You’re coming on a cruise ship and you’ll only have one day in Rome? Keep reading for the best plan for your one day in Rome!
If you’re visiting Rome by cruise ship, you’ll only have a day to explore this monumental city, so it’s necessary to have a plan for visiting. Read this blog post for everything from how to get to Rome from the port, to what to see and do in one short day in Rome!
While it’s not possible to see everything you should in only one day, if you put in some effort you can see a big chunk of Rome in a few hours (read about our walking tour to see as much as you can). Of course that means most of the famous landmarks you’ll only see from the outside, but that only gives you a reason to come back to Rome!
WHERE IS THE CRUISE PORT IN ROME?
The cruise port is not actually in Rome. As Rome is not a city on the coast, the cruise ships actually dock in Civitavecchia, a small town an hour away from Rome. Civitavecchia is a cute town in itself, but Rome should definitely be a priority once you’re there.
HOW TO GET TO ROME?
While it might seem a bit complicated to reach Rome, it’s really not. There are a few ways to get to the Eternal City:
- Book an excursion with your cruise line – this is the easiest and safest way to get to Rome. They will take you straight from the ship to the city center and you’ll be sure to get back in time. Unfortunately, this option is also the most expensive one, so it’s not something I really recommend, but if you’re unsure of managing everything yourself, this is the safest option.
- Take the free shuttle bus from the cruise ship to the Civitavecchia bus station. Once you’re there, you can either book a bus to the city center or get a train to Rome Termini train station. We took the bus to Rome (15 euros per person one way) and got back by a train (11 euros per person). Keep in mind that the train station in Civitavecchia is a 15 minute walk from the bus station so make sure you get back in time for your shuttle to the cruise ship.
WHAT’S THE CURRENCY IN ROME?
The currency in Italy is euro, as it is in the most of the EU. If you’re doing a cruise with many european destinations make sure to have cash on you, although in Rome you can pay for almost anything by card. Keep cash for small souvenirs and tips in restaurants.
WHAT TO SEE IN ONE DAY IN ROME:
We started our sightseeing in Vatican because our bus left us there, but if you’re taking the train you can exit at Roma Termini station and start with the Colosseum or exit at Roma Trastevere and start with the Trastevere quarter.
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VATICAN
Vatican, the most important country for many people all over the world, is a great place to start your Rome tour. See the Basilica and the St. Mark’s square, say a prayer if you’re Christian. You probably won’t have time to see the Vatican museums if you’re there for only one day, unless you choose to skip some of the other incredible landmarks of Rome.
CASTLE ST ANGELO
This beautiful castle is one of the most prominent castles in Rome. Close to Vatican, it will take you a few minutes to reach the castle. Once upon a time, they used tunnels from the Vatican to the castle in case of an attack on the Pope, which is very interesting. You can enter the castle for about 12 euros or see it from the outside only.
TRASTEVERE
Trastevere is one of Rome’s most loved and popular parts of the city. It’s known for lovely restaurants and lively nightlife, so it’s a great place to grab a quick bite or sit down for a delicious roman lunch. Walk through the narrow streets of Trastevere and enjoy the feeling of real roman spirit.
PIAZZA NAVONA
The most popular square in Rome is Piazza Navona, and it’s a location you need to visit. It’s got a church, obelisk, and a few gorgeous fountains, which makes it quite a famous location in the city. Many tourists spend time there, which means there are quite a few tourist traps there. Make sure you don’t sit down at any of the restaurants there because those are not the places that offer authentic Italian food.
PANTHEON
One of the oldest buildings in Rome is the incredible Pantheon which will take your breath away. The huge monumental building is an absolute must see. If you’re good with planning get yourself a time slot with an audio guide and see the Pantheon from the inside. The audio tour takes around 30 minutes so it won’t make a big dent in your available time, but it’s so worth the visit.
TREVI FOUNTAIN
The prettiest fountain in the world is a landmark you’re surely looking forward to seeing. It’s easily reachable from the Pantheon, less than 10 minutes away by foot. The Trevi fountain is incredibly crowded during any part of the day so be prepared. Crowd or not, make sure to climb down to the fountain and throw a coin into it, as a promise you’ll return to the eternal city.
COLOSSEUM
The last and the most monumental landmark of all is the magnificent colosseum. The glorious arena has been the face of Rome for ages, and it’s a place that must be on you’re visiting list when you’re in Rome. When you’re visiting with a cruise you are very limited with time, so make sure you book your colosseum tickets well in advance and make sure they’re skip-the-line tickets that will take you inside at the exact time you’re there.
