Should any cruiser find him/herself in Livorno [or Pisa] then hopefully this post will be of use. In terms of general shopping [towards the end of the post] it might also interest other travellers who find themselves here on a stop over to one of the islands or even using Livorno as a base. There are several hotels to suit most budgets and some nice AirBnB options.
Livorno is a large port – mainly industrial for shipping petroleum and bulk cargo – much of this, seemingly, cars. In the old port – Porto Mediceo – there is a Yacht Club and some pontoons where a berth might be found. There is a small marina just south of the main port at Darsena Morosoni.
There are a number of small shipyards [for storage and/or work] at the northern end of the Canale Industriale – just past the bridges which seem to open daily at 9.30am and 3.30 pm – and at other times by demand. Superyacht shipyards are further up the canal almost in Pisa. As there is no reason for a boat to pass through the bridges unless accessing a yard then it is probably wisest to let the yard arrange the bridge opening.
We can recommend Technonautica – Davil Marine, Via Jacoponi, Calambrone. The yard is owned and managed by Carlo Maver [[email protected]] who is very ably assisted by Luca Manzini [[email protected]]. They both speak English.
As I wrote in my previous post, sourcing spare parts can be quite a challenge but if you are in one of the yards, DHL/Amazon etc will deliver.
Some useful contacts
Yanmar Mechanic: Luigi Casadio, [English spoken]
Via P.Savi, 349
Viareggio
www.casadioluigimn.com e.mail [email protected]
+39 0584 388171 Mobile 329 2231804
Yanmar Dealer: Stephano Varrone [English spoken]
SV Servizi
Via San Carlo, 131
57126 Livorno
+39 0586 894872
Also seems to be the local Beta Marine dealer.
Chain manufacturer: Maggi Group – Nautilium [English spoken]
Galvanising: Le Mi SNC
Viale g Puccini, 193
Torre del Lago
Lucca
+39 0584 352686
Machine Shop: Leandro Trevisi [English spoken]
& welding Via del Testaio, 4
Livorno
+39 0586 886085
Autoparts: DRS SpA [one assistant speaks some English]
Viale Giosue Carducci, 72
57124 Livorno
Useful for some filters, engine coolant, gear oil etc
Electronics: REM [English spoken]
[incl. Aerial cable] Via dei Mulinacci
Livorno
Ciucci [Some English spoken by the owner]
Via Maggi
Livorno
Chandler: Forniture Nautiche
Cecina
[English catalogue available on line and English spoken but you need to know someone with an account]
Marine Store SRL [Alice speaks English]
Piazza Giovane Italia, 5
Livorno
They also have a main outlet in Viareggio – Via Coppino, 428
Match Race
Via Fabio Filzi, 19/3
Livorno
Outlet for Osculati – more expensive
There are also several chandlers in Viareggio catering mostly to the superyachts made there by Benetti and others.
Ironmongers: Ferramenta San Marco [one assistant speaks English the rest try hard!]
Via Filzi 1 [next to Lidl]
57122 Livorno
Large range of tools and stainless products
Ferramenta Biondi [Some English spoken]
Via Provinciali Piscana, 42
57121 Livorno
Ferramenta Turchi [one assistant speaks some English]
Borgo dei Cappuccini, 110
57126 Livorno
Propane: Small shop on Via Palestro near the junction with Piazza 11 Maggio
Lawyer/Notary: Notario Miccoli [English spoken]
Piazza Attias, 13
Livorno
Laundrettes: Several across the City including one on –
Via Provinciale Pisana, a few doors from Ferramenta Biondi, one on
Via Solferino, around the corner from the propane shop and another on
Via Alessandro Pieroni – or the pedestrian walkway next to it.
There are also two large DIY stores – rather like B+Q/Home Depot though they don’t seem to stock as much by way of tools and accessories. They are more geared to home and garden. Having said that, they have can be useful for some things. They are “Obi” and Leroy Merlin”. The former is in Parca Levante and the latter at “Porta a Terra”. They are both well signposted and can be accessed from SS1 Via Aurelia. Both of these are shopping malls which also contain an “Ipercoop” as well as things like sports shops, clothing outlets, cafes etc.
IKEA is on the SS1 just on the outskirts of Pisa
For provisioning the “Ipercoop” are good as is “PAM” [Via Firenze]. There are a number of smaller supermarkets scattered across the city called “Conad”. Whilst not really suitable for main provisioning they are fine for day to day shopping.
A cheaper option is Lidl [Via Filzi] which, incidentally, has very good bread. The overall range is limited but the quality of products good.
The best place to buy meat and veg is definitely the main market in the city centre – both inside the market hall and the stalls in the surrounding streets. There are also local cheese and charcuterie stalls, fresh pasta and bread. For fish, the main market is good but in addition, most mornings the fishermen set out their catch on the quayside on Scali Enrico Cialdini.
Livorno is well served by transport links. The nearest Airport is Pisa which is 20 minutes by car using the A12 Toll Road or about 30 minutes on the toll free SS1. There is easy access to the “FI-PI-LI” which connects Pisa and Livorno with Firenze [Florence] – about 90-120 minutes.
Livorno is on the main train line between Pisa and Rome and a train to Pisa takes about 15 minutes from where there are connections to other Italian Cities.
Buses run regularly to Pisa, one of which passes Technonautica on an hourly service via Tirrenia. Long distance National and International buses are also available in Pisa.
Ferries to Capraia, Elba, Corsica and Sardinia also run from Livorno.