Livorno

The harbor

Known as a city, Livorno is one of the youngest in Tuscany. After the port of Pisa ceased to exist, the new port in Livorno was built 15 kilometers further south. The city of Livorno was subsequently built along this port and has the shape of a five-pointed star.

doctors

As with many other cities, the Medici family has been of great importance to the city of Livorno. During the Renaissance, from the 16th century onwards, the city and its port were very important to Italy. Under the reign of Leopold II, at the end of the 18th century, the city was expanded, which led to the unification of Italy. As a result, Livorno temporarily grew into the second largest city in present-day Italy.

The Second World War

During the Second World War, Livorno was bombed several times, severely damaging both strategic targets and the port and the oil refinery. During a visit to Livorno's historic monuments, the scars of the war are still visible.

Out and about in the province of Livorno

Nature

The nature parks of Livorno:

Il Parco Provinciale dei Monti Livornesi: to be discovered on foot, on horseback, or by mountain bike.

• Discover this protected Tuscan nature reserve with forests rich in holm oaks, moss oaks, chestnut and hazelnut trees, poplars, and willows. Take a relaxing walk along the Tuscan coast with its rocks, crystal-clear streams, pine forests, and valleys with wooded hills. Spot animals such as wild boars, foxes, martens, stone martens, and weasels. Bird lovers can admire birds such as the owl, the white owl, the barn owl, the redstart, the white warbler, and the Provence warbler during a nature trip.

Parks of the Val di Cornia: the combination for a nature holiday and a cultural holiday.

• Discover the history of the Etruscans in the 3 archaeological parks, 4 nature parks, and 2 museums, located in both the Livorno region and GrossetoVisit the medieval villages of the Val di Cornia: Campiglia Marittima, Suvereto, Sassetta, Monteverdi Marittima, Baratti, and Populonia.
• Experience the walking routes along the Tuscan coast combined with routes through the hilly landscape.
• Enjoy the nature, history, and gastronomy of Tuscany.

The beaches from north to south: Blue Flag beaches excluding Ardenza and Baratti:

• Ardenza: sand/gravel/rock
• Antignano: sand/gravel/rock
• Quercianella: pebble/rock
• Castiglioncello: sand/gravel/rock
• Rosignano Solvay: sand/gravel
• Vada: sand
• Cecina Mare: sand
• Marina di Bibbona: sand
• Marina di Castagneto: sand
• San Vincanzo: sand
• Baratti: sand/rock
• Piombino: sand/gravel

Culture

The cultural attractions of the province of Livorno are the medieval hilltop towns and the charming seaside resorts. A top 5:

• Livorno: Cathedral, Piazza Grande, Venezia Nuova district, Fortezza Vecchia, Fortezza nuova
• Rosignano Marittimo: Castle of Rosignano, Sant'Ilario basilica
• Campiglia Marittima: Archaeological Park of San Silvestro
• Populonia: Castle of Populonia
• Suvereto: Basilica of San Giusto
• Campiglia Marittima: Piazza del Repubblica

culinary

The Livorno region has many specialties. A selection:

• Cacciucco: a fish soup with tomato, plenty of garlic, and chili pepper, served with bread. In the past, this soup was the food of the fishermen in Livorno.
• Cinque e cinque: a bread roll (panino) made from chickpea flour, simply called 'Torta' by the people of Livor.
• Gallina alla livornese: succulent Livornese chicken, prepared in various ways.
• Carciofi fritti: fried artichokes, especially on the menu in the spring.
• Baccalà: salted cod
• Telline alla Livornese: clams in a mix of tomatoes, onion, parsley, and chili peppers
• Ponce a vela: a mixture of rum, coffee, and lemon peel that aids digestion.

Walking

The I Monti Livornesi nature park is particularly popular among hikers. The trail is relatively flat, and thanks to the shade of the trees, the temperature is pleasant even in summer.

Walking route
The I Monti Livornesi park features various walking routes. One of them is named after Sabrina Bulleri, a former park employee. It is a varied route along the dunes and features an enormous diversity of tree species. Information boards can be found along the entire route providing details about what can be seen along the way. The path is designed so that it does not impact the natural environment. The route is freely accessible on Sundays and public holidays. On other days, a guide is required.

View a number of others hiking destinations.

Cycling

The Livorno region offers cycling routes through pine forests, past vineyards, and through the hills. There are 4 routes for beginners, 10 for intermediate cyclists, and 6 routes for advanced cyclists. There are also various mountain bike routes in the Livorno forests and parks. Email us with your preferences, and we will send you the routes. There are beautiful mountain bike routes in the Parco Monti Livornesi and the Santa Luce Forest.

Cycling route
Cypresses and Stone Villages – From Cecina, there is a beautiful 41-kilometer circular route. It begins through the pine forest along the coast, after which you turn onto the famous Viale dei Cipressi. After a steep climb, you pass through Bibbona, Casale Marittimo, Guardistallo, Montescudaio, and then descend back to Cecina.

View our cycling destinations: Cycling and mountain biking in Tuscany

Welness

Calidario Terme Etrusche in Livorno is the most famous wellness center in the Livorno region. The water from the thermal spring (Aqua Populoniae) is sulfurous, alkaline, and earthy, flowing from two separate springs with a temperature of 36°C. You pay an entrance fee to use the outdoor and indoor pools, and a variety of wellness treatments are also offered.

Events

One of the largest events in the province of Livorno is Effetto Venezia. At the end of July, the La Venezia district is dedicated to concerts, theater, markets, and street performers for a whole week. More than eighty events are planned, and the event traditionally concludes with an opera.  Venice effect is freely accessible

Bolgheri Melody It is a festival featuring music, theater, and dance. It takes place in the modern arena of Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in Bolgheri, an open-air theater. Because the organization collaborates with several DOC wine producers, there is also a strong focus on local wines. The festival takes place from mid-July to mid-August.

Tuscan showcase It is an event dedicated to old traditions and authentic flavors. It consists of more than one hundred different components, all emphasizing the quality of Tuscan cuisine. Currently, 750 restaurateurs and 270 food shops participate. There are many activities organized in and around Livorno as part of Vetrina Toscana.

More gastronomy can be found at Livorno's foodies festivals with various themes. For example, the Foodies festival in Castiglioncello every spring. Here, you can taste traditional dishes with a modern twist that have been given the name 'street food' in recent years.

Livorno, the city itself

Livorno is not only a port city; it also has much to offer culturally:

Culture

IL Duomo
The 16th-century cathedral is situated on the Piazza Grande. During the Second World War, the cathedral was severely damaged and later, fortunately, fully restored, so that the artistic difference between the front and the back can still be admired.

Venice
Or Venezia Nuova (New Venice), the most characteristic district of Livorno, near the Fortezza Nuova (New Fortress) district. Moreover, this miniature Venice is the only district that survived the bombings of the Second World War. The district is crisscrossed by waterways created during the time of the Medici family for the transport of goods. With the bridges over the small squares, this district vaguely resembles the Venetian Lagoon.

New Fortress
This robust fort was built in the sixteenth century on the orders of the Medici government. At the same time, the pentagonal design of the city of Livorno was also created.

Old Fortress
Strategically located in the harbor to launch the city's defense. Centuries later, Fortezza Vecchia served as a military academy. Today, cultural events are held there.

Piazza Grande
The Palazzo Granducale (royal palace) and the Cathedral of Livorno stand on this most important and imposing square in Livorno. After the destruction during the Second World War, the square and the palace have been completely renovated.

Aquarium Diacinto Cestoni
The aquarium, named after the biologist and scientist Diacinto Cestoni (the person who demonstrated that scabies is caused by a parasite), is a fun family outing. Kids and parents learn all about the sea and what lives in it.

Natural History Museum of the Mediterranean
A bird's-eye view of the nature of the Mediterranean Sea and coast. Special exhibitions of plants, animals, and people from prehistory to the present day. In the 'Sea Hall', the dolphins and whales are so skillfully recreated that one feels as if one is underwater for a moment. In the botanical garden, it is proven once again what beautiful nature Tuscany is rich in.

The Church of San Jacopo
A special church in a special spot. The Church of San Jacopo stands just a few meters from the sea. The construction of San Jacopo lasted from 1160 to around 1897.

Nature

Enjoy the salty sea air during a walk along the promenade from the harbor to the village of Antignano. On one side, the coast of the Ligurian Sea, and on the other, the beautiful backdrop of Livorno.

Events

At the end of July, the La Venezia district is dedicated to concerts, theater, markets, and street performers for a whole week during the Effetto Venezia event. More than eighty events are planned, and the event traditionally concludes with an opera. Effetto Venezia is free to attend.