Elba Overview

According to legend, the enchanting island of Elba (EL-ba; pop. 28,000) grew from a precious stone that slipped from Venus’s neck into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Since then, Elba’s extensive 150km coastline has seen its share of visitors. Renowned since Hellenic times for its mineral wealth, the island also derived considerable fame for its association with Napoleon. The “Little Emperor” was sent into his first exile here in 1814, creating both a temporarily war-free Europe and the famous palindrome: “Able was I ere I saw Elba.” The island’s turquoise waters, dramatic peaks, and rich vegetation can take the breath away of conqueror and commoner alike. Pebble beaches, fashion boutiques, and amateur moped riders dot this Italian retreat, from the justifiably touristed Portoferraio, to the clear waters of Marciana Marina. Make like the Italians and trade city dirt for Elba’s sweet, salty air—a bit of Tuscany, untamed.

Transportation To Elba. Elba’s airport (☎056597 60 11; fax 97 60 08) in Marina di Campo, sends flights to Florence, Milan, Monaco, Munich, Pisa, Rome, Vienna, and Zurich. The best way to reach Elba is to take a ferry from Piombino Marittima (also called Piombino Porto) on the mainland to Portoferraio. Ferries also dock at Porto Azzuro, on the opposite side of the island. Both Toremar (ferry 1hr., €8-11; hydrofoil in summer 30min., €8-10) and Moby Lines (1hr., 5am-10pm, €10-14) run about 20 trips to Elba per day. The ticket offices of Toremar (☎0565 31 100; www.toremar.it) and Moby Lines (☎0565 22 12 12; www.moby.it) are in the Stazione Marittima at the ferry docks in Piombino; buy tickets for the next departing ferry at these offices or at the Trenitalia booth in the Campiglia Marittima train station. Allow 10min. to descend from the ticket office to the dock.
Some trains on the Genoa-Rome line travel to Piombino Marittima, but most stop at Campiglia Marittima. From Campiglia Marittima, a connecting intercity bus (25min., €1.80), timed to meet incoming trains, connects to Piombino Marittima. Meet the bus in front of the station.

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