Elba Island is a paradisiacal place located more than 10 kilometers off the Tuscan coast.
It is appreciated for its coastline with beaches, coves, and diving spots, for its mountain reaching 1,018 meters, and for its superb trails in a preserved and abundant natural environment.
It is the third largest Italian island, grouped within the Tuscan Archipelago National Park together with the other smaller islands of the archipelago: Capraia, Montecristo, Pianosa, Giglio, and Giannutri.
The island can be reached in about one hour by ferry from Piombino on the coast to Portoferraio.
It has 30,000 residents, but it is much more populated in summer, starting from the end of June. Visiting is therefore much more pleasant outside July and August, which are overcrowded, with packed beaches and high prices. From late March to June, for instance, one can enjoy the colorful scrubland during the blooming season, and in September, the sea remains warm.
The assets of the island
The island of Elba is a delight for the senses, with its dominant green and blue colors, silver and golden beaches, the blue shades of the waters, turquoise and transparent, a fragrant green scrubland, tinged during flowering with yellow, blue, white, and violet, often buzzing with thousands of bees; the reds and ochres of the mining parks, the greys of old stones, etc.
With 30 km at its greatest length, the island has 147 kilometers of coastline where beaches and coves of pebbles or sand follow one another, along with snorkeling and scuba diving sites.
The lands are crossed by cyclists and hikers, enjoying beautiful trails that wind through woods and scrub, with wide views over the island, the sea, and the surrounding islands up to Corsica.
Several villages still maintain fishing activities, in addition to tourist sailing, providing fresh seafood for the tables, accompanied by the few wines produced on the island.
Main places and activities
The west of the island is wilder, around its mountain. This is the most charming part. The eastern part does not lack qualities either, but is nevertheless more constructed.
View of Portoferraio from Fort Falcone
Portoferraio is the largest town, a small city with an interesting historic center, featuring several forts and the tourist port. You can visit the Napoleonic Museums at the Palazzina dei Mulini, the Villa of San Martino a few kilometers away, the Museum of Napoleonic Relics, the Foresiana Art Gallery, and the Archaeological Museum.
Other villages include Porto Azzurro, Capoliveri, and Lacona on the eastern side. On the western side, Marina di Campo with its large beach lies to the southwest, and Marciana Marina to the northwest.
While some localities are well equipped with campsites, others are more intimate.
View of Volterraio and Mount Capanne
The hinterland is splendid, with trails running along the slopes of its mountain, crossing woods and scrubland, the beautiful Medieval Castle of Volterraio on its rocky peak, and the Villa delle Grotte, the most important Roman site.
You can reach the highest point of the island, on Mount Capanne, either by cable car or through a demanding hike, from which the panorama is breathtaking. It is certainly one of the most remarkable things to do on the Island of Elba.
The other islands of the archipelago are diverse and very interesting, such as the wild Capraia, appreciated by divers, or Pianosa, whose access is restricted due to its naturalistic and archaeological importance.
Rio nell’Elba
Among the curiosities of the island are several granite quarries and especially mining parks, especially in the southeast near Capoliveri. It also has several mining museums, in Capoliveri, Rio Marina and Rio nell’Elba.
A beautiful way to see the island of Elba is its boat tour, to discover for example virgin coves and deserted beaches. These excursions are varied, from a few hours to the whole day. It is also possible to reach the island of Giglio or that of Montecristo. The boats leave from the ports of Portoferraio, Marciana Marina, Porto Azzurro and Cavo.
A family island
The island of Elba is well suited for families with children, thanks to its hotel facilities, equipped beaches, and the activities on offer: sailing and diving courses, nature excursions to discover the island, environmental and traditional heritage education programs. The Rio Marina Mining Park offers a small train to explore the mines.
Procchio Beach
In Segagnana you will find the Elba Aquarium with 80 tanks and 150 different species of marine organisms.
Marina di Campo is the most family-oriented, with its long sandy beach and seaside establishments.
Lacona also has a large sandy beach suitable for families.
Gastronomy and typical products
The island’s cuisine is generous, with some Spanish and Oriental influences. It highlights local products such as cod, anchovies, seafood, capers, and more.
Wine production is small but distinctive and is difficult to find outside the island, with Elba Bianco, Elba Rosso, Rosato, Ansonica, Moscato, and Aleatico, which is a sweet dessert wine.
Other typical products of the island include minerals, perfumes and cosmetics, as well as candies.
Festivals and events
The island is animated by many popular festivals, sporting and cultural events, and concerts throughout the year: Festival of the March in spring; the Scooter Rally in Capoliveri in April; the Napoleonic May in Portoferraio; The Flower Festival in Porto Azzurro in May; the historical reenactment of Scientology on July 14 ; the Fishermen’s Festival in Porto Azzurro in July; the Music Island of Europe, a classical and jazz music festival in September; the Grape and Chestnut Festival in autumn; etc.
Map of places and sites on the Island of Elba
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Articles on the island of Elba
- Hotels in Elba
Easily find accommodation on Elba Island among nearly 500 structures, including apartments and houses, guest rooms and B&Bs, agritourism, etc - The most beautiful beaches of Elba Island
The island of Elba, in the Tuscan Archipelago, offers a wide variety of beaches, ranging from long stretches of fine sand to small coves with pebbles or black sand. Some ... - Map of places and beaches on the Island of Elba
The interactive map of the island of Elba highlights the main towns and villages, the most popular beaches, as well as remarkable natural and cultural sites, mountains and others. - Portoferraio
Portoferraio, the capital of Elba Island, is a small town with multiple charms, combining historical heritage, port activity, and natural beauty. A former Medici fortress, the town is dominated by ... - Surroundings of Portoferraio
Around Portoferraio, there is a mix of rocky coves, small sandy or pebble beaches, and hills covered with Mediterranean vegetation. The northern coast, towards Enfola and Sansone, includes some of ... - Marciana and its surroundings
Marciana, perched on the slopes of Monte Capanne, is one of the oldest villages on the island of Elba. Its stone houses, medieval streets, and Pisan fortress reflect its strategic ... - The western coast of the Island of Elba
The western coast of Elba Island, between Sant’Andrea and Cavoli, presents a wilder and more preserved landscape than the eastern areas. The granite cliffs plunge into clear waters where small ... - Monte Capanne and its slopes
Mount Capanne, reaching 1,019 meters, is the highest point on Elba Island and dominates the landscape of the Tuscan Archipelago. Its slopes present a striking contrast with the coastline: chestnut ... - Southeast of the island of Elba
The southeast of Elba Island presents a varied landscape combining sandy beaches, rocky coves, picturesque villages, and mining heritage. The region, shaped by the history of iron exploitation, has preserved ... - Rio nell’Elba, Cavo and surroundings
The northeast of Elba Island consists of a massif that extends into the waters, where Rio nell’Elba is located in the heights, Rio Marina on the eastern coast, while Magazzini, ... - From Procchio to Marina di Campo
Between Procchio in the north and Marina di Campo in the south, two beautiful sandy beaches are connected, with medieval villages on the heights in between, hiking trails through the ... - Islands of the Tuscan Archipelago
The Tuscan Archipelago National Park, established in 1996, covers approximately 61,000 hectares of land and 56,000 hectares of sea, making it the largest marine park in Europe. It includes the ... - Weather in Elba
The weather at this moment on the Island of Elba and the forecast for the next days and next week, with rainfall, temperatures or air quality
FAQ — Preparing Your Trip to Elba Island
- What is the best time to visit Elba Island?
- The months of May, June, and September are the most pleasant: mild climate, already warm sea, colorful nature, moderate crowds, and more affordable prices than in July–August.
- How to get to the island?
- Elba Island can be reached by ferry from Piombino (Tuscany), mainly to Portoferraio. The crossing takes about one hour. In high season, it is advisable to book your ticket in advance.
- What are the must-do activities?
- Swimming on the beaches (Marina di Campo, Procchio, Lacona), hiking on Monte Capanne, visiting ancient villages (Capoliveri, Marciana, Porto Azzurro), exploring the Napoleonic museums of Portoferraio, and taking a boat tour around the island.
- Is the island suitable for families with children?
- Yes, several beaches are equipped and shallow (Marina di Campo, Lacona). You will also find the Elba Aquarium, the Rio Marina Mining Park with its little train, as well as suitable water activities.
- What local products can you taste?
- The cuisine highlights fish and seafood, capers, and anchovies. As for wines, Aleatico (sweet wine), Ansonica, or Elba Rosso are typical. You can also find honey, granite-based products, and scented cosmetics.
- Should you rent a car or a two-wheeler to explore the island?
- A car allows you to move freely between the different beaches and villages. However, buses cover the main towns, and hiking or cycling enthusiasts can enjoy the many marked trails. The roads are narrow, often very winding, and there are many bicycles. A two-wheeler is much better suited to the island.
Where is the Island of Elba, map
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Information and Links
- Enjoy Elba – Magazine and guide in English about Elba and the Tuscan Archipelago.
- Visit Tuscany – Elba Island – Official regional site in English presenting landscapes, beaches, villages and activities on Elba.
- Wikipedia – Elba – Detailed article on the island’s history, geography, culture and points of interest.
- Visit Elba.info – Travel guide in English offering tips on best beaches, hikes, picturesque villages and historical sites.
J’y suis allé en mai, temps pluvieux la moitié du temps, mais séjour très chouette, pour la diversité des plages et les superbes sentiers autour du mont Capanne !
Vélo, rando, plages, un peu de culture. Super fin septembre, pas beaucoup de monde et prix corrects. Par contre, l’accueil pas toujours au mieux, je ne comprends pas que l’habitude du supplément draps et serviettes des logeurs