Car Hire in Civitavecchia

About Civitavecchia

Civitavecchia is a city and municipality of the Metropolitan City of Rome in the Lazio region of central Italy. As you walk through the city, you will witness a long history with many different civilizations that have made their home here in the past. In the beginning, this was just an Etruscan village that grew in importance over the years and became a very important city and the main port for Rome and central Italy, mainly thanks to its proximity to Rome. In addition, Civitavecchia is also the main ferry connection with the island of Sardinia.

Today, Civitavecchia is a pretty city with a lot to see and do and is also perfectly located. It is very close to Rome, but with much fewer people. So if you are looking for a perfect destination, you have one here. You are in the centre of the country, but far away from crowded streets and long lines in front of tourist attractions. Thanks to the mild weather, Civitavecchia is worth visiting all year round. Whenever you come here, you will always have something to do. In addition to many natural and archaeological sites, there are also many historical, religious and cultural sites that you can visit, not to mention that you can enjoy delicious Italian cuisine at every turn. There are many great restaurants and taverns, small family restaurants, etc., so you can be prepared for a complete travelling experience.

It is good to know that the most crowded and busy part of the city is the port. This is mainly due to the ferry and cruise lines, which is why more than 5 million passengers pass through this port every year. Another thing that many tourists and travellers vacationing here in Civitavecchia is fascinated by is the cleanliness of this place.

So, Civitavecchia will enchant you with a mixture of old and modern. You can see many historical monuments and buildings here, but at the same time, a truly modern spirit can be felt everywhere in the city, as many young people live here and find their jobs in Civitavecchia. Besides the historical, cultural, religious, archaeological and natural sites that you can visit here, there are also many opportunities for shopping here, as there are many shopping malls and also many smaller boutiques where you can find everything you can imagine in Italy. So the most important thing is that you do not have to go to a big city to enjoy the Italian metropolitan life. If you are taking a road trip through central Italy, you should put Civitavecchia on your list of cities to stop in. One to three days of stay will be enough, then you can buckle up and continue your road trip through this amazing country. And of course, do not forget that in Civitavecchia you'll be close to Rome. So be sure to plan a day to visit the capital and one of the most famous cities in Italy and beyond, Rome.

Basic info and car hire in Civitavecchia

• Location: Lazio region, Italy
• Population: 53,027
• Official language: Italian
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Civitavecchia experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate   
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Civitavecchia are in good condition.
• Car hire in Civitavecchia:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Civitavecchia is at the Civitavecchia Downtown. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks before your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Civitavecchia!

 Driving in Civitavecchia

Civitavecchia is a relatively small city, so you do not need a car to explore the city centre. You can explore the old town on foot and leave your car in one of the many parking lots near the port or outside the city. Since Civitavecchia is often a starting point for a vacation in Italy, because many ferries and cruise ships arrive at the port, and to continue your road trip through Italy, a car is the best solution for you. You can rent a car here in Civitavecchia and continue your trip after exploring this beautiful city.

Civitavecchia is about 70 kilometres away from Rome and you can reach the capital via the highway or the Aurelia consular road. Often it depends on the traffic jams which road you choose. So, pay attention to the current traffic situation if you decide to take a road trip to Rome because the traffic jams here can be quite big and long, so you can lose a lot of time if you are stuck in a traffic jam.

If you have enough patience and a good plan, driving here is not very stressful and a good starting point for your further road trip. All you have to do is follow the rules and obey all traffic signalizations, and you will not have any problems here. It's good to know that the police here are quite strict. So you should follow the rules and especially the speed limits, as there are many cameras and speed controls.

• Age limits: 21 years old-25 for larger vehicles
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passport), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance.   
• Additional requirements: Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), warning triangle (2 are required for all vehicles registered in Italy and one if coming from abroad), high visibility vest (recently made compulsory)- First aid kit (not mandatory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car: Children up to the age of 12 may only be taken in the back seat, and a suitable child seat must be available up to a height of 1.50 meters.
• Driving side of the road: Right hand
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although, in certain areas, the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h.

Popular day trips from Civitavecchia

Civitavecchia is the perfect place to start your journey through Italy. If you are planning a road trip through central Italy, you could not find a better starting point than Civitavecchia. The city is about 70 kilometres from Rome and has excellent connections to other parts of Italy, both by road and by ferries and cruise ships.

The range of excursions from Civitavecchia is really good and you can choose from many guided tours or you can make a plan and go on a day trip on your own.

Some suggestions for a day trip: Civitavecchia shore excursion: Splendor of Rome Tour, Civitavecchia shore excursion: Rome Highlights And Vatican City, "Civita di Bagnoregio", The Dying City and Monster Park, Historical Aircraft Museum from Civitavecchia, Odescalchi Castle: A Step Back to the Middle Ages from Civitavecchia...

What to see in Civitavecchia

Civitavecchia is a city with a long, rich and turbulent past where many different civilizations and cultures have ruled, which can be seen in the architecture and monuments in the city and its surroundings. This place has a lot to offer for every kind of tourist and traveller. You can visit many different historical, cultural, religious, natural and archaeological sites. Besides that, there are also some activities you can do here that you will enjoy.

One of the main attractions is undoubtedly the Michelangelo Fortress, believed to have been built by Michelangelo himself, and the historic port of Civitavecchia. It is important to mention that the Michelangelo Fortress is not only a symbol of the city but also one of the most important architectural structures on the coast of Lazio. The fortress was of great importance, especially because the port was the main port of Rome and therefore had to be well protected, and this majestic fortress undoubtedly provided needed protection. Today the interior of the fortress is closed to the public, but you can still admire this magnificent architecture from the outside. While walking through the historic port, do not miss many sites, for example, Vanvitelli Fountain, Porta Livorno, the Ancient Rock and the Lazzaretto Dock.

After exploring the Michelangelo Fortress and the old port, it's time to check out the marina and the Pirgo beach resort. This part of the city has been renovated and is now the liveliest place in town, especially in the summer when many concerts and other cultural events take place in Piazza Della Vita.

Another important and impressive place you can visit here is Terme Taurine. This bath complex is located on the top of the hill and dates back to Roman times. It is very well preserved and can be visited all year round. But there are other thermal baths that you can visit. The Ficoncella thermal baths existed here in ancient times and they are still in operation. It is believed that the water here has a healing effect and many people say that once you come here and relax, you will never want to leave this place. So if you spend your time in Civitavecchia, be sure to visit these thermal baths, where even Emperor Trajan bathed and recharged his batteries for ruling the great Roman Empire.

For those interested in museums and the archaeological past of this area, there is a great archaeological museum of Civitavecchia that you must visit. The museum is located in an eighteenth-century building that was commissioned by Pope Clement XIII. In this museum, you can learn a lot about the history of the city and its surroundings from ancient times to the Middle Ages.

You should also not miss the old town with Piazza Leandra, Chiesa Della Stella, Archetto passage and Piazza Saffi.

If you love nature and are looking for more natural sites, you should visit La Frasca pine forest, located about 9 kilometres outside of Civitavecchia, which, in addition to beautiful pine forest, has many coves and small beaches that are perfect for snorkelling.

Other places and sites worth visiting in Civitavecchia: the Cathedral, the Church of Prayer and Death, the Market, Piazza Regina Margherita...

Drive your rental car beyond Civitavecchia

Renting a car in Civitavecchia is a good idea if you want to explore the wider area. The city is located in the centre of Italy, more precisely in the region of Lazio, so you have a lot of options for your trip around Italy. Lazio is the second most populous region of Italy with Rome being the largest city. Rome is also the capital of Italy and one of the most visited cities in the world. This region offers a perfect balance between nature and urban areas. There are many big cities in the region, but you can also enjoy the wonderful nature with many mountains and coasts. It is also popular because of the many traditional Italian dishes that come from this part of the country. Besides Rome, you should also visit Vatican City. In Vatican City, there are many museums and galleries, churches, monuments and of course one of the most important attractions is the Sistine Chapel.

Other places you should not miss in the Lazio region: Hadrian's Villa, Tiber Island, wine country tours, Palatino, botanical gardens, museums and galleries, shopping...

But of course, Italy is so much more than just the Lazio region. There are so many places to visit in Italy that you need to make a good plan if you want to take a road trip through Italy. Italy is a very diverse country with so much to see and do. But one thing is for sure, there is something for every kind of tourist here. Italy is known for its fantastic beaches, amazing cities, a large number of historical, religious and cultural monuments, great gastronomy, volcanic islands, the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea, beautiful lakes and rivers, breathtaking landscapes, etc.

Travelling from the north to the south of the country, you can experience so many different landscapes, people, cultures, cities and traditions that make Italy a special place. If we then add the truly rich and turbulent past of this trunk-shaped country, there is no doubt that you should visit Italy at least once in your life.

If you prefer winter and winter sports, then you should go to the Dolomites, because there are some of the most famous ski resorts in the world, such as Cortina d'Ampezzo. However, if you are more interested in history, you should visit Pompei and other cities in the south of the country.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Civitavecchia

Civitavecchia is an ideal destination to explore Italian cuisine. There are so many different restaurants and taverns throughout the city where you can try all kinds of food. From traditional Italian cuisine to modern dishes and menus from all over the world. It is important to know that there are also some great places on the street where you can enjoy street food.

Central Italy, especially the Lazio region, is known as a place where many traditional and authentic Italian dishes originated and the people here are very proud of it. So, if you are in Civitavecchia, be sure to try some local specialties: Cesanese di Affile, Nocciola Romana, Pizza de Pasqua de Civitavecchia, Angelo Azzurro, Garum, Rigatoni, Fetuccine, Bucatini...

The region is also famous for its delicious wines, so be sure to try some of the local varieties, of which Frascati Superiore is the most famous.

Nightlife in Civitavecchia is not a highlight of the city, but if you are looking for a good party, you should go to Rome, which is very close and find a perfect place to party.

Best restaurant in Civitavecchia

L'Acqua Salata Restaurant

Forma

Osteria del Pirgo

La Nassa

Ristocatering

Ristorante Il Delfino