Assisi Day Trip from Civitavecchia: Private Driver Tour

Three basilicas built on the life of Saint Francis, explored at your own pace

A private shore excursion from Civitavecchia port to the medieval town of Assisi in Umbria, with an English-speaking driver, air-conditioned vehicle, and port pickup and dropoff. The Basilica of St. Francis (built where the saint chose to be buried) anchors the visit, alongside the Basilica of St. Clare and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where the Franciscan movement began. A licensed local guide in Assisi is available as an add-on option to deepen the history and art of each site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Basilica of St. Francis1h
2. Basilica of St. Clare30m
3. Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels30m

Full-day tour of Assisi

• Travel from Civitavecchia port to Assisi
• Visit Basilica of St. Francis
• Visit Basilica of St. Clare
• Visit Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels
• Explore Assisi town and lunch
• Return to Civitavecchia port

The experience

The driver meets you outside your cruise ship holding a sign with your name, then drives you inland to Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site perched on the slopes of Mount Subasio. The town itself is small enough to walk, and nearly everything in sight connects to Saint Francis: the saint who founded the Franciscan order here in 1208 and chose Assisi as his final resting place. The Basilica of St. Francis rises above the medieval streets, built directly over the spot where he was buried. Admission is included. The pink stone of the Basilica of St. Clare, extracted from the Subasio quarry, holds frescoes from the 12th to 14th centuries, and a short distance outside town sits the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, a larger papal basilica that houses the Porziuncola: the small church where the Franciscan movement itself began.

You control how long you spend at each basilica and in the town's medieval streets. The tour runs about ten hours door-to-door, which leaves time for lunch. Your driver can suggest a restaurant or pizzeria that fits your budget. If you book the option with a licensed local guide, that guide meets you in Assisi and walks you through the history, art, and spiritual heritage of the sites: otherwise you explore independently or with a guidebook. Either way, the vehicle is air-conditioned and fully insured, and your driver speaks English throughout the day.

The return journey follows the same route back to Civitavecchia, timed to get you back to your ship. Because this is a private tour, only your group participates, and you can request modifications at booking if there are specific sites or restaurants you want to prioritize.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking driver.
• air-conditioned, fully insured vehicle.
• pickup and dropoff at Civitavecchia cruise port.
• admission to the Basilica of St. Francis.
• access to the Basilica of St. Clare and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
• optional licensed local guide in Assisi (available as an add-on at checkout).

Options for this experience

2 options

Private tour, no tour guideGuide in English · 07:30This is a private tour; only your group participates. Included: a professional English-speaking driver and vehicle for the full duration. Not included: a tour guide. Includes pickup.

Private tour with tour guide includedGuide in English or Italian · 07:30Also included: a local licensed private tour guide in Assisi. All-inclusive private tour: only your group takes part, with a professional English-speaking driver and vehicle for the full duration. Includes pickup.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (5 to 17 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Top Excursions-Italy

Is this one for you?Book this tour if your ship's schedule allows a full morning and afternoon away from port. The ten-hour window is what makes all three basilicas and a walk through Assisi's medieval streets possible without rushing. Choose the option with a guide if you want the history and art of each site explained. Choose without if you prefer to set your own pace or use a guidebook.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 17 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What is the Basilica of St. Francis and why is it the center of Assisi?

The Basilica of St. Francis was built on the exact spot where Saint Francis chose to be buried, making it the spiritual heart of the town. Francis founded the Franciscan religious order in Assisi in 1208, and the basilica (where admission is included) stands as a pilgrimage destination for Christians wanting to see the places where he was born, worked, and died.

Can I visit Assisi without a guide, or do I need to book one?

A guide is optional. You can explore the three basilicas and the medieval streets of Assisi on your own, or you can add a licensed local guide at checkout who will explain the history, art, and spiritual significance of each site in detail. The driver is included either way and speaks English.

How much time do I have in Assisi itself, and is there time for lunch?

The full tour is about ten hours from port to port, which includes the drive and time to visit the three basilicas and walk through the town. There is time built in for lunch. Your driver can recommend restaurants and pizzerias suited to your budget and preferences.

Where exactly does the driver pick me up and drop me off?

The driver waits for you right outside your cruise ship at Civitavecchia, holding a sign with your name. At the end of the day, the same driver returns you directly to the port so you can board your ship.

What is the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, and why is it included if it is outside Assisi?

Santa Maria degli Angeli is a papal basilica located about 4 kilometers from Assisi town and houses the Porziuncola, the small church where the Franciscan movement began. It is a key stop because it shows where the order that shaped Assisi originated, and admission is included in your tour.