Ferries to Villa San Giovanni (Calabria)

The Caronte & Tourist ferries to Villa San Giovanni ensure daily connections from Messina to all passengers, from commuters to tourists.

Villa San Giovanni is our historical harbour of reference, a key hub for connecting to the Strait of Messina.

From Sicily to Calabria, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, with 168 daily journeys, we navigate to allow you to conveniently reach your destination. Our fully-renovated ferries guarantee fast and comfortable navigation.

The city of the "Philosopher's head"

Villa San Giovanni owes its name to King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon who, by a decree in 1789, ended the dispute between the families of the local nobility. Until that time, in fact, the city had been known by a number of names.

Nestled along the coast, Villa San Giovanni is characterised by its proximity to the coast of mountain ranges, from where you can admire unique scenery such as that of the Strait of Messina and the north-east coast of Sicily.

In 1969 in the hamlet of Porticello, the wreckage of a Greek ship was found along with important discoveries, including the "Philosopher's head", a Bronze sculpture from the 5th century BC. Considered one of the most important archaeological treasures in Italy, it is displayed in the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia in Reggio Calabria, in the same room that houses the "Riace bronzes".

Reconstructed after the devastating earthquake of 1908, the town centre of the city hosts the Cathedral, dedicated to Most Holy Immaculate Mary. Renovated in 1929 in Gothic-Norman style, the church features a rich façade with oriental-style decorations and a Latin cross-section divided into three naves. Inside, one can admire an interesting mosaic depicting Christ and a series of sixty-two tempera works by the painter Tassinari di Avezzano.