Civitavecchia may not be a place with which you are familiar. However, if you’ve booked a Mediterranean cruise with a stop in Rome (or starting from Rome), it is more than likely that Civitavecchia port will be where your cruise ship will dock. Civitavecchia is located on the west coast of Italy and about 80km northwest of Rome; therefore, many cruise guests will opt to travel to the capital and enjoy its numerous remarkable sights.
However, if time is a little short or you don’t fancy the transfer, the town of Civitavecchia, with its historical sights and charming seafront promenade, is a pleasant place to enjoy a few relaxing hours. Our guide below will help you make the most of your time here, whichever option you choose.
What to expect when you arrive at Civitavecchia cruise port
Most cruise ships will arrive and depart from Rome Cruise Terminal (RCT). As the port is quite expansive, you can take a free shuttle service from your cruise pier to Largo della Pace, the information and transit point. The shuttles operate regularly and are timed with the arrival of the cruise ships, enabling easy and quick movement around the port.
Generally, cruise ships docking just for the day will use a berth that does not have a terminal building. However, most of the services or amenities you may require can be found at Largo della Pace. These include tourist information, toilets, buses to Rome, shuttles to the railway station, taxis, car rental and local tour operators.
If you wish to stay in the local vicinity, the town of Civitavecchia and its attractions are about a mile from the cruise port and within walking distance. However, there are also plenty of taxis and local buses that you can take there.
With Rome around 80km southeast of Civitavecchia, the train is a fast and cost-effective way to get there. Civitavecchia train station is approximately 15 minutes walk from Largo della Pace. There are also shuttles, public buses every 20 minutes, which take less than 10 minutes, and local taxis. The local train service from Civitavecchia to Rome typically runs twice an hour and takes between 70-80 minutes. There are also faster but less frequent services available. A one-way fare generally costs from €4.60 for the local service to around €16 for the inter-city options. Alternatively, you can book an excursion to Rome, with many operators offering a private escorted shuttle from the port to Civitavecchia train station and an express train ticket to Rome.
Things to do in Civitavecchia
Civitavecchia is an inviting place to explore, with its charming blend of historical interest in the old town centre and a modern culture of bars, restaurants and shopping. The seafront and the Marina are a hub of activity in the summer. Head to the Piazza della Vita, where there are often events, concerts, street food and activities for children.
This area is also right in front of Fort Michelangelo, a historic four-towered building whose first stone was blessed and placed by Pope Julius II in 1508. Surrounded by a pedestrian walkway lined with verdant lawns and colourful flora, it is a pleasant place to walk when you disembark from the ship. The Taurine Baths in the north of the town are also worth a visit. These fascinating ancient Roman ruins consist of tanks, and massage rooms, ornately decorated with mosaics and friezes.
For some authentic Italian culture, wander over to Civitavecchia (or San Lorenzo) Market, where local people come to buy their fresh fruit, vegetables and fish from the bustling market stalls. There is also a good selection of bars and pizzerias here, where you can sit back, relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Nearby places to visit
Rome, of course, is the main attraction for cruise guests wanting to explore outside of Civitavecchia. With over 3,000 years of history, world-renowned art and iconic architecture, you could spend a week here and only see a small proportion of what’s on offer. As a cruise guest with often only hours to take in this immense city, it is often worth booking an excursion to maximise your time here. Nonetheless, many of the top attractions are pretty close together and easy to explore on foot.
The Colosseum – the largest amphitheatre in the world – and the Roman Forum top many visitors’ lists, as well as the Vatican museums, the Sistine chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. The Trevi Fountain, where you can make your wish to return to Rome, and the Spanish Steps are two other top highlights in this culture-packed city.
There are cruise itineraries that start and finish in Civitavecchia. So if Rome is a city where you’d like to spend more time, it is definitely worth choosing one of these and then booking a few extra days here to enjoy it at a slower pace.
