Livorno Shore Excursion: Florence & Pisa

Your first stop is Pisa, where you can admire the cathedral and other historic buildings before skipping the line to climb the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. Next, enjoy a private guided tour of beautiful Florence. You'll skip the line at the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia—home of Michelangelo's David—a well as seeing the Duomo, Baptistry Doors, Piazza Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and more of the city's most famous sites.

Florence & Pisa Private Shore Excursion Description

Your 8-hour full-day tour includes:

• Luxury, air-conditioned private transportation from Livorno (return)

• Visit to Pisa

• Skip-the-line tickets to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa

• Lunch break in central Florence (lunch not included)

• Florence city highlights tour

• Skip-the-line tours of the Uffizi and Accademia galleries

• Your own personal, English-speaking tour guide in Florence

Private Luxury Transportation from Livorno

To make this private tour of Pisa and Florence super easy for you, you'll be picked up from your cruise ship in Livorno port and driven around Tuscany in a climate-controlled vehicle. And don't worry, we'll make sure you get back to the ship in time too! Just relax and let your private driver and Florence guide take care of you while they share fascinating facts and stories of two of Italy's most enchanting cities.

Pisa and Its Leaning Tower

Did you know Pisa is the hometown of Galileo? And of course, the city is home to the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. Located in the Square of Miracles, this remarkable tower took almost 200 years to construct and is famed for its notable lean (almost four degrees to be exact!). In addition to the leaning bell tower, the Square of Miracles is also home to the Pisa Cathedral (or Duomo di Pisa) and the Pisa Baptistery.

Unaware of the lack of stability on the marshy hill, the great tower took over 200 years to build but was not intended to be at an angle. Now reinforced to maintain a stable tilt, the famed tower has become one of Italy's most iconic sites. Had it stayed straight up, few would visit the impressive landmark today. Experience the tower in person, taking in the grandeur and uniqueness of this accidental world icon.

Despite how it looks, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is completely safe to climb as its structural integrity is monitored on a constant basis. In fact, so many visitors to Pisa are eager to check off climbing the tower from their bucket list, reserving a ticket is a challenge. But don’t worry—we take care of your skip-the-line Leaning Tower of Pisa tickets!

Welcome to Florence

Florence: the cradle of the Renaissance and one of Italy's most fascinating cities. You could spend days exploring the magnificence of Florence. But you don't have days, of course, so we'll provide your own private Florence guide armed with skip-the-line tickets to make sure you see the best of the city and its museums before it's time to get back to your cruise ship in Livorno.

You'll also have some free time to enjoy some delicious Florentine cuisine. Lunch isn't included but your guide will have plenty of great local recommendations.

Brunelleschi’s Duomo and The Gates of Paradise

The iconic Duomo is Florence's most recognized landmark. Towering over the city, Filippo Brunelleschi’s dome is a Renaissance treasure. From outside the Duomo cathedral, learn about the amazing piece of architecture as your guide explains its history. A few steps away you’ll see the renowned bronze Baptistry Doors which have been praised by generations of artists and art historians for their compelling portrayal of scenes from the Old Testament. These famous doors are not to be missed!

Piazza della Signoria

Filled with statues, fountains and beautiful architecture, the Piazza della Signoria is more of an outdoor art gallery rather than just a piazza. Florence’s city hall, the Palazzo Vecchio, is the square’s most prominent feature. Although you won’t enter the Palazzo Vecchio on this tour, walk through the beautiful exterior corridors of the Uffizi Museum and learn about the deep influence that the Medici family had on the city of Florence.

See the David at the Accademia Gallery

The Accademia Gallery is home to the world-famous David statue by Michelangelo. Standing 14 feet tall, the iconic marble statue depicts the biblical hero David before his battle with Goliath. The Accademia Gallery is the second-most popular museum in the city (behind the Uffizi), which sometimes means long lines for most visitors.

Fortunately, that won't be a problem for you! You'll bypass the crowds with your guide and enter a shorter security line. Short delays at the security check may occur during the busiest months of June and July.

The Uffizi Gallery

As the most popular museum in Florence, the line to get inside the Uffizi Gallery can also be quite long at times. Not to worry though, you'll also enjoy skip-the-line access here so you guide can show you the iconic Renaissance artwork inside without the long wait. Your guide has a true expertise on the Uffizi's artwork and the stories behind it all, so you'll also get a more informed and entertaining experience in this famous museum.

Once inside, visit some of the most celebrated works of art in the world, including Botticelli's Birth of Venus—a stunning depiction of the goddess Venus being carried ashore in a giant seashell. Caravaggio’s Medusa and Michelangelo’s Holy Family (or Doni Tondo) are two of the other standout pieces on display here, but your guide will help you discover plenty of lesser-known gems too.

Discover Florentine Gelato

Did you know that Florence is the birthplace of gelato? On this walking tour, you'll pass by our favorite gelato shop in Florence where you can discover why it's one of the few most authentic gelaterias in Florence. Gelato isn't included, but your guide can tell you which flavors are the best to try.

The Jewelers on Ponte Vecchio Bridge

Ponte Vecchio means “old bridge” in Italian, and it's appropriately named. Merchant shops have lined this famed bridge since the 13th century. Originally, the shops included fishmongers, butchers, and tanners, however these particular goods caused such a stench in the area that Ferdinand I proclaimed in 1593 that only jewelers were allowed to sell on the bridge. You'll feel as if you've stepped back in time as you stroll around this historic part of Florence.

After a full day of sightseeing in Pisa and Florence, take the opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenic ride back to the port of Livorno. And since we handle all the details, we'll make sure you're back in time to set sail and get to the next incredible destination on your cruise.