Cruise Guide
Rome (Civitavecchia)
Related guides:
Book it now!

Rome (Civitavecchia) Cruise Guide

Overview

Civitavecchia is the port of Rome, which lies 80km (50 miles) to the southeast, some 90-minutes by road. There is nothing of interest in Civitavecchia itself although, as your cruise liner enters the port, notice the huge 16th-century Forte Michelangelo, the upper part of which was designed by Michelangelo. 

Situated on the River Tiber, between the Apennine Mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea, Rome (the 'Eternal City') was once the administrative centre of the mighty Roman Empire, governing a vast region that stretched from Britain to Mesopotamia. Today, it remains the seat of the Italian government and is home to numerous ministerial offices.

Sightseeing

Stumbling upon ancient frescoes, Renaissance fountains and beautiful piazzas in the centro storico (historic centre) are part of the pleasures of wandering around Rome's streets. In the former working-class district of Trastevere, crumbling terracotta-hued palazzi and winding alleyways are now home to cafes and restaurants. If you only have one day you will have to choose between ancient Rome on one side of the Tiber River or the riches of St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museum on the other side.

Highlights
• Colosseum
• Pantheon
• Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain)
• Foro Romano (Roman Forum) and Palatino (Palatine)
• Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti (Spanish Steps)
• Musei Vaticani (Vatican Museums): Include the Capella Sistina (Sistine Chapel) and Basilica San Pietro (St Peter's Basilica)
• Galleria Borghese: An art gallery located amidst the greenery of Villa Borghese park

Tourist Information

Azienda di Promozione Turistica di Roma (APT)
Via Parigi 5, Rome, Italy
Tel: +39 0648 8991.
Website: www.romaturismo.com

Shopping

Clothes, leather goods, foodstuffs, wine and antiques are popular buys. Via Condotti is the most expensive shopping street in Rome. The shops on Via del Corso offer more affordable clothes and accessories. Via Margutta and Via dei Coronari are the best places to hunt for antiques. There is a famous flea market at Porta Portese on Sunday mornings.

Eating Out

Try abbacchio (suckling lamb in white wine), cannelloni (pasta stuffed with meat, spinach, egg and cheese) and gnocchi alla romana (semolina dumplings). Rome's ice creams are some of the best in the world - the renowned Art Nouveau Giolitti and the equally extravagant Gelateria della Palma, both near the Pantheon, are two of the best ice-cream parlours in the city.

When To Go

Rome has a typical Mediterranean climate - warm and comfortable from April to June and mid-September to October. The city gets very hot in high summer and traditionally Romans leave the city for the coast, though most tourist-orientated businesses remain open.

Transfer Times

Nearest Destination

Civitavecchia.

Transfer Distance

2.5km (1.5 miles).

Transfer Time

5 minutes.

Transfer Notes

Rome is 1 hour 15 minutes  away by road.

Key Facts

Region

Italy

Time Zone

GMT + 1.

Currency

Euro (€) = 100 cents.

Language

Italian.

Location

Central western Italy.

Population

2,817,000.

Government

Kingdom of Italy declared in 1861. Republic since 1946.

Religion

Majority Roman Catholic with Muslim and Protestant minorities.

Social Conventions

Dress is casual but often smart. Dress conservatively when visiting religious buildings. Smoking is prohibited in most public places. It is always more expensive to sit at a table rather than at the bar, and the cheapest option is simply to stand. 

Tipping: It is customary to give around 10% if service has been good.
The port of Rome isn't as convenient as some you'll visit on your Mediterranean cruise holiday but experienced cruise staff will usually get you to the city quickly through the lovely Italian countryside on the way.
Need some holiday inspiration?
Tired of the same holiday destination?
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Sign up for our newsletter
Be the first to hear about the coolest destinations and the latest travel trends. Plus, competitions, holiday inspiration and amusing facts, delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter
Advertisement

Travel Deals for Rome (Civitavecchia)

Advertising features

  • Orlando Adrenaline Whether you’re enjoying the hair-raising delights of the world’s only flying rollercoaster called Manta at SeaWorld or racing through the Everglades on an airboat in search of alligators, one thing’s for 

  • Cambodia Luxury holidays Today Cambodia is symbolised by awesome Angkor Wat, the largest man-made religious structure in the world. However, Cambodia is also home to some of the finest boutique hotels in the world 

  • Laos Inspire Me When the French colonised Indochina they had a saying: "The Vietnamese grow the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow, and the Lao people listen to the rice grow." This is 

  • Vietnam Cultural breaks Vietnam is a country with a rich and varied history that is now firmly focused on her bright future. This is why it has become one of the hottest destinations for 

  • Dominican Republic Family holidays The Dominican Republic has soared in popularity as a tropical hotspot for families seeking sun, sand and an affordable holiday in the Caribbean. The island's main attraction is magnificent golden sand 

Travel Partners
Advertisement
Advertisement