When you are on a cruise, time in port is so limited and it’s important to maximize every minute you have! Since Florence is located inland, the cruise ship will likely dock in Livorno and you need to get to Florence on your own. It’s not incredibly difficult (just lengthy) and it’s worth it for even just a few hours in Florence! Here is how to spend a port day in Florence, Italy.
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Getting to Florence
The cruise ship port in Livorno is located here, just outside the town. After you disembark the ship, you will immediately be directed into a line to purchase tickets on the shuttle bus. The shuttle ticket costs €7 per person for a round trip ticket (both cash and card are accepted).
The shuttle will take you right into town and will drop you off here, right near the Tourist Information Office. Only about a 1 minute walk from the shuttle is the stop where you will grab the 1+ public bus to the train station. The bus stop is located on Via Grande, right outside H&M, located here. When the bus arrives, board through the front doors where you can pay the driver the €1,20 fare in cash or by tapping your card. The ride is only about 10-15 minutes with stops, and you will stay on until the very last stop, which is right in front of the Livorno Centrale train station. Then, enter the train station and purchase your one-way ticket to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (often abbreviated as Firenze SMN). Head to your platform and you’re on your way!
Read More: How to Get to Florence from the Livorno Cruise Port
Piazza del Duomo
Once you get off the train in Florence, it’s time to hit the ground sightseeing! Only about a ten minute walk away is the crown jewel of Florence: Piazza del Duomo. The Piazza is home to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Giotto’s Bell Tower, both of which are iconic landmarks in Florence! Expect the plaza to be jam packed with tourists, and be careful to hold onto your belongings. If you were going to get pickpocketed, this would be the prime place! Take some time to appreciate the incredible architecture and detail on the cathedral. Brunelleschi’s dome is the famous landmark that is attached to the cathedral, just around the back. Make sure you walk around the entire building to really appreciate it!
Piazza della Repubblica
Next, make your way down the Via dei Calzaiuoli into the Piazza della Repubblica. Via dei Calzaiuoli is a main thoroughfare that connects the Piazza del Duomo with the Piazza della Signoria (more on that below!). There is high end shopping, boutiques, restaurants, and gelato shops. I couldn’t resist stopping at Badiani, which is just off the main street. Steer one block over to Piazza della Repubblica. This square was a nice place to people-watch and enjoy the stunning buildings that surround it. I loved the golden-painted arch on the far west side, pictured above. There is even a merry-go-round in the center of the square, which creates such a vibe.
Piazza della Signoria
Just a short walk from there is the Piazza della Signoria, which is an absolute must-see! This piazza is home to dozens of impressive statues, including an exact replica of David. This replica is the exact same shape and size, made from the same materials, and is even located in the same spot as the original. However, if you want to see the real thing, you need to book a timed ticket to enter the Accademia Gallery. This gallery would gobble up a huge chunk of your time in port, so unless it is one of the few things you want to see or do in Florence, I’d recommend skipping it and going to see this exact replica instead.
Spend some time appreciating the other statues- there are dozens! Right next to David is the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio. This palace is from the 13th century, and the ground floor and courtyard is free to enter. Finally, make your way past the Uffizi Gallery and walk down to the River Arno.
Ponte Vecchio
When you get to the Arno River, take a moment to stop and appreciate the views in either direction. To the right, you will see Ponte Vecchio, which is an iconic bridge home to tons of jewelry shops and enjoy the views along the river. To your left, you’ll see more beautiful buildings lining the river, and in the background the hills that overlook the city, home to famous gardens such as the Giardino Bardini and Giardino dell’Iris. After some photo ops, make your way down to the Ponte Vecchio and cross the river. This bridge is really interesting- once you’re on it, you would hardly know you’re over water! It just feels like a normal, every-day street. In the middle of the bridge, there are a few openings for photo ops (and you won’t want to miss them).
Across the River Arno
On the other side, you’ll find a whole new world of shops, restaurants, gelato shops, and cafes. And because you can never have too much gelato when in Italy, you’ll definitely want to stop for a scoop at La Strega Nocciola. I was all over Italy on this trip and this was hands down my favorite gelato! You can always tell a good gelato shop by if they keep their goods stored in metal tins with lids, rather than heaping scoops in trays. This place does it right!
Next, take a moment to stop into a store devoted to all things Pinocchio. The story of Pinocchio is set in Florence, so grab yourself an authentic souvenir. I had to get a little figurine that now sits proudly on my bookshelf at home. There are also a ton of cute restaurants to grab a bite. We stopped at Ristorante Beccafico for some killer homemade pasta and immaculate vibes! They were also setting up for a cooking class while we were there, and if we had planned our time better, we would have loved to stay.
Wine Window
No trip to Florence is complete without stopping at one of their famous Wine Windows! These were installed back during the plague as a way for business to stay open, while limiting face-to-face interaction (sound familiar?). While there are only a few in the city that are still operating, one of the most famous is Babae! Simply get in line and order at the window when it’s your turn. They had a limited menu that was posted outside, but we opted for the classic rosé. You can pay by cash or credit card, and then a few moments later, a hand will appear through the window with your glass of wine. You simply stand on the streets sipping your drink. When you’re done, there is a small basket and bucket where you can pour out any leftovers and leave your glass. Cheers!
Returning to the Ship
After a jam-packed port day in Florence, it’s likely time to make your way back to the ship. Since the journey is lengthy, I’d recommend leaving yourself plenty of time (at least 3 hours before all aboard). Make your way back across the River Arno over the Ponte alla Carraia. This bridge is open-air so you can get 360 degree views of the city and river before you say goodbye. Right on the other side of the river is Benheart, a famous leather shop. Florence itself is famous for leather, but take some time to bop into some shops that produce high-quality goods right in Italy. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny for them though!
On your walk back to the train, make sure to stop at the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella. This quaint little square is filled with fresh flowers and is home to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. This basilica is really beautiful and has such detail along the sides! When you arrive back at the Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station, simply purchase your ticket back to Livorno and start the long journey back to your ship. Kick back on the train and reflect on your perfect port day in Florence!
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