Cruise Port of Livorno, Italy

Livorno, Italy – Cruise Gateway To Pisa And Florence

Livorno is a popular cruise port of call, primarily for its location only a short distance from Pisa with Florence, an hour away by train. Pisa is only 17 miles away and Florence is a little over 75 miles and both can be reached on the same train service.

The port of Livorno is one of the busiest ports in Italy. Stretching from the marina at the Livorno Aquarium, to the opening of the canal that joins the river Arno.

This port provides passengers an opportunity to see a major working port up close.

Where Your Ship Docks

There is a Livorno cruise terminal, Alto Fondale, mainly used for ferry passengers and cruise ships that are embarking and disembarking in Livorno. Cruise ships making a port call often dock some distance from the cruise terminal and usually provide shuttle buses into the city.

Wheelchair Accessibility

Disembarking – This is a working industrial port without a cruise ship terminal for cruise ships making a port call. Disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway design and a steep ramp or even stairs can be encountered. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be a difficult time disembarking.

Port City Characteristics – This port has an average wheelchair infrastructure typical of large European cities. The working port area has moderate inclines in sidewalks and may not allow walking out of the port. Intersection crosswalks may have curbs or other wheelchair obstacles.

Transportation

If your are making a port call in Livorno, there is usually shuttle bus service provided into the central city averaging US$5 round trip. If your plans include a visit to Pisa or Florence on your own there are a couple of options. Take a taxi to the Stazione Livorno Centrale and catch a train that runs every 30 to 45 minutes. An eight person taxi to the station from Livorno port is about €25 or about €4 each which is less expensive than most ship shuttles to the city centre. If you are interested only in visiting Pisa there is regular metro bus service, Monday through Saturday, from the Livorno Stazione Marittima (the port bus stop) that goes to both Pisa Airport (the regional airport) and to Pisa Central Train Station. From there it’s less than a half hour walk to the cathedral and Leaning Tower. Bus one-way fare is €2.30 (Euros) purchased from a vendor (convenience stores, news stands and tourist information offices), or €3.50 if purchased on the bus.

From Stazione Livorno Centrale to Florence train tickets cost €10 to €12 one-way for a Standard Class with over 30 trains per day. The trip takes from 1 hour to an hour and a half depending on the specific train.

NOTE: There are a number of docks and if your cruise ship doesn’t dock near the Stazione Marittima, you’ll need to take a taxi to the Livorno train station. The Moby Lines and the Corsica Line ferries (both to Sardinia and Corsica) dock at the Stazione Marittima.

Currency

Italy uses the Euro (€) and other currencies are not usually accepted. Most major credit cards are welcome and there are numerous ATMs.

Attractions – The Nuova Venezia area surrounds the Fortezza Nuova and is known as New Venice because of the canals that weave between the streets. Beginning at the Scali delle Ancore, walk around the central canal and across the bridge on Via della Venezia past waterways and small sailing boats lining the canals.

Visit the Scali del Reugio and the beautiful Chiesa di Santa Caterina before heading on to the Fortezza Nuova.

Fortezza Nuova, constructed in the 1500’s, is the New Fort and was actually a second fortification intended to improve the cities defenses incorporating the old fort. It features a pentagonal design with a series of gun batteries, the fort is an impressive structure surrounded on all sides by a canal.

A beautiful city on its own but better know as the gateway city to Pisa and Florence. Livorno is a great cruise seaport to visit.

If you are staying longer in Livorno take the opportunity to visit the inland medieval towns to the south of the city like Bolgheri, Castagneto Carducci and Suvereto which can be easily reached by a short train ride.

Also, often overlooked by cruise ship passengers is a stretch of coastline from Livorno to Piombino known as the Etruscan Coast stretching for about 60 miles. It is an area with incredible natural settings characterized by fantastic beaches, medieval villages, and often wild and rocky cliffs near the sea. The Etruscan Coast is well worth a visit for its history, art, good food and wine.

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