The port of Civitavecchia is one of the Mediterranean’s major cruise ports.
In 2024 there were about 3,000,000 transits, including ferries to the major islands of Sicily and Sardinia, but also destinations such as Morocco and Tunisia, Spain, daily and regular sea connections which also include a considerable amount of freight traffic.
In terms of cruise traffic, it is the largest Italian port and the second largest in Europe, after Barcelona.
During the Papal State, Civitavecchia was home to the Vatican prisons. In fact, Forte Michelangelo, which is now the entrance to the port, was the entrance to them.
Furthermore, it was the most significant port within the Vatican State. It is also important to note that until 1861, Italy was divided into several states, with the northern part of Rome forming part of the Papal State.
Civitavecchia is the port of Rome in terms of distance and travel time. Rome is the main destination, but in recent years, tourists have been choosing to spend a few days in Civitavecchia and explore the surrounding areas in the days before embarkation. This has led to an increase in visitors to the area, with many discovering Tarquinia, Cerveteri and the ancient Castle of Santa Severa, as well as the ancient town of Pyrgi.
Civitavecchia is the port of departure, arrival or intermediate stop for almost all Mediterranean cruises. In the latter case, travellers have only one day to visit Rome. This raises the question of how they can reach and visit the city. Firstly, it is important to determine whether a fully organised day is preferable in order to maximise the benefits, or whether a more relaxed approach is desired, with no fixed schedule or stages to adhere to.
The range of activities available is also contingent on budgetary considerations.
It is clear that cruise lines offer a wide range of services, which are often well-organised. However, there are also other possibilities that are more personalised and, in some cases, even more cost-effective.
OPTION 1
The objective is to have a pleasant and relaxing day in Rome without spending a significant amount of money or seeing a lot.
We have the option of using a shuttle bus to reach the train station and then alighting at one of the city stations. It would be beneficial to determine which station would be the most convenient for our needs. We can then venture out on our own to explore the city. We will be using public transport, so it is important to consider that we will have to walk a little to visit the historic centre. We will also need to calculate the time needed to return by public transport and train in time for boarding.
OPTION 2 (MIXED SOLUTION)
We invest slightly more, but retain autonomy in exploring the city.
We opt to utilise a private transfer service from the ship to a designated point in the city, after which we navigate independently via public transport. We can purchase a 24-hour pass, enabling us to traverse the city freely via all available modes. For the return journey, please arrange with your driver the time and place of pick-up so that you can return to the ship in a timely manner for embarkation.
OPTION 3
Our objective is to optimise the use of our time while also ensuring comfort and convenience.
We therefore choose to book a full day’s package, which includes transport, a guide service and tickets to the city’s major monuments. This option may incur a higher cost, but it will undoubtedly provide us with lasting memories and enable us to see as much as possible. As previously stated, cruise companies offer organised full-day tours for a wide audience. However, many local companies provide a similar service, often with more elaborate itineraries and customisation options at a similar price point.
It is also worth noting that tours from Civitavecchia can include visits to Tarquinia, Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio.