Free walking tours in Livorno and what to see

Must-sees

Livorno is a port city on the Tuscan coast that the Medici promoted in the late 16th century as a port open to trade. Its symbol is the Four Moors monument, by the dock, dedicated to Ferdinando I de' Medici. From there you reach the Fortezza Vecchia and, following the canals, the Venezia Nuova district, with bridges, old warehouses and the octagonal church of Santa Caterina. Further inland rises the Fortezza Nuova, surrounded by water.

Step inside the Mercato Centrale, a late 19th-century covered market with an iron structure, and try cacciucco, the city's fish soup, or the chickpea-flatbread sandwich known here as cinque e cinque. In the afternoon, the seafront leads to the Terrazza Mascagni, a chequerboard viewpoint over the sea. If you have a car, go up to the sanctuary of Montenero, with thousands of votive offerings, or follow the coast south among coves and cliffs.

Free tours and guided visits

Livorno is a cruise port, so almost everything Civitatis offers here are day trips designed for those coming ashore: to Pisa, to Florence, to both together or to Lucca and Pisa, as well as transfers to Pisa. There is also a guided tour of the city itself. There are no regular free walking tours, although boat trips along the Medici canals are an easy way to see the centre from the water.

How long to spend

The centre, the canals and the Terrazza Mascagni can be seen in a day. If you add Montenero and the south coast, allow two. Livorno also works as a base for trips: Pisa is very close by train, and Lucca and Florence are a little over an hour away.

Where to stay

To get around on foot, the practical choice is the centre, between Via Grande and the Venezia Nuova, near the port and the market. If you want the sea, the seafront towards Ardenza and Antignano has hotels with views and a quieter feel. If you are coming to take day trips by train, staying near the central station saves you journeys.