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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.
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.
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.
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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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.
...MoreMost 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.
...MoreWith 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.
...MoreDuring 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.
...MoreThe 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.
...MoreLivorno 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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