Livorno in 2 Days: everything you need to know.

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

There are many things to see in Livorno. That's why it's essential that you plan your visit very well. Two days can be a lot of time and will allow you to see all its attractions. You just need to organise 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.

The 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 the ceremony by which Livorno was proclaimed a city was held in 1606. It is therefore the perfect place to start the tour of this first day.

The fortress was built in the 16th century on top of two earlier structures and throughout its history it has been a defensive enclosure, military barracks, slave reception area 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 harbour and the city, climb the fortress tower. Don't miss the Palazzina del Capitano either. It is the headquarters of the Port Authority and a museum where you can learn much more about the city. By the way, the Old Fortress is also the setting for countless cultural events of all kinds.

• Opening hours: the fortress is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 2.30pm to 5pm.

New Fortress

The little sister of the old fortress and another of the city's historical treasures, what will you find here? 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 the Second World War. Despite this, it is still possible to walk through the 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 neighbourhood. If it bears the name of this 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 real Venice, but they are beautiful. So, after visiting the fortress, my advice is to take a leisurely stroll through this neighbourhood.

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 Livorno's most beautiful churches. The church of Santa Caterina always surprises. From the outside it is striking for its enormous dome, which is one of the highest points in the city at 63 metres. 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 everything from small trattorias to gourmet restaurants and terraces for a quick bite to eat.

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

If you are one of those who eats with a glass of wine, ask for a local broth to accompany your meal, they are of excellent quality. You may even want to go on one of the Livorno wine tours that are produced in the region. You'll have to sacrifice some sightseeing in the city, though.

City Museum

If you want a comprehensive overview of Livorno's history, the City Museum is a must-see. From works of art to archaeological artefacts and photographs, the museum's rooms will give you a great insight into the city.

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

• Opening hours: The City Museum of Livorno is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. Apart from Mondays, it is closed on 1 January, 1 May, 15 August and 25 December.

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 leisurely stroll along the canals, albeit by boat, not gondola. Either way, it is one of those experiences you cannot miss if you visit the city.

From the water you will be able to contemplate the beauty of the buildings overlooking the canal much better. You might even get a sigh of relief as you pass under the bridges, so why leave this walk for the end of the day? A little rest is just an excuse, but the sunset in New Venice is special, which is why I recommend it.

The second day is perfect for exploring these other symbolic places of Livorno and also for shopping and taking a good souvenir of the city in every way or even for one of the day trips from Livorno.

Piazza Micheli

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

I now propose a little challenge. According to the inhabitants of the city, there is one point, just one, from which you can see the noses 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, the arcades that give it a very particular appearance and are perfect for staying dry 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 come to the cathedral of San Francesco. The temple was built between the 16th and 17th centuries, but the façade and a large part 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 every day from 1:00 to 12:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00.

As well as 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 what it was like a century ago. In any case, don't miss some symbolic buildings: the Palazzo Grande, the Palazzo Comunale or the Palazzo Granducale.

A walk along the Via Grande and the Piazza Grande is something you must do at any time of year, but especially at the end of the year. Seeing the avenue decorated with Christmas lights and a large tree in the centre of the square is one of the best things to do in Livorno at Christmas.

Republic Square

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

Don't leave the square without having noticed the Cisternino, a neoclassical building built in the early 19th 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 get a taste of the authentic. But there is something special about the Mercato Vettovaglie. It's a beautiful 19th-century neoclassical building that mimics Parisian iron galleries. Not only is it beautiful, but it is also enormous, the second largest market of its kind in Europe.

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

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

Civic Museum Giovanni Fattori

If you like art, your next stop should be the Civic Museum. Inside you will find interesting works by Romantic artists from Livorno and Tuscany, with a special focus on the work of Giovanni Fattori, one of the greats of Italian Impressionism.

But the building that houses the museum is also worth a visit. It is a 19th century villa that maintains all its nineteenth-century flavour, from the decoration to the furnishings. Pay attention to the frescoes on the ceilings, they are marvellous.

• Opening hours: The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00. Closed on Mondays, 1 January, 15 August and 25 December.
• Price: General admission is around €6 and reduced admission is around €4.

Livorno Aquarium

If you're travelling to Livorno with children, the Livorno Aquarium is a great place to visit. There are 33 huge fish tanks housing thousands of marine animals of many different species.

Most of the tanks are dedicated to the rich ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea, but there are also some that focus on ecosystems from around the world. There is also a very special place in the aquarium: a fish tank in which a reconstruction of a Roman ship has been placed. And for incredible views of the sea and the Mascagni Terrace, there is nothing better than climbing up to the panoramic terrace.

• Opening hours: The general opening hours are from 10:00 to 17:00. However, the aquarium varies quite a bit on special dates. The opening days also change. It is therefore advisable to check opening times in advance.
• Price: from 12 euros for tickets purchased online and around 16 euros at the ticket office. Discounts are available for children up to 140 cm tall, the over 65s and the disabled.

Mascagni Terrace

To end the second day in Livorno, nothing better than on the Mascagni Terrace. It is really a charming promenade by the sea. From here you can watch 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 in the early 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 the most romantic postcard of Livorno in your memory, end your visit here. It will be a magnificent end to a two-day getaway to a city that is largely unknown, but which holds some treasures that are worth discovering.