Accessible Things to Do in Messina, Sicily

Messina often gets overlooked by travellers as it's most known for being a port for cruise ships. But if you’re rolling, strolling, or simply planning an accessible itinerary through Sicily, this northeastern port city rewards anyone who takes the time to explore it. With level promenades, wide piazzas, and surprisingly smooth transport links, Messina may be one of the easiest Sicilian cities to navigate.

Getting to Messina: Train Travel From Palermo

If you’re approaching Messina from elsewhere on the island, chances are you’re coming from Palermo. The good news? The train journey between Palermo and Messina is one of the most scenic on the island and takes around 3–3.5 hours.

What to expect:

• Step-free stations: Palermo Centrale and Messina Centrale both have lift access to platforms.

• Train types: Most direct trains on this route are Regionale services. Many have low-floor carriages or portable ramps, though it’s wise to request assistance using the Sala Blu app.

• The route: The train ride runs along the northern coastline of Sicily, passing fishing villages, craggy cliffs, and long stretches of sea.

• Arrival: Once you reach Messina Centrale, you’re only a flat, 15 minute roll or walk from the harbor and the Duomo. The station exits onto wide pavements that make navigating the area relatively simple.

Campanile del Duomo di Messina

The showstopper of Messina is the Campanile del Duomo, an astronomical clock tower whose golden mechanical figures burst into motion every day at noon. Lions roar, angels turn, roosters crow—it’s eccentric, beautiful, and very Sicilian.

Accessibility:

• The cathedral square is flat, mostly smooth, and easy to navigate.

• The tower climb is stairs only but the spectacle is designed to be watched from outside anyway.

• The surrounding cafés have outdoor seating on level ground, so you can enjoy a granita while waiting for the noon performance.

If you visit no other landmark in Messina, make it this one.

Fontana di Nettuno: Neptune’s Fountain by the Sea

From the Duomo, a short, straightforward route leads you to Fontana di Nettuno, a marble masterpiece framed by ships in the harbor and the mountains of Calabria across the strait.

Accessibility:

• The plaza around the fountain is open, level, and incredibly photogenic.

• Nearby benches and shade make it a comfortable rest stop.

• The waterfront promenade is wide and paved—perfect for rolling or strolling with uninterrupted sea views.

  
  

Why Messina Belongs on Your Accessible Sicily List

Whether you’ve arrived by cruise ship or travelled on the coastal train from Palermo, Messina's attractions are both central and level; with its waterfront designed for lingering; and its atmosphere is relaxed rather than rushed.

Read more about our picks of the best accessible places to visit in Palermo, Sicily here.