Livorno in 2 Days: everything you need to know.

Livorno is a surprising city. The city known as the "Venice of Tuscany" hides much more than the canals for which it received its nickname. The city preserves historical buildings of great interest, has museums that deserve a quiet visit and hides corners that make the most romantic sigh. All this without forgetting a delicious gastronomy and renowned wines.

There are many things to see in Livorno. Therefore, it is essential that you plan your visit very well. Two days can be a lot of time and will allow you to see all the attractions. You just need to organize it well. Need help? Then take note of the following itineraries.

The plan for the first day in Livorno is to take a walk through its history. How? By discovering its two main monuments. That will be the beginning. For the end I propose a very different, but unforgettable walk.

Old Fortress

The port is the great treasure of Livorno. There stands the Old Fortress, which was built precisely to protect and control the entrance to the city. And its symbolism is enormous, not only because of its defensive function, but also because it was here that in 1606 the ceremony by which Livorno was proclaimed a city was held. Therefore, it is the perfect place to start the tour of this first day.

The fortress was built in the sixteenth century on two previous structures and throughout its history has been a defensive enclosure, military barracks, place of reception of slaves and prison. The enclosure was severely damaged in World War II, but reconstruction work has made it possible to admire it today.

For the best views of the port and the city, climb the tower of the fortress. Do not miss the Palazzina del Capitano, which is both the headquarters of the Port Authority and a museum space where you will learn much more about the city. By the way, the Old Fortress is also the scene of countless cultural events of all kinds.

• Hours: the fortress is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

New Fortress

It is the little sister of the old fortress and another of the historical treasures of the city. What will you find there? The first thing you will see is a sturdy defensive enclosure surrounded by a moat that was dug by slaves. Once you cross the bridge that serves as access, what awaits you is a public park.

The New Fortress was also built at the end of the 16th century to defend the city's port. Like the old fortress, it was damaged in World War II. Despite this, it is still possible to walk through old galleries. Another of its corners, the Sala degli Archi, has been converted into a cultural space.

New Venice

This is Livorno's most charming neighborhood. If it bears the name of that other famous Italian city, it is, of course, because of the canals that run through it. They are not as imposing as those of the authentic Venice, but they are beautiful. So, after visiting the fortress, my advice is to take a leisurely stroll through this neighborhood.

You will discover what other similarities it has with Venice. I'll give you some clues: the bridges, the elegant palaces overlooking the canals and the small alleys. Don't miss the Navicelli Canal, the main artery of the district, and palaces such as the Monte di Pietà or the delle Colonne.

Why was New Venice built? To facilitate the transport of all kinds of goods from the port to the heart of the city. It is worth spending some time here because of its beauty and because it is one of the few places in the city that withstood the devastating effects of the war.

Churches of Santa Caterina and San Ferdinando

You don't have to leave New Venice to admire two of the most beautiful churches in Livorno. The church of Santa Caterina always surprises. From the outside it is striking for its huge dome, which is one of the highest points in the city with its 63 meters. The surprise awaits inside: magnificent frescoes by Giorgio Vasari decorating the same dome.

A stone's throw away is the church of San Ferdinando. It is a baroque style temple that holds a small treasure: a magnificent sculptural group, the Freed Slaves, by Giovanni Baratta.

A stop for lunch

If you are starting to feel a little tired and need to recharge your batteries after the first part of your visit to the city, New Venice is the perfect place to eat. Here you will find from small trattorias to restaurants for gourmets or terraces where you can have a quick drink.

The typical cuisine of the city is delicious, so I advise you to try it. Don't miss the cacciucco, which is a soup made with different types of fish. Or, if you prefer, try the livornese cod, which is first fried and then cooked with tomato and garlic.

If you are one of those who eat with a glass of wine, ask for a local broth to accompany the meal, they are of excellent quality. You may even want to go on one of the Livorno wine tours that take place in the region. Of course, you will have to sacrifice some sightseeing in town.

City Museum

If you want to have a complete overview of the history of Livorno, the City Museum is a must-see. In its rooms are exhibited from works of art to archaeological pieces or photographs that will allow you to learn much more about this city.

Even the building that houses the museum is a small treasure in itself. It is the Bottini dell'Olio building, a former 17th century oil warehouse. Today it displays art treasures and historical documents, but years ago it housed up to 300 oil tanks.

• Hours: the Museum of the City of Livorno is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. In addition to Mondays, it is closed on January 1, May 1, August 15 and December 25.

A stroll along the canals

To end this first day in Livorno, my advice is to relax and enjoy a different kind of walk. You have already walked the streets of New Venice and crossed its bridges. You can also take a relaxing stroll along the canals, but by boat, not by gondola. Either way, it is one of those experiences that you cannot miss if you visit the city.

From the water you will be able to contemplate much better the beauty of the buildings overlooking the canal. You might even get a sigh of relief when you pass under the bridges. Why is it worth leaving this walk for the end of the day? Resting a bit is just an excuse, the truth is that the sunset in New Venice is special, so I recommend it.

The second day is perfect to tour those other symbolic places of Livorno and also to go shopping and take a good souvenir of the city in every way or even to take one of the day trips from Livorno.

Piazza Micheli

The starting point of this second day is Piazza Micheli. It is here that stands another of the symbols of the city, the sculpture of the Four Moors. The statue represents Ferdinand I de Medici. Why the name? Because of the four figures of prisoners that are placed at his feet.

I now propose a small challenge. According to the inhabitants of the city, there is a point, only one, from which you can see the nose of all the prisoners. Will you be able to find it? If so, popular legend has it that you will be lucky in navigation. Maybe you won't need it, but at least you will have discovered something curious about this sculpture and the city.

Via Grande, Piazza Grande and cathedral

The Via Grande starts in Piazza Micheli. As you can imagine, it is the main artery of Livorno. Note the elegance of the buildings that flank it and, above all, those arcades that give it a very particular aspect and are perfect for not getting wet on rainy days. By the way, it is also a commercial artery, a perfect place to do some shopping.

Walking up this avenue you will reach the cathedral of San Francesco. The temple was built between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, but the front and much of the building you will see is a reconstruction. The duomo of Livorno was practically destroyed by the bombings of 1943 and 1944. If you are interested in visiting it, it is open daily from 1:00 to 12:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00.

In addition to the cathedral, take a good look at the square in which it is located. It is the Piazza Grande, conceived as a great parade ground. The reconstruction that was carried out does not faithfully reflect how it was a century ago. In any case, do not miss some symbolic buildings: the Palazzo Grande, the Palazzo Comunale or the Palazzo Granducale.

Walking along the Via Grande and Piazza Grande is a must at any time of the year, but especially when the year ends. Seeing the avenue decorated with Christmas lighting and a large tree in the center of the square is one of the best things to do in Livorno at Christmas.

Republic Square

Piazza Micheli is one end of Via Grande, the other is Piazza della Repubblica, one of the focal points of Livorno. It is a huge open space with a statue on each side representing Ferdiando III and Leopoldo II respectively. But if it has something special is that it is built on a canal.

Do not leave the square without having noticed the Cisternino, a neoclassical building that was built in the early nineteenth century to supply water to the city. Today its halls host countless cultural events. It is easy to identify it by its half dome.

Vettovaglie market and a stop for lunch

It is in the traditional markets that you can feel the taste of the authentic. But the Mercato Vettovaglie has something special. It's a beautiful 19th century neoclassical building that mimics Parisian iron galleries. Not only is it beautiful, but it is also huge, the second largest market of its kind in Europe.

Inside you can stroll around the large hall while you look at the food stalls. If you feel like it, order something to eat in one of its establishments. And, if you prefer to continue your visit, head to Cavalloti Square, where you will also find a good number of stalls.

This is the perfect time to make another gastronomic recommendation. The take-away or street food in Livorno is also delicious. If you feel like a quick bite to eat, order some scagliozzi, which are fried polenta sticks. I also recommend the cinque e cinque, a kind of sandwich filled with a chickpea paste.

Civic Museum Giovanni Fattori

If you like art, your next stop should be the Museo Civico. Inside are exhibited interesting works by romantic artists of Livorno and Tuscany, with special prominence of the work of Giovanni Fattori, one of the greats of Italian impressionism.

But the building that houses the museum also deserves attention. It is a nineteenth-century villa that retains all its nineteenth-century flavor, from the decor to the furnishings. Pay attention to the frescoes on the ceilings, they are wonderful.

• Hours: the museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00. It is closed on Mondays, January 1, August 15 and December 25.
• Price: about 6 € for general admission and about 4 € for reduced admission.

Aquarium of Livorno

If you travel to Livorno with children, visiting the Aquarium of Livorno is a plan with which they will enjoy a lot. In this enclosure there are 33 huge fish tanks in which live thousands of marine animals of many different species.

Most of these tanks are dedicated to the rich ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea, but there are also those focused on ecosystems around the world. In the aquarium there is also a very special place: a fish tank in which a reconstruction of a Roman ship has been placed. And for an incredible view of the sea and the Mascagni Terrace, there is nothing like going up to the panoramic terrace.

• Opening hours: general opening hours are from 10:00 to 17:00. However, the aquarium varies these hours quite a bit on special dates. The opening days also change. Therefore, the recommendation is to consult the schedules in advance.
• Price: from 12 euros the ticket purchased online and about 16 if purchased at the box office. Children up to 140 cm tall, over 65 years and disabled have discounts.

Mascagni Terrace

To end the second day in Livorno, nothing better than to do it on the Mascagni Terrace. It is really a charming promenade by the sea. From it you can contemplate the most beautiful sunset in Livorno. Watching the sun set over the Tyrrhenian Sea is quite a spectacle.

But don't just look at the horizon. The terrace itself is a little gem. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century, its floor is decorated with almost 35,000 black and white tiles and its balustrade has 4,000 columns. One last fact: the name of this terrace pays homage to Pietro Mascagni, a local composer.

If you want to keep in your memory the most romantic postcard of Livorno, end your visit here. It will be a magnificent finale to that two-day getaway to a city that is largely unknown, but which holds some treasures worth knowing.