Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy)

Port Civitavecchia (also serving as cruise port to Rome City) 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 72 km2 (28 mi2) and has population around 53,000. Civitavecchia Port (as Centumcellae) was founded in the 2nd century by the Roman Emperor Trajan. In the late-15th-century, pirates damaged the port. This was the reason for building a fortress for protection. Forte Michelangelo (completed in 1537) was commissioned by Pope Julius II, and partially designed by Michelangelo.

Port Civitavecchia (locode ITCVV) has a total of 8 cruise terminals, with 15 berths/quays, 5 parking lots, over 3200 m / 9850 ft in piers. Civitavecchia ("Terminal Venezia Passeggeri" in Italian) is the world's 13th busiest cruise port. The ship access from the Adriatic Sea is via Guidecca Canal. Civitavecchia is also a major homeport for operating roundtrip itineraries.

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).
• One-ways ("around Italy" itineraries) leave from Rome and ending in Genoa. However, there are also Around Italy roundtrips from Rome (between 14-17-days long, depending on itinerary/call ports).
• Most roundtrips 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.

Seasonal ship relocation itineraries (RepositionCruises.com) are mainly Transatlantic crossings between Rome and Florida USA, Caribbean island countries, or South America (Santos Brazil, Buenos Aires Argentina). Ships repositioning via Suez Canal link to ports in Asia and even to Australia (Brisbane QLD, Sydney NSW).

Civitavecchia-Rome cruise terminal

Civitavecchia-Rome 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.