Livorno
Medici City of the Nations

Bridges, canals, centuries-old buildings that reflect in the quiet waters, but something tells us that we are not in the famous Venetian city: here the light is strong and bold. This Little Venice looks out over the Tyrrhenian Sea.
It’s the city’s merchant neighbourhood par excellence, through which flow a network of canals, once home to the famous merchants of the nations, in their impressive palazzos nestled amid the striking late-Baroque churches. Now this area is bustling during the day, rediscovered by tourists, and in the evening thanks to the city’s nightlife and the countless bars that have opened in the ancient warehouses. This is also where Effetto Venezia is held, an event that brings the canals to life on July nights with concerts, performances and markets. Thanks to tourist boats you can experience three kilometers of the city’s water, learning about Livorno from a unique perspective.

The king of our kitchen is Cacciucco. Not a simple fish soup, no, it’s simply Cacciucco! A hotpot of various sea creatures mixed in the Livornese way in a sort of brotherhood dish.
In Livorno the typical tastes of Mediterranean traditions merge, home to Nordic fish too, like salt cod and stockfish.
When you’re in town don’t forget to try 5 e 5: a chick pea pie sandwiched between two slices of French bread.
Pay a visit to Livorno’s striking “taste temple”, the massive Mercato delle Vettovaglie, one of the largest markets in Europe.