Overview Sicily, which is a part of Italy today, was once its own country. Particularly rich in culture, architecture, cuisine, history and art, Sicily is a great place to visit.
Palermo and Messina are cities in Sicily which are sometimes visited during a Europe cruise.
The city Messina is the capital city of the province of Messina. It is the third largest city in Sicily and is filled with fountains, cathedrals and a few museums. Many cruisers opt to travel to nearby attractions, rather than staying in Messina (see below for more details).
Palermo is the capital city of the both the province of Palermo and of Sicily itself. It is a historic city, well known for its cuisine, culture and architecture.
Destinations Some of Sicily's cities (as explained above) are included on select European cruise itineraries.
Cruise Lines Departing Here
None of the cities in Sicily are used as a departure port by the major cruise lines.
Currency The official currency is the Euro. ATM machines are available, but make sure you use one that works with the card you're using. ATM machines will usually give you a better exchange rate than a bank or hotel. Using a credit card is a great way to avoid having to exchange currency.
Language The official language of Italy is Italian. However, you'll find English speakers in the tourist areas.
Tourist Attractions Palermo
Palermo is particularly well known for its Norman buildings, a style of Romanesque architecture. Among the famous buildings are various churches, palaces and museums.
The Cathedral of Palermo is a famous 12th century church in Palermo that is located at Corso Vittorio Emanuele, on the corner of Via Matteo Bonello.
The Palazzo dei Normanni is one of the nicest palaces in all of Italy. This palace was the seat of the Kings of Sicily, and is the home of the famous Cappella Palatina (the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily). Since 1946 the palace has housed the Sicilian Regional Assembly.
The Teatro Massimo, originally opened in 1897, is the largest theater in Italy and third largest opera house in Europe. It is located on the Piazza Verdi and was dedicated to King Emanuel II. The final scenes of the film Godfather Part III were filmed there.
Messina
The city of Messina itself is not a very popular destination for cruisers. In Messina there is a museum (nearby the port), a clock tower and the Duomo.
Most people that go on a cruise that ports in Messina travel to a nearby place of interest. One such place is Taormina, a small (very hilly) town located about 25 miles from Messina, where you can walk around, check out the Greek Theatre (Teatro Greco), eat and shop. Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, is located about 45 minutes (driving) from Taormina and is a popular tourist attraction.
Port Location Palermo The cruise port in Palermo is located right by the city's downtown area.
Messina
The cruise port in Messina is located about 25 miles from the popular tourist town of Taormina.
