A large Italian city on the western coast of the "boot" near the Ligurian Sea. Since the Middle Ages it has served as an industrial port.

Livorno is not a very tourist place, there are few beaches, and most of the water area is occupied by an industrial cargo port and shipyards. But the city has many attractions that have been preserved over more than 500 years of history, and its size and general surroundings will allow you to immerse yourself in ordinary Italian life with almost no tourist touch.

Holidays in Livorno

The bulk of tourists are passing through Livorno, most often on the way to Pisa, which is only 20 kilometers away. Another large city, under whose influence the current Livorno was created, is Florence, 70 kilometers away.

Livorno itself has many attractions and often hosts various events, including annual festivals. There are plenty of reasons to visit this city, but don’t expect that you will want to spend your entire vacation here; neighboring resort towns are much better suited for this.

Beaches

In Livorno itself, the beaches are quite small, not very suitable for a good rest, many of them look more like an equipped place for entering the water than a full-fledged beach. And the proximity of the port negatively affects the cleanliness of the water.

But immediately in the north of the city, starting from the shore of the city canal connecting the Arno River and the sea, an excellent sandy beach stretches for almost 10 kilometers, which ends in Marina di Pisa, a small resort village. There are also good beaches on the south side of Livorno, in the urban areas of Ardenze and Antignano.

Shopping

Livorno can offer some good shopping. On the one hand, there are quite a lot of tourists in the city, so prices on the central streets can be inflated. But if you move a little to the side you can find boutiques aimed at local residents. The main street with shops is called Via Grande, one of the central ones in the city. But there are other shopping centers:

• Via Ricasoli
• Via Marradi
• Via Magenta

The assortment is typical for Italian cities - branded clothing, accessories, appliances, jewelry.

But you should definitely visit Livorno's central food market, Mercato Centrale. This is where you can buy inexpensive and fresh local vegetables and fruits, seafood and experience the real Italian food flavor.

Weather

In terms of climate, Livorno differs little from other cities in northern Italy; in summer it is warm, but there is no extreme heat, and in winter there is never frost.

You can relax comfortably in Livorno for six months. The most comfortable weather in this Italian city is in the summer; August is the hottest month, with an average daytime temperature slightly below 30 degrees Celsius. Autumn, although rainy, is warm until mid-November. You can swim from mid-May, when the sea temperature rises to 20 degrees, and until October, sometimes until November, the water will still remain quite warm. The warmest sea is in August, the average temperature is 25.4 degrees.

Map

Story

It is known that this area was inhabited during the Neolithic era, as evidenced by archaeological finds in a cave near Ardenza, which is now a district of the city of Livorno.

It is most likely that the name came from the word Liburna, which was transformed into Livorno, which was the name of fast Roman ships.

Then, in a natural bay where the Arno River flows into the sea, a Roman guard tower was built to protect the Aurelian Way, which ran from Rome through Pisa to Gaul. A small fishing village was formed near the tower; it is in this form (several houses, a destroyed pier and the remains of a tower) that it is mentioned under the name “Livorna” in documents from 1017.

Middle Ages

In the 11th century, these lands belonged to Countess Matilda of Tuscany. It is reliably known that in 1103 she donated Livorno to the Catholics from the Cathedral of Pisa. Then it was a village of literally a few houses, with small fortifications, but without any rights to the surrounding lands and villages. Two decades later, the settlement is sold to the Archbishop of Pisa.

The plight of the port settlement is evidenced by the fact that during the period from 1114 to 1368 Livorno was destroyed and plundered 12 times.

Livorno remained a small and insignificant village until the end of the 13th century. During this period, siltation of the Pisa harbor began. In addition to difficulties for navigation, malaria flourished in the swampy area, so it was decided to make a reserve port from Livorno. In 1303 a large lighthouse was built, and in 1377 a new fortress was built, which included the old fortification buildings. To attract residents to the newly created port, the city was exempted from taxes.

But at the same time, Pisa, in whose possession Livorno was located, was rapidly losing its political significance. In 1399, Pisa and its entire territory fell under the rule of Gian Visconti, Duke of Milan, who tried to unite the Italian lands and promised protection from the Florentines. But the Duke died in 1402, and in 1405 Florence bought Pisa and Livorno. At the same time, the Pisans did not want to give up and the Florentines were able to capture the city by force only a year later, and Livorno at this time was under the rule of a French lieutenant, who was selling the city to Florence’s competitor, independent Genoa. The Genoese did not rule for too long; on June 27, 1421, Livorno was sold to Florence for 100,000 gold florins.

The end of the Middle Ages and the heyday of Livorno

The following decades were a time of upheaval for the Italian settlement. This was mainly due to the invasion of the French army into Italy and the occupation of the area.

In September 1496, Livorno was besieged by the troops of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor. The siege was repulsed, and the city received the motto Fides (Latin loyalty) on its coat of arms.

The dramatic development of Livorno, which led to its transformation into one of the largest cities in Tuscany, began with the activities of Cosimo I de' Medici, Duke of Florence, who decided to create a port from this settlement to replace the Pisan one, which was inconvenient and silted. To achieve this, Livorno was restored to self-government, new fortifications were built, construction of a canal began that would connect the city with Pisa across the Arno River, and in 1548 Cosimo issued a decree protecting Jews in Livorno. Special tax rules were also introduced, allowing goods to be stored in city warehouses for up to a year without paying customs duties, and then re-exported via sea.

By the end of the 16th century, the Medici family decided to expand the city. According to the popular version, Cosimo I ordered the construction of a new fortress, but in fact it was his son, Francesco I, who commissioned the court architect Bernardo Buontalenti to modernize Livorno, which began in 1577. The initial changes were of a civil nature, but after the death of Francesco it was decided to take up the military side of the issue and in 1589 work began on the creation of new fortifications, which we now know as the New Fortress (Fortezza Nuova).

Buontalenti, having received broad powers, decided to rebuild Livorno into an “ideal city” according to the ideas of the Renaissance. This concept envisioned a large square with a temple in the center of the city, from which straight streets radiated symmetrically in all directions, and the settlement itself was surrounded by a wall. Remnants of this layout are still visible in the center of Livorno.

At the end of the 16th century, power in Tuscany passed to Ferdinand I, Francesco's brother. He continued to work on the fortification of Livorno, which by that time had become the main gateway to the sea for Tuscany and Florence. Among the measures that the new Grand Duke took was the expansion of political and physical protection not only to Jews, but also to other exiles: Moors, Greeks, Protestants, Armenians, etc., they were guaranteed religious and political freedom, protection from the Inquisition. But at this time it was necessary to deal with social rather than business issues; the growth of the city led to the emergence of everyday problems and an increase in morbidity. After the first quarantine, which hit the seaport very hard, a hospital and baths were urgently built, and a special institution was created to deal with control issues in the field of medicine.

From surviving documents it is known that the population of Livorno in 1592 was only 900 permanent residents, and in 1609 it was already 5,000.

Officially, on March 19, 1606, Livorno received the status of a city, and the “New Captaincy” was created, an administrative unit under whose control were vast surrounding areas. In general, the 17th century became a golden time for Livorno, while other Italian cities were going through a time of crisis, this port only increased its trade turnover and grew richer. Over the course of the century, further expansion work was carried out, a new pier was built along the shore, and a new urban area was laid out to the north of the existing settlement. It was built on a marshy area using engineering solutions from Venice and was named New Venice (Venezia Nuova).

In 1676, Livorno officially received the status of “porto franco”, although de facto the city no longer had such rights for more than a hundred years.

The rate of growth of the city can be easily tracked by its population. If in 1622 Livorno had 9,100 inhabitants, by 1699 the population reached 18,000, and in 1723 - 26,000.

New time

In the 18th century, the reign of the Medici dynasty ended and Livorno found itself at the center of interests of many powerful states. England was initially active, for which the port was critically important; 77% of British exports to the Mediterranean region passed through it in 1725. But in the end, Livorno, along with all of Tuscany, finds itself under the rule of the House of Lorraine, which in the 18th century entered the Habsburg dynasty.

The expansion of Livorno continued, in particular, a number of urban planning restrictions were lifted, including bans on the construction of houses outside the city walls. But everything did not go according to plan; due to the lack of clear regulations, houses began to be built chaotically in the most convenient and advantageous places, in particular, around the central gate. Although these measures attracted even more people and strengthened Livorno as one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean. In parallel with civil and commercial growth, the new government sought to limit political and administrative influence.

By the end of the 18th century, the city fell into comparative decline, the reason was the occupation of Tuscany by Napoleon's army. This period did not last long, Livorno again received the status of “porto Franco” in 1834 from Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany from the Habsburg dynasty. The fallen trade turnover had not yet had time to recover, but without waiting for the effect of the return of privileges, a decision was made to continue expanding the city, as well as to begin putting things in order with the chaotic development that arose in the last century.

Beginning in 1838, the dismantling of the old city walls began. They no longer had military significance, but interfered with transport links between the old and new parts of Livorno.

The development of tourism also began, first of all, not in Livorno itself, but in the suburb of Ardenza (now one of the city’s districts). The city at this time was visited by many celebrities of its time, including Byron and Percy Shelley.

At the end of the 19th century, Livorno became the center of the struggle for independence. Here an uprising broke out against the power of the Habsburgs, which swept throughout Tuscany. When Austrian troops came to restore order, it was Livorno that was the last to surrender after a two-day siege. And volunteers from the city took part in all three wars of Italian independence.

Also, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, many industrial production facilities opened in Livorno, a railway and a Naval Academy were built. As a result, the city turned from a purely port to a port-industrial center of the region.

Our days

At the beginning of the 20th century, Livorno was noted as the site of the founding of the Italian Communist Party. The First World War brought economic problems, but during the Second World War Livorno suffered seriously.

Italy fought on the side of Nazi Germany and many of its cities were bombed. Livorno, as an important transport hub, became an important target for Allied air power. As a result of the war, a third of the buildings in the city were damaged by bombing. In the historical center, only 8% of buildings remained intact, and a third of historical buildings were completely destroyed. Allied forces liberated Livorno on July 19, 1944, and 28-year-old historian Furio Diaz was appointed mayor, who restored the city.

In the 70s of the last century, Livorno reached its maximum population, which has been declining since then. The tourist component is still not rosy; on the one hand, a large number of cruise ships arrive in Livorno, but not all arriving tourists disembark from board to shore. The tourist attraction was spoiled by industrial zones, a growing port, and the poor condition of many attractions. But the authorities are working to restore its former tourist popularity.

Attractions

This port city is quite young by Italian standards; it has no monuments of ancient architecture and no connections with Ancient Rome. But among the attractions of Livorno there are a lot of buildings from the late Middle Ages, as well as a unique atmosphere that has remained on the central streets since the reign of the Medici family:

New Fortress (Fortezza Nuova)	At the end of the 16th century, the transformation of Livorno into an “ideal city” began, which was surrounded by a wall with bastions. The New Fortress is the remains of those fortifications; most of them were dismantled during the further expansion of the city, but one of the bastions remained. During World War II, the internal buildings were destroyed, but the outer walls of the New Fortress of Livorno have been preserved and are now available to tourists for inspection. Today the fort is located on an island in the city center; you can get here through a bridge or by mooring by boat.
Old Fortress (Fortezza Vecchia)	An older fort that arose on the site of the original city fortifications and defended the city until the construction of the New Fortress. But in fact, both forts were built in the 16th century and the Old Fortress, ironically, at the time of its creation received the name New.
District New Venice (Venezia Nuova)	Today it is the central and tourist part of the city, where most of the attractions are located. This is a historically new part of Livorno, which was built in the 17th century on marshy areas using the experience of Venice. It is dotted with a network of canals, over which there are bridges and along which you can ride a boat.
Castello del Boccale	A large castle located on a picturesque cliff at the very edge of the sea in the Antignano area, in the south of Livorno. Initially, it was an observation tower of the 16th century, which was added to the new castle, stylized as a medieval fortress. In the 20th century, during reconstruction, elements of the castle style were removed and Boccale was turned into more modern apartments.

So, after reading a thousand and one reviews, looking through a lot of photos, you decided to go to Tuscany. Where to look for free beaches? What to do in the evening and where to go for a walk? This is exactly what we will talk about.

Impatient vacationers begin swimming and sunbathing in Tuscany at the beginning of May, and finish only at the end of September. During this period, the water temperature in the Tyrrhenian Sea is ideal for swimming (26-28 °C), which explains the influx of tourists.

What you need to know about Tuscan beaches?

During the season, the beaches of Tuscany are quite expensive. Since October, the entrance price has been reduced significantly. By paying for entry you get sun loungers, a sun umbrella, access to a shower and a changing cabin. On many beaches you will have to pay extra for hot water in the shower; the fee is 1 EUR per minute. So think about it, maybe hardening is not so bad?

The International Foundation for Environmental Education has awarded 16 Tuscan beaches Blue Flags. This sign is like an Oscar for beaches. "Blue flag of quality" They give for clear water, clean sand, a convenient pier and good tourist service. Beaches received this award San Vincenzo, Forte dei Marmi, Cecina, Rosignano, Camaiore and a few more.

Exquisite Versilia: everything is fine, but not cheap

The Tuscan Riviera (Versilia) is a place where the powers that be relax. Lido di Camaiore, Forte dei Marmi, Marina di Pietrasanta, Viareggio- luxurious beaches that require luxurious expenses. But all expenses are quite justified.

The best beaches of Tuscany (and the surrounding areas;)) give their guests clean sand, perfect service and a lot of entertainment:

• elite yacht club in Punta Alla;

• diving;
• water skiing;
• hang gliding;
• surfing;
• scooters;
• night clubs;
• galleries;
• walks through the pine forest;

• golf course;
• bike paths;
• tennis courts;
• horseback riding.

Viareggio- the largest Tuscan resort town on the Versilia coast. It is surrounded by pine forests, so a week's holiday here can be equated to a month in a sanatorium.

Reviews about local shops and boutiques are diametrically opposed. Some people admire new products from Italian designers, while others note only 2-3 good stores. In general, if you are advised to shop at one of the Viareggio outlets, ask your advisor for the exact address of the store, it’s more reliable.

But the prices here are aggressive: even for 35 EUR per day you may not find a place on the shore. But the nearby hotel provides discounts to its guests: a day on the beach - 18 EUR (the price includes an umbrella and 2 sun loungers).

IN Forte dei Marmi It's better to come on Wednesday or Sunday. Then you will be pleased not only by the amazing vegetation and sandy beach, but also by an excellent market. From 8.00 to 14.00 here you can buy homemade cheeses and wines, souvenirs and... high quality Italian clothes! On weekends there is also an antique market.

When you get tired of splashing around in the sea, you can spend a couple of hours reviewing the local Museum of Caricature and Satire. Open air theater marble warehouse, Villa Puccini- not just the beach, as they say.

Olga (27 years old, Kyiv):

“Looking at pictures on the Internet, we decided to stop in Viareggio for the day. We were afraid that the beach would be too expensive, but we were lucky: the entrance cost only 3 EUR. If you take a seat with an umbrella, then 10, but we decided to save money and sunbathe. At the entrance we were given a key to a cabin where you can leave valuables and change clothes. We have somehow gotten used to the fact that various souvenirs are sold on the beaches. I couldn’t resist here either: I bought a couple of bracelets. But to have a massage right on the shore... Tuscany knows how to surprise!”

Liliya (41 years old, Novosibirsk):

“We went with two children and chose a beach on the coast of Viareggio. We immediately bought a subscription for the entire vacation. This is very profitable: if you pay for entry every day, it will be much more expensive. Finally, I was calm for the children: the entry into the sea is very long, you can literally walk on the water. More than 500 meters the water level remains “waist-deep”. The only negative is that the animation is often only in Italian. Our offspring don’t speak English very well either, so they stayed on the sidelines all the time.”

Elba Island: by ferry to “little Sardinia”!

This island has over 130 beaches! Beaches are suitable for couples with children La Biodola, Fetovaia and Lacona, because there is a smooth descent and there are attractions. For divers, the Elbe is a real attraction, because such underwater “gardens” are truly a rarity.

Where to go in Tuscany?

A causeway connects a seaside town Orbetello with the mainland. The beaches here are of average quality, the shore and bottom are strewn with pebbles. But the lagoon itself is a protected area, because not only tourists, but also migratory birds love to rest here. Orbetello has many shops, delicious cuisine, a majestic cathedral and a lonely stone mill on the water - everything you need to feel like a full-fledged traveler after a week spent on the beaches.

By train you can get to Rosignano. This is the only so-called “white beach” in Europe. The sand here is white, like in the Caribbean. It became this way thanks to the work of the soda plant. The plant has existed here for many years and does not cause any damage to the environment.

They enjoy no less fame. Here you will find the purest golden sand, comfortable sun loungers and sun umbrellas. Most beaches in Rimini have a fee, but are much cheaper than in Tuscany. In addition, there are many outlets and shops where you can buy crazy things at a discount.

Not long ago, a small resort town appeared on the shores of the Adriatic Sea - Lido di Jesolo. People come here to take a break from the metropolis, soak up the sun and swim in the warm sea. Read more about the beaches of Lido di Jesolo.

Budget beach holiday in Tuscany: where to look for it?

Free beaches in Italy are less common than good roads in Russia. Although sometimes there are free areas on paid beaches. Some tourists solve the problem even simpler: they sit on rocks nearby.

And the smart ones Googled it in advance, found this review, made notes on Google maps and now relax without extra costs. Because below is a list of beaches for which you don’t have to pay to enter.

List of free beaches in Tuscany:

La Spiaggia della Lecciona

This beach is hidden between Viareggio and Torre del Lago. Pine park, sand, sea - that’s the whole list of available entertainment.

10 km south of the town of Folonnika there is a small beach called Cala Violina with quartz sand.

Buca delle fate

This beach is hard to get to, but a map would definitely be helpful. You will have to abandon the car on the road along which you drove from Polulonia. Further - on foot through the forest. But the clear water and amazing view of Elba Island are worth it.

Barcola beaches

A whole range of beaches where everyone will find their place. Young parents will choose a safe area with small pebbles, middle-aged people will rush to the beach near the pine forest, teenagers will drag their “ancestors” to Topolini.

There are free beaches south of the Marina di Cecina resort

The scheme is the same: we abandon the car on the road and walk briskly through the forest.

Are you planning a holiday in Tuscany? First you need to choose a beach!

Thinking of going wild on the Tuscan Riviera? Keep in mind that for Versilia, 15 rows of tightly packed sun loungers are the norm. There are no free beaches here; there are only a few hotels with their own beaches. The bottom is sandy and shallow.

Southern Tuscany is simply created for an unpretentious family holiday. On the beaches Livorno, Pisa, Grosseto convenient entrances for children, clean sea and low prices. Most hotels have their own beaches, and public areas of the coast are located nearby. The absolute leader here is San Vincenzo. Here you can not only swim and lie on the sand, but also spend your leisure time culturally (no matter how threatening it may sound). Evening walks along the main street or pine grove, star concerts, constant entertainment events, sports grounds - the complete package!

Do you want to relax your soul and body? Smoke your butt and décolleté in the sun? Nudist beach Santa Maria near Forte dei Marmi is waiting for you.

Do you prefer wild areas? Head for the beach. Its sandy shores are washed by the cleanest water in Italy. This corner is protected from the outside world by beautiful rocks and old pine trees. Once upon a time, salt was mined here. Since those times, a medieval fortress has been preserved here. A great place for those who want to get unusual photos from Tuscany.

Maxim (34 years old, Dubna):

“We chose Livorno based on the price/quality ratio. It’s not as expensive as in Versilia, but the entire infrastructure is at the same level: there is where to go, where to stay, have a snack, etc. The beaches turned out to be clean and well-groomed, rental prices are also reasonable: for two sun loungers and an umbrella, 16-25 EUR, depending on the arrangement of the beach and the location of these same sun loungers. We spent a couple of days at thermal centers - the procedures there are great for toning up.”

Alexander (39 years old, Rostov-on-Don):

“My wife and son were on holiday in Castiglione della Pescaya. Two paid beaches on the shore, everything else is free, come and lie down, no one will say a word. On the 3 free kilometers, everyone can fit in, albeit compactly. True, you have to carry towels, an umbrella and other paraphernalia yourself every time.”

Valentin (31 years old, St. Petersburg):

“During your vacation on the Tuscan Riviera, you can stop by a nudist beach, go on a couple of excursions, or have a romantic getaway in a secluded bay. There will be enough impressions for another office year.”

And in a year you can visit Tuscany again. Still, no one has ever been able to explore all the beaches in one trip.

Relax in style. And don't forget the towels!

Tina Krainichenko

Sights of Livorno. The most important and interesting sights of Livorno - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.

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Cathedral of St. Francis in Livorno

Livorno, Largo del Duomo, 23

The Duomo in Livorno is not difficult to find: it is located in Piazza Granda, on the Via Granda of the same name. And recognizing the cathedral will not be difficult: it has a characteristic light gray symmetrical facade and portico against the background of dark terracotta other parts of the building

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Old Fortress of Livorno

Livorno, Piazza dei Marmi

The old fortress of Livorno in Porto Medici, it would seem, can officially be considered the same age as the city. She witnessed all periods of its history, starting from its foundation. In the place where the fortress now stands, even the remains of settlements from the Bronze and Iron Ages were found.

By the standards of Italian Tuscany, Livorno is almost a young city. Moreover, it was very battered during the Second World War, since it was (and remains) the largest seaport in the country. There is a lot to see here, but still the traditional “places of interest” are not what a tourist should count on in Livorno. The harbor and port, seafood restaurants and fish market are what are much more attractive to travelers.

The old fortress of Livorno along the waterfront was almost completely destroyed during the war, so what you can see here today is a building restored just over half a century ago using the old 11th century walls. You can explore the fortress from the inside completely freely. The new fortress in Little Venice, strange as it may sound, is much older than the Old: it dates back to the 16th century and is much better preserved. There is a park right inside the fortress. The Leopoldo Wall is also curious, built to protect the growing port in the 19th century and then had a length of about 8 kilometers. Now only small sections of the wall remain.

Another must-see city object - the Livorno Cathedral on the five-pointed Piazza Granda - looks strict, modest and restrained. This 16th-century church, dedicated to St. Francis, has also been rebuilt: its most notable element, the gray façade with columns that stands out as a bright spot against the background of the rest of the structure, acquired its current appearance already in the 20th century. In 1943, the cathedral in Livorno was almost completely destroyed by bombing, and its restoration was difficult and long.

It is noteworthy that from an artistic point of view, it is the sculptures of pirates that are of much greater value than the royal figure proudly towering above them.

Other interesting churches in Livorno are the Temple of the Madonna of Montenero, erected on a hill on the outskirts in the 14th century, and the Church of St. Catherine in New Venice, dedicated to Catherine of Siena, which until the last century served as the city prison. And, of course, one cannot ignore the monument to the Four Moors, the most famous city monument of the 16th century in Piazza Micheli, allegorically depicting the victory of Ferdinand I over piracy. It is noteworthy that from an artistic and expressive point of view, it is the sculptures of pirates at the foot that are of much greater value than the royal figure proudly towering above them.

Museum lovers might be interested in checking out the Natural History Museum of the Mediterranean on Via Roma and the Giovanni Fattori Museum, which only opened in the 90s. last century. It occupies the beautiful Mimbelli mansion on the outskirts of the city, and here you can see an exhibition of works by Italian artists who worked in the free Florentine Macchiaioli style. The city also has a Jewish museum in the building of an old synagogue and Jewish cemeteries: since ancient times, the Jewish community in Livorno has been one of the largest in the country.

It was in Livorno that the Italian Communist Party was founded, and radical and leftist sentiments (not only communist) are still quite strong here. This is expressed in graffiti on the walls and the specific situation in some quarters - for example, until recently in the New Fortress.

Finally, while walking along the city streets, it is worth paying attention to several historical buildings. For example, Palazzo (or palazzotto) Mediceo, the residence of the Medici, was built in the 16th century: now it is one of the oldest residential buildings in the city. The Holy Trinity Bridge connects it with the Old Fortress. And Palazzo Maurogordato on the Fosso Reale canal, built for a Greek owner in the 19th century, recreates the neoclassical style of Florentine palazzos and has a curiously beautiful main staircase. Villa Letizia near the hippodrome was also built in the 19th century for Prince Poniatowski, and today the Da Vinci School is based here.

Having finished with the cultural and obligatory program, you can allow yourself to relax and go out to the Maskani terrace, which stretches along the coast and the promenade parallel to the highway. This is a favorite vacation spot for the townspeople: perennial trees grow here, providing thick shade, and there are cafes and shops. The townspeople go jogging on the esplanade, and the newlyweds take pictures near the round stone gazebo. At the end of the Mascani terrace is the city aquarium of Livorno, originally built as a heliotherapy center. The aquarium was opened in the 30s. last century, then underwent a large-scale reconstruction and again opened its doors to visitors in 2010. There is a marine biology center here, and there are more than fifty pools with representatives of marine fauna of about 150 species - this is the third largest marine aquarium in the country.

Along the promenade and the Mascani terrace there are no coffee shops or pastry shops as such, but there are cafe bars. If you order an Americano, be sure to specify that you want coffee. Otherwise, you will get an alcoholic cocktail (by the way, this is typical not only for Livorno).

• Where to stay: For excursion purposes, the most convenient places are in Florence or Siena. To combine a seaside holiday with exploring the “Tuscan riches”, you can choose a prestigious

Livorno is the birthplace of Modigliani, the second largest city in Tuscany and the quintessence of everything that is included in the concept of a “major seaport”. Heavily destroyed after the bombing of World War II, the city was rebuilt with a touch of the same romance that so touches the hearts of sea captains. For the rest of us, this marine aesthetic may get pretty boring by the second day of staying in the city.

How to get there

ATL buses depart from Largo Duomo to Cecina (5-8 EUR, journey time 45 minutes, departure every half hour), Piombino (9-15 EUR, 2 hours 15 minutes journey, 6 buses per day) and Pisa (15 EUR, 40 minutes, departure every half hour).

In addition, Livorno can be reached by train; the city is on the Rome - La Spezia line and is connected by train to Florence and Pisa. You can get to Rome for 30-50 EUR, the journey takes 2 hours 28 minutes, 12 trains a day. 16 trains depart to Florence per day, the journey takes 1 hour 17 minutes, the fare is 6-10 EUR. Well, the train will take you to Pisa from Livorno in just 15 minutes and 2.60 EUR. Prices on the page are for December 2019.

Popular hotels in Livorno

By sea

Livorno is a major port that regularly receives and sends ferries to Sardinia and Corsica from Calata Carrara, next to the Stazione Marittima railway station. Some ferries depart from Porto Mediceo, a small terminal near Piazza dell'Arsenale, while others depart from Porto Nuovo, which is 3 km north of the city along Via Sant'Orlando.

Corsica Ferries organizes flights to Bastia in Corsica (75-90 EUR, 4 hours, 2-3 times a week in winter, every day in summer) and to Sardinia (to Golfo Aranci, near Olbia, 30-350 EUR, express train goes 6 hours, a simple ferry - 8 hours, 4 trips per week, in the summer - every day).

Moby is engaged in sending ships to Bastia (27-50 EUR, 3-4 hours) and all the same to Olbia (36-50 EUR, 8-10 hours). Toremar ships sail every day between Livorno and Isola di Capraia (12-35 EUR, 2.5 hours).

Shuttle buses No. 1 of ATL company transport passengers from the main railway station to the port of Porto Mediceo, fare starts from 3 EUR. To get to Stazione Marittima you need to take bus number 7 or electric bus PB1, PB2 or PB3. They all drive past Piazza Grande.

Restaurants

Livorno, located on the Tuscan coast, can offer nothing other than an amazing mix of Tuscan cuisine with the culinary traditions of the locals, mainly involving seafood and underwater reptiles. You should try this fusion at the Cantina Senese restaurant at Borgo dei Cappuccini 95. Known for its seafood cuisine, this popular but not pretentious place is most often visited by Livornians themselves. Move deeper to one of the restaurant's long wooden tables and, if you're there on a Friday, try the cacciucco di pesce, served with garlic bread.

Enoteca D.O.C. Parole e Cibi changes its menu daily, traditionally offering fresh pasta, carpaccio, seafood and amazing bread. The wines here are at the highest level, it’s not for nothing that the restaurant bears the proud name of enoteca (from Greek “wine storage”). Address: Via Goldoni 40-44 City Center.

Osteria La Barrocciaia in Piazza Cavallotti 13 is Livorno's best-kept culinary secret. They offer large sandwiches to take away for 5-7 EUR, but if you are lucky and have a free table, take it immediately. The cost of main courses is from 20-25 EUR.

Ristorante Lavilla offers haute cuisine with an excellent selection of wines. You can get to this place by bus number 3, which departs from Piazza Grande every hour. Address: Via Curiel 110 SE, Villa Morazzana.

The central market of Livorno, or, as it sounds much more romantic in Italian, Mercato Central, is capable of plunging any self-respecting gourmet into nirvana. Here, every morning, from Monday to Saturday, from 6 am until lunch, you can find a truly cornucopia - starting from sea reptiles that are so fresh that they have not even realized where they got to, ending with local products, vegetables, fruits, pasta, olive oil - the freshest, fragrant and inexpensive.

Weather in Livorno

Entertainment and attractions in Livorno

The symbol of Livorno is an ancient fortress from ancient times, which has survived to this day approximately in the form that it acquired in the 16th century from the Florentine Antonio da Sangallo. With it, however, the square and round towers built in 1103 and 1241 still breathe history, as well as the amazing Pisan quadrature - the citadel built by Puccio di Landicchio and Francesco di Giovanni.

Maps of Livorno

The new fortress, which despite its name has already celebrated 5 centuries of its existence, was built at the end of the 16th century. Around it, from the 17th century, the picturesque quarter “New Venice” began to grow - the very place that is so dear to the hearts of the captains. It is these numerous canals with cozy houses of traditional Livorno architecture that are most often depicted on postcards with views of the city.

Another symbol of the city is the 16th-century Cathedral of St. Francis, designed by Alessandro Pieroni. A religious building, notable for its beauty, is the Baroque Church of St. Ferdinando (1707-1716) designed by Giovanni Batista Foggini. Finally, you should definitely take out your cameras at the Four Moors monument. On the pedestal there is a statue of Ferdinando I de' Medici (1595), below there are four bronze figures of pirates connected by a chain.

• Where to stay: For excursion purposes, the most convenient places are in Florence or Siena. To combine a seaside holiday with a tour of the “Tuscan riches”, you can choose the prestigious Viareggio, family Follonica, green

Located on the coast of the Ligurian Sea; port and industrial center of Italy. Tourism is not the main activity of its residents; a businesslike, working atmosphere reigns here. Recently, the city has begun to restore its attractions, which were thoroughly destroyed by the war, and is becoming interesting to visit.

Terrace of Mascagni

The “musical” terrace of Mascagni (Terrazza Mascagni) is associated with the name of the composer Petro Mascagni, who ran along it as a child and listened to the music of the sea. Today it is a super-equipped area for pleasant walks: how you can easily slide on parquet along an embankment laid out in a checkerboard pattern. Graceful railings separate you from the vagaries of the choppy sea. Round lanterns, a bizarrely shaped platform, a snow-white stone gazebo - everything creates a romantic mood.

It’s not for nothing that newlyweds leave the locks of their hearts on lantern poles here, and throw the keys into the sea as a sign of fidelity to their chosen one. From the gazebo in the park on the Mascagna terrace, the traditional rowing competition among the city's residents begins. Teams from 16 districts organize races on gozzo - 10-oar boats and gozzette - four-oar boats. The Palio Marinaro takes place in Livorno on a hot day in July, on the 2nd Sunday.

The Mascagni Terrace starts from the shipyards and extends to the Aquarium. This is a small aquarium containing 1,200 specimens of marine animals. Particularly interesting are the huge turtles, sharks and stingrays. Parking here costs 2 euros, the entrance ticket is 13 euros.

Little Venice

• See detailed instructions:

By car

Traveling by car is the best way to explore the province of Livorno. You can rent a car on the website.

For those traveling to Livorno from the North, take the A12 highway. From the South, take the A1 motorway to the Firenze Nord exit and then take the A11 motorway towards Pisa until the A12 motorway exit for Livorno.

A taxi from Florence to the port of Livorno costs about 170 euros; you can order a transfer in advance on the website.

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