OK All You Italophiles! Cagliari & Messina?

[CathyCruises]

Our TA stops in Cagliari and Messina. Both somewhat less traveled and I don't recall reading much about either one here. Looking for ideas--we are DIYers unless there is some compelling reason to do an actual tour.

 

Any ideas appreciated!

 

Thx Cathy

[cruisemom42]

I do recall seeing some pretty good info on getting to Taormina from Messina on your own. Since CC search is down, I've taken to using Google and just adding the words "Cruise Critic" to my search terms and generally have been able to locate some helpful threads that way.

 

Similarly, I think I had posted some info on Cagliari on a thread here not that long ago. Google search might turn that one up too.

[CathyCruises]

Oh good idea, thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[knot knormal]

We went from Messina to Taormina on our own last time there. Train then bus. Easy to do. Cruisemom42 is right, once the search function is up and running there are DETAILED maps and information on how to do it. Since our cruise does not dock until 10 AM and the first train I saw was around 12:20 PM, we decided to book a private tour. Be aware that Taormina closes for the afternoon...anywhere from 1-2 PM for 3-4 hours, another reason for the private tour. Taormina is quite lovely.

[mbeginner]

Our TA stops in Cagliari and Messina. Both somewhat less traveled and I don't recall reading much about either one here. Looking for ideas--we are DIYers unless there is some compelling reason to do an actual tour.

 

Any ideas appreciated!

 

Thx Cathy

 

 

Cagliari

 

Castello is the historical part of the city. It's located on top of a hill and has stunning views over the Gulf of Cagliari

Cathedral 'Santa Maria' (Pisan style) is a cathedral dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was built in the 12th century and has a beautiful interior with Baroque ornaments.

Amphitheater from the Roman period. It was built in the 2nd century A.D. and now used as a backdrop for spectacles in the open air.

Botanical garden with more than 2,000 types of plants. It's located near the University of Cagliari and covers more than five acres.

Cittadella dei Musei is an old military arsenal. It's one of the most important museums in the world for the Nuragica civilization.

 

It's possible to walk from the docking area to the city center. It's a 15 minutes walk. In the port is a lot of traffic because of the many cargo ships and ferries. So be extra careful.

The Port Authority of Cagliari offers a free shuttle bus from your cruise ship to the roundabout at Piazza Matteotti, close to the train station and bus terminal. It's just a short distance, but it's much safer to take the bus. From Piazza Matteotti you can easily walk into the city.

 

Excursions from the Cagliari

 

Nora - According to legend, Nora was the first city of Sardinia. Now, it is an archaeological site located about 40 kilometers southwest of Cagliari. Here, you can find Punic and Roman remains. There is a forum, theater and baths. Given the fact that some parts of Southern Sardinia disappeared in the sea, a large part of the site is now situated under water.The entrance to the archaeological zone is located on the north side, next to a military site. At the entrance runs an old Roman road towards the forum.

Public bus from Cagliari to Nora - At the ARST bus terminal ( located at Piazza Matteotti https://maps.google.hr/maps?q=Piazza+Matteotti++Cagliari,+CA,+Italija&hl=hr&ll=39.215398,9.109817&spn=0.002128,0.004646&sll=39.215364,9.109147&sspn=0.008512,0.018582&hnear=Piazza+Giacomo+Matteotti,+Cagliari,+Sardegna,+Italija&t=m&z=18&iwloc=A) you can take bus N°129 to Pula. From the bus stop in Pula it's about 3 km to the archaeological site of Nora. You can walk, take a bus or taxi. Between Cagliari and Pula run 1-2 buses per hour. The journey takes 50 minutes and costs € 3 per person (one way). Check the timetable of bus N°129 before you leave. Buy your ticket in advance at the ticket office. On the bus you pay € 1 more.

 

The sandy beach of Poetto (Spiaggia del Poetto) is 8 kilometers long and is located at about 6 km from Cagliari.PF and PQ buses run every 10-20 minutes from Via Roma to Poetto beach. The journey takes 15 minutes and costs € 1,20 per person (valid for 90 minutes after validation). The bus stop at Via Roma is within walking distance of the cruise port. The buses run very frequent, but it's always good to check the timetable in advance. https://maps.google.hr/maps?q=Via+Roma,+Cagliari,+CA,+Italija&hl=hr&ll=39.214866,9.109962&spn=0.008578,0.018582&sll=45.852717,15.963135&sspn=0.48973,1.18927&oq=Via+Roma+Cagliari&hnear=Via+Roma,+Cagliari,+Italija&t=m&z=16

 

Messina

 

Doumo of Messina is a cathedral dating from the 12th century. It's bell tower holds one of the largest astronomical clock in the world

Fountain of Orion it's a beautiful fountain located in Piazza Duomo. Fontain is dating from 1547 and created by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli

Annunziata dei Catalani is the second important church of Messina. It's dating from the 12th century

Santa Maria degli Alemanni it's a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Santa Maria degli Alemanni is dating from the 13th century.

Lighthouse of Messina is dating from 1555 and was built by G. Angelo da Montorsoli

You dock so close to the city center that you can explore everything on foot. Leave the small cruise terminal and cross the Via Vittorio Emmanuele II. The famous Duomo, one of the highlights, is just a few hundred meters from your cruise ship.

 

Excursions from the Messina

 

Taormina - For many, Taormina is the most beautiful place in Sicily. The early settlement was founded by the Greeks from Syracuse. Later, the city experienced great prosperity under the Romans. In the 19th century, it became a tourist attraction.

 

With a combination of train and public bus from Messina you can easily reach Taormina. A train ride from Messina Centrale to Taormina-Giardini costs € 4 per person (one way) and takes between 40 minutes and 1 hour. In the morning the trains run less frequent than in the afternoon. Check the train timetable before you leave.Messina train station is situated on Piazza della Republica (https://maps.google.hr/maps?saddr=Via+Vittorio+Emanuele+II&daddr=38.1873877,15.5588334+to:Via+del+Vespro&hl=hr&sll=38.19094,15.5581&sspn=0.01727,0.037165&geocode=FUPVRgIda2TtAA%3BFXuxRgIdsWjtACmTvUILek4UEzEF6APbcoU6ag%3BFTGoRgIdzG7tAA&dirflg=w&mra=dme&mrsp=2&sz=15&via=1&t=m&z=15 ) , within walking distance of your docking area. Walk from your cruise ship along the dock toward the ferry terminal. Just before the Stazione Marittima go right. There is the train station.In Taormina itself is no train station. Therefore get off at Taormina-Giardini train station. Just outside the station you can take the public bus (Interbus) to the center of Taormina. The journey takes about 20 minutes and costs € 1.80 per person (one way). There run 2-3 buses per hour. Taormina center is pedestrianized. The bus park is a few minutes walk from the city center.

 

There's a good bus connection between Messina and Taormina. The journey takes 1h45min and costs € 4.10 per person (one way). The bus (Interbus) takes you directly to the parking lot close to the center of Taormina so you don't have to change transport.The bus stop in Messina is situated near the train station on Piazza della Repbublica within walking distance of your cruise ship. During the morning and siesta in the afternoon, the frequency of the buses is slightly lower. You can consult the Interbus timetable in advance.

 

I hope that will help

Edited March 3, 2014 by mbeginner

[CathyCruises]

Cagliari

 

Castello is the historical part of the city. It's located on top of a hill and has stunning views over the Gulf of Cagliari

Cathedral 'Santa Maria' (Pisan style) is a cathedral dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was built in the 12th century and has a beautiful interior with Baroque ornaments.

Amphitheater from the Roman period. It was built in the 2nd century A.D. and now used as a backdrop for spectacles in the open air.

Botanical garden with more than 2,000 types of plants. It's located near the University of Cagliari and covers more than five acres.

Cittadella dei Musei is an old military arsenal. It's one of the most important museums in the world for the Nuragica civilization.

 

It's possible to walk from the docking area to the city center. It's a 15 minutes walk. In the port is a lot of traffic because of the many cargo ships and ferries. So be extra careful.

The Port Authority of Cagliari offers a free shuttle bus from your cruise ship to the roundabout at Piazza Matteotti, close to the train station and bus terminal. It's just a short distance, but it's much safer to take the bus. From Piazza Matteotti you can easily walk into the city.

 

Excursions from the Cagliari

 

Nora - According to legend, Nora was the first city of Sardinia. Now, it is an archaeological site located about 40 kilometers southwest of Cagliari. Here, you can find Punic and Roman remains. There is a forum, theater and baths. Given the fact that some parts of Southern Sardinia disappeared in the sea, a large part of the site is now situated under water.The entrance to the archaeological zone is located on the north side, next to a military site. At the entrance runs an old Roman road towards the forum.

Public bus from Cagliari to Nora - At the ARST bus terminal ( located at Piazza Matteotti https://maps.google.hr/maps?q=Piazza+Matteotti++Cagliari,+CA,+Italija&hl=hr&ll=39.215398,9.109817&spn=0.002128,0.004646&sll=39.215364,9.109147&sspn=0.008512,0.018582&hnear=Piazza+Giacomo+Matteotti,+Cagliari,+Sardegna,+Italija&t=m&z=18&iwloc=A) you can take bus N°129 to Pula. From the bus stop in Pula it's about 3 km to the archaeological site of Nora. You can walk, take a bus or taxi. Between Cagliari and Pula run 1-2 buses per hour. The journey takes 50 minutes and costs € 3 per person (one way). Check the timetable of bus N°129 before you leave. Buy your ticket in advance at the ticket office. On the bus you pay € 1 more.

 

The sandy beach of Poetto (Spiaggia del Poetto) is 8 kilometers long and is located at about 6 km from Cagliari.PF and PQ buses run every 10-20 minutes from Via Roma to Poetto beach. The journey takes 15 minutes and costs € 1,20 per person (valid for 90 minutes after validation). The bus stop at Via Roma is within walking distance of the cruise port. The buses run very frequent, but it's always good to check the timetable in advance. https://maps.google.hr/maps?q=Via+Roma,+Cagliari,+CA,+Italija&hl=hr&ll=39.214866,9.109962&spn=0.008578,0.018582&sll=45.852717,15.963135&sspn=0.48973,1.18927&oq=Via+Roma+Cagliari&hnear=Via+Roma,+Cagliari,+Italija&t=m&z=16

 

Messina

 

Doumo of Messina is a cathedral dating from the 12th century. It's bell tower holds one of the largest astronomical clock in the world

Fountain of Orion it's a beautiful fountain located in Piazza Duomo. Fontain is dating from 1547 and created by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli

Annunziata dei Catalani is the second important church of Messina. It's dating from the 12th century

Santa Maria degli Alemanni it's a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Santa Maria degli Alemanni is dating from the 13th century.

Lighthouse of Messina is dating from 1555 and was built by G. Angelo da Montorsoli

You dock so close to the city center that you can explore everything on foot. Leave the small cruise terminal and cross the Via Vittorio Emmanuele II. The famous Duomo, one of the highlights, is just a few hundred meters from your cruise ship.

 

Excursions from the Messina

 

Taormina - For many, Taormina is the most beautiful place in Sicily. The early settlement was founded by the Greeks from Syracuse. Later, the city experienced great prosperity under the Romans. In the 19th century, it became a tourist attraction.

 

With a combination of train and public bus from Messina you can easily reach Taormina. A train ride from Messina Centrale to Taormina-Giardini costs € 4 per person (one way) and takes between 40 minutes and 1 hour. In the morning the trains run less frequent than in the afternoon. Check the train timetable before you leave.Messina train station is situated on Piazza della Republica (https://maps.google.hr/maps?saddr=Via+Vittorio+Emanuele+II&daddr=38.1873877,15.5588334+to:Via+del+Vespro&hl=hr&sll=38.19094,15.5581&sspn=0.01727,0.037165&geocode=FUPVRgIda2TtAA%3BFXuxRgIdsWjtACmTvUILek4UEzEF6APbcoU6ag%3BFTGoRgIdzG7tAA&dirflg=w&mra=dme&mrsp=2&sz=15&via=1&t=m&z=15 ) , within walking distance of your docking area. Walk from your cruise ship along the dock toward the ferry terminal. Just before the Stazione Marittima go right. There is the train station.In Taormina itself is no train station. Therefore get off at Taormina-Giardini train station. Just outside the station you can take the public bus (Interbus) to the center of Taormina. The journey takes about 20 minutes and costs € 1.80 per person (one way). There run 2-3 buses per hour. Taormina center is pedestrianized. The bus park is a few minutes walk from the city center.

 

There's a good bus connection between Messina and Taormina. The journey takes 1h45min and costs € 4.10 per person (one way). The bus (Interbus) takes you directly to the parking lot close to the center of Taormina so you don't have to change transport.The bus stop in Messina is situated near the train station on Piazza della Repbublica within walking distance of your cruise ship. During the morning and siesta in the afternoon, the frequency of the buses is slightly lower. You can consult the Interbus timetable in advance.

 

I hope that will help

 

Wow!!! That is great information--thank you so much!!! Both places sound wonderful, I have been to Corsica and to Sicily before but not to Messina. This will be really fun!

[cougfan]

Hi Cathy,

 

We visited Messina on our first Med cruise. We walked off the ship and went to the small Regional Museum that is a mile or so away from where the ship docked. We then went to the Cathedral, walked up the bell tower and then walked back down in order to watch the Astronomical clock at noon. After this we went back to the ship for lunch and took a ships' tour to Taormina. This tour was basically a bus ride to the town and a short walking tour up to the Greek Amphitheater (Teatro Greco). I really enjoyed our day in Messina.

 

Julie

[CathyCruises]

Hi Cathy,

 

We visited Messina on our first Med cruise. We walked off the ship and went to the small Regional Museum that is a mile or so away from where the ship docked. We then went to the Cathedral, walked up the bell tower and then walked back down in order to watch the Astronomical clock at noon. After this we went back to the ship for lunch and took a ships' tour to Taormina. This tour was basically a bus ride to the town and a short walking tour up to the Greek Amphitheater (Teatro Greco). I really enjoyed our day in Messina.

 

Julie

 

Thanks. I'm curious though. A previous poster said the bus ride was 1 hour 45 minutes to Taormina, but you did it as an afternoon tour? Was the ride that long? Seems like you would have gotten back awfully late. . .

[cougfan]

Hi Cathy,

 

We took a ships tour, so the bus went straight to Taormina. If you take the local bus you have all the stops to pick up and drop off people. It would take longer.

 

Julie

[CathyCruises]

Thanks. I am looking into a tour to save the 1 hour 45 minute bus trip each way!!

[dln929]

Our TA stops in Cagliari and Messina. Both somewhat less traveled and I don't recall reading much about either one here. Looking for ideas--we are DIYers unless there is some compelling reason to do an actual tour.

 

Any ideas appreciated!

 

Thx Cathy

 

Did you lose your other thread about Cagliari? Here it is: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1976253

 

As to Messina, we rented a car there last October. It wasn't unreasonable in price and the rental office is just across the street from the ship. The roads are well marked and in good condition. We were able to go to Taormina and afterwards to plenty of adorable little hill towns that you can reach only by car. That alone was worth it. I would consider car rental if you want to get a glimpse of the real Sicily.

[CathyCruises]

Did you lose your other thread about Cagliari? Here it is: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1976253

 

As to Messina, we rented a car there last October. It wasn't unreasonable in price and the rental office is just across the street from the ship. The roads are well marked and in good condition. We were able to go to Taormina and afterwards to plenty of adorable little hill towns that you can reach only by car. That alone was worth it. I would consider car rental if you want to get a glimpse of the real Sicily.

 

I DID lose it! Thank you for finding it for me! And the rental car idea is very intriguing. Someone else posted that it was horrible driving--good to have another perspective. Thanks!

[Hlitner]

Actually, the OP might be surprised to find that Messina is a pretty common cruise ship port of call (we have been there on 6 cruises). Since we are confirmed DIYers we want to support the OP. A big issue regarding Messina is how long your ship is in port...because some ships make this a relatively short stop. A majority of first time visitors will go to Taormina (a cliff top popular tourist destination) to browse the shops, eat lunch, and visit the well preserved Greco-Roman Amphitheater. Getting there on your own is possible by using a train to bus or taxi, a rental car, or even a regional bus. A rental car opens the most possibilities since you could also drive up to Castelmola (a bit of a scary drive) which is a charming small village where you can get some great views of Mt Etna (far in the distance). Going to Etna is also an option (it has been active recently).

 

As to Cagliari, this is a much less visited port. You might want to consider just spending some time walking around some of the city and turning part of your port day into a Beach Day.

 

Hank

[dln929]

I DID lose it! Thank you for finding it for me! And the rental car idea is very intriguing. Someone else posted that it was horrible driving--good to have another perspective. Thanks!

 

Okay, here's the lowdown about driving in Sicily. It's a little bit tricky getting out of Messina because it's a city like any other and it's congested. However, once you get out of it and onto the main highway, you're fine. You must--and I cannot emphasize this enough--have a GPS in your rental car. Don't take a car that doesn't have one!!! Stick to the main roads. We went to the lovely Castelmola above Taormina and the hill town of Forza d'Agro. Absolutely breathtaking. On the way back to the ship, we took the coastal roads. For the views. BIG MISTAKE. DO NOT DO THIS. Stick to the main roads!!!! The coastal road is narrow, twisted in places, full of stops, full of everything that will make you tear your hair out and wish that you had never gotten in the car to start with. Stick to the main roads and you will have a memorable, happy day. Trust me on this one.