Livorno

Livorno (Leghorn in English) has a new cruise terminal at Calata Punto Franco, named "Alto Fondale", used only for "turnarounds" and 0,5 km from the city centre. Airports are at Pisa, 13 Km away, and Florence, 80 Km away; the Railway Station is 3 Kilometres away.

Large ships use the container terminal (Porto Industriale), where walking is prohibited. Shuttle buses, normally 5 Euro cash only but sometimes free depending on the cruise line, take passengers to Piazza Grande, and taxis are available too. At the tobacconists there, buy bus and train tickets for Pisa (7.40 Euro return) or Florence (20.60 euro return).

From Piazza Grande, take Bus #1 "Stazione" to the train station; the trip takes about 5 minutes. Trains then go to Florence, Lucca and/or Pisa. Validate tickets before boarding.

Cruise ship shuttles running directly to the station cost 12 Euro.

For Pisa, trains run approximately every half hour. Alight at Pisa Centrale, buy 1.10 euro bus tickets from the news stands in the central hall, then use the bus outside the NH Cavaliere Hotel marked "Torre" (Tower). The complete trip from the port takes less than one hour.

Going to Florence by train independently is usually far cheaper than an organised tour and gives you a few hours in Florence. On a cruise, however, ensure you return before your ship departs.

When a large cruise ship is calling, or more than one ship is in port, try to get off board among the first passengers. Take a shared taxi then the train, otherwise conditions may become hectic; a ship-organised excursion is the alternative.

Pisa and Lucca are nearer than Florence, so you can visit them more leisurely. See train schedules.

Most of Livorno’s attractions sit in the old Porto Mediceo, laid out by Florentine architect Bernardo Buonatlenti in 1567 for the Medici and still enclosed by the five-sided Fosso Reale canal. In the east, the canal is bridged by the enormous Voltone vault, now better known as the huge rectangular Piazza della Repubblica. North of it is Fortezza Nuova, home today to the city’s most popular, if somewhat downtrodden, public park, open daily 10am-7pm.

Via Grande goes west from Piazza della Repubblica, passing Via Madonna on the right with its three baroque facades—facades rather than churches—before reaching Piazza Grande. The Duomo, laid out in 1587, was almost completely rebuilt after World War II bombing. Although the piazza was once much longer, a modern building now separates it from Largo Municipio to the north, with the bell tower and double stairs of the 1720 Palazzo Municipio and, on the left, the 17th-century Palazzo di Camera.

Piazza Cavour 6 is home to the tourist office.

Livorno’s hop-on/off tour operates until October.

At the tourist office just off Via Grande, book excellent tours, including a canal boat tour of historic Livorno with multi lingual guides. The canal boat tour lasts 45 minutes and costs €12, cash only.

Renting a car and taking to the road is an excellent way to see Livorno and explore the surrounding area, though driving in Italy is not for the faint of heart.

If Florence is not on your plan, Pisa and its leaning tower are easily reached.

Lucca is a beautiful Tuscan town behind massively thick 16th-century walls, with fine medieval and Renaissance architecture, excellent dining, antique markets, classical and rock music festivals, nearby hillside villas and endless beaches less than half an hour away. It remains one of Tuscany’s best-kept secrets.

With a little planning, Lucca and Pisa combine easily. If you intend to climb Pisa’s tower, buy tickets ahead and select a time slot.

Between Livorno and Piombino, the coast is lined with famous resorts and well-maintained clean beaches, many awarded Europe’s Blue Flag several times.

After plenty of culture, consider San Gimignano, a pretty medieval walled Tuscan city. Rent a car.

The main route from the port to Livorno’s centre is full of excellent shops and stores, selling quality goods for every budget. This route also passes churches of different denominations, monuments—the two Fortresses and the famous "Four Moors" statue—and the imposing Piazza della Repubblica.

Elegant stores in Florence, and to a smaller extent Livorno, sell leather goods, shoes, silk scarves, ties and chic fashions for men and women.

Food lovers can spend a day or weekend eating around Livorno’s many cafés, bars and restaurants. The large Mercato Centrale street market, selling fruit, vegetables, clothes and shoes, is just 2 blocks, a 4-minute walk, from the tourist office. At its far end is a huge covered market; go early for the seafood stalls.

Italy uses the Euro.

Italian is the language spoken.

The terminal building has free WiFi, although cruise-call passengers need not visit this terminal; many nearby cafés also offer free wifi.

In an emergency, call 112.

In Italy, shops and businesses commonly open Monday-Saturday around 8am–1pm and 4pm–7pm, with many shut on Saturday afternoons and Monday mornings. Most towns have a morning pasticceria, while Sunday afternoon opening is increasingly common in Livorno, Pisa and Florence, particularly in large cities and tourist areas.