Tuscany Review
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Livorno​

Livorno


The city of Livorno is the capital city of the Province of Livorno with a population of 157,783 inhabitants.

Situated on the Ligurian sea, it covers a total area of 105 km² and lies 90 kilometres south west of Florence, the regional capital of Tuscany.

Livorno is best-known as a sea port, the second largest in Italy after Genoa. Most tourists that pass through here are on their way somewhere else by ferry but the city itself also its own charms.
A limited number of cities in Italy have an English version of their name such as Rome instead of Roma or Venice instead of Venezia and so on; despite being some way down on the usual lists of places to visit in Italy, Livorno is just such a place that has an anglicised name but just how many people use that name, "Leghorn", is open to debate. For what it's worth, Leghorn is said to derive from the Genoese who used to call the city "Ligorno" in their dialect. Just why it ended up as Leghorn in English is questionable but let's just stick to the Italian version of Livorno anyway, it's sounds nicer and certainly less weird! 

​There are traces of a settlement in Livorno as far back as the Neolithic era and further evidence of life from the Etruscans and from the Romans. Throughout the middle ages Livorno remained a relatively insignificant port town with a small population but that all started to change with the arrival of the Medici family in the Renaissance period. They commissioned a new port and fortress (now known as the Fortezza Nuova - the New Fort) in the shape of a pentagon, breathing life into the sleepy town. Further political and economic developments stimulated further growth; a combination of trade incentives for shipping and relaxed laws for minor ethnic groups, saw Livorno flourish before being granted city status in 1606.

​Allied bombing raids during World War Two destroyed much of Livorno's historic architectural legacy and the modern style of the areas that were rebuilt lacked some of the previous grandeur. There are however, still many places of interest in the city, not least the area known as Piccola Venezia (Little Venice). The name leaves little to the imagination; a series of canals built using the same methods by which Venice itself was built. Water surrounds the Fortezza Nuova which can be seen from the large square: Piazza della Repubblica and If you cross to the opposite side of the Piazza, you can enjoy a pleasant quayside walk along another canal that leads all the way down to the main port area called the Porto Mediceo. 

Another pleasant area to walk is south of the Porto Mediceo; this tree-lined passageway is a popular spot for the evening passeggiata and continues down as far as the Terrazza Mascagni with its distinctive chessboard pavement. You'll also find the Livorno Aquarium here along with a private beach area and a marina. 

​It is though, the port to which most visitors to Livorno gravitate towards; from here you can sail across to the Spanish city of Barcelona, to Tangier in Morocco on the African mainland, to Corsica, Sardinia or to the island of Capraia in the Tuscan Archipelago. Famous monuments in and around the port area include the Monumento dei Quattro Mori (Monument of the Four Moors), a beautiful statue whose significance is often the source of controversy and debate, while as you leave or enter Livorno's port you'll most likely pass the Fortezza Vecchia (Old Fort) with its imposing tower and fortifications. 

With its proximity to the sea, Livorno has developed into something of a centre of culinary excellence. Dozens of restaurants line the port areas with the speciality dish called "Cacciucco", a type of seafood stew, readily available. Head inland from the port, beyond the main square, Piazza Grande, and you'll find a wider variety of cuisine available along with a large number of shops of all kinds. Piazza Grande is also home to the city's most important religious building: Livorno Cathedral.

Livorno's train station is located at the eastern edge of the city, a 30 minute walk (2.4 km) from Piazza Grande in the centre. To avoid the fairly long walk you can make the same journey with the number 1 and 2 buses which take around 10 minutes. You can reach the centre of Florence (Santa Maria Novella) in an hour and 20 minutes without having to change. Heading north, you can take a train from Livorno all the way to Turin (4 hours), stopping along the way in Pisa (15 minutes), Viareggio (31 mins) and Massa (44 mins). Trains also run south from Livorno, mostly along the coast and all the way down to Rome (2 hours 41 minutes) with stops at Grosseto (1 hour 2 minutes) and the town of Civitavecchia, the main port in the Lazio region, (1 hour 54 minutes).

By car from Livorno to Florence takes 1 hour 14 minutes (90 km), while the journey times and distances to the other provincial capitals of Tuscany are as follows: Pisa - 29  mins (26 km), Lucca - 44  mins (51 km), Massa - 50 mins (69 km), Pistoia - 1 hour  (83 km), Prato - 1 hour 11 mins (103 km), Grosseto - 1 hour 36 mins (133 km), Siena - 1 hour 44 mins (129 km) and Arezzo - 1 hour 53 mins (166 km).

The most convenient airport for Livorno is Pisa Airport which is a 23 minute drive away (25 km), while Tuscany's other major airport, Florence Airport, is the next best option at an hour and 6 minutes away (90 km). 

Places to visit close to Livorno include the beaches of the Calafuria Nature Reserve just south of the city, with the beach resort of Castiglioncello further down the coast. The close proximity of Pisa is an obvious temptation while less obvious but equally fulfilling is the fascinating city of Lucca which lies just beyond Pisa. 
​
​​
Accommodation options in and around Livorno currently include 23 hotels, 67 private apartments and 23 bed & breakfasts. See the link further down to our Hotels page where you'll find live availability and prices. 

Category: Cities of Tuscany

Administrative area: Capital of Livorno Province

Population: 157,783

Highlights: Little Venice canals, Fortezza Nuova, Ferry Links

Close by: Calafuria Nature Reserve, Castiglioncello, Pisa, Lucca

Recommended hotel: Agave in Città
​​​​Public transport: Train station 2 km from centre, ferries, buses
​
​By train: Pisa (15 minutes), Viareggio (31 mins), Massa (44 mins)
By car: Pisa - 29  mins (26 km), Lucca - 44  mins (51 km)
​
​
By air: Pisa Airport - 23 minutes by car (25 km)


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Tuscany Review is part of the Italy Review network of websites, aimed at making life easier for English-speaking people travelling throughout Italy.
For advice on other locations in Italy please visit my websites below:
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Sorrento Review
Abruzzo Review
Amalfi Coast Review
Basilicata Review

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        • San Miniato
        • Fiesole
        • Roccatederighi
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        • Viareggio
        • Castiglione della Pescaia
        • Forte dei Marmi
        • Porto Santo Stefano
        • Porto Ercole
        • Orbetello
        • Rosignano Marittimo
        • San Vincenzo
        • Follonica
      • Orange Flag Towns of Tuscany >
        • Pitigliano
        • Chiusi
        • Santa Fiora Amiata
        • Casciana Terme
        • Lari
        • Sarteano
        • Certaldo
        • Castiglion Fiorentino
        • Trequanda
        • Radicofani
        • Peccioli
        • Casale Marittimo
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        • Cutigliano
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        • Sovana
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        • Coreglia Antelminelli
        • Lucignano
        • Poppi
        • Castelfranco Piandisco
        • Suvereto
        • Buonconvento
        • Montescudaio
        • Scarperia
        • Anghiari
        • Montemerano
        • Barga
        • Loro Ciuffenna
      • Historic Towns of Tuscany >
        • Vinci
        • Pietrasanta
        • Colle di Val d'Elsa
        • Pontremoli
        • Asciano
        • Sorano
        • Bagni di Lucca
        • Reggello
        • Chianciano Terme
        • Sansepolcro
        • Pomarance
        • Borgo San Lorenzo
        • Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
        • San Quirico d'Orcia
      • Pretty Villages of Tuscany >
        • Lajatico
        • Borgo a Mozzano
        • Ponzanello
        • Panzano in Chianti
        • Castiglione d'Orcia
        • Mammiano
        • Montemassi
        • Prata
      • Vineyard Towns of Tuscany >
        • Greve in Chianti
        • Bolgheri
        • Radda in Chianti
        • Carmignano
    • Beach Resorts of Tuscany >
      • Castiglioncello
      • Lido di Camaiore
      • Marina di Cecina
      • Marina di Pietrasanta
      • Marina di Pisa
      • Talamone
      • Marina di Bibbona
      • Baratti
      • Punta Ala
      • Marina di Massa
      • Tirrenia
      • Quercianella
      • Marina di Carrara
    • Beaches of Tuscany >
      • Cala delle Caldane Beach
      • Cala delle Cannelle Beach
      • Cala Spalmatoio
      • Cala del Leone
      • Arenella Beach
      • Campese Beach
      • Spiagge Bianche
      • Le Rocchette
      • Ansedonia
    • Religious Sites of Tuscany >
      • Abbey of Sant'Antimo
      • La Verna
      • Abbey of San Galgano
      • Vallombrosa Abbey
      • Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore
      • San Vivaldo
      • Certosa di Pontignano
    • The Tuscan Archipelago (Arcipelago Toscano) >
      • Elba
      • Giglio
      • Capraia
      • Pianosa
      • Giannutri
      • Montecristo
      • Gorgona
    • Parks & Nature Reserves of Tuscany >
      • Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park
      • Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona & Campigna National Park
      • Migliarino San Rossore Nature Park
      • Parco di Pratolino
      • Calafuria Nature Reserve
    • Landmarks of Tuscany >
      • Ponte della Maddalena
      • Lake Bilancino
      • Lake Santa Luce
      • Monte Amiata
    • Natural Spas of Tuscany >
      • Saturnia
      • Bagno Vignoni
      • Bagni San Filippo
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tuscany >
      • Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany >
        • Medici Villa La Ferdinanda - Artimino
        • Medici Villa Poggio a Caiano
    • Ski Resorts of Tuscany >
      • Abetone
  • Travel
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    • Mountain & Valley Regions of Tuscany >
      • Val d'Orcia
      • Chianti
      • Maremma
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      • Mugello
      • Alpi Apuane Regional Park
      • Val d'Elsa
      • Monte Argentario
      • Crete Senesi
      • Monti dell'Uccellina
      • Val di Cecina
      • Valdichiana
    • Versilia