Messina Walking Tour: Arab-Norman Sites & Puppet Museum

Discover the highlights of Messina on a 2-hour walking tour. Visit Cathedral Square, Catalani Church, Vittorio Emanuele Gallery, and more. Don’t miss the Sanctuary of Montalto and the Shrine of Christ the King.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Annunziata dei Catalani Church - is one of the few great monuments that have resisted earthquakes and the fury of incendiary bombs of war events,
  • Municipio di Messina - The biggest palace ever rebuilt after the earthquake of 1908.
  • Galleria Vittorio Emanuele III - built by the architect Camilo Puglisi Allegra in between 1924 and 1929
    -…
What's Included
  • Professional guide
  • Tasting of typical Sicilian products
  • Entrance fee to the Museum of Sicilian Puppet Theater
What's Not Included
  • Food and Drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Additional Information

Your 2.5-hour walking tour begins at the Catalani Church, a prime example of Arab-Norman architecture. Next, you’ll head to the City Hall, the largest palace reconstructed after the 1908 earthquake. The Vittorio Emanuele Gallery, situated in Antonello Square, is the second largest in Southern Italy.
A highlight of the tour is Cathedral Square, featuring…

Location
Terminal Crociere
The guide will meet you OUT OF THE EXIT GATE of the ship terminal wearing an orange scarf and a signboard with our logo: A LION HEAD.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(234 Ratings)
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Sandy_e
Apr 25, 2025
Great walking tour of Messina. Well worth it. - Great way to see the highlights. Chiara was a wealth of knowledge! There wasn't any question she couldn't answer. The treat at the bakery at the end was wonderful!
Review provided by Viator
Francisco
Apr 24, 2025
Messina Walking Tour - Chiara's explanations and sympathy were exceptional. Highly recommended. The excursion was two hours and was with us 3 hours answering all our doubts.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paula_p
Apr 19, 2025
Enjoyable small group tour - Our guide Chiara too her job very seriously. The tour had interesting elements like the puppet museum and it was timed perfectly to see the clock go off at noon. Plus, we got to try yummy cannolos at the end of the tour! She used audio devices so that we could hear easily.
Review provided by Viator
Ld29
Apr 16, 2025
Walking Tour of Messina - Claudio was an excellent guide. He gave a detailed tour of the centre of the city. The noon hour presentation at the Duomo was memorable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer_b
Apr 4, 2025
Do It - A enjoyable paced, informative walk seeing the highlights of Messina. Our tour guide, Chiara, was friendly. Perfectly timed to see the bell tower performance. Easy to meet up with, especially given their advanced messaging.
Review provided by Viator
Sasha_f
Mar 26, 2025
Fun short tour with... - Fun short tour with Mariaritta of the city of Messina. Mariarita shared with us her love of Messina, with lots of tidbits about the citys history from ancient time up to today. We saw a few of the monuments of the city and some of the historic buildings, and ended the tour at a delicious gelato place for a taste of the Big Cannolo.
Review provided by Viator
Valerio
Mar 5, 2025
Very interesting! - Excellent Chiara, our guide! He informed us and explained countless aspects of the city, its history, its particular places. Congratulations! Valerio and Monica.
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Scott_b
Feb 7, 2025
Great tour of the city area. - We booked a short walking tour 2.5 hours due to our limited time, this tour covered all the sights within walking distance of our port. The tour guide was great and I would definitely recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Tiffany_h
Jan 31, 2025
Chiara was a great guide... - Chiara was a great guide in Messina and very knowledgeable. The cathedral was beautiful and the cannolis at the end of the tour may be the best I’ve ever tasted
Review provided by Viator
177tamiw
Nov 16, 2024
Nice stroll around Messina - We enjoyed our Messina walking tour with our guide Claudio. He was knowledgeable and kept a good pace for our group. We had a nice break for that included a treat. Glad he got us to the square in time for the church bells! This tour was on mostly flat ground.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $47
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).