Sightseeing

From the Orlando Shipyard to the Naval Academy.
Palm trees on Viale Italia, LivornoIf the weather is favourable and you feel like heading out of town, a walk along the seafront of Livorno is well worth the effort. There are numerous points of interest along the coast road that starts just past the old Orlando shipyards, south of the city. For most of the way there is also a cycle path so you could even use peddle power!

The Synagogue of LivornoThere has been a considerable Jewish community in Livorno since the 17th century and at one time it represented 10% of the population. At a time when the persecution of Jews was taking place elsewhere, Livorno represented a haven where people of the Jewish faith could practice their religion freely, build their own synagogue, buy property and, most unusually, did not have to live in a ghetto. All this because of Ferdinando I de’ Medici’s invitation to Jews to come and settle in Livorno where he realised they could be beneficial to the development of this newly established town. The conditions he offered proved attractive: in 1601 there were 114 Jews living in Livorno and by 1689 there were 3000.

The Cheapest way to get around Livorno

Local Livorno bus in Piazza GrandeThere is no easier or cheaper way to explore Livorno than by using the local ATL bus service. There are 15 different bus routes covering the whole of the city and the surrounding districts, and for just €3 (the cost of  a one-day Livorno Card) you can get unlimited local bus travel for a whole day, hopping on and off any bus whenever and wherever you please. Alternatively, just buy a €1 single ticket per journey (valid for 70 minutes from when you stamp it on the bus) if you are only going to take one or two buses.
Nearly all Livorno’s orange ATL buses go through the central Piazza Grande, one of the city’s main squares (just 100m from the cruise ship shuttle bus stop).

The Number 1 and the Number 2 services are particularly useful  since they cover some of Livorno’s most interesting and noteworthy areas. Here’s a brief description of the two routes: