A Day in Elba, Tuscany’s Incredible Island Paradise
What comes to your mind when you think of Tuscany? Rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves, beaches? Wait, what was that? Beaches? Yes, you did read that correctly. Strange as it may sound, Tuscany is home to an archipelago of 7 Mediterranean island escapes. Elba Island, or Isola d’Elba, as it is locally called is the largest and most well known of the islands (primarily because the French emperor Napoleon was exiled there for 300 days!). Just 6 miles off the coast of Italy, Elba island offers beautiful beaches, historical stops, and a retreat from mainland Italy. I’ve been hoping to check Elba Island off of my Italy bucket list for a while now, and finally had the chance to do so this past weekend!
Getting There
The entire journey to Elba can be completed in approximately 3 hours. A two hour drive from Florence takes you to the coastal town of Piombino, where a one hour Ferry delivers you to the historic port town of Portoferraio.
I have been on several ferries, and I have to say this was probably the coolest. An on board cafe, comfy chairs, wi-fi, and an on board ball pit (too bad I’m a little old to take advantage of this amenity) make the ferry ride pass quickly. I recommend heading up to the top deck for some fantastic views of Elba as you approach Portoferraio.
Things To Do
Though I only spent one day in Elba, the island is quite large (18 miles long!), so whether you are staying for a day or a weekend, you won’t quickly run out of things to do or places to explore. Here were some of the highlights from my day trip!
Portoferraio
After disembarking the Ferry, visitors find themselves in Portoferraio, the historic port and largest city on Elba island. Today home to a population of 12,000, this historic port was originally established by Cosimo I de’ Medici and remains a bustling city today. Wander around the shops, (when I visited there was a fantastic open air market with street food), grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the views of the harbor.
Medici Fort
The Medici Fort originally erected by Cosimo I de’ Medici still stands in Portoferraio today, and is absolutely worth a visit. Not only are the ruins fun to wander, but they offer fantastic panoramic views of the harbor, beaches of Elba, and incredibly blue seas.
Villa dei Mulini
Also close to the ferry drop off is Napoleon Bonaparte’s former residence, Villa dei Mulini, the very villa in which Napoleon spent nearly 300 days in exile. Head inside of the museum to see some of the original furniture and learn about the two story tall villa’s once grand history. If this is exile, it must not be so bad!
Hit the Beach
There are over 50 beaches on Elba Island, so picking one can be quite a tall order! I settled on heading to the nearby Ghiaie beach, and thoroughly enjoyed my hours soaking up the sun on the beautiful white stone beach next to the crystal clear and inviting azure water of the Tyrrhenian sea. One of my favorite parts of beach-going on Elba island was the low number of tourists, especially compared to popular destinations such as Cinque Terre or Positano. Spreading out a towel and having room to sprawl out was a welcome change!
Eat!
I am a huge fan of seafood, and, as Elba is an island, I recommend trying some “frutta di mare”, or asking your waiter for local selections. Additionally, you can try a local Elba island produced wine to complement your meal.
Shop
Head to some of the island’s gift shops, and don’t forget to pop into one of the all blue Acqua dell’Elba perfume stores! Bring a piece of the island with you in the form of the Elba’s famous perfume, Acqua dell’Elba. Not only is the scent reminiscent of Elba’s tranquil and refreshing nature, but the color of the perfume and packaging will remind you of the beautiful sea long after your visit is over.
Overall my day in Elba was nothing short of a dream. I hope to return to this enchanting island soon. What are your best tips for Elba island? Are you planning your own visit? Comment below!
