CivitavecchiaLazio · Italy

All About Civitavecchia

Civitavecchia is located in central Italy’s region of Lazio and encompasses part of the Metropolitan City of Rome. The heart of the eternal city lies just 60 kilometers southwest, making Civitavecchia the closest major port to the Italian capital. Anyone with ferry tickets to Civitavecchia will soon realize that this port city of some 55,000 people is much more than simply a port close to Rome. It has a history that stretches back beyond ancient Rome to the Etruscans, and its harbor became a significant port thanks to Emperor Trajan in the second century AD.

Since then it has been ruled by a long list of empires, as well as forming part of the Papal States for many centuries before the unification of Italy in the 1860s. Located on the western coast of mainland Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea arm of the Mediterranean, Civitavecchia has ferry links with two continents and is perfectly positioned for reaching islands such as Sardinia too.
 

Routes and Ferries to Civitavecchia

Lovers of sea travel will be happy to discover the wide range of ferry tickets to Civitavecchia that are available with Ferryscanner. The Ferryscanner website makes it easy to both examine the available routes, compare sailings and book your ferry tickets to Civitavecchia.

Crossing the calm blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea as it sparkles in the sunlight is an experience that shouldn’t be missed. Any of the following ferry routes will provide you with the most laid-back way of getting to or from Civitavecchia. The prices quoted are based on ferry tickets to Civitavecchia for an adult foot passenger, although pets and private vehicles are also welcome on board at additional cost.

There are two alternative routes from Civitavecchia to the autonomous Italian island of Sardinia. Crossings to Olbia last a minimum of six hours or a maximum of eight hours, largely dependent on the exact sailing you choose. There are between 1-3 departures in either direction each day on average. Tickets cost €32-45 per passenger, and the vessels used are operated by three different ferry companies – Tirrenia, Grimaldi Lines, and Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV). The second route to Sardinia docks at Porto Torres. This journey is scheduled to last seven hours, although because only Grimaldi Lines ships are chartered for this route, there is an average of four sailings per week. However, the average price for a foot passenger is just €27, making it a great alternative to arriving in Olbia.

In addition, Grandi Navi Veloci operates services to Sicily. Specifically, this ferry company’s ships arrive into and depart from the port of Termini Imerese. A short distance from Palermo, it is on the island’s northwest coast. This wonderful voyage down much of the length of the Italian peninsula lasts for a little under 14 hours. There are up to five sailings each week, with prices from €46-56.

Outside of Italy, Grimaldi Lines also departs Civitavecchia for Barcelona in Spain. So long as you have a passport and any required visas, the crossing is as tranquil as any other, with an average length of 20 hours. There are usually several sailings per week, with prices around €45 per person.

Finally, it’s also possible to reach North Africa from Civitavecchia, with the sailing to Tunis, capital of Tunisia. Jointly operated by both GNV and Grimaldi Lines, sailings last between 17 and 31 hours in duration, highlighting the importance of comparing different sailings on Ferryscanner before booking. There are however still two sailings per week in each direction, and very reasonable ticket prices at around €48.

The A12 autostrada highway between Genoa and Rome ensures excellent road links to the surrounding area from Civitavecchia. Regular train services also operate between the city center and the center of Rome. From here, a combination of high-speed and regional lines spread out across the country. The nearest airports to Civitavecchia are Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport at Fiumicino and Ciampino Airport. Between them, they receive flights from right around the world, with most budget carriers making use of Ciampino rather than Fiumicino.
 

Ports of Civitavecchia

Roughly a kilometer in length, Civitavecchia port is often described as the ‘port of Rome’. Should you be on a cruise that stops in Rome, it’s here that you’ll dock. It’s also from here that many of the goods destined for the capital arrive as well. Protected by a long breakwater finished with a lighthouse, the port is made of several wharves. Ferries dock close to the entrance of the port from the sea. This means passengers are only a few minutes from the center of the city and onward connections to any of Italy’s impressive tourist attractions. Slightly further south, there is also a secondary port known as the Porto Turistico Riva Di Traiano. It is reserved for smaller vessels, and should not be confused with the main port.
 

Best Beaches

Who could have imagined there would be so many fantastic beaches so close to Rome? Offering a blend of sand and smooth pebbles, in addition to delightfully clean waters, it’s not hard to see why these beaches are making a name for themselves.

Spiaggia la Marina

Beginning at the southern end of the port’s breakwater, any journey to Spiaggia la Marina is only going to take a few minutes at most. Watched over by the stout ancient fort, it has excellent facilities, including amusements for children and a lovely stretch of cafes on the wide promenade.

Pirgo Beach

Pirgo Beach is recognizable by the stylish pier that reaches across the shallows onto a tiny islet just offshore. Mostly comprised of pebbles, like Spiaggia la Marina it has a great location and all you can need for a day on the beach, including rentable sun loungers and umbrellas.

Saint Augustine’s Beach

Approximately ten kilometers from Civitavecchia, Saint Augustine’s Beach is a large expanse of golden sand. Since it’s still unspoiled, it lacks the facilities of beaches closer to the city center, but when it comes to tranquility and seclusion there’s nowhere better. If driving, look out for signs reading Sant’Agostino.

Ideale Beach

This beach has hit the headlines in certain circles for its waves, which attract surfers in relatively large numbers. As a result, it has a very cool vibe, although facilities are still minimal compared to the city’s other beaches.
 

Places to Visit

As anyone who has previously explored Italy will know, there aren’t many corners of this country that don’t have a vista to admire. Civitavecchia can satisfy the curious as well as any other town on the peninsula, so here are the best places to visit.

Forte Michelangelo

The squat, thick-walled towers of the Forte Michelangelo make for a dramatic welcome into Civitavecchia by sea. Commissioned by Pope Julius II in around 1500 to defend the port from attack, many of its defenses were designed by the artist Michelangelo.

Terme Taurine Baths

Just beyond the city limits, the Terme Taurine Baths are a magical introduction into the world of ancient Rome. There’s a lot to see here since many structures remain roofed. There are even more stories of events that took place here – such as the time Emperor Commodus had a slave thrown into the ovens used to heat its waters.

Civitavecchia Cathedral

Dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, Civitavecchia Cathedral stands proudly in the city’s main square, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. Constructed in the baroque style, the interior is richly decorated with giant statues and fine gilt carvings.
 

Transportation Around Civitavecchia

Since Civitavecchia is relatively spread out along the coastline from the port, visitors may need to take advantage of transportation beyond their own two feet. The town’s buses are operated by Cotral and Argo. Between them, they provide links with all major locations including the cathedral, Terme Taurine Baths, and railway station. The local tourist office can help with useful bus numbers and provide you with up-to-date service information, bearing in mind buses are severely limited on Sundays and public holidays. At these times, it’s better to rely on private taxis, which work off electronic meters. Fares are therefore calculated by the distance traveled, rather than the amount of time you spend in the vehicle, which is great news if you get caught up in a traffic jam.