History and identity
Granite, sea and medieval villages
on the south-western coast
Campo nell'Elba is the second largest municipality on Elba Island, with around 4,612 inhabitants spread over an area of ~56 km². It includes nine villages climbing from the sandy coast of Marina di Campo — the main town — up to the slopes of Monte Capanne, the highest peak in the Tuscan Archipelago (1019 m). The area overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea with one of the island's most varied coastlines: long sandy beaches, light-sand coves, granite cliffs plunging into the sea.
Campo's identity is closely tied to the granite of Monte Capanne, quarried and worked since Roman times. The quarries of Cavoli, Seccheto and San Piero supplied columns, capitals and architectural elements for construction sites across Italy: among the most famous works attributed to Elban granite are columns of the Basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura in Rome. The mountain villages of San Piero in Campo and Sant'Ilario in Campo were born as stonecutters' towns, and still preserve granite alleys, Romanesque churches and ancient watchtowers today.
On the coast, Marina di Campo grew as a fishing village and is now Elba's main seaside resort. Its sandy beach of over one and a half kilometres is the longest in the whole archipelago. A few kilometres north-east lies Elba's only airport, named after Teseo Tesei (1909-1941), a hero of the Italian Navy born in Marina di Campo, designer of the SLC (slow-running torpedoes, the famous "pigs") and Gold Medal of Military Valour.
The south-western coastline is a sequence of spectacular coves: Cavoli with its light sand, Seccheto with round granite boulders smoothed by the sea, Fetovaia — sheltered by a granite promontory and considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Tyrrhenian Sea — and Pomonte, also famous for the wreck of the ship Elviscot, which sank in 1972 and is now one of the most popular dive sites on the island.
Photo gallery
Campo nell'Elba in pictures
A look at the most evocative places of the municipality: the long beach of Marina di Campo, the coves of Fetovaia and Cavoli, the granite villages of San Piero and Sant'Ilario, the slopes of Monte Capanne.
What to see
What to see
in Campo nell'Elba
Granite villages, Romanesque churches, panoramic viewpoints over the Tyrrhenian and industrial archaeology sites linked to granite quarrying: the Campo area offers much more than its beaches. Here are the must-see places and other points of interest.
Village · Fishermen · Promenade · Lively Marina di Campo Village
Ancient fishermen's village, today one of the most visited areas of the island in summer. Seafront with bars, restaurants, shops. Lively atmosphere with Elba's longest beach at hand.
Village · Granite · Panoramic view San Piero in Campo Village
Granite village on a height of Monte Capanne, near Sant'Ilario. Spectacular panoramic view of the Gulf of Campo. Authentic atmosphere with traditional restaurants and shops.
Village · Medieval · Panoramic view Sant'Ilario in Campo Village
One of the oldest and most typical villages on the island, in a picturesque position on the slopes of Monte Capanne. From here you enjoy a view of the Gulf of Marina di Campo on one side and the mountains on the other.
Church · On Roman temple · San Piero San Niccolo Church (San Piero)
Beautiful church in the heart of San Piero village, probably erected on the remains of a Roman temple. Very ancient construction, preserves simple but suggestive architecture.
Other points of interest in Campo nell'Elba
3
The beaches
The beaches
of Campo nell'Elba
The municipal area of Campo is rich in beaches, from the golden sand of Marina di Campo — Elba's longest — to the coves nestled between the granite of Fetovaia, Cavoli and Seccheto. Here are the 7 most loved.
Other beaches in the municipal area
7
Where it is
Campo nell'Elba on the map of Elba
Campo nell'Elba stretches over the south-western coast of the island, from the Gulf of Marina di Campo to the western slopes of Monte Capanne. Marina di Campo is about 14 km from Portoferraio and is Elba's busiest seaside hub in summer.
Marina di Campo
42.7430 N, 10.2400 E
Interactive map (requires JavaScript)
Map provided by OpenStreetMap · OSM community contributors
What to do in Campo nell'Elba
Where to sleep, eat
and what to do
All the types of tourist activities available in the municipality of Campo nell'Elba. Marina di Campo concentrates most of Elba's seaside and accommodation offerings. Click a category to browse the venues.
Hotels in Campo nell'Elba
15 businesses in Campo nell'Elba
Hotels we have selected and visited one by one, from small family-run places to four-star spa hotels. Every listing shows the property’s phone, WhatsApp and e-mail.
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Apartments in Campo nell'Elba
21 businesses in Campo nell'Elba
Apartments and holiday homes rented directly by their Elban owners, from the seafront to the inland hills. Your own kitchen and your own schedule: contact the owner directly.
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Residences in Campo nell'Elba
2 businesses in Campo nell'Elba
Residences with equipped apartments and shared facilities: the freedom of a holiday home with hotel-style convenience. Direct contact with reception, no commission.
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Camping in Campo nell'Elba
1 businesses in Campo nell'Elba
Campsites on Elba Island with pitches and open-air accommodation, minutes from the sea. Call or message the campsite directly: no middlemen, no commission.
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Restaurants and pizzerias
16 businesses in Campo nell'Elba
Restaurants, trattorias and pizzerias on Elba Island, selected and visited by our local team. Every listing shows the phone and WhatsApp to book your table directly.
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Farms
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Elba is an agricultural island first and a tourist destination second: wineries, olive groves, apiaries and educational farms open to visitors. Buying from the producer is the most authentic way to take the island home.
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Sea activities
3 businesses in Campo nell'Elba
Elba lies within the Tuscan Archipelago National Park: wrecks, shoals, caves and stretches of coast reachable only from the water, with licensed centres and guides.
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Trekking and outdoor sports
1 businesses in Campo nell'Elba
From the Grande Traversata Elbana to the granite walls of the western side: routes and operators for moving on foot, by bike or on a rope.
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Guided excursions
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Walk the Park’s trails with people who know every turn: hiking, geotrekking, birdwatching and the only way to reach Pianosa, with AIGAE-registered guides.
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Entertainment and leisure
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Where to spend the evening and how to fill the afternoons: bars, events, parks and activities that work for children too.
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Practical info
How to get there and useful information
Everything you need to plan your visit: connections, distances, postcode, best time of year and useful numbers.
By air
The "Teseo Tesei" airport of Marina di Campo is the only one on Elba: SmallFly flights from Rome, Pisa, Florence and Milan (summer 2026), plus other seasonal routes from various Italian and European hubs.
By ferry
From Piombino to Portoferraio about 60 minutes, then 14 km by car south to Marina di Campo. Companies: Moby, Toremar, Blu Navy.
Car and parking
In Marina di Campo, paid parking along the seafront and in central areas. ZTL (restricted traffic) in the old town during peak season. In the mountain villages, park outside the village centre.
Postcode and contacts
Postcode 57034, Province of Livorno (LI). Phone prefix 0565. Town hall in Marina di Campo.
When to go
May-June and September: ideal temperatures, sea still warm, fewer crowds. July-August: peak season, Marina di Campo very busy, book well in advance. The mountain villages are pleasant even in spring.
Typical events
Feast of San Mamiliano (15 September, patron saint of Marina di Campo), summer festivals in the mountain villages of San Piero and Sant'Ilario, sailing and windsurfing events in the gulf, an artisans' evening market in summer.
Frequently asked
FAQ about Campo nell'Elba
What is the most beautiful beach in Campo nell'Elba?
It is a matter of taste, but Fetovaia is often cited among the most beautiful beaches in the entire Tuscan Archipelago for its light sand, transparent water and granite promontory that shelters it. Other strong candidates are Cavoli, Seccheto and the very long beach of Marina di Campo, the longest on Elba.
Can you visit the Elviscot wreck of Pomonte?
Yes. The merchant ship Elviscot sank in January 1972 off the coast of Pomonte, and today lies at about 12 metres depth: it is one of Elba's most popular dive sites. It is accessible to both certified divers and skilled snorkellers, with outings organised by local diving centres.
How do you reach the villages of San Piero and Sant'Ilario?
They are reachable by car from Marina di Campo in about 10-15 minutes, climbing the western slopes of Monte Capanne. The road is narrow but scenic. There are also historic stonecutters' trails linking the two villages with each other and with the old granite quarries: excellent for half-day hikes.
Is Marina di Campo airport operational?
Yes, the "Teseo Tesei" airport (IATA code: EBA) is active mainly during the summer season, with flights operated mostly by SmallFly to/from Rome, Florence, Pisa and Milan. The runway is short and limited to turboprop aircraft. For flights from major European capitals, Pisa airport is the reference hub with a ferry transfer.
What is "Elba granite"?
Monte Capanne granite is an intrusive igneous rock of late Miocene age (about 6.5 million years ago), quarried in the cuts at San Piero, Sant'Ilario, Cavoli and Seccheto since Roman times. It was used for columns and capitals in numerous Italian monuments. Today in San Piero you can still visit the Pieve di San Giovanni, largely built with local granite.
Who was Teseo Tesei?
Teseo Tesei (1909-1941) was an officer of the Italian Navy, born in Marina di Campo. Designer of the SLC (slow-running torpedoes, nicknamed "pigs"), he was killed during the 26 July 1941 raid on Valletta (Malta). Posthumously awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valour, he is today celebrated in Marina di Campo with the dedication of the airport.
Keep exploring
Discover the other 6 municipalities on the island
Every municipality on Elba has its own identity. After Campo nell'Elba and its beaches, discover the Medicean capital, the villages of Mount Calamita, the mining coasts to the east and the peak of Monte Capanne.