Arriving on a cruise ship

Have just been informed a few minutes ago we are going to Messina, Sicily, on Tuesday instead of Sardinia - and id all our research for Sardinia. Now no idea what to do in Messina - is it easy to wander into a town by walking from the port? Is it suitable for a toddler in a buggy?

Any other ideas will be welcome!

Have just been informed a few minutes ago we are going to Messina, Sicily, on Tuesday instead of Sardinia - and id all our research for Sardinia. Now no idea what to do in Messina - is it easy to wander into a town by walking from the port? Is it suitable for a toddler in a buggy?

Any other ideas will be welcome!

Yes, you will dock at the heart of Messina. And you will find city streets and sidewalks immediately. So you can easily just walk off the ship and explore central Messina. Having said that, it's pretty much just a city. I have not walked to see it, but the Bell Tower at the Cathedral is on of (maybe THE) top sites people mention.

http://www.messinarte.it/the-bell-tower-of-the-cathedral-of-messina/

It's definitely walkable from the ship.

If you can arrange an excursion at this point, many people go to the quaint town of Taormina for it's shops, cafes, Greek theatre and scenic views of Mt. Etna and the Mediterranean. It's not all that easy to reach via public transit and is a bit far to use taxi (affordably).

It's easy to take the train from Messina to Taormina, but they you'll need either a bus or a taxi to get up from the train station into the town on the top of the hill.

If the ship offers it, do a Taormina on your own where they simply offer transportation. This is a wonderful place to walk and one Main Street with lots of side passages. Visit the Roman theater. Yes you could do it all OYO but you have not been given much time to plan and figure that out.

The theatre in Taormina is very well preserved, it has an amazing view of Etna on a clear day and it's Greek in origin. It's well worth a visit: http://www.comune.taormina.me.it/la-citt/monumenti/teatro-greco.aspx

Definitely can concur: Taormina is worth the trip if you can make it!!!