Civitavecchia (Rome, Italy)

Port Civitavecchia (also serving as cruise port to Rome) is located just 61 km (38 mi) train distance (1 hour travel time) from Rome City (Italy's capital and largest city) and approx 1-hour drive distance from Rome's Fiumicino Airport. As shipping traffic, Port Civitavecchia handles over 2000 ferries and cruise liner calls and nearly 2 million passengers annually, ranking it Europe's 3rd busiest and Mediterranean's largest seaport.

The name Civitavecchia is translated to "ancient town". The port city covers a total area of approx 71,95 km2 (27,78 mi2) and has a population of around 53,000 inhabitants (2015 census).

The huge Forte Michelangelo was commissioned for the first time from Donato Bramante by Pope Julius II, in order to defend the port of Rome. However, the upper part of the "maschio" tower was designed by Michelangelo, and his name is generally applied to this fortress.

At Ficoncella, north of the city, are located the Terme Taurine baths that are frequented by Romans and are still well known by the Civitavecchiesi. The contemporary name stems from the fig plants among the pools. Also next to the town is the site of the cruise ship docks. 

Civitavecchia-Rome port has a total of 8 cruise ship terminals, with 15 berths (quays), 5 parking lots, over 3200 m / 9850 ft in piers. Civitavecchia Cruise Terminal ("Terminal Venezia Passeggeri" in Italian) is the world's 13th busiest cruise port. Ships arrive in Civitavecchia-Rome from Adriatic Sea via Guidecca Canal. Civitavecchia-Rome is a major turn-around port/homeport and among the most popular ports of call in Europe.

Find information about Civitavecchia/Rome cruise port terminal – address, location and map, parking information and port fees.

Cruise itineraries to and from Civitavecchia-Rome

The list of destinations visited by cruise ships departing from Civitavecchia-Rome Italy includes:

• Itineraries on cruises out of Civitavecchia port usually include the Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The most visited ports of call are in Croatia (mainly Dubrovnik, Korcula Island, Split), Montenegro (Kotor), Slovenia (Koper), Albania (Durres), also ports in Greece-Greek Islands, Italy (and on Sicily Island), Malta (Valletta), Turkey.
• Holy Land cruises visit ports in Israel (Ashdod, Haifa), Greece, Egypt (Alexandria, Port Said) and also Turkey (Istanbul).
• The most commonly operated are 7-day Mediterranean cruises with one-way itineraries from Rome to Barcelona (Western Med), to Piraeus-Athens and to Istanbul (Eastern Med).
• Many itineraries to Barcelona include stops at French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) ports - Antibes, Bandol, Cannes, Cassis, Marseille, Sanary-sur-Mer, St Raphael, St Tropez, Toulon, Villefranche-sur-Mer (Nice), Monte Carlo (Monaco).
• Also one-ways are the "around Italy" itineraries leaving from Rome and ending in Genoa or (round-trip) Rome. However, there are also round-trips around Italy leaving from Rome (between 14-17-days long depending on itinerary/ports of call).
• Most round-trips from Civitavecchia offer 7-8-day long Adriatic Sea itineraries (visiting Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Albania, Greece), and often the Italy's Bari, Ravenna or Ancona on the way back.
• Short-break (Mini Cruises) round-trip from Rome are 3-4-days long and visit up to 3 Adriatic Sea ports.
• Repositioning - westbound Transatlantic crossings from Rome to Florida (Fort Lauderdale, Miami), Caribbean (Barbados, Cuba) or South America (Santos/Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires) are in late Fall.

Repositioning - Suez Canal transition to ports in Asia and even to South Africa is offered on eastbound ship relocation routes leaving from Europe. Rarely, World Cruises out of Southampton may offer as segments one-way itineraries leaving from Rome to Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, even to ports in Australia (Brisbane, Sydney).

Civitavecchia cruise terminal

Civitavecchia tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Civitavecchia is a great place to spend some time. As this is the port of Rome, most of the passengers rush to see the capital city with its Colosseum, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, the Sistine Chapel and the Spanish Steps, but Civitavecchia has a lot to show too. It is among the most fascinating culturally cities in Europe. You can learn a lot about the Italian life and history. Among the interestins places are the old hospital, the fountain of Benedict XIV, the walls of the old city and quaint squares. Also you can visit:

• Forte Michelangelo: fortress dating since the 16th century. Pope Julius II commissioned it and in 1535 Giulano Leno finished it. Michelangelo designed the center tower. The walls of the fortress are thick over 6 meters and it is built on Roman barracks’ remains.
• The Cathedral of San Francesco d’Assisi: built on 17th Century church by Francesco Navona, an architect. The Cathedral of Cathedral of San Francesco d’Assisi is impressive with stained glass frescos and windows designed in Neoclassical-Baroque style.
• Civitavecchia Beach: this small beach has yellow sand (mixed with rocks) and is located opposite the railway station, just steps away from the seafront promenade.
• La Scaglia Necropolis (6th-5th centuries BC): take a look at the underground works in a chilling atmosphere.
• Civitavecchia’s Archaelogical Museum: the building was property of Pope Clemente XIII. It was made for the garrison of the pope and dates from the 18th century. There is Roman and Estrucan artifacts exhibition.