Capo d'Orlando Destination in Sicily · Province of Messina

Capo d'Orlando is a seaside town on the north coast of Sicily in the province of Messina, about 80 kilometers from the city of Messina. The municipality has roughly 14 kilometers of coast with sandy beaches, and a long seafront promenade where people walk and eat dinner.

Where is Capo d'Orlando and how do you get there?

The town sits on a narrow coastal plain between the sea and the hills. A little over 13,000 people live here, and the population doubles in summer. By car, take the A20 Messina–Palermo highway. Two exits serve the town: Brolo–Capo d'Orlando Est and Rocca di Capri Leone–Capo d'Orlando Ovest. Capo d'Orlando–Naso station is on the Messina–Palermo railroad, so you can also arrive by train.

Things to see in Capo d'Orlando

Monte della Madonna rises above the town, crowned by the Sanctuary of Maria SS. di Capo d'Orlando. The church was built in 1600 and is known for its star-shaped wooden ceiling. The 14th-century Castello Bastione now houses a cultural center.

The Roman past shows in the district of Bagnoli, where baths from the 3rd and 4th centuries have mosaic floors. The Cave del Mercadante are a second archaeological area. Both fit easily into a day that also includes the sanctuary.

Where does the name come from, and what is the town's history?

The name may go back to the medieval paladin Orlando, who, according to tradition, stopped here on a crusade. Much earlier, the ancient Greek town of Agatirno stood on the site. In 1299 a naval battle of the War of the Sicilian Vespers was fought off this coast.

Until 1925 Capo d'Orlando was part of Naso; it became a municipality in its own right on August 1, 1925. Fishing, sugar and silk once supported the local population. Today the economy rests on tourism, trade and services.

The beach, the promenade and the harbor

The sandy beach runs the length of the town, with the promenade alongside it. This is where you go for an evening stroll by the water and for dinner. The yacht harbor is in the district of San Gregorio, and from its marina the Aeolian Islands are 14 nautical miles away (as of 2026).

The town also has a basketball tradition: the club Orlandina Basket played in Serie A from 2005 to 2008.

Day trips nearby

A short way inland lies Piraino. Its viewpoint, La Guardiola, looks out to the Aeolian Islands. The hills behind Capo d'Orlando belong to the Nebrodi, the mountain range between this stretch of coast and the interior.

When to go

Long-term data for the north coast near Palermo (air 1995–2024, sea 2023–2025) give a good guide. In July and August daytime highs reach about 30 °C (86 °F) and the sea is close to 28 °C (82 °F). The water is around 24 °C (75 °F) in June and still about 26 °C (79 °F) in September. In October, air and sea are both a little above 23 °C (74 °F). May brings highs of about 23 °C (73 °F) with the sea near 19.5 °C (67 °F), and January highs are around 14 °C (57 °F). For swimming, June through October works best. Spring and fall suit visits to the churches, the Roman baths and walks in the hinterland.