Holiday on Elba

Protected nature reserve in Tuscany

The majority of the islands in the Tuscan Archipelago are still relatively unspoiled and have been designated as protected nature reserves: the Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano. On Elba, also the third largest island in Italy, approximately 50% of the territory is a protected nature reserve, including rocks and islets such as the Formische della Zanca, the Ogliera, the Scoglio della Triglia, the island of Corbella, the Gemini Islands, the island of Ortano, the Île dei Topi, and the Scoglietto of Portoferraio. There are also protected areas at sea, near Portoferraio and between Punta Falcone and Capo Bianco. In these areas, all forms of fishing are prohibited.

All the islands are hilly, with the exception of the island of Pianosa, which is predominantly very flat. A prison stood on this island for a long time, which was closed in 1997. The highest mountain on Elba is Monte Capanne, which reaches 1019 m above sea level.

Monte Capanne – photo islepark.it

The Tuscan Archipelago: a piece of history

The Tuscan Archipelago was formed as a result of earth shifts. This origin can be seen in the diverse rocks in the soil. Elba and Giglio, in particular, have a long history. But Pianosa also has a special history.

Elba

The history of Elba dates back to the Etruscans, who colonized the island for iron production. At the end of the fourteenth century, the island became part of the Principality of Piombino and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Elba is perhaps best known as the place where Napoleon was in exile in 1814. Regular boat connections between Livorno and Piombino and Portoferraio were intended to give a boost to the island's economy at the end of the nineteenth century. Until then, the economy had relied mainly on mining. During the First World War, the steel factory in Portoferraio became of strategic importance, and many workers were therefore exempt from military service. After the war, the island was hit hard by the economic crisis. There were several mass layoffs and strikes, which led to clashes with the police.

At the end of the Second World War, the Germans bombed the steel factory in Portoferraio. It was completely destroyed. The mines remained in service until the 1980s, after which they became a tourist attraction, for example at Calamita. Tourism is now the driving force behind the economy of the island, which has been part of the Tuscan Archipelago since 1996.

Lily

Giglio has been inhabited since the Iron Age. Subsequently, during the time of the Etruscans and the Romans, it was most likely a military base. At that time, there was extensive trade with Rome. Members of the powerful Domitius Enobarbi family took over Giglio, primarily for fishing. The family left a legacy on the outskirts of the village of Giglio Porto, slightly below sea level: here lie the remains of the family's Roman villa.

In the centuries that followed, Giglio was ruled by various noble families from Central Italy and, in 1264, by Pisa, who subsequently had to sell it to the Medici. In 1544, the pirate Khayr al-Din (Barbarossa) plundered the island. He killed a large number of people and deported more than 700 inhabitants as slaves. Because the island was virtually deserted, the de' Medici family decided to repopulate it with people from the Siena area.

Pianosa

Pianosa also has a long history. In antiquity, Pianosa was called Planasia and was a place of exile. Agrippa Posthumus, the nephew of Emperor Augustus, was banished to the island in the years 6-7 and remained there until his execution. Remains of his former house, Villa di Agrippa or Bagni di Agrippa, are still a tourist attraction on the island.

Pianosa – photo:ilgiornale.it

A prison stood on Pianosa for a long time. It was initially scheduled to be closed in 1978, but instead, convicted Mafia members were incarcerated there. The prison was separated from the rest of the island by a wall, and a strict ban on sailing and flying applied within a radius around it. The prison was finally closed in 1997. Although it is no longer in use, the island remains accessible only with a guide and permission from the Italian Ministry of the Interior.

A holiday in the Tuscan Archipelago

The islands of the Tuscan Archipelago have a great deal to offer visitors in terms of nature, culture, gastronomy, and events. We highlight a few tips.

Nature and culture

Those who love unspoiled nature can indulge themselves on the islands of the Tuscan archipelago. They are all gems with mountainous landscapes. The common denominator is the Tuscan Archipelago National ParkThis nature park covers nearly 80.000 hectares and encompasses a large part of the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago and the surrounding waters. It was established in 1996 and is the largest nature and marine park in Europe. Every island is different.

According to some, Giglio is the most beautiful island. It has a mild climate, pristine nature, and beautiful clear blue water. In fact, it is a wonderful place to vacation all year round. You can relax on the beach here, but also go hiking. For divers and snorkelers, Giglio has a rich underwater world to offer. Unfortunately, the selection of suitable holiday homes here is somewhat smaller, but you can easily take a day trip to Giglio from Porto Santo Stefano; the crossing takes about an hour, and there are multiple departures per day (Toremar).

Beautiful sandy and pebble beaches can also be found on Elba. Such as the pebble beach. Samson beach at Portoferraio, the long sandy beach of Cabbages at Marina di Campo and the beach of Saint Andrew at Marciano. Nature lovers can also visit the botanical garden on the east side of the island, not far from Rio Marina, or stay overnight in a agriturismo on ElbaThose looking for something more active can climb Mount Capanne (or take the cable car part of the way), where you have a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea.

Both Montecristo and Giannutri are uninhabited and feature rugged, rocky landscapes. They are little paradises where you can take the most beautiful photos of the local flora and fauna in complete silence. Capraia, Gorgona, and Pianosa are also well worth a visit due to their unique landscapes.

Culturally, Elba and Giglio in particular have much to offer. An important landmark on Elba is the 17th-century Chiesa della Misericordia. Inside this church, various possessions of Emperor Napoleon can be viewed, such as a copy of the sarcophagus from the Dome des Invalides in Paris. The Palazzina dei Mulini is also highly recommended. The villa dates back to the time of the Medici and is now a museum dedicated to Napoleon's exile. Next to the Palazzina stands the Forte della Stella, one of the island's two forts. Together with the Forte Falcone, it was intended to keep hostile Saracens at bay. Today, it serves primarily as a good viewpoint.

Palazzina dei Mulini

On Giglio, there are several places well worth visiting, the most prominent of which are Giglio Castello, Giglio Porto, and Campanese. The walled Giglio Castello remains entirely in the medieval style, with its city walls, city gates, and narrow streets lined with old houses. Because the houses are quite small, the staircases are built on the outside. In the town's Baroque church, a relic of San Mamiliano, the patron saint of the island, can be found. He died as a hermit on Monte Cristo in 460. In Giglio Porto stands the 500-year-old Torre del Porto, which is certainly worth a visit. Campese, on the west side of the island, also has such a tower: the Torre del Campese. This was built to protect the coral fishermen.

Culinary facts

The cuisine of the island of Elba is known for being frugal. This frugality is linked to the history of the population: for a long time, they were quite poor and worked in mining or viticulture. The culinary traditions of Elba include dishes that originate in Tuscany, Liguria, and Provence. Dishes such as sburrita (cod with garlic, pepper, oil and bread) and gurguglione (a kind of ratatouille) arrived on the island via the Spaniards and the Neapolitans.

Fish is frequently eaten on Elba: octopus, perch, crab, and squid. Lobsters and large spider crabs, which the fishermen of Marina di Campo catch only at certain times of the year, are highly sought after by gourmets. The villages knoll en Marciana They are known for their cakes such as corollo and schiacciunta, the latter made with lard among other ingredients and served with a glass of sweet Muscat wine or dessert wine such as Aleatico. This is the most famous wine of the island, Aleatico. It is a fairly sweet red wine with a high alcohol content. Aleatico di Portoferraio is one of the few Italian sweet wines to hold DOCG status.

Walking and cycling

Due to the hilly landscape, almost all the islands in the Tuscan Archipelago are very suitable for (somewhat advanced) hikers. Gorgona, Capraia, Elba, Pianosa, Montecristo, Giglio, and Giannutri are particularly hiking islands. Of all these islands, Elba is the most popular. Every year, between April and May and between September and October, the Tuscany Walking Festival place. All kinds of nature walks are organized, mostly free, where you can discover the natural treasures, history, and traditions of the islands.

Elba Walking Route
A beautiful route on the island of Elba leads from Marciana (in the North) via Madonna of the Mountain to I asked (in the South). This trip is about twelve kilometers long and therefore takes about six hours in total. The first part to Madonna del Monte takes approx. 1 hour. Marciana is a small mountain village with narrow houses on a hill. The hiking trail It leads past sanctuaries and offers beautiful views of the surrounding area and the sea. On very clear days, Capraia and Corsica are visible. Highly recommended!

View our hiking destinations: Walking and Hiking in Tuscany

Photo: Tuscanywalkingfestival.it

Due to the minimal elevation changes, Elba is great to explore by mountain bike. Both beginner and advanced cyclists will find routes to their liking.

Elba Cycle Route

A beautiful route is the one from Lacona to Marina di Campo and back. This route is about twelve kilometers long and takes approximately two and a half hours. The roads are mostly unpaved, making it a route for more advanced mountain bikers. Along the way, you pass through relatively deserted areas where you can spot hares, pheasants, wild boars, and martens.

View our cycling destinations: Cycling and mountain biking in Tuscany

Wellness on Elba

If you want to go for a spa day during your holiday on Elba, you can go to the San Giovanni spaThermal baths that are part of a spa resort in the bay of Portoferraio. The treatments make extensive use of what the sea has to offer: seawater, mud, seaweed, and algae. The tranquility naturally present on the island makes it a pleasant place to completely unwind.

Events on Elba 

Elba has its own music festival, under the name Elba Isola Musicale d'EuropaThis festival originated in 1997 with the aim of promoting classical music. At the end of the summer, Portoferraio is the scene of this musical gathering of great classical musicians every year. In Capoliveri The Grape Festival takes place annually in October (first Sunday), Festa dell Uva place. A three-day folklore festival featuring a competition between 4 districts; the winner receives a large statue of Bacchus, the god of wine. The statue is given a spot in the winning district for a year.

Every year on September 15, Giglio is dedicated to the patron saint San Mamiliano. On the anniversary of his death, there are donkey riding competitions, a special celebration in honor of the saint, and a grand fireworks display to conclude the festivities.