Discover Elba
and its 223 km² — beaches, trails, hill villages and iron mines

223 km² between the mainland and Corsica: sandy and shingle beaches, 314 km of trails, seven municipalities, the iron mines and Napoleon’s ten months. Here is how the island is put together, town by town.

223,5

km² of territory

Municipalities to explore

Beaches reachable by land

314

km of trails

1019

m Monte Capanne

Guide to the island

Everything you need
to know about Elba

Elba Island is the third Italian island by extension and the largest of the Tuscan Archipelago. With its 223.5 km² it offers an extraordinary variety of landscapes: granite coasts and sandy beaches, forests and vineyards, medieval villages and Napoleonic villas.

Reachable in about 1 hour of ferry from Piombino, it is a perfect destination for every type of traveller: families, couples, outdoor sports enthusiasts, food & wine lovers and history lovers.

Towns to explorePortoferraio, Capoliveri, Porto Azzurro, Rio, Marciana and more

Beaches and covesWhite sand, pebbles and cliffs for every kind of sea

223,5

km² of landItaly's third largest island, heart of the Tuscan Archipelago

The Seven Municipalities

Seven souls,
one unique island

Explore all municipalities

Portoferraio

Capital Main port Napoleon

Capoliveri

Medieval village Aleatico vineyards

Campo nell'Elba

Marina di Campo Airport

Porto Azzurro

San Giacomo Fort East coast

Marciana

Monte Capanne Mountain villages

Marciana Marina

Smallest municipality Seafront

Rio

Ancient iron mines Rio Marina · Rio nell'Elba

Best times to visit

When to come
to Elba

Elba Island is beautiful in all seasons, but each period offers a different experience. The choice depends on what you seek: crowded seas, silent nature or authentic culture.

High season (July-August) guarantees warm sea and lively nightlife, but the beaches are crowded. May, June and September are often the perfect compromise: still warm sea, fewer tourists and lower prices.

Spring

Nature in bloom

The island is green and fragrant. Ideal for trekking, cycling and enjoying the villages without the crowds. Mild temperatures, perfect for the GTE.

Apr Mag Giu

Summer

Crystal sea

Warm and transparent sea, nightlife, events and village fairs. High season: book ferry and accommodation well in advance.

Lug Ago

Autumn

Authentic Elba

Deserted beaches, grape harvest, chestnuts and Aleatico DOCG. The favourite season of true Elbans.

Set Ott Nov

Winter

Silence and culture

The island lives its true life. Perfect for those seeking authentic villages, exhibitions, living nativity scenes and affordable rates.

Dic Gen Feb

The Beaches

Over 86 beaches,
all different

All beaches

Sand Families

Biodola

Portoferraio

Wide beach of fine golden sand, shallow gradient. One of the most popular for families with children.

Sand Snorkeling

Fetovaia

Campo nell'Elba

Peninsula of light sand with a gulf sheltered by a granite cliff. Among the most photographed beaches of the island.

Pebbles Snorkeling

Sansone

Portoferraio

White quartz pebbles and transparent Caribbean-like waters. Reachable only on foot via the trail.

Sand Young

Cavoli

Campo nell'Elba

Fine sand with a view of the Cerboli islet. Popular also among younger crowds for the evening atmosphere and beach clubs.

Pebbles Snorkeling

Capo Bianco

Portoferraio

Long beach of white pebbles under the quartz cliff. Deep waters, ideal for snorkeling and experienced swimmers.

Sand Families

Marina di Campo

Campo nell'Elba

The longest beach on the island (1.7 km) and one of the most equipped. Ideal for water sports and beach club life.

History and Culture

Three thousand years
of stories

Elba Island has attracted peoples and civilisations for millennia thanks to its unique mineral resources. Etruscans, Romans, Pisans, Spanish and Napoleon: each era has left an indelible mark on the island's landscape and culture.

Discover Elba's history

8th century BC

Etruscans and iron

For the Greeks the island was Aithale ("soot"), from the sparks of the forges. The Etruscans started the first iron mines, making it a metallurgical hub of the ancient Mediterranean.

1st century BC – 5th century AD

Romans and patrician villas

The Romans intensively exploited the mines and built patrician villas on the coast, such as the Roman Villa of Le Grotte and the Villa of Capo Castello at Cavo, still visitable today.

1548 (Cosmopoli)

The Medici and Portoferraio

Cosimo I de' Medici founded Cosmopoli (today Portoferraio), a jewel of military urban planning protected by the forts Falcone, Stella and Linguella, still well preserved.

1814–1815

Napoleon on Elba

After his first abdication, Napoleon Bonaparte spent 10 months on the island as Sovereign. The residences Villa dei Mulini (Portoferraio) and Villa San Martino are today National Museums.

Villa dei Mulini · Portoferraio

Miniere di Rio

Forte Falcone

Trails and Paths

314 km of
nature to discover

All trails

Elba has more kilometres of trails (314 km) than of paved roads (220 km). 50% of the territory is part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. Trails for every level, from the GTE Grande Traversata Elbana to short panoramic walks.

Hard

Monte Capanne Summit

Marciana · 1019 m s.l.m.

+900 m 8 km 4–5 h

The roof of Elba and the Tuscan Archipelago. Challenging climb on CAI trail 100 from Marciana, 360° views to Corsica and the mainland on clear days.

Hard

GTE · Grande Traversata Elbana

From Cavo to Pomonte (or Patresi)

47–55 km 20–24 h

The most important trail on the island: it follows the ridge connecting most of the paths. GTE North (Cavo–Patresi 55 km) or GTE South (Cavo–Pomonte 47 km). Multi-stage.

Panoramic loop on the promontory north of Portoferraio. Belvedere on the gulf, Mediterranean scrubland and hidden coves. Suitable for everyone.

Trail on the south side of Capoliveri through Aleatico vineyards, olive groves and views over the Gulf of Stella and Lacona. Stops at the ancient Ginevro iron mines.

Open-air museum among the ancient iron mines that for millennia made Elba famous. Guided tours of the Minerals Museum, the Ginevro Gallery and the historic mining sites.

Climb to the oldest fortress on the island (11th century, Pisan origin). From Bagnaia or from Rio nell'Elba. Spectacular panorama over Portoferraio, Bagnaia and Magazzini.

Getting there and around

How to reach
the island

Elba is reached by sea (ferry from Piombino) or by air (Marina di Campo airport, seasonal flights). Once on the island, buses, taxis, rental cars and scooters cover the entire road network.

Book the ferry

Ferry from Piombino

The main route. Three companies (Moby, Toremar, Blu Navy) operate the Piombino–Portoferraio route (about 1 hour), Rio Marina (45') and Cavo (40'), year-round. Cars, motorcycles and campers can board.

Compare schedules and prices

Marina di Campo Airport

Small airport on the island (code EBA). Seasonal flights (April–October) from various Italian and European cities, operated by Silver Air and other carriers.

Flight info

CTT Nord Public Buses

Bus network connecting all municipalities. High frequency in summer (with additional lines to beaches), reduced timetables in winter.

Schedules and lines

Car, scooter and bike rental

Numerous rental agencies at the arrival ports and tourist centres. Scooters and electric bikes are often the most comfortable way to explore the island's panoramic roads.

Find a rental

Events and Festivals

Elba
all year round

All events

Recurring events that liven up the island in every season: from international sports competitions to village festivals, from music festivals to historical reenactments.

Culture

ScenaRio Elba: the theatre season at Teatro Garibaldi in Rio

09 Nov - 16 Apr 2027

Event

Capoliveri Legend Cup 2027

09 Nov - 08 May 2027

Event

La Marina in Gioco: board game night in Marciana Marina

9-17 Nov 2026

Event

Round tables on Dante: "Why does Dante choose Virgil?"

09 Nov 2026