What to Do in Elba
Whether you enjoy mountains or sea, fine dining or a quiet picnic on the
beach, there is something for everyone on this enchanting and historical island.
In addition to the 10 km of sandy beaches, 4 km of pebbly beaches and 3 km
of cliffs, the island has museums, sport centers, diving centers, one golf
club, riding-schools, amusement parks and sailing schools.
The Sea
There are many beautiful beaches around the island; some of the most notable
are Cavoli, Biodola and Fetovaia. Be prepared to brave the crowds if you plan
to visit the island in high season. Most of the well-known beaches are well
organized with snack bars, rentable beach umbrellas and chairs. If you prefer
a bit of privacy you may choose to explore the rocky coast or some of the
smaller, lesser-known beaches like Bagno. There are many short cruises that
can be taken to view the island from the sea, including a boat that is partially
submerged and offers and underwater view of the coast.
Mountains
There are several mountains on the island. The highest is Monte Capanne at
1019 meters. From Marciana Marina you can take a cablecar all the way to the
top of the mountain. On a clear day from the summit you can see the entire
island as well as mainland Italy and the surrounding islands of Capraia, Montecristo,
Pianosa, Giglio and Corsica. The other is Mount Perone, which reaches the
hight of 630 meters. The road up this mountain offers stunning panoramic vistas
of most of the island and meanders through several towns. There are manyl
points of interest along the way such as Torre San Giovanni. This ancient
tower was built by Pisani around the year 1000 A.C. and is a must see if you
are in the area.
Towns
There are eight municipalities on Elba, each with it's unique shoreline and
history. It would be a shame to visit Elba and not see it all, but if you
are limited on time we have some recommendations. If you are on the Western
side of the island, don't miss Marciana Marina for a stroll along the pier
and dinner in a lively atmosphere and Poggio for a stunning panoramic view
from a tiny hill town. If you are on the Eastern side visit the hill town
of Capolivery, known for it's nightlife full of craftspeople and musical concerts
during the summer months. At sea level, don't miss Porto Azzurro. This bussling
port town is located in the deep inlet of the in the Mola Gulf. It is is overlooked
by the impressive Spanish fort of S. Giacomo on one side and Fort Focardo
on the other and has a beautiful town square.
History and Archeology
If you want to get lost in history, you have to spend some time in Portoferraio.
This town is the largest on the island and has several forts such as Il Faro
and Fort Stella. It has many monuments and several interesting museums. The
Windmill Villa is one of the most notable, it was one of Napoleon's two residences
on the island and still holds many of his posessions. If you want to learn
about the earliest peoples on Elba, you have to visit the Archeology Museum
in Marciana which offers evidence of the most ancient settlements on the island,
dating back to the year 35 BC.
