Livorno Italy, Mediterranean Cruises Port Profile

Livorno Italy, Travel Guide
 
The port city of Livorno in Tuscany, Italy is a popular stop for Mediterranean cruises and one of the best-kept secrets that is slowly but surely making waves in the tourism circuit. It is the third largest city in Tuscany and is also known by its English name Leghorn. Its pleasant weather, great location and vibrant culture are drawing an increasing number of tourists who are looking to explore something beyond Rome, Florence, Pisa and Prato in Itlay. If your Mediterranean cruise has a stop at Livorno, grab the opportunity to explore this beautiful city that offers a taste of un-Tuscan Italy that you are sure to savor for the rest of your life. Keep reading to know more about what to expect, things to do and how to make the most of your stay at Livorno.

What to expect upon arrival

Once your cruise ship arrives at the Livorno port in Tuscany, you can get to the city centre with ease by using the cruise shuttle bus service that operates from all the industrial wharfs to the city centre. The shuttle bus service picks up cruise ship passengers from the wharf and drops them off right opposite Livorno town hall.
The Piazza Grande is located at a short walking distance from here and you can ask anyone present at this city square to guide you to the building that separates the Piazza Grande from Piazza del Municipio. There is a Tourist Information Office located in this building from where you can get all the information necessary to plan your stay in the city. Do not forget to pick the city map and to ask for information that you may need as a tourist.

Things to do in Livorno 

Once you are equipped with basic city information and map, you can plan your stay as per your traveling penchant. The port city of Livorno has something to offer for everyone – be it a museum hopper, a nature lover, an art enthusiast or an admirer of historic buildings and Roman architecture. Whether you love sightseeing, shopping, dining or clubbing on your vacation, you can do it all in Livorno. There is so much to see and do in this city, that you may not be able to do it all in a span of few days. However, you can cover all the main highlights of this place by planning your trip well and book your Mediterranean Cruises shore excursions on board the ship.

Transportation in Livorno

There are several transportation options available to tourists coming to Livorno to get around the city. If you have a tight budget, you can save a considerable amount of money by buying the LIVORNO CARD that costs a meager amount of €3 for one day and €5 for three days. Moreover, children under the age of 12 years can travel free with their parents if they have this card that offer the provision of complimentary travel on the local ATL buses.

However, if you do not prefer using a public mode of transport for traveling, you can hire bikes and discover various nooks and corners of this place on cycle. For complete privacy and greater comfort, you can also hire cars or vans and travel around the city in these. In case you wish to explore the nearby cities of Pisa or Florence, you can hop on a train to these cities and reach to them in a few hours time. This is a safe as well as pocket friendly way to travel to these cities.

Sightseeing at Livorno

The sights and sounds of Livorno are sure to enthrall one and all – be it those who like to take things slow and easy while on a holiday or those who are attracted by the vibrant spirit of a place where action never seems to stop. Some of the most popular places of visit in Livorno that you need to include in your itinerary are the English Cemetery, G. Fattori Town Museum, Fortezza Nuova or the New Fortress, Yeshivà Marini Jewish Museum, Piazza della Repubblica and Mercato delle Vettovaglie. If you buy a Livorno Card, you can use the same to gain free entry to the Giovanni Fattori Civic Museum and the Natural History Museum. Additionally, there are a number of places of natural beauty in Livorno. These are a must-visit for those who want to enjoy a mesmerizing view of the sunset along the many canals that dot the city or who love taking long leisurely walks by the deep blue sea.

Shopping at Livorno

The shopping scene at Livorno includes a mix of designer shops that house exclusive creations by some of the most renowned names in the fashion industry as well as those stores that stock curios and knick-knacks that a bargain hunter can pick up at great prices. Whether you want designer clothes and accessories or locally made leather goods, you can find it all in various shops that line four most popular shopping areas in the city - Via Grande, Via Marradi at Piazza Attias, Via Cambini and Via Ricasoli at Piazza Cavour and Via Magenta. The local shops open at around 9.30am from Tuesday to Saturday and close at around 8 pm. Via Ricasoli is the best place for high end fashion shopping while Via Magenta is ideal destination for street shopping.

Dining at Livorno

Dining venues at Livorno include multiple choices of bars, cafes and restaurants. For some freshly prepared seafood and yummy bites, you can head to Café d'Etoile or Caffé Cellini. Bar Dolly is a good place to enjoy a cup of coffee and snacks in an alfresco setting. You can grab light lunch at Circolo Nautico Orlando bar & café or opt for one of the tasty sandwiches served at Dionisio Sandwich bar.

Useful travel tips for Livorno

Buy a Livorno Card to add to your savings and hire a licensed tour guide if you want to know the story behind every place of significance in the city. Also, take care of your belongings while traveling in the city.

Original Article Written for www.mediterraneanfuncruises.com