Civitaveccia (Rome)
Civitavecchia is a coastal city and major port town in Italy’s Lazio region, located about 80 kilometers northwest of Rome. Often referred to as the “Port of Rome,” it has served as a crucial maritime gateway to the capital since antiquity. The city’s harbor was originally established by the Etruscans and later significantly expanded under Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century AD, transforming it into a vital hub of trade and naval operations during the Roman Empire. Throughout the centuries, Civitavecchia has weathered periods of decline and renewal, but its strategic position on the Tyrrhenian Sea has ensured its continued importance. Today, it remains one of Italy’s busiest ports, serving as a key departure point for ferries and cruise ships traveling across the Mediterranean. With its blend of ancient ruins, fortresses like the Forte Michelangelo, and its ongoing role in connecting Rome to the sea, Civitavecchia stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Italy’s maritime history.
💡Civitaveccia (Rome): Good to Know
🛂 Visa: most European countries plus Canada, Australia, the US, Korea, and Japan are visa-exempt for a stay of up to 90 days
✈️ Closest Airport: Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
💬 Language: Italian, but English is widely spoken
🏷️ Price Level: In general, Italy is about 30% cheaper than the US
🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Italy US$ 6.00
💰 Currency: Euro (EUR)| 1 USD = ca. 0.90 EUR)
☀️ Best Times to Visit: the best months to visit are April, May, June, September and October
🚘 Transportation: local trains, metro, trams, city buses, and taxis
🔌 Adapter: Italy uses type C and L plugs. No adapter is needed if you are from Europe but it is needed when coming from the US
🛜 WiFi: Widely available; Digit Roma is a free, government-provided public WiFi service that can be accessed
🏧💰ATM and “Cash or Card”: While some small stores take only cash, payments with cards are generally accepted; ATMs are available throughout the city
💸 Tipping: Service is often included in restaurant bills, but it’s polite to round up or leave a few euros for good service. Tipping in cafes or taxis is optional.
🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: Molo Vespucci, Civitavecchia 00053 (docked)
✈️ 🚇🚕 Getting There and Around
🏙️ Civitaveccia is located about 50 miles (80 km) from the city center of Rome.
🎟️ In Rome, you can pay for public transportation via several methods: contactless cards (Tap & Go with your credit card on the reader on buses, metro, and trams), paper tickets purchased at newsstands, and mobile apps (such as TicketAppy, myCicero, Tabnet, Nugo, Dropticket, and Telepass Pay allow you to purchase and activate tickets on your smartphone).
✈️ Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is located around 19 miles (30 km) south of Rome and can be reached with the Leonardo Express, a non-stop, high-speed train service that connects Roma Termini train station with the airport in approximately 32 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 14 EUR. The airport is also connected to Rome by the FL1 line, a suburban commuter and rapid transit line. Departing every 15 minutes. The FL1 line does not stop at Termini station but connects the airport with other main train stations of Rome, where it is possible to change to the metro network and a ticket costs 8 EUR.
🚇 To get from Civitaveccia to Rome, it is a 30-minute walk from the cruise terminal to the train station in Civitaveccia. There is also a shuttle bus, which costs 6 EUR. From the station, there are local trains that take between 60-80 minutes to reach Roma Termini, the main train station, and tickets start at 5 EUR. There is also a faster train (Le Frecce), which takes about 45 minutes, and tickets start at 16 EUR for 2nd class seats. Depending on the final destination in Rome, the local train might be a better option as it also makes stops within Rome, whereas the fast train only stops in Roma Termini. Tickets can be bought in advance here.
🚌 Two lines of the local hop-on-hop-off bus connect Rome's main sights. Both lines cross paths at Termini railway station, and more information can be found here.
⭐️ Top Sights in Civitaveccia & Rome
"Rome is the only city in the world that contains an entire independent country within its borders: Vatican City."
📸 Forte Michelangelo: Forte Michelangelo, a 16th-century fort, is located in the Port of Civitavecchia. It was commissioned by Pope Julius II to protect the port from pirates and designed by Donato Bramante. While Bramante initiated the project, it was completed under the papacy of Pope Paul III with contributions from Michelangelo.
📸 Colosseum: The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is a large elliptical amphitheater located in Rome. It is the largest amphitheater ever built in the Roman Empire, capable of holding up to 50,000 spectators. It was a venue for gladiatorial contests, wild animal hunts, and other spectacles, and was a symbol of the power and benevolence of the emperors who built it.
📸 Roman Forum: The Roman Forum, or Forum Romanum, was the heart of ancient Rome, a central area for public and civic life. Located in a valley between the Capitoline and Palatine Hills, it was the site of public meetings, law courts, religious ceremonies, and gladiatorial combats. The Forum was also a hub for commerce, with shops and markets lining the area.
📸 Pantheon: The Pantheon in Rome is an ancient Roman temple, initially dedicated to all the gods, now a Catholic church, Basilica Santa Maria ad Martyres. Built in the 2nd century AD by Emperor Hadrian, it's famous for its massive, unsupported concrete dome, the largest in the world. It's a remarkable example of Roman engineering and architecture and is a significant tourist attraction.
📸 Vatican City: Vatican City is the world's smallest independent state and the center of the Roman Catholic Church. It's located within Rome, Italy, and known for its significant religious and cultural sites. The main attractions include St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Square, the Vatican Museums (housing the Sistine Chapel), and the Vatican Apostolic Library.
📸 Trevi Fountain: The Trevi Fountain, a grand Baroque masterpiece in Rome, is one of the most famous and iconic fountains in the world. Located in the Trevi district, it's known for its stunning sculptures, impressive scale, and the tradition of tossing coins into the water. This tradition, according to legend, ensures a return to Rome.
📸 Spanish Steps: The Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) in Rome is a grand staircase connecting Piazza di Spagna with the Trinità dei Monti church. Built between 1723 and 1725, it's a popular landmark and tourist attraction. The steps, designed by Francesco de Sanctis and funded by a French diplomat, lead up from the square to the church and are known for their Rococo style and 135 steps.
📸 Trastevere: Trastevere is a charming district of Rome located across the Tiber River from the historic center, known for its unique atmosphere, historic architecture, and vibrant nightlife. The name Trastevere translates to "beyond the Tiber".
📸 Castel Sant’Angelo: Castel Sant'Angelo, also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, is a significant historical monument in Rome. Originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, it later served as a fortress, papal residence, and military prison before being transformed into a museum.
🍽️😋 Regional Specialties
Roman cuisine features fresh, seasonal ingredients like peas, artichokes, and fava beans, along with local cheeses like pecorino romano and ricotta. Expect dishes with simple preparations, showcasing the flavors of the Roman Campagna, including pasta, meat, and vegetables.
🍽️ Pasta alla Carbonara: Pasta alla Carbonara's origins are shrouded in a bit of culinary mystery, but the most widely accepted theory is that it emerged from the Allied liberation of Rome in 1944. Italian cooks, facing food scarcity, creatively combined American military rations of bacon and eggs with local pasta, creating the dish we know and love today. The dish gained popularity among American servicemen and gradually spread across Italy and the world.
🍽️ Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe: Cacio e pepe, meaning "cheese and pepper" in Italian, is a traditional Roman pasta dish with roots in ancient times. The dish's origins are often linked to shepherds, who carried aged pecorino cheese, black pepper, and pasta on their journeys. This simple, nourishing meal became a staple due to the cheese's long shelf life and the pepper's warming properties.
🍽️ Bucatini all’Amatriciana: Bucatini all'Amatriciana is a Roman pasta dish with a history rooted in the town of Amatrice, in the mountainous region of Lazio. Originally, Amatriciana was likely a white sauce dish (Gricia) made with guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino cheese, and black pepper, prepared by shepherds. The addition of tomato sauce, which makes the dish the Amatriciana we know today, likely occurred in the 18th century.
🍽️ Coda alla Vaccinara: Coda alla Vaccinara, a classic Roman oxtail stew, has a rich history rooted in Roman "cucina povera" (poor cuisine). Originating in the Regola district, it was a specialty of the "vaccinari" (butchers) who utilized less desirable cuts like oxtail, transforming them into a flavorful and economical dish. The dish became a staple in Rome's trattorias and is still enjoyed today as a testament to Roman culinary ingenuity.
🍽️ Abbacchio allo Scottadito: Abbacchio allo Scottadito, meaning "finger-burning lamb", is a popular dish in Roman cuisine, particularly during spring and for Easter celebrations. It traditionally involves grilling tender young lamb cutlets until they are almost burned on the outside while remaining juicy inside, and the dish is eaten hot, often with bare hands, resulting in the "finger-burning" sensation.
🍽️ Cicoria Ripassata: Cicoria Ripassata, meaning "cicory greens passed through again," is a Roman dish with a history rooted in cucina povera (poor cuisine). It involves blanching chicory (cicoria), a wild vegetable, and then sautéing it with garlic and olive oil.
🍽️ Maritozzi: Maritozzi, a Roman pastry, is a soft, sweet bread-like treat, traditionally filled with whipped cream. The name likely comes from the Roman word "marito," meaning "husband," and the pastry is associated with traditions surrounding courtship and marriage. They were historically made during Lent and were a popular breakfast and snack item, especially in Rome.
🥤Aperol Spritz: An Aperol Spritz is a refreshing Italian cocktail combining Aperol (an orange-flavored liqueur), Prosecco (a sparkling wine), and soda water, garnished with an orange slice. It's often described as "an Italian sunset in a glass" and is known for its light and bittersweet taste.
📍🗺️ Maps, Apps & Links
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