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Exploring The Coast Of Italy During Your Rome Vacation

Traveling to Rome via Civitavecchia

By Mary Luz Mejia | Published on August 1, 2023

For the traveler with wanderlust, planning a Rome vacation is a bucket list item thanks to its incredible array of history, arts and culture, delectable food and romance, all of which make it so alluring. Getting there is step one, and luckily, there are many ways to arrive in the Eternal City. Planes, trains and automobiles are options, though the most memorable might be cruising into the coast of Italy via Civitavecchia, an ancient port dating back to 2 A.D. during the rule of Emperor Trajan. Whichever way you arrive, and however long you plan on staying, Rome has enough variety and historically significant sites to keep you coming back again and again.

Your Rome Vacation By Cruise Starts In Civitavecchia

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Cruise into Civitavecchia and behold the imposing Fort Michelangelo by the sea.

If you're planning a Rome vacation and arriving in Civitavecchia on a cruise from Southampton, keep in mind that the port is about 50 miles southeast of Rome itself. Many cruises to Italy from Southampton will list Rome (Civitavecchia) as a port of call, and the parentheses in this case are very important, mainly because Rome is around 50 miles southeast of the port city itself. This is a busy working port, and shuttle buses are available to take travelers through to the port gates, after which you will navigate yourself past numerous tour operators and taxi drivers offering to take you into Rome. You can pay a nominal fee for a local shuttle bus to take you to the main train station, from which you can choose to take a train into Rome — more on that later.

Arriving in Civitavecchia, you'll almost immediately notice the imposing Fort Michelangelo boldly facing the sea. Built in a Renaissance style during the 16th Century, its initial role was focused on offering its citizens some protection by deterring the many pirates from attempting a landing. Today, the Port Authority is housed within, and you can still talk a stroll around the impressive walls as you consider your next stop, whether it's the local market, a stroll on the palm-lined promenade or something much further afield.

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Skip the frenzy of driving and opt for public transportation.

If you're planning a Rome vacation and arriving by cruise ship in Civitavecchia, you'll need to consider transportation options for getting to the city. With Rome being a good 90 minutes away, you'll need to consider your options for getting there easily, safely and with room to spare for your return to the ship if necessary. For those wishing to arrive in Rome via road while avoiding the option of large charter buses, there are some companies offering private transfers between Civitavecchia and Rome. You can even pre-book these online and just meet up with your driver once you arrive in the port. Molto facile!

While there are many car rental agencies dotted along the streets surrounding the port, renting a car for the trip into Rome may not be your best bet, unless you're planning to travel outside the city to visit some small towns in Italy by the sea. If you're staying in Rome, though, the city streets are notoriously busy, and drivers do very often display some version of the Roman driving "flair." In addition, there is enough scooter and foot traffic to frazzle even the most confident of continental drivers. Rome is also a very fine walking city, and if you have the time, it's a great place to "get lost" and experience new and jaw-dropping historical sites.

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See Rome from a new perspective when you cruise to Italy.

Let The Experts Guide You

If you're traveling to Rome and have a limited amount of time to take in the highlights, you can always lean on the locals to get you around as efficiently as possible. One option would be to take an organized tour, many of which are planned to take no more than a day, ensuring that day trippers can comfortably make their evening embarkation time. If your cruise is departing from Rome, the same tour companies also offer comfortable transfers and can save you from scrambling on how to get to Civitavecchia from Rome and on to your cruise ship on time.

Knowing how to get from Civitavecchia to Rome in the most affordable way is key to being a savvy traveler. There are generally multiple trains running every hour, and the trip takes a just over an hour for the local trains — or around 40 minutes if you choose to take the high-speed Frecciabianca, which will cost slightly more but is a superbly comfortable way to see the countryside whiz by. You will still need to take a shuttle to connect between the terminal and the train station, though this is very affordable and takes very little time. The walk itself is only about five blocks, but that might be challenging depending on how much luggage you are carrying with you at any particular time. It's also important to note the docking position of your ship. If it has docked along the long narrow pier, then the five-block walk applies to you. However, if it is docked on the mainland at Nuova Banchina Commerciale 24/25, your walk to the train station will be a fair bit longer. Check with your cruise team for more information on your actual docking point.

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Don't miss the views when flying in or out of Rome.

Come Fly With Me

If your cruise is departing from Civitavecchia and you are arriving in Rome via plane, your next step really depends on whether you're planning on visiting the sites prior to your departure date or not. As with many airports around the world, Fiumicino airport is on the outskirts of the city, located about 30 kilometers from the center of Rome. It's important to note that the airport is officially called Leonardo da Vinci airport, but because it is in the suburb of Fiumicino, the signage for the airport varies, and the two names are sometimes used interchangeably. I learned this the hard way while I searched in vain for Leonardo da Vinci airport as my flight's departure time edged closer.

The most affordable way to connect between the airport and the port is to take a shuttle train into Rome followed by a second commuter or high-speed train to the coast of Italy. This way will save you money but will take up to two hours to complete, and depending on the amount of luggage you are carrying, it may not be the most elegant start to your cruise. The other option would be to book a private transfer, though booking it online and in advance can save you a considerable amount of money compared with hiring a transfer at the airport itself.

Arriving in Civitavecchia, you'll almost immediately notice the imposing Fort Michelangelo boldly facing the sea.

Must Sees On Your Rome Vacation

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Take in the spectacular city views of Rome.

Planning a Rome vacation? Even if you ignore the food, the markets, the coffee shops, gelato purveyors and plethora of shopping options, you'll still have an impossibly long list of historical must-sees to consider. This is a city that demands your time and rewards you with breathtaking vistas and architecture at almost every turn. The best time to travel to Rome is in the warmer months, anywhere from May onward — though, be warned that late June and all of July are very crowded. Ideally, late August should also be avoided due to Ferragosto, a holiday taken by just about every local on August 15. This day symbolizes the beginning of the holidays, and you may find many restaurants and businesses shuttered for the remainder of August leading into the new school year in September.

Start centrally at St. Peter's Basilica and wander through Rome from there.

If you're planning for a Rome vacation then aim to start as early as possible and expect to do a lot of walking in this pedestrian-friendly city. Start at St Peter's Basilica. Not only is it historically important and the seat of the Pope, it also houses vast works of art, including chief architect Michelangelo's Pieta sculpture — and it opens nice and early at 7 a.m. Take in the awe-inspiring art and the papal crypt before you head up to the roof for one of the most spectacular views of the city. Once you're done, head down to the Vatican Museums in order to gain entry to the Sistine Chapel, and get ready for a neck stretch as you take in the absolute marvel that is Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.

When visiting St Peter's and the surrounding areas, I would highly suggest booking an organized tour or signing up with a local tour operator for your Rome vacation. Not only will they give you context into what you are seeing, but they will also give you a luxury you cannot buy: time. By signing up with a tour group, you go directly to the front of just about every lineup at St Peter's, avoiding the stress of hours spent in line. While it may cost you more, I would recommend that you choose a tour operator who places a cap on the size of the group, allowing you to maneuver easier without the need to wait on constant stragglers. On your way out, if you have the time for gelato (and who doesn't?), head to nearby Gelateria dei Gracchi for a treat from one of Rome's best kept secrets. This is truly artisanal gelato, made without artificial flavorings and without all of the tourist-trapping fruit bowl art of many a Roman gelateria.

Head Toward The Lion's Den

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Take in the many fountains in Rome's Piazza Navona.

Next, head across the river and toward Rome's next-most iconic structure, the Colosseum. Before you get there, you'll come across Piazza Navona, an ancient stadium now famous for its fountains and accompanying magnificent Baroque statues, including Bernini's Fountain of Four Rivers. Moving through the other side of the piazza, and mere minutes away, you will encounter the iconic round Pantheon, an Ancient Roman temple that was built in 125 A.D. and subsequently converted into a church by 609 A.D. This remarkably well-preserved building is an engineering feat and was the largest dome ever built pre-modern times. Be sure to enter the building and see firsthand the amazing quality of the light that enters through the 27-feet-wide oculus (eye) opening at the very top of the domed roof. Get your cameras ready!

Throw in a coin and make a wish at the Trevi Fountain.

Heading ever closer to the Colosseum, and depending on how much time you have, you may have to make a choice as to your next site. If you have a little bit of time available to you and wish to see one of Rome's most iconic sites, then head due east from the Pantheon and seek out the famous Trevi fountain (and nearby Spanish Steps). Another Baroque masterpiece, this stunning fountain and its sculptures were initially sketched by Bernini, though the project was put on hold for 100 years due to the death of the Pope at the time and wasn't completed until the 18th century. The sculpture is made of Travertine, the same rock used in the construction of the Colosseum, and it symbolizes important aspects of Roman history. The fountain gained further popularity due to the bathing scenes in Fellini's La Dolce Vita, and to this day, many a tourist still tosses the odd coin in while making a wish.

Look out over the Roman Forum where the political drama of the day would once unfold.

Slightly closer to the Pantheon, and almost directly en route to the Colosseum, you will encounter the Roman Forum, originally the very heart of Ancient Rome, founded around 500 B.C as a marketplace. This rectangular space eventually became a meeting place for Roman citizens and would have been the scene for many political events and criminal proceedings. Today, this popular tourist site is lined with the ruins of ancient government buildings, columns and temples and still provides a very clear vision of what used to be.

Visit the Colosseum where gladiators fought to the death.

Head down the Via dei Fori Imperiali and be prepared to take in the stunning views as the Colosseum rises to greet you with its impressive rows of arches filtering the sunlight dramatically. Completed in 80 A.D., it is rumored that the inaugural contests lasted for 100 days and laid to waste thousands of animals and countless competitors. While the interior of the arena has been ravaged by time, the structure as a whole is no less spectacular, and the smallest bit of imagination breathes life into this historical site.

Written By
MARY LUZ MEJIA

Colombian-born, Canadian raised Mary Luz Mejia is a twice NATJA nominated freelance food/travel journalist, Gemini-nominated former food TV producer and Level II Certified Chocolate Taster. Her work has been published in Saveur Magazine, the Toronto Star, The Globe & Mail, The Latin Kitchen, Rodale's Organic Gardening and Toronto Life to name a few. Former Saveur Editor-In-Chief James Oseland calls her "One of Toronto's most passionate food journalists" and her personal goal is to master iconic Latin American dishes, one plate at a time. And por supuesto, se habla Español!

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