Free walking tours in Civitavecchia and what to see

Must-sees

Civitavecchia is Rome's great port on the coast of Lazio, and almost everyone knows it because cruise ships dock here. It deserves a stroll of its own. By the historic harbour stands Forte Michelangelo, a 16th-century fortress overlooking the dock. Close by, in an 18th-century palazzo commissioned by Pope Clement XIII, is the Archaeological Museum, with Etruscan and Roman finds from the area.

Behind the harbour begins the old town, of medieval origin, with the church of the Stella, the Porta dell'Archetto, the cathedral of San Francesco d'Assisi and the remains of the walls on Piazza Saffi. In the mornings, the San Lorenzo market gives a good idea of local life. On the outskirts are the Terme Taurine, Roman baths with remains of marble and mosaics. To finish, the seafront promenade leads to the La Marina quarter and the Borgo Odescalchi.

Free tours and guided visits

There is no regular free tour of Civitavecchia. Most of what is on offer is designed for cruise passengers: guided excursions to Rome, private tours of the capital, bus transfers to Rome and the Vatican, and train combinations with Colosseum tickets. For Civitavecchia itself there is a hop-on hop-off bus, as well as transfers to Fiumicino airport.

How long to spend

The centre can be seen in a morning: the fort, the museum, the old town and the seafront fit into three or four hours. If you want to see the Terme Taurine, add another hour or two, as they are outside the centre. If you go to Rome from here, allow a full day, with over an hour's journey each way. If you arrive by cruise ship, keep a close eye on the time you need to be back on board.

Where to stay

For a cruise, the practical choice is to stay near the port or the railway station, from which the centre and terminals are within walking distance. If you want the beach and calm, the seafront and La Marina have hotels with sea views. Anyone spending several days in Rome usually prefers to stay in the capital and come to Civitavecchia only on embarkation day.