Top Rome Shore Excursions

Ciao, and welcome to Italy! The Port of Civitavecchia, located just a short distance from Rome, is one of the most common cruise homeports on European itineraries. If you are lucky enough to have this wonderful city as a part of your future travel plans, you are in for a great time. There is a lot to see in the ‘Eternal City,’ so to help guide you, below is a list of the top Rome shore excursions. 

Civitavecchia’s location in the heart of the Mediterranean makes it an ideal starting and ending point for cruises. It is located a relatively short distance from Rome, an international travel hub that makes for easy port access. Many cruise lines also offer itineraries that make day stops in Rome, which is an enriching port stop. Whether planning a pre- or post-cruise stay or just spending a day exploring, there are many options to sightsee this stunning Italian city. 

Rome welcomes travelers with its timeless allure and rich history, art, and culture tapestry. Every corner of Rome tells a story, from the majestic Colosseum to the magnificent Vatican City. Beyond its storied past, Rome captivates visitors with its vibrant present, offering an array of culinary delights, lively piazzas, and charming neighborhoods to explore. Whether you're an art enthusiast, history buff, foodie, or simply a lover of beauty and culture, there is no shortage of ways to fall in love with Rome. 

Following are some of the most popular shore excursions to check out when you visit Rome. We’ve included highlights of each activity and details of where you can book from Cruiseline.com’s trusted third-party partners at a great price. 

Rome City Tour

To put it simply, there is a ton to see in Rome. If you only have a day to see the highlights, we recommend checking out any of the numerous tours that will bring you to the monuments and important cultural sites that make up the city. 

Most Rome city tours include the following sites - Piazza Navona (home to the Trevi Fountain), the majestic Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, Vatican City (home to St. Peter’s Square and the Sistine Chapel), Piazza Venezia, and much more. 

There are many types of city tour options to check out in Rome - guided tours, self-guided (where you lead yourself around without a group/guide), touring via motor coach (or another method of transport), or even city tours by night. Note that locales you visit on specific Rome city tours may vary, so if there is a particular destination you want to see, ensure your selected tour will stop there before you book! 

Following is a list of top city day tours of Rome to explore:

• Best of Rome
• Rome City-Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Tour
• Panorama of Rome 
• Private Tour of Rome at Night
• Tour of Rome by Golf Cart
• Rome at Your Leisure

Food Tours

No visit to Rome is complete without trying fresh-made pizza, pasta, and gelato! Embarking on a food tour in Rome is a sensory journey that will tantalize your taste buds and immerse you in the culinary traditions of Italy. Enjoy a guided adventure, allowing you to explore and sample the authentic culinary delights of Italian cuisine. For the gourmands who like to cook, what better way than to learn how to make authentic dishes in the birthplace of many of your favorite foods? 

Want to eat and drink your way through Rome? Explore these top food tours:

• Authentic Italian Testaccio Neighborhood Food Tour
• Rome Pizza and Pasta School with Tiramisu Tasting
• Trastevere Evening Food Tour
• A Taste of Civitavecchia

Explore the Vatican and Sistine Chapel 

Visiting the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel in Rome is a journey into the heart of art, history, and spirituality. Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world and the epicenter of Catholicism. We recommend exploring the Vatican with an expert guide to learn about its history and significance, especially in the Sistine Chapel, where there are many “hidden” images that would be missed if not pointed out by a professional. 

These tours will take you to St. Peter's Basilica, where you will marvel at its dome, which towers over the piazza below. You will also explore the Vatican Museum, a treasure trove of ancient sculptures and Renaissance paintings. Inside the Sistine Chapel, admire Michelangelo's breathtaking frescoes, which cover the ceiling and feature the iconic depiction of the Last Judgment on the altar wall. 

Visiting the Vatican and Sistine Chapel is an unforgettable experience and a great way to spend time in Rome. Check out these two excursions for guided tours of the Vatican: 

• Vatican Museum Marvels, St Peter's Basilica, and Sistine Chapel
• The Vatican & St. Peter’s Basilica with Private Guide. 

Visit the Colosseum & Roman Forum 

Step back in time to the glory days of ancient Rome with a guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. As you visit the Colosseum, you'll hear the tales of gladiatorial combat and spectacles that once captivated crowds of thousands at this iconic amphitheater. You'll gain a newfound appreciation for the structure’s engineering marvels as you explore its corridors and seating tiers. At the nearby Roman Forum, wander among the ruins of temples, basilicas, and government buildings and learn how they once formed the epicenter of Roman life. 

These are some top guided tours to consider: 

• Private: Family-Focused Exploration of the Colosseum and Ancient Rome
• Roman Forum and Colosseum Tour  

Learn about the Fountains, Squares, and City Center of Rome 

Explore the heart of Rome with a tour that takes you to the historical and cultural sites you have only read about in history books. 

On this full-day tour of the Roman Fountains and Squares, you will start your adventure with a visit to the Pantheon, the world's best-preserved ancient Roman building. You will learn about the structure’s history and its use today as an active Roman Catholic Basilica. Next, visit Piazza Navona, built on the ruins of the Emperor Domitian's stadium. Pause for a photo with Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers and the iconic Trevi Fountain. Following the tour, you will visit the Campo di Fiori food market and Piazza Farnese, the home of Michelangelo's French Embassy.

To conclude, the journey crosses over the Tiber River to see the medieval area of Trastevere and the square of Santa Maria. 

Another guided option is the Beauty of Rome's Fountains, Squares, and Piazza Navona excursion. This 7.5-hour tour visits St. Peter's Square, the Mausoleum of Hadrian, Castel Sant'Angelo, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain, and concludes with a stop at Piazza Venezia or Campo dei Fiori.

Nearby Day Tours Out of the City

If you have a few days to explore Rome, we recommend a day tour to any of the historical and culturally significant sites located close to the city. 

The Ruins of Pompeii are a historically significant location near Rome. On this full-day tour of Pompeii, you will travel by motor coach for a guided tour. Once a thriving empire, the city of Pompeii had about 20,000 inhabitants in 79 AD, when the deadly eruption of Mount Vesuvius completely covered it in 30 feet of volcanic ash. Your guide will explain the city's history as you take in sites of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Another all-day adventure is this excursion to the walled city of Assisi. You will take a walk back in time with a guided tour, visiting the Basilica of St. Clare (home to some of Italy’s most important medieval art treasures), the Piazza del Commune, the Palazzo del Popolo, the Roman Temple dedicated to Minerva, the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, and the world-famous Basilica of St. Francis.

Located just 30 minutes outside of Rome is the Villas of Tivoli. Enjoy a day tour exploring this ancient Italian town that offers magnificent panoramas of the city and the Latium plain. On this excursion, you will visit Villa Gregoriana, a park with temple ruins, gorges, caves, designer waterfalls, a Cathedral, and the renowned Rocca Pia. Above sits the Villa d'Este, with an Italian garden famous for its magical atmosphere and 500 fountains. Your tour also visits the Grotto of Diana and Hadrian's Villa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Final Thoughts 

Whatever you choose to do during your visit to Rome, you can’t go wrong. The port offers something for travelers of all types, and you are guaranteed to be amazed by the sights and history of this beautiful city. Arrivederci!

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