Car Hire Messina

Guide

Located 145 miles east of Palermo, at the foot of the Peloritani mountains, is the island of Messina. Three miles from the mainland, it is Sicily's third most populous city. Flattened by the war and rebuilt, it remains one of the most modern and bustling cities in southern Italy.

Explore Messina

There are numerous historical sights in Messina such as the Duomo, locatd on the Piazza del Duomo, which is definitely worth seeing. Messina is still today an beautiful architectural place, even after the effects of WWII and a devastating earthquake.

In town on the Viale della Libertà, is the Museo Regionale. Located in a former silk mill and dating from 1914, it is one of Sicily's best museums, and is home to a collection of art from the 15th to 17th centuries. There’s a garden at the back of the museum that displays some beautiful statues.

There are also plenty of places to find traditional Sicilian cuisine in Messina. On Plaza Municipio 4, is the restaurant Il Due Sorelle, which offers local food. Around the Plaza del Duomo are a scattering of cafes and pubs that stay open until the early hours of the morning.

An easy bus ride from Messina is Mortelle, the city's beach resort, lying 12kms north of the city. Mortelle opens onto some fine beaches, and in the evening it flourishes until late at night with loud music and energetic youths.

Transport

Getting to Messina shouldn’t pose a problem. The closest airport is located on the Italy's mainland in Reggio di Calabria. The airport, Svincolo Aeropoerto, lies south of Reggio. A bus will take you from the Stazione Centrale in Reggio to the airport.

By car, travel south along the A3 towards Reggio di Calabria, taking the exit at Villa San Giovanni. From here there is a ferry which can take cars across the Straits of Messina. Prebook car hire before travelling to Messina to avoid airport queues on arrival, and to get the best deals. Choose a car from over forty rental companies and be eligible to our optional extras including children's booster seats and chairs and also GPS.