Florence in a Day from Livorno

View from Boboli Gardens, FlorenceAlthough Livorno has plenty to offer to visitors, it cannot offer the history and artistic treasures that Florence has, and many of you will probably have Firenze high on your list of priorities of places to visit.

What to see in Florence

It can be done in a day from the Port of Livorno and, with a bit of planning beforehand, can be a rewarding day out. If you catch an early train from Livorno you should be able to manage to see the main sights such as the Duomo, the Baptistery, San Lorenzo Market, the Church of Santa Maria Novella, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Church of Santa Croce, or a selection of these, depending on your pace and interest.

Book the Art Galleries in Advance

The immensely popular Uffizi and Accademia art galleries are best booked in advance (click here for details), otherwise be prepared to stand in a very long queue which might take up a good part of your time in Florence.

Florence is nearly always very busy, and in the summer months it is very hot and humid. My advice is to take things slowly, and not try to do too much. That way it will be much more enjoyable than racing around trying to see everything in just a few hours.

Pedestrian Streets

The city centre is quite compact, so it is quite easy to get around on foot. Much of the centre is pedestrianised too, but beware of passing cyclists, horses and carriages, ambulances and police cars! It is a busy, bustling city.

Train or Car

The main train station, Santa Maria Novella, is just a short walk from the cathedral (Duomo), so this is the best way of getting into Florence. Driving here is difficult and parking is expensive, so don’t come by car unless you have to.  If you are driving, leave your car in a suburb (watch for Residents’ parking restrictions) and take a local bus to the centre.

Eating in Florence

It is easy to find somewhere to eat in Florence. There are many bars offering sandwiches and snacks, and lots of restaurants, trattorias and pizzerias. Florentine specialities include Bistecca alla Fiorentina (a huge steak), and tripe! You could also combine a tasty snack with some wine-tasting at a local enoteca.

The big outdoor cafés in some of Florence’s famous squares are a great place to sit back and people watch for a while (note that you will be charged for service in these cafés, as in many other places where there is waiter service. You are not supposed to get your own drinks at the bar and then use the tables!).

The Oltrarno area, the ‘other side’ of the River Arno, offers more typical and better value trattorias (try Il Cinghiale Bianco or Mamma Gina, both in Borgo San Jacopo near the Ponte Vecchio, or I Quattro Leoni in Via dei Vellutini), while the central area includes a mixture of tourist cafés and restaurants and some genuine local eateries. Use a good guide or just follow your nose to find the right place for you.

Where to Shop in Florence

Shopping in Florence could be just a browse around the San Lorenzo and Porcellino markets, or you might prefer the designer fashion shops in Via Tornabuoni. The Santa Croce district is famous as the leather area, but there are leather shops all over the city and it is worth shopping around. The same goes for gold and jewellery.