Milazzo
A port town on Sicily's northeast coast and the main departure point for ferries to the Aeolian Islands, with a castle and a rocky cape.
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Milazzo is a coastal town on a peninsula in north-eastern Sicily, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, about 43 km from Messina. Its port is the main departure point for ferries and hydrofoils to the Aeolian Islands, with links to Naples and Ustica. Greeks founded the town around 716 BC as Mylae, and in its bay Gaius Duilius won Rome's first naval victory over the Carthaginians in 260 BC. Garibaldi's forces won the Battle of Milazzo on July 20, 1860, a key step toward the unification of Italy.
The castle began under Arab and Norman rule, was strengthened by Frederick II and later walled by the Spanish. It covers more than 7 hectares and is a national and European Union heritage site. Inside the walls, the old town holds churches and noble palaces. At the tip of Capo Milazzo, a marine reserve set up in 2019, the Piscina di Venere is a natural pool. Strong winds are most common in autumn and winter, while the climate stays mild all year.
Milazzo in five
- Sleep here the night before an Aeolian ferryHydrofoils and ferries leave early in season, and a night in Milazzo avoids a rushed arrival from Catania or Messina. Check operator sites for departure times and the pier your ticket names.
- Book island boats before you arrive in summerJuly and August departures fill, and some services run only on certain days. Compare operators before choosing your base island.Sicily travel guide
- Walk Capo MilazzoThe cape trail runs from the town to a rocky headland with sea views and a natural pool. Bring water and sturdy shoes, and check conditions after storms.
- Visit the castle earlyThe hilltop castle and walled town are a short climb from the harbor. Check the official site for opening hours and tickets, and avoid the hottest hours in summer.
- Reach Milazzo by train or bus from MessinaRegional trains from Messina take about 40 minutes. From Catania, allow about 2 hours by train or bus. Check timetables for Sundays.Messina travel guide
Need to know
- Airport
- Catania (CTA) about 2 hours; Reggio Calabria and Palermo farther
- Getting there
- Train or bus from Messina in about 40 minutes
- Getting around
- Walking; local buses to the cape; boats for the islands
- Best base
- Near the port for early ferries
- Time needed
- 1 night as a stop; 2 with the cape and castle
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low9°Mild, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 112 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Mild, rainFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°SpringMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Warm, boats startAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, boats start
- MayClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Island seasonMayClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Island season
- JuneClear5 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Beach seasonJuneClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach season
- JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Hot, ferries fullJulyClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, ferries full
- AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Peak, bookedAugustClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak, booked
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Warm seaSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh22°Low18°MildOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh18°Low14°WetNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Mild, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, lights
Average daily high and low in Milazzo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Milazzo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 14°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 78%
Milazzo
12:23 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today20°14°78%Tuesday: Rain. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Wed20°13°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu21°15°24%Thursday: Rain. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Fri21°17°24%Friday: Rain. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Sat23°18°20%Saturday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Sun23°17°20%Sunday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 20%.
Updated 11:41 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Before you go to Milazzo
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Rules for Milazzo, checked
- Non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check your eligibility on the Italian visa portal before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Dress modestly in churches and sanctuaries in Milazzo, including the Duomo Nuovo and Sant'Antonio on the cape.
- Antiques and cultural objects may need an export licence to leave the EU. Check with the Italian Ministry of Culture before you buy at fairs.
- Capo Milazzo is a marine reserve set up in 2019. Follow its posted rules at the Piscina di Venere and along the cape.
Plan around Milazzo
Where the Aeolian Islands fit in a trip
Read the guideMessinaThe gateway city 40 minutes away
Read the guideCefalùA beach town farther along the coast
Read the guideGiardini-NaxosThe east coast beach base
Read the guideAll of ItalyCities, coasts, lakes and the Alps
Read the guideEES, explainedPassport checks at Schengen borders
Read the guideMilazzo FAQ
Is Milazzo worth visiting?
As a stop before the Aeolian Islands, yes. It has a castle, a cape trail and a seafront, but it is a port town and most visitors stay one night. Spend longer on the islands.
How do I get to the Aeolian Islands from Milazzo?
By hydrofoil or ferry from the port, with services varying by season and island. Check operator sites for timetables, and book summer departures ahead. Hydrofoils are faster, and ferries are cheaper and take cars.
How do I get to Milazzo from Catania?
By regional train or bus, about 2 hours. A car makes it easier, but plan to park near the port. Check timetables on Sundays, when services run less often.
Should I stay in Milazzo or on the islands?
Stay in Milazzo only for the night before or after a crossing. For island time, sleep on Lipari, Vulcano or another island, where you can reach beaches and trails on foot.
What can I do in Milazzo in half a day?
Walk up to the castle and the old walled town, then follow the cape trail toward Capo Milazzo. Bring water and sturdy shoes. Check opening hours for the castle before you go.