Elba is the largest of the seven islands of the Tuscan archipelago. It is about an hour by ferry from the port of Piombino, from where you can reach Portoferraio, the capital of the island. The island is divided into seven municipalities: Portoferraio, Campo nell’Elba, Marciana, Marciana Marina, Capoliveri, Porto Azzurro and Rio and offers over 150 km of coastline along which there are more than a hundred wonderful beaches with clear and dark sand it pebble beaches and coves with granite rocks.

It is a predominantly mountainous and lush island. Covered by the typical Mediterranean vegetation and forests with holm oaks, cork oaks and pines, we also encounter the chestnut woods, which are located around the massif of Mount Capanne (1019 m), the highest peak of Elba and the entire archipelago.

Numerous trails and paths intersect, many of which are ancient mule tracks once used by local farmers to reach the neighboring village. Today it is a unique wealth for those who like to walk in nature, hiking, climbing and Nordic walking.

The inhabited villages are very quiet, especially the oldest ones, all located at high altitudes to protect themselves from pirate raids, with the exception of the Portoferraio fortress. Capoliveri, Marciana, San Piero, Sant’Ilario and Rio Nell’Elba are certainly worth a visit: all the villages are located on the slopes and are mostly built of local stone.

The most popular coastal villages are those of Marciana Marina, with its splendid coastline and equipped tourist port and Porto Azzurro with its beautiful square, located in front of the small tourist port. For those who love history, do not miss the visit of the historical center in Portoferraio with its fortress Medici and the Napoleonic villas.

Marina di Campo is instead the village that offers the largest sandy beach of Elba, whose beach stretches over 1.5 km, there are bathing establishments and also free areas for swimming.

Those who think they have seen the island of Elba in seven days or two weeks will find that Elba offers new things every time and you never stop discovering new ones. Apparently small, you drive from east to west in about 1.5 hours by car, so from Sant’Andrea to Cavo. Elba’s historic island, a strategic point in the Mediterranean, has seen a number of different populations that have shaped the island’s character, as well as its local gastronomy and wine tradition.

Excellent wines that have received important awards in recent years, including the lovely Aleatico DOCG dell’Elba, which goes well with the traditional Schiaccia Briaca (typical dessert from Rio Marina).