The Tuscan Countryside near LivornoSo much to see in Tuscany 

Visitors to Tuscany are spoilt for choice. So much to see, so little time! Renaissance Florence, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Lucca with its splendid walls and medieval churches, Siena’s Gothic Cathedral  and the Palio...the list is all too familiar, and it goes on and on. It can be hard to decide where to start and faced with all that choice, not many visitors think of spending some time in Livorno.

Scali delle Cantine Overlooking the Canals in LivornoLivorno is Hardly Tuscan

Of course, Livorno cannot compete with all that history, all those famous names and coffee-table images. Livorno was only founded 400 years ago. Its artworks and buildings (those that remained after the war) are more recent, and little known. I would not even try to compare Livorno to its Tuscan neighbours, it is so totally different. In fact it hardly seems to be a Tuscan town at all.

But despite all this, there are still some good solid reasons for spending some time in this city called Livorno on the coast of Tuscany. With a bit of advanced planning, it can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Queue outside the Uffizi Gallery, FlorenceOk, so Florence has its Duomo, its Renaissance paintings, Michelangelo’s sculptures, its Ponte Vecchio, medieval streets and leather markets. It is a must-see on anyone's list of priorities. Beware though, because for much of the year Florence also has long, long museum queues, hoards of visitors,  traffic jams, and unbearable summer heat.

Livorno has Canals, the Sea, and Unbeatable Sunsets

winter sunset over the island of Gorgona, opposite LivornoLivorno has its canals (the fossi), it has the sea, its old and surprisingly tranquil Medici port, cooling breezes, wonderful fish dishes, affordable shopping, relaxing seafront strolls, its potent ponce, an amazing food market and unbeatable sunsets.

Often in central Florence and Pisa the only other people you see are tourists.

In Livorno on the other hand you rub shoulders with the locals all year round.  While Florentines regard you with indifference, the Livornese will stare in curiosity.

Summer Apricots on a Piazza Cavallotti market stallExperience Day-To-Day Life in Modern Tuscany

Livorno is a lively, unpretentious city, offering an experience of  day-to-day life in modern Italy, but not without surprises. There are many aspects of Livorno that can still satisfy both fans of history and art and seekers of more hedonistic pleasures. Explore the Livorno Now site and discover the possibilities!