Cruise from Rome – the essential guide

It’s not surprising that Rome, steeped in history and tale, has a permanent place on everyone’s bucket list. If you are planning a cruise from Rome, you have a perfect opportunity to stay here before you start your cruise vacation.

It’s impossible to see Rome in a day. Or even two or three. So stay as long as you can and squeeze in as many sights, sounds, cultural landmarks, and culinary experiences as possible. You can always catch up on sleep once on board the cruise ship.

In this article, we recommend our favorite hotels for cruise guests, offer four great daily itineraries to ensure you see the best of the city, and give you tips and information on how to get to the cruise port Civitavecchia.

Where to stay before your cruise from Rome

Let’s start with where to stay before your cruise from Rome. Rome’s principal cruise port is the Port of Civitavecchia, about 90 minutes outside the city. Stay in the center of Rome, then transfer to the port on the day of your cruise. Or transfer to Civitavecchia the day before your cruise and spend the night there.

Here are some of our favorite hotel options in Rome. We have included both top-rated and more affordable options, so there is something for everyone.

Choose between six central neighborhoods. Although there are thousands of hotels in Rome, sticking to these areas will put you in a good location for the best sightseeing, transport links, restaurants, and shopping.

1. Pantheon and Piazza Navona

This is a popular area packed with great hotels. Expect a higher price tag for your accommodation here due to the central location and ease of walking to many sights. This area is a favorite as I love old Rome, especially around Campo de Fiori with the colorful market (open Mondays through Saturdays).

• Hotel Pantheon
• Hotel Artemide
• Boutique Hotel Campo de’Fiori

Click to see our recommended hotels in Rome near the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.

2. Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Piazza di Spagna

Luxury shopping around Via Veneto and fantastic hotels can be found here, such as the Savoy Roma, Westin Excelsior, Marriott, and Sofitel. You are also close to the beautiful parks and gardens of Villa Borghese.

• Hotel Savoy Roma
• Hotel Condotti
• Hotel Barocco

Click to see our recommended hotels in Rome near Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Piazza di Spagna.

3. Trastevere

Some of my favorite restaurants are located in Trastevere. You will find better value for money here than prices in Rome’s more touristy areas. Try Antica Osteria Rugantino for delicious, local dishes. Alternatively, a 10-minute walk away is the classic trattoria Da Checco Er Carettiere. While Trastevere is not in the center of Rome if you enjoy walking, this charming neighborhood is about 30 minutes from many must-see sights.

• Domma Camilla Savelli Hotel
• Hotel Santa Maria
• Trilussa Palace Hotel

Click to see our recommended hotels in Rome near Trastevere.

4. Roma Termini

Hotels around the central train station in Rome (“Termini”) are plentiful and convenient. Several familiar names are here, such as Hotel Canada Rome (a Best Western hotel). Opt for at least a 4-star hotel. Be careful around this area in the evenings; pickpocketing is common. It’s a good choice, especially if you are on a tighter budget or plan on using the train a few times during your stay.

• The Hotel Canada Rome, Best Western Premier Collection
• Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo
• Liberty Boutique Hotel

Click to see our recommended hotels in Rome near Roma Termini.

5. Colosseum and Monti

If you want to stay close to the iconic Colosseum and ancient Rome, choose this neighborhood for its quirky boutiques and small cafes. Stay at, for example, Hotel Forum. Be prepared to take the metro train to visit other sights, as walking from here will be too far.

• Mercure Roma Centro Colosseo
• Hotel Forum Roma
• NH Collection Roma Fori Imperiali

Click to see our recommended hotels in R ome near Colosseum and Monti.

6. The area around Vatican City

Many visitors base themselves closer to the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica. You will stay close to the elegant area called Prati. It is within 30 minutes of walking distance to Castel Sant’ Angelo if mobility is no problem. You are also just 5 minutes by Metro from the Trastevere neighborhood.

• Starhotels Michaelangelo Rome
• NH Collection Roma Giustiniano
• Le Méridien Visconti Rome

Click to see our recommended hotels in Rome near Vatican City.

Hotels in Civitavecchia, close to the cruise port

Some cruise guests prefer to stay the last night before their cruise close to the port in Civitavecchia. Located 80km northwest of Rome, it takes around an hour from Termini station to Civitavecchia train station.

A Civitavecchia Express Train runs from Rome’s Termini station to Civitavecchia between April and November. The Civitavecchia Express runs daily from Rome’s central Termini station at 3.30 pm, and the journey takes one hour.

You can book train tickets in advance using Omio, which offers train tickets with all the major train operators in Italy. They have a user-friendly website in English, and you can pay in your local currency. Then, you can download your tickets to their convenient app. Alternatively, you can purchase them at the station. Learn more here about how to search, compare, and book train tickets in Italy.

Civitavecchia is a charming coastal town dating back to the 2nd century; here are our recommended hotels:

• Hotel Traghetto – this hotel offers complimentary breakfast with your booking. A shuttle bus is across the street to take you to your ship. You are more or less next door to the entrance of the cruise terminal. A grocery shop is nearby if you miss essential items from your cruise packing list. This hotel will also arrange a transfer if you come straight from the Rome International Airport. Contact them by email before you leave home for a price quotation. If you are over 65, remember to ask for their senior discount!
• Hotel San Giorgio—this is a good hotel. Ask for a room with a sea view. On the morning of departure, take a 5-minute taxi ride to the port.
• Hotel Mediterraneo is a clean but basic hotel within walking distance of restaurants and a supermarket. You can walk to the port from here. However, in hot weather, it’s better to ask the hotel to arrange transport with the shuttle bus.
• Hotel Traiano—This hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to the port. Ask the concierge for help booking this when you check in. They will also help with airport transfers if you contact them before you leave home.

Four ways to see the best of Rome before your cruise from Civitavecchia cruise port

We have covered four primary areas of the city. Explore each as much or as little as you wish according to your schedule. And in any order you like.

In a city with so much history and art, it’s a good idea to pack a pocket guidebook so you don’t miss anything. And for some sights, it is worth booking a guided tour.

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Day 1: The Jewish Quarter, Trastevere and Vatican City

Start your day by visiting the Roman Ghetto, the Jewish quarter in Rome. This small area stretches only four blocks but has unusual shops and small eateries.

Born on the edges of the Tiber River, Rome connects its neighborhoods with a series of bridges. From the Jewish quarter, walk over the Ponte Garibaldi and into Trastevere.

Many locals live in apartments, squeezed tightly along the narrow streets of Trastevere. You’ll find tiny bookshops, small cafés, and unique boutiques. In the center, Piazza Santa Maria has a good selection of restaurants surrounding the central fountain.

A tour of the Vatican museums and St Peter’s Basilica

On this side of the Tiber, take the subway to Vatican City and start at St Peter’s Basilica. You now stand in the heart of iconic art and an architectural treasure trove.

St Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and is located in St Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro). The church is free of charge to enter. However, the lines are very long.

We recommend purchasing a skip-the-line ticket, which is well worth the small fee.

After St Peter’s Basilica (or before; it does not matter which order you do this), visit the Vatican Museums. These include Renaissance frescoes and, of course, the unforgettable Sistine Chapel.

You must pay an entrance fee to visit the Vatican Museums. We recommend purchasing the audio guide if you are visiting without a guide.

We estimate that you will need around 4 hours to see the museums in their entirety. Don't forget to include the stunning Gardens of Vatican City in your tour. You will need to purchase a ticket that includes the gardens as the entrance is only allowed from within the museums.

However, we strongly recommend booking a tour with a professional guide. It’s a great way to gain a whole new appreciation of this small nation’s wonders.

Good to know before visiting Vatican City

• There are security checks in Vatican City, and queues can be extensive. Be prepared to wait. Have a water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat to beat the heat. There are public restrooms behind the post office.
• Check that St Peter’s Basilica is open when you are due to visit. You cannot go inside the church on Sunday morning if there is a Pope’s mass. In addition, the Pope’s general audience is held in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday mornings. At this time, you cannot enter the church.
• The dome of St Peter’s Basilica is open from March to October. You can take an elevator to the roof for around 10 euros per person. Climbing the steps takes longer but is a little cheaper. From the rooftop, it is 320 steps to get to the dome. Do not do this if you are not keen on confined spaces. It’s a tricky, narrow climb up and down in the same way.
• There is a dress code in Vatican City. The general rule is that shoulders and knees should be covered.

Onwards from Vatican City

From St Peter’s Square, walk straight down the broad avenue of Via Della Conciliazione. Before you cross the road at the end, turn around and snap an iconic view back towards St Peter’s Basilica.

Try to avoid the lunch restaurants along this street. They are generally overpriced for what you get and aimed at the unknowing tourist.

A Bird’s eye view over Rome from Castel Sant’ Angelo

Straight in front of you is the park and Castel Sant’ Angelo.

Designed by Hadrian as a massive tomb and now a museum, the castle gets its name from the statue on the roof of Sant’ Angelo. This fortress is worth the entrance fee onlyu love art will ill take you around 1.5 hours to see the art and architecture.

Even if you choose not to visit the art collections, before you leave we recommend that you make your way to the terrace at the top of Castel Sant 'Angelo. Stop for coffee at the small café for a fantastic view over Rome, Vatican City, and the bridges over the Tiber.

Outside walk,directly across the old Roman bridge Ponte Sant’ Angelo. Be sure to stop and look at the views around you as you cross the Tiber. This leads to the city’s heart and towards Piazza Navona.

Day 2: Piazza Navona, The Pantheon and Trevi Fountain

The center of Baroque Rome, Piazza Navona, is home to one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. Trendy cafes sit alongside magnificent palaces, spire and lantern churches, and tiny nightspots.

Take your time walking the small streets around the piazza. Look up at apartments with rooftop gardens that pack the tiny streets. Here, local delis and hole-in-the-wall bakeries can be discovered. Order a plate of antipasti with a glass of sweet Riesling. Or a scoop of gelato if you are less hungry but need a sweet treat.

In the warm weather, the piazza is packed. Many visitors cluster around the elaborate fountains, the most famous of which is Bernini’s Four Rivers Fountain—Fontana Dei Quattro Fiumi.

Artists will want to paint your portrait or offer paintings and postcards of Rome’s architecture. They make great souvenirs. Take your time to explore the surrounding palazzos and frescoes. Finish with some antique window shopping along Via Dei Coronari.

Authentic gelato from a Roman artisan

A word about gelato: find an artisan who sells authentic gelato. That means one who makes their gelato on the premises with fresh ingredients. Authentic gelato is dense, not airy, and the colors are natural, not vivid and fake. Try Gunthers on Piazza di S. Eustachio; you will be spoiled forever.

The Pantheon Dome and its Oculus

The two-thousand-year-old Pantheon is a 10-minute walk away from Piazza Navona. Enjoy a cappuccino on Piazza Della Rotonda while taking in the site of this ancient wonder. Imagine a busy Roman market where there are now tourist tables, cafés, and souvenir shops.

Entrance inside the Pantheon is free, and there are seldom queues. Follow your instinct and look up towards the only light source – the oculus – at the center of the incredible dome.

If you want to experience shopping at its best before you cruise from Rome, walk Via del Corso. One of the central and most elegant shopping streets, it ends at Trevi Fountain. The fountain is probably the most famous site in Rome.

Remember to turn your back and throw a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain. It’s a wish to return to the city!

Day 3: The Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese

The area around Villa Borghese is orderly, elegant, and lush. The enormous landscaped gardens include statues, fountains, and world-class museums. Spend a few hours here, stopping at the café for a light bite.

Then, walk to the Pincio Terrace for a panorama of Rome. This will be one of your most memorable days before you start your cruise from Rome.

Follow the steps down into Piazza del Popolo, a vast oval piazza that was the main gateway into ancient Rome at one time. The piazza is home to Raphael’s famed Chigi Chapel inside the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo. The church is used in one of the scenes from Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons.

Via Condotti and Rome’s center of haute couture to the Spanish Steps

From here, make your way between Via Margutta and Via del Babuino. You’ll find the best of the art and antique shops. 

Then, sidestep towards Via Condotti before heading to the Spanish Steps. On Via Condotti, you will find the chicest shops in the center of Rome’s haute couture. Follow the road leading to Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps for those iconic photo moments. Finish your day with an evening in this area, where you can take your pick of restaurants.

You are walking a lot today, but this area is worth taking your time in. Pick up a guidebook before you leave home. That way, you will not miss gems such as Galleria Borghese and Keats-Shelley Memorial along the way.

This day out highlights the Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese, which also works well in reverse.

For a new appreciation of the Spanish Steps, get there early in the morning before the tourists arrive—at sunrise if you can. Take time to enjoy this area in peace, quiet, and sunshine.

Day 4: Ancient Rome, Vittoriano, and the Colosseum

Experiencing the Eternal City before your cruise would not be complete unless you immerse yourself in its ancient past. Start with the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument, or simply Vittoriano, mesmerizing in its sheer size.

Dedicated to the memory of Italy’s first King, the monument Vittoriano houses art galleries and the tomb of the unknown soldier. If you want to skip seeing the art, buy a ticket and climb the stairs to the first level. From there, take the glass elevator to the top. Here, you are rewarded with the best panoramic view in Rome.

A step back in time to Ancient Rome at the Colosseum and Roman Forum

In the heart of ancient Rome, visit The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Musei Capitolini. There is so much more, but with these four focal points, you will experience the best of Rome’s ancient history.

Use a guidebook so you don’t miss anything. For example, it’s easy to miss Julius Caesar’s cremation site if you don’t know where to look. Better still, book a guided tour.

Most good tour operators use local guides, and tours last about three hours. Wear good walking shoes and long sleeves to beat the sun. Fill up your water bottle from the drinking fountain outside the main entrance to the Colosseum. Many of these fountains are dotted around the city, and the water is good to drink.

Hop-on/hop-off bus from Circus Maximum to the city center

At the end of your tour, walk towards Circus Maximus. If you are there in the summer, visit the nearby Rose Garden, Roseto di Roma Capitale, where all the flowers bloom. From Circus Maximum, hop onto one of the open-top Big Bus tours or hop-on/hop-off buses. They also depart from outside the Colosseum.

The hop-on, hop-off buses are one of the best ways to see any city. Buy a 24-hour ticket before you leave home.

After walking so much, it’s a perfect way to get back to the city center. Head to Piazza del Popolo and make your way through the crowds for some local Italian food.

Many attractions in Rome are free on the first Sunday of each month, including the Colosseum. This area of ancient Rome gets very crowded, so get there early at opening time if you can.

How to get from central Rome to Civitavecchia Port

To get to the Port of Civitavecchia for your cruise from Rome, you have these alternatives:

Private Transfer

If you are more than two people, we recommend booking a private transfer before you leave home. It is the most expensive option, but it is good if you can share the cost with your fellow travelers. Tell your supplier when you want to check in at the cruise port. They will calculate your pickup time from the hotel to get you there quickly.

Taxi

Ask your hotel about pre-booking a cab. Allow plenty of time to get to the port. Traffic and queues are unpredictable, especially in the high season. Taxis charge a flat rate; establish this with your driver before you start. The cost is high—around 120 euros from the city to the port.

Train

Traveling by train from Rome’s Termini station to the train station at Civitavecchia is easy and will save you money.

You can buy train tickets at the train station for around 5 euros per person. There are ticket windows (be prepared to queue) and automated ticket machines.

If you have a paper ticket, you must remember to get your ticket stamped at a machine before boarding the train. Otherwise, you risk a heavy fine on board. You do not need to do this if you buy your train ticket in advance and download it onto your phone.

On Termini station’s lower floor, there are shops, cafes, a tourist office, and even a shopping center.

Italy's major train operators are Trenitalia and Italo. You can search, compare, and book train tickets online before you leave home.

Arriving at Civitavecchia Port

Arrival by transfer/taxi

You need to get dropped off at the port service center, Largo Della Pace. It is the main terminal for all shuttle buses that will take you to your cruise ship. The shuttle buses are all free of charge within the port.

Arrival by train

A local bus costs about 2 euros to travel from Civitavecchia train station to the service center at the port, Largo Della Pace. The journey takes 10 minutes, and buses leave every 15 minutes. Tickets can be bought from inside the train station.

Alternatively, you could walk from Civitavecchia train station to Largo Della Pace to save money. It is about 1.5km and takes about 15 minutes. But remember you have your luggage too so it could be tiring. Taxis can be hard to find from the train station, but this is an option if you succeed.

How to get from Civitavecchia port to central Rome to continue your cruise vacation

If you plan to spend more time in Rome after your cruise, it is now easier than ever to travel by train.

The new Civitavecchia Express train and the Civitavecchia Port Link bus service means your transfer from your cruise ship to central Rome is smoother than ever.

How to start planning your cruise from Rome

If you are still in the planning process and need help deciding on the best cruise for you, our articles are full of good advice and travel tips to help you book the perfect cruise for you and your family.

Use the search bar at the top of our homepage to help find what you are looking for. Alternatively, email us at info@cruisetrail.com, and we will do our best to help you!