see: "Savoca Taormina Castelmola : private cruise tours from Messina", rated 5 from 90 reviews, from €175; "Messina: Private Pasta Class with a Local by Cesarine", rated 5 from 56 reviews, from €116; "Taormina and Castelmola Private Tour from Messina Port", rated 5 from 33 reviews, from €159; "Cook and Taste with a Local in Messina by Cesarine", rated 5 from 29 reviews, from €75; "Etna and Wine an experience between nature and aromas with taste.", rated 5 from 25 reviews, from €159.
Messina has no direct airport — most travellers fly into the nearest airport city and continue by rental car or transfer. Getting around the city and out to the 5 nearby destinations listed above is easiest by car — intercity public transport tends to be slower and less frequent. The median nightly rate in Messina is around €96, useful for comparing overall trip cost against nearby cities.
To rent a car in Messina you usually need a passport, a driving licence and a bank card for the deposit hold. With 20 places to stay nearby, it's worth comparing a base near the rental desk against one closer to the sights. Given 5 routes worth driving from here, check the mileage and one-way drop-off terms before you book. When touring Italy, plan stops in advance: fuel stations and car parks in smaller towns are not always open around the clock.
