Livorno Port Guide: What to see, do & eat in Florence & Pisa gateway

Words by Caroline Hendrie

Livorno cruise port is the gateway to top Italian must-sees, Florence and Pisa, and the picturesque villages and vineyards of Tuscany.

While many cruisers treat Livorno as simply a springboard to the Renaissance riches of Florence or the architectural wonder of Pisa, there’s far more to this bustling Tuscan port than meets the eye.

With its grand Medici-era canals, down-to-earth character and unexpectedly great food scene, Livorno is worth a day’s exploration in its own right. Whether you’re chasing classic art and leaning towers or craving something more local and laid-back, this guide will help you make the most of your time ashore.

How do I get to Livorno Italy Cruise Port?

If your cruise starts at cruise terminal Livorno, the closest airport is Pisa. You can get from Pisa airport to Livorno Centrale station on frequent trains in about 40 minutes, changing at Pisa Centrale, with fares starting from about £7.85 (9.30 euros).

Bus number 1 from Livorno Centrale station leaves every 15 minutes for the 11-minute ride to the stop near the city cruise terminal and the fare is about £1.70 (2 euros).

This Livorno cruise port Pisa journey can be reversed for an independent expedition to the home of the leaning tower when your cruise ship calls in Livorno for a day.

A taxi from Pisa airport to cruise terminal Livorno takes approximately 25 minutes for the 15-mile journey depending on traffic. Airport taxi firms quote about £84 (100 euros) for two passengers and about £97 (115 euros) for four.

How to get from Livorno cruise port into town

You can take a Livorno cruise port shuttle bus from your ship to Piazza del Municipio, the city’s central square. From here it is a 15-minute walk to the station for trains to Pisa and Florence, and a few minutes walk from the castles, canals, market and shops.

Shuttle buses are laid on free of charge or at 5 euros for a day pass, depending on which line you sail with. If your ship is docked in one of the closest berths in Porto Medicio, it is a pleasant half-mile walk to the cathedral in Piazza Grande in the historic centre.

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How to spend a day in Livorno

Tempting as it is to rush straight through Livorno on excursions to Florence and Pisa, if you feel like a more relaxed day, there are lots of things to do near the Livorno cruise port on foot.

Severe bombing in World War II has left its mark, but behind the unexciting modern buildings lie the remnants of a city laid out in the Renaissance and a lively slice of Tuscan urban life.

Check out the market

One of the first things to do in Livorno is to head to the thoroughly local Mercato Centrale [below, left], the daily market. Unlike some European markets which have become little more than tourist foodcourts with souvenirs attached, this is the real thing and starts wrapping up around lunchtime, so you must go in the morning.

Even before you arrive at the 19th-century covered market, you’ll find the streets around it are thronging with stalls selling everything from artichokes and aprons to zucchini and Z-beds.

In this architectural wonder of glass and steel, you’ll discover a fabulous array of stalls selling perfectly arranged gleaming fish, colourful vegetables, every cut of meat and glorious groceries. Pick up dried pasta in unusual shapes to take home, then stop for a cappuccino at one of the cafe kiosks before heading out.

Explore historic sites

Next, explore Fortezza Nuova, named the new fort, but more than 500 years old, complete with moat, thick walls, tunnels and ramparts. It’s now a public park, so entry is free.

Canals from the moat lead to Livorno’s own Little Venice, oozing with charm. It is a delightful, compact neighbourhood where you can wander past coloured houses and over bridges on your way back to the shuttle bus stop.

Try the beach

Livorno beaches are not the best you’ll find on your Mediterranean cruise. But if you are dying for a dip, Bagno La Siesta beach, a 15-minute taxi ride north of the port, is an outer Livorno beach with sand, sun beds, umbrellas and a beach bar.

Seek out a hidden delight

Inside the magnificent Baroque cathedral [below, right], seek out the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. You’ll find glorious and gory gold and red ‘Christ Crowned by Thorns’ by 15th-century artist Fra Angelico set in a marble altar. The drips of blood are so bright, it could have been painted yesterday.

– READ MORE: The insider’s guide to the best beaches in Sicily –

Further afield, Livorno is the cruise passengers’ disembarkation port to visit Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, and Pisa, home to the iconic Leaning Tower.

Florence from Livorno

People often ask, Do I have to take a ship’s excursion from Livorno to Florence? The answer is no, you can save money and avoid hours in a coach by taking public transport.

On a ship’s excursion to Florence from Livorno cruise port, the road journey of about 56 miles (90km) can take 90 minutes or more each way, depending on traffic.

Frequent trains from Livorno Centrale station take approximately one hour and  20 minutes to Firenze Santa Maria Novella station in the heart of Florence with fares of about £9 (10.80 euros) each way.

To get to the station, take the number 1 bus from near Livorno cruise port (buy your bus tickets from the kiosk by the bus stop) to Livorno Centrale. Or walk 15 minutes to the station from the ship’s shuttle bus drop-off point in Piazza del Municipio.

To avoid time-wasting queues in Florence, be sure to book your tickets in advance to the Ufizzi Gallery [below, left], full of Renaissance masterpieces; the Academia to see Michelangelo’s David; and to Giotto’s bell tower for breathtaking views of the elegant dome of the cathedral and the city’s red roof tops below.

Don’t miss walking over the Arno river on the Ponte Vecchio – the ancient bridge lined with little craft shops – and stock up on handmade paper and leather goods: two Florentine specialities.

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Pisa from Livorno

For a shorter outing from Livorno, Pisa, about 16 miles (26km) by road, is less than 20 minutes away by non-stop trains from Livorno Centrale station with fares of about £2.35 (2.80 euros) each way.

The leaning tower is not only something to have your photo taken in front of, it is huge fun to go up the spiral stairs inside – the steps going both up and down as you climb to the top, thanks to the tower’s tilt. Booking is essential.

Less than a five-minute walk from the crowds around the leaning tower, the Botanical Gardens [below right], founded in the 16th century, are a tranquil retreat, a soothing green space and the perfect spot for a picnic.

A stroll along the banks of the Arno River leads to Palazzo Blu, easy to find thanks to its bright blue exterior. Inside, the richly frescoed and ornamented rooms house art from medieval times to the present day.

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Where to eat and drink around Livorno cruise port

Mascagni – the restaurant on the fifth floor of Grand Hotel Palazzo is the place to drink in the stunning sea views as far as the island of Elbe at a table on the terrace, while sipping chilled Pinot Grigio and feasting on Cacciucco, Livorno’s rich traditional five-fish stew.

Sabor a Mi – popular seafront restaurant with outdoor seating serves generously laden antipasto boards to share and luscious pizzas from ‘classic’ such as the simple Margherita to ‘extravagant’ including one with pumpkin puree, smoked provola cheese, pancetta and crispy red onions. Yum.

Torteria da Gargarin – tucked away on via del Cardinale, steps from the central market, is perfect for lunch on the run. Queue with the locals for a 5e5 – a chickpea pancake panini – even tastier with added aubergine. Grab a stool inside or take away.

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