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Most people know Civitavecchia for one thing. It is the port of Rome. The place cruise ships dock before thousands of people immediately disappear towards the Colosseum, Vatican and Trevi Fountain.
After spending a day there ourselves, we can understand why.
That is not to say Civitavecchia is bad. In fact, it is surprisingly pleasant in places. Relaxed, walkable and easy enough for a slow wander in the sunshine. But it also feels very much like somewhere you pass through rather than somewhere you build a trip around.
If you are arriving by cruise ship and debating whether to stay local or make the extra effort to Rome, our honest recommendation would be Rome every time. Still, if you do decide to stay in port for the day, there are a few things worth seeing.
The Seafront Is the Best Part of Civitavecchia
The strongest part of the town is easily the waterfront.
The promenade has a laid-back feel to it, with locals walking dogs, people sitting with coffees and small bars spilling out towards the sea. It feels safe, calm and very easy to navigate on foot.
One of the more unusual features is a long stretch of seafront built out into the sea in a style that almost resembles an ancient aqueduct. It gives the coastline a bit more character and makes the walk more interesting than a standard marina front.
There is also a large observation wheel on the seafront, very much giving mini London Eye energy, although on a much smaller and more casual scale.
Forte Michelangelo Gives the Port Some Character
The fortress near the harbour is probably the town’s most recognisable landmark.
It helps stop the port feeling too industrial and adds some sense of history to what could otherwise feel like a functional cruise stop. Even just seeing it from outside improves the atmosphere of the harbour area.
The Old Town and Piazza Leandra Are Pleasant Enough
We spent time wandering through the older streets and around Piazza Leandra, which is one of the more atmospheric parts of town.
There are cafés, bars and bits of faded Italian charm throughout the centre. Nothing particularly dramatic or unforgettable, but pleasant enough for an hour or two of wandering.
We stopped for beers and coffees at a couple of local bars and generally found the town relaxed and easy-going.
One thing that did surprise us was the number of street vendors and “looky looky” men along the seafront. We had not expected that in a smaller port town. That said, they were not pushy at all and mostly just drifted through the area quietly.
Cattedrale di San Francesco d’Assisi Is Worth A Quick Look
The cathedral is modest compared to the huge churches elsewhere in Italy, but still worth stepping inside if you are nearby.
Like much of Civitavecchia, it feels more local than grand. There is not necessarily a huge amount to see, but it adds to the sense that this is a functioning Italian town first and a tourist destination second.
The Food Was Ok Rather Than Memorable
We had lunch at a restaurant on the seafront overlooking the water.
It was perfectly decent, but not especially memorable and not somewhere we would particularly recommend seeking out. In many ways that sums up the wider feel of the town. Nice enough. Pleasant enough. But rarely exceptional.
Obviously we recognise that we can only speak to one or two places that we visited here, and almost certainly better fare exists in the city – just statistically speaking!
Other Things You Could Do in Civitavecchia
If you are staying longer, or simply want a fuller day without heading to Rome, there are a few additional options:
Visit Terme Taurine
Ancient Roman thermal baths just outside the town centre. A quieter historical site than the huge attractions in Rome.
Spend More Time on the Beaches
There are several small beaches and sea swimming areas around the town which become more appealing during warmer months.
Explore the Local Markets
The food markets are often where smaller Italian towns come alive most naturally, with local produce, seafood and simple lunch options.
Is Civitavecchia Worth Visiting?
As a relaxed Mediterranean port town, Civitavecchia is absolutely fine.
It is walkable, reasonably attractive in places and easy to spend a few slow hours in. But if you are asking whether it is somewhere we would return to specifically, the honest answer is probably not.
For most travellers, especially cruise passengers, we would recommend making the extra journey into Rome instead. Civitavecchia works best as a calm stopgap rather than a destination in its own right.
