Messina and Taormina- Port Information
Getting Around- To get to Taormina from Messina is relatively easy, but time consuming, and in my opinion, not entirely worth it.
Here is a great site with all your options spelled out. The two options I will focus on are the bus and the train.
For either option, you must first get from the cruise terminal to the Messina Centrale station. When coming out of the port terminal building, take a left and keep walking. You will pass a large Martini sign and a gas station. When you see the Messina Maritima building, turn right, walk 150 m, then turn left. The train station will be in front of you.
The Train- if you take the train, you must get off at the Giardini-Naxos station, which is a small seaside village with beaches. To get up the hill to Taormina, you can take a taxi or a bus. The bus is 1.20 euros. There should be one every 30 minutes. The bus terminal is a 5-10 minute walk to the pedestrian area of Taormina.
The Bus- The terminal is across the street from the train terminal. The bus takes slightly longer than the train because of the stops, but does go all the way to Taormina. It costs 5 euros for one way.
For our opinions on Messina and Taormina, read our Messina/Taormina Port Review Page.
What to Do- Taormina
Greek Amphitheatre- Cost 8 euros. Open April to Sept 9-7 and Oct to March 9-4. Fairly well preserved amphitheatre ruins with amazing views. Pretty much the only thing to do in Taormina besides shop, so it is a must-do. Gets mobbed with tour group fairly quickly, so try to get there as early as possible.
Cable Car to Mazzara- Cost 1.80 euros one way or 3 euros return. Open Mon 9- 1 am, Tues-Sun 8- 1 am. Only about a 2 minutes ride, drops you at the beach, where you can walk out to Isola Bella.
What to Do- Messina
Museo Regionale- Cost 5 euros. Open Tues-Sat 9-1:30 and 4-6:30. (June-Sept) Sun 9-12:30. In Oct-May, the museum is open 9-1:30 on Tues-Sat. and on Tues, Thurs and Sat, it reopens from 3-5:30. On Sunday during these months, it is open 9-12:30. This museum actually has some pretty impressive pieces, most notably by Caravaggio who spent some time in Messina.
Here is a great site with all your options spelled out. The two options I will focus on are the bus and the train.
For either option, you must first get from the cruise terminal to the Messina Centrale station. When coming out of the port terminal building, take a left and keep walking. You will pass a large Martini sign and a gas station. When you see the Messina Maritima building, turn right, walk 150 m, then turn left. The train station will be in front of you.
The Train- if you take the train, you must get off at the Giardini-Naxos station, which is a small seaside village with beaches. To get up the hill to Taormina, you can take a taxi or a bus. The bus is 1.20 euros. There should be one every 30 minutes. The bus terminal is a 5-10 minute walk to the pedestrian area of Taormina.
The Bus- The terminal is across the street from the train terminal. The bus takes slightly longer than the train because of the stops, but does go all the way to Taormina. It costs 5 euros for one way.
For our opinions on Messina and Taormina, read our Messina/Taormina Port Review Page.
What to Do- Taormina
Greek Amphitheatre- Cost 8 euros. Open April to Sept 9-7 and Oct to March 9-4. Fairly well preserved amphitheatre ruins with amazing views. Pretty much the only thing to do in Taormina besides shop, so it is a must-do. Gets mobbed with tour group fairly quickly, so try to get there as early as possible.
Cable Car to Mazzara- Cost 1.80 euros one way or 3 euros return. Open Mon 9- 1 am, Tues-Sun 8- 1 am. Only about a 2 minutes ride, drops you at the beach, where you can walk out to Isola Bella.
What to Do- Messina
Museo Regionale- Cost 5 euros. Open Tues-Sat 9-1:30 and 4-6:30. (June-Sept) Sun 9-12:30. In Oct-May, the museum is open 9-1:30 on Tues-Sat. and on Tues, Thurs and Sat, it reopens from 3-5:30. On Sunday during these months, it is open 9-12:30. This museum actually has some pretty impressive pieces, most notably by Caravaggio who spent some time in Messina.
