Livorno

[bobnjeff]

Is there anything worth seeing in Livorno. Not up to taking the train to florence etc. Just prefer to walk around Livorno so if anyone has any advice that would be great.

[BigGuy25]

I don't know because we left the area. I'm assuming that you've been there before? If not, I would encourage you not to miss wonderful Florence and possibly even a quick visit to Pisa just to see the Tower, Church and Baptistry.

[therhodes]

Actually Livorna has some very nice little spots.

 

There are some beautiful canals to wander along in the area they called Venezia Nuova, the Fortezza Vecchia and Fortezza Nuova. There is also a covered market, a couple of nice little cafes at the marina, some lovely churches and museums too.

 

We'd been for Florence, Pisa, Lucca etc on land trips, so thought we'd just wander around in Livorno for a couple of hours in the afternoon and it was quite pleasant. Not crowded at all. We enjoyed watching people fishing from the little bridges and at the marina. I believe it also may be where many yachts go for repairs/servicing etc. as there were some beauties in the day we were there.

 

Definitely not a "destination" but it was a great afternoon.

[RockOracle]

Livorno has a huge food market (Mercato Centrale), including produce, lots of fresh caught seafood, kosher meat, and fresh pasta. There are something like 180 stalls. The market is in a beautiful building and just walking around it is quite an experience! Also, if you'll be visiting in winter the city turns a large central plaza into an ice skating rink with skate rentals available - also a fun option. I agree with previous posters, though, that Pisa and Florence offer more - Livorno is a relatively new city by Italian standards and is more of an industrial area - Pisa and Florence (and some lesser known cities like Lucca and the Cinque Terre) have more in the way of history, art, architecture, and beauty.

[stinesheri]

Are the markets, canals, within walking distance of the dock?

 

I plan on being back to the ship around 1 &1/2 - 2 hours before embarkation to ensure against any unexpected traffic delays on the way back from Florence, but if all goes according to plan, would like to wander around Livorno a bit before we board.