Things to do in Livorno

Things to do in  Livorno

Under the Tuscan sun

Despite its long history as an important trade port, Livorno is best known today as the gateway to central Italy for cruise ship passengers. Tuscan headliners like Florence, Pisa, and the Chianti wine country are all within striking distance, as are the popular coastal villages of the Cinque Terre and Portovenere. Before heading further afield, travelers spend a few hours exploring the city of Livorno itself, with stops at the elegant seafront Terrazza Mascagni, the warren of canals in Piccola Venezia, and the landmark central market.

Top 4 attractions in Livorno

Livorno Aquarium (Acquario di Livorno)

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Livorno, one of Italy’s most important seaports, is also home to an excellent aquarium. Kids and adults can enjoy watching marine creatures like zebra and blacktip sharks, Napoleon and angel fish, rays, seahorses, tortoises, and other species of marine wildlife in tanks, tunnels, and touch pools.More

Sanctuary of Montenero (Santuario di Montenero)

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This religious complex, known as the Santuario della Madonna di Montenero, is one of the most visited sanctuaries in the Livorno hills. Take in its peaceful chapel, caves used as a hideout for thieves over the centuries and as a shelter during World War II, and an impressive collection of 700 historic ex-votos.More
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Livorno Cruise Port (Livorno Terminal Crociere)

Livorno Cruise Port (Livorno Terminal Crociere)

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The Livorno Cruise Port (Livorno Terminal Crociere), a busy shipping terminal set on the Tuscan coast, serves as a gateway to this famous Italian region and its capital city of Florence. With few attractions of its own, the port city of Livorno is primarily a jumping-off point to explore the Tuscan cities and countryside.More

Mascagni Terrace (Terrazza Mascagni)

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Locals and visitors alike enjoy strolling along Livorno’s Terrazza Mascagni, a scenic promenade with sweeping views over the Mediterranean, an elegant balustrade, black-and-white checkerboard pavement, park, and bandstand. No visit to the city is complete without a turn along this striking stretch of seafront.More

Top activities in Livorno

Cinque Terre Private Tour from Livorno

Cinque Terre Private Tour from Livorno

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City Sightseeing Livorno Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
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Livorno Shore Excursion to Florence, Guaranteed Return On Time
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Livorno Shore Excursion to Florence, Guaranteed Return On Time

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Full day shore excursion to Florence and Pisa from Livorno with tasting
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Livorno Shore Excursion to Florence & Pisa
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Livorno Shore Excursion to Florence & Pisa

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Livorno port-Florence round trip

Livorno port-Florence round trip

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Half Day Shore Excursion: Pisa And The Leaning Tower From Livorno
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Full day Shore Excursion to Florence from Livorno with tasting
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Livorno Food and Market Tour

Livorno Food and Market Tour

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All about Livorno

When to visit

To get from the cruise ports to downtown Livorno, you can take a shuttle bus, taxi, or public bus in the direction of Piazza Grande or Via Grande. Once there, the historic center is pretty small and can be explored easily on foot. If you are in town for longer than a day, use the local buses to reach places like Livorno Centrale railway station or Terrazza Mascagni. Tickets can be bought at any city tabaccheria (tobacco shop) or newsstand.

Getting around

The ideal time to visit Livorno is in late spring or early fall when the temperatures are balmy enough for beach days but there are fewer cruisers around. If you are in town at the end of July, look out for the Effetto Venezia festival, during which musical performances and cultural events take place around Livorno’s bustling Nuova Venezia neighborhood. Avoid Easter and August—this time of year, the locals take their vacations and many restaurants are closed.

Traveler tips

Skip the tourist plates of spaghetti bolognese or Hawaiian pizza when you’re in Livorno, and seek out the renowned seafood instead. Cacciucco alla Livornese is the city’s signature dish, and the flavorful fish stew doesn’t disappoint. Any decent restaurant will serve it, but the Trattoria da Galileo (a few streets away from Piazza della Repubblica) is said to serve up the best cacciucco in town.

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People Also Ask

What is Livorno known for?

Livorno is a historical port city on the Tuscan coast. While some might say its most significant era was at the end of the 16th century, when the Medici grand dukes made it a “free port,” Livorno remains pretty important today as a major seaport and economic hub.

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Is Livorno worth visiting?

Most cruise ship visitors simply pass through Livorno en route to Pisa or Florence. If you have time on your hands, however, it’s worth lingering here a little longer. You can stroll along the chessboard-like terrace of Terrazza Mascagni or take a trip to Livorno’s aquarium.

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Is Livorno a nice town?

With its seafront location, multicultural vibe, and port history, Livorno checks lots of “nice town” boxes. That said, there’s no denying that the city’s industrial side gives the city a somewhat grittier reputation—especially compared with Tuscan beauties like Florence, Siena, and Lucca.

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Is Livorno safe?

During daylight hours, Livorno is as safe as any other place. Like many large cities, it does have some streets were crime occurs after dark, especially around bars or after football matches. It’s always worth keeping expensive gadgets out of sight and taking care of your belongings when walking around.

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Where do cruise ships dock in Livorno, Italy?

The city has two different docking areas: Most cruise ships dock at the Porto Industriale (along with other large vessels); smaller vessels dock at the nearby Porto Mediceo. Note that it’s not possible to walk around the busy Porto Industriale; you’ll need to take a shuttle bus into town.

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Does Livorno have a beach?

Livorno city doesn’t have any beaches, but the wider province does. To reach the closest beaches to the port, head north, toward the Marina di Pisa. The stretch of coastline between these two hubs is home to many bagni (private beaches) where soft sands and amenities abound.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
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