Situated in the northeastern corner of Sicily, Messina is the capital of the province of the same name. From here, ferries depart to connect the island to the mainland, crossing the eponymous strait to reach Villa San Giovanni in the Calabria region. For this reason, Messina has also been nicknamed the "Gateway to Sicily".

Although often overlooked in favor of other more famous and touristy towns, Messina has a well-kept city center with several attractions worth your attention. Throughout its history, the city has been struck by multiple natural disasters, the most recent being the great earthquake of 1908, which nearly wiped it off the map. As a result, today you will also see many modern buildings in Messina.