One of Italy’s most significant ports, Livorno serves as the point of arrival for many travellers who come to Tuscany, Italy, by ferry or cruise ship. There are so many surrounding attractions in Livorno, a cruise port, that you will need to choose which ones to go to and which ones to forego. It is unlikely to see more than a few of Tuscany’s seven UNESCO-listed global heritage sites in a single day. Shore excursions from Livorno in Tuscany serve as the highlight of the trip. Livorno is a wonderful location in its own right, with a ton of ancient sights and a stunning coastline that are just waiting to be explored, even though many travellers pass through it on their way to Pisa.
Following are some of the top attractions in Livorno
Fortezza Nuova
The New Fort, built in the mid to late 1500s, was an extension of Livorno’s defences and acted as a second stronghold beside the Old Fort. While the fort is surrounded by historic walls and still has many of its defensive characteristics, such as gun ports, it also has a lovely garden and grounds in the middle. Today, visitors can stroll through the gardens, delve inside a few of the fort’s tunnels, and scale the battlements for stunning vistas of the city and its canals.
Nuova Venezia (A new Venice)
The region between both the old & new fortress was intended to house a new district when Livorno was to grow in order to accommodate a burgeoning population in the 1620s. As a result, the architect copied Venice’s construction methods, giving rise to the neighbourhood’s appellation, the new Venice. A boat excursion that rings the new fort will take you through this gorgeous area.
Piazza della Repubblica
It is, without a doubt, the largest of Livorno’s remarkable historical squares.
On the border of a Fortezza Nuova canal, which runs alongside a Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, is where you’ll find this vast square. The square, shaped like a wide oval, is guarded by two elegant marble statues at either end, while the nearby structures display a stunning variety of hues and architectural styles. This is a wonderful spot to unwind and take in some culture and peace. It is home to a number of fantastic art galleries as well as a variety of eateries and seating places.
Beaches in Livorno
The Viale Italia continues south along the shoreline with a series of vistas of the Tyrrhenian Sea from the endpoint of Livorno’s shoreline. Parks and lovely beaches may be found throughout its length, starting at the city’s edge. Walking paths lead to remote coves and beautiful headlands.
Mercato Centrale (Market Square)
Don’t miss Livorno’s Central Market, located next to Piazza Cavour in a late-19th-century structure constructed by Angiolo Badalona, for a taste of local life and colour. Except on Sunday, locals load their grocery bags with foodstuff from the more than 200 stalls and stores every morning, causing a flurry of activity in the main food hall.
Local cheese and salamis can be tried, and you can stock up for beachside picnics. Breakfast pastries and freshly ground coffee are sold in little interior stalls. An outdoor farmers’ market that is as vibrant and active is located close to the market.
Livorno Harbor
One of the biggest in the Mediterranean, the port is located at the western end of the old town. It is a busy location with a steady flow of ships. Mediterranean cruise ships have a busy schedule of arrivals and departures. It’s fascinating to see how something of such a size functions by moving through this enormous harbour.
