Elba Review
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Elba Review is a guide to the beautiful island of Elba in Italy. The aim of the website is to shine a light on this beautiful island with photos and descriptions of the most interesting places to see.
The name "Napoleon" seems inextricably linked whenever Elba is mentioned and despite there being some significant heritage from the famous French Emperor's time here, this pales into insignificance compared to the rugged natural beauty, golden beaches and charming hill towns that proliferate on Italy's third largest island (Sicily and Sardinia being the only bigger ones). Elba is the main island of the Tuscan Archipelago, an island group consisting of seven islands in total and situated between the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas. If somebody told you to sit down and create an ideal holiday island then the chances are it would look something like Elba. The island has an enormous number of beaches and around 70 of those are featured on this website. The beaches are some of the prettiest in Italy with the crystalline waters lapping up to shores of golden sands or bright white pebbles. |
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Of the beaches not to be missed I would put Sansone Beach somewhere near the top of the list in a group containing Cavoli, Biodola, Lacona and Padulella. Of course, saying which beaches are the best is always a matter of opinion and if you asked a hundred Elbesi (the people of Elba) for their own top threes you'd get lots of different answers.
Dotted around the island's shoreline are a number of Port Towns; the most important of those is Portoferraio, the capital of Elba and the first place most visitors see when they arrive by ferry. There are other ports that you can sail to from the Tuscan mainland as well: namely Cavo and Rio Marina. Porto Azzurro is one of the liveliest ports on the island while Marina di Campo and Marciana Marina offer enticing alternatives with their beaches, accommodation and restaurants.
It's really simple to drive around Elba; the roads are very well maintained and wide enough to allow for coaches, camper vans and buses so if you're in a car you have plenty of space. A car allows you to explore some of the Hill Towns of the interior such as Capoliveri, Marciana, Rio nell'Elba and the colourful Poggio. These hill towns are also a great place to find some cooler breezes in the hottest summer months.
You can find detailed information on travelling to and from the island with the Elba ferry Tickets and Timetables page, along with more ideas for places to see on the Must See Elba page. I've tried to make the website as useful as possible for potential visitors to the island so I really hope you find it to be a useful resource when planning your trip.
Dion Protani: founder of Elba Review.
Dotted around the island's shoreline are a number of Port Towns; the most important of those is Portoferraio, the capital of Elba and the first place most visitors see when they arrive by ferry. There are other ports that you can sail to from the Tuscan mainland as well: namely Cavo and Rio Marina. Porto Azzurro is one of the liveliest ports on the island while Marina di Campo and Marciana Marina offer enticing alternatives with their beaches, accommodation and restaurants.
It's really simple to drive around Elba; the roads are very well maintained and wide enough to allow for coaches, camper vans and buses so if you're in a car you have plenty of space. A car allows you to explore some of the Hill Towns of the interior such as Capoliveri, Marciana, Rio nell'Elba and the colourful Poggio. These hill towns are also a great place to find some cooler breezes in the hottest summer months.
You can find detailed information on travelling to and from the island with the Elba ferry Tickets and Timetables page, along with more ideas for places to see on the Must See Elba page. I've tried to make the website as useful as possible for potential visitors to the island so I really hope you find it to be a useful resource when planning your trip.
Dion Protani: founder of Elba Review.
Elba Highlights
Elba In - FocusThe starting point for most people's adventures in Elba, Portoferraio ("Iron Port" in English), is the transport, administrative and cultural capital of the island. The mention of iron in the town's name gives reference to one of its principle historical functions as it was used to transport iron ore to and from the Italian mainland before the mining industry eventually died out in the 1970's. Situated in a strategically advantageous location, the town and its port have been much fought over since it was founded by Cosimo Medici in 1548 and one of the town's defining characteristics is its system of fortifications which surround -
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Portoferraio
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- the port area and attest to the importance that was given to protecting it.
World history has regularly touched Elba and Portoferraio in particular, perhaps none more so then when French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the island and had his home, Villa dei Mulini built in the town. Portoferraio was also the setting for an important battle during World War Two; the occupying German troops giving battle to a liberating Free French army in a fight that lasted two days but caused the town significant damage.
These days Portoferraio is a bustling port town where you'll find an attractive marina with street side cafès, trendy shops and the island's best nightlife, particularly during the busy summer months. The marina and the area just behind it are the main focal points but you can also visit the three forts, Forte Stella, Forte Falcone and Forte Inglese which offer not only a fascinating historical context but also some wonderful views of the port and beyond.
Being the island's transport hub, Portoferraio not only connects Elba to the Tuscan mainland but its also at the centre of the island's road and bus network. You reach the island from the Tuscan port of Piombino either by ferry (1 hour journey time) or hydrofoil/fast ferry (40 minutes) with regular crossings throughout the day offered by Corsica Ferries, Toremar, BLU Navy and Moby with their unmistakable comic book livery. It's also worth noting that you can sail directly from Piombino to two other ports in Elba: Rio Marina and Cavo.
World history has regularly touched Elba and Portoferraio in particular, perhaps none more so then when French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the island and had his home, Villa dei Mulini built in the town. Portoferraio was also the setting for an important battle during World War Two; the occupying German troops giving battle to a liberating Free French army in a fight that lasted two days but caused the town significant damage.
These days Portoferraio is a bustling port town where you'll find an attractive marina with street side cafès, trendy shops and the island's best nightlife, particularly during the busy summer months. The marina and the area just behind it are the main focal points but you can also visit the three forts, Forte Stella, Forte Falcone and Forte Inglese which offer not only a fascinating historical context but also some wonderful views of the port and beyond.
Being the island's transport hub, Portoferraio not only connects Elba to the Tuscan mainland but its also at the centre of the island's road and bus network. You reach the island from the Tuscan port of Piombino either by ferry (1 hour journey time) or hydrofoil/fast ferry (40 minutes) with regular crossings throughout the day offered by Corsica Ferries, Toremar, BLU Navy and Moby with their unmistakable comic book livery. It's also worth noting that you can sail directly from Piombino to two other ports in Elba: Rio Marina and Cavo.
THINGS TO SEE IN ELBA
Morcone Beach
In this section you'll find Elba's main sights categorised as Port Towns, Beach Resorts, Hill Towns and Beaches. Then within each of those menus you can click through to the individual pages.
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Elba Travel Guide
A Blu Navy ferry making its away across to Elba from the Tuscan mainland
You can use our Travel Guide to plan your trip to Elba. We've got extensive information on the Elba Ferry Tickets and Timetables as well as How to Get to Elba and advice on the Buses in Elba.
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Elba Hotels
Porto Azzurro
In the accommodation section you'll find a Booking.com search engine where you can book Elba Hotels, reading reviews from genuine visitors and often reserve with free cancellation.
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Elba Gallery
Parasols on a beach in Cavo
Our Gallery shows shots from all across the island. It might help you pick out an area or particular sight you'd like to visit, while also helping to familiarise you with what the island has to offer.
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