Tour guidato sul lungomare di Livorno

Explore the 19th century Livorno’s charming and lively seafront promenade, today called viale Italia, accompanied by a local expert guide. A lovely and easy walk among scenic views, elegant palaces, gardens, art nouveau-style villas and historic buildings once frequented by the savoy princes and aristocratics.

Itinerario

Meeting point: Livorno Acquarium (in front of main entrance) / The tour is confirmed with at least 6 adult participants

The Livorno Seafront Promenade walking tour starts in front of the main entrance of Livorno Acquarium, an important exhibition center for research on marine flora and fauna of the Mediterranean located right on the seafront.

Our first stop will be the striking Terrazza Mascagni, an elegant balustraded terrace overlooking the sea and dedicated to the famous Livornese composer Pietro Mascagni. The belvedere is characterized by a beautiful black and white checkerboard pavement and offers a splendid view of the Arcipelago Toscano and the Port of Livorno, one of the largest in the Mediterranean Sea. Construction of the Terrazza Mascagni as a public space began in 1925, in an area that had been the location of a defensive structure (Forte dei Cavalleggeri) and of an amusement park called “Eden”, where the first public cinema show in Italy was held.

The stroll goes on along the Livorno promenade with a stop by the historical Hotel Palazzo, a grand hotel that epitomizes the glamor of Italy’s golden years, and the Bagni Pancaldi, a bathing establishment founded in 1846 with the title “Royal Bath”. The historical establishment was once frequented by the Savoy princes and members of high society from all over the world and hosted the famous Olympia Cafe Concerto, where theatrical performaces and concerts were organized.

Next stop will be the church of San Jacopo in Acquaviva, so called for the pool of fresh water once hosted inside. It was erected on a hermitage of the 4th century, which was a point of departure for pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela. Thanks to its scenic location, it’s the most characteristic religious buildings of Livorno.

Continuing along the promenade we will discover fascinating Art Nouveau-style villas, the prestigious training institute for military officers of the Italian Naval established on 1881 and the ancient terminus of the Tirrenia-Pisa-Livorno railway (Margherita Barrier) erected to further widen the town’s boundary walls.

At the end of the walking tour relax and enjoy a wine tasting (1 glass of red or white Tuscan wine) while admiring a beautiful scenery.

The tour is wheelchairs accessible. The entrance of the church San Jacopo in Acquaviva is accessible thanks to a ramp perfect for the wheelchair (the Crypt is not accessible).