Elba Guide 2026: 13 tips for trips and the most beautiful places

Elba Guide 2026: 13 places I recommend not to miss

Elba, the largest of the Tuscan islands, is a mix of turquoise bays, mountain trails, and historic towns. If you come here for a vacation, you will find the perfect combination of seaside stays, nature treks, and Italian atmosphere. Today, I have prepared an overview of 13 places that are worth seeing here (in my opinion), from Napoleon’s fortresses, through beautiful beaches, to forgotten mines.

>> TOP 10 ACCOMMODATIONS ON ELBA <<

Elba Island

Elba accommodation

Accommodation in Elba ranges from cozy guesthouses to elegant hotels overlooking turquoise bays. In the high season, i.e. approximately from June to September, it is worth booking in advance. Popular locations near harbors and the most beautiful beaches tend to disappear quickly. Outside the high season, which runs from about June to September, feel free to leave the selection to the last minute.

• Hotel La Perla del Golfo (Procchio) – near the beach
  Nice 4★ hotel with a swimming pool and views of Procchio Bay. The beach is about a 5-minute walk away. Great as a base on the west coast.

• Hotel Sant’Andrea (Sant’Andrea/Marciana) – near the beach
  More intimate hotel with terraces in the garden, ideal for snorkeling at the beaches of Sant’Andrea and Cotoncello (approx. 600 m to 1 km). Quiet location, good breakfasts.

• Hotel Plaza (Porto Azzurro) – close to the beach
  Elegant 4★ hotel on a cliff: spa, small wellness area and beach about 50 meters away. Beautiful views of the bay, walking distance to the center.

• Hotel Crystal (Portoferraio) – in the city near the harbor
  Perfect if you want to be right at the harbor and at the same time just a few steps from the beach Le Ghiaie. A practical choice for the first/last night when you travel by ferry.

• Hotel Biodola (Biodola) – luxury option, right on the beach
  Iconic 5★ resort in Biodola Bay: private beach, top services, beautiful location within easy reach of Portoferraio. For a relaxing “treat yourself” stay.

>> FIND ACCOMMODATION ON ELBA ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN REQUIREMENTS

Elba trips

1. Portoferraio – the heart of Elba

The journey begins in Piombino, from where the ferry crosses to Elba in about an hour. The first stop is the capital Portoferraio, which is the historical center of the island. The city was founded by the Medici family in the 16th century and its fortified port with a star-shaped structure was once a strategic military base.

Follow the cobblestone steps to the fortress Forte Stella and Villa dei Mulini, where Napoleon resided during his exile. Today, Portoferraio has a calmer pace, look forward to pastel houses, cafes by the harbor, small bars and views of boats and yachts. Such a great place for the first day on the island.

Portoferraio

Napoleon’s house

2. Spiaggia delle Ghiaie

Right nearby, near Portoferraio, lies the beach Spiaggia delle Ghiaie with white pebbles and crystal-clear water. It is a popular place for locals to swim or just sit by the sea overlooking the turquoise bays.

Spiaggia delle Ghiaie

Elba off-season

3. Monte Perone – view from above

Hiking enthusiasts should not miss the ascent to Monte Perone (650 m above sea level). Leave your car at the bottom of the road, the terrain is more suitable for mountain bikes or pedestrians. From the top there is a wonderful view of the southern coast and the entire island of Elba. The ascent takes about an hour, it will be faster downhill.

Monte Perone – Elba

4. Marciana Marina – fish market and Elba harbor

After the descent, it is worth stopping in Marciana Marina, a charming town with a fishing harbor. Have some fresh tuna, octopus or local wine from the winery La Ventina. The restaurant Il Grampo is one of those worth stopping at. You can expect good food, beautiful views and a friendly atmosphere. You can also arrange a trip around the coast of the island here.

ElbaMarciana Marina

5. Porto Azzurro – blue harbor

On the east coast lies Porto Azzurro, nicknamed the “blue harbor”. It used to be a fishing village, today it is a popular place with a promenade, cafes and boat trips. It is also ideal for an evening walk at sunset.

Porto Azzurro

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• Tuscan Villa Barberino – tip for a stay
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6. Barbarossa Beach – Elba

Just a short distance from Porto Azzurro you will find the beach Barbarossa, named after the pirate Barbarossa, who sailed here in the 16th century. Today it is a quiet bay with red cliffs that seem to resemble his beard. The beach is less frequented and great for swimming and relaxing. For the most beautiful view of the bay, I recommend going up the hill, where you will have the beach at your fingertips.

Spiaggia di Barbarossa

7. Lago di Terranera – red lake on the island of Elba

Near the town of Rio Marina lies the fascinating Lago di Terranera, a small lake with reddish-colored water. It was created in a former mine and owes its color to the high mineral content. You can smell sulfur and iron here, but it is definitely worth a trip. It is an ideal place for a short walk and taking photos. There is also a nice natural beach right next to the lake.

Elba

8. View of the sea and the lake

On the way to the lake and the beach, stop at a breathtaking view, from where a beautiful view opens up of the contrast between the sea, the lake and the rock face. In the season, there are usually a lot of boats moored here and there are quite a lot of tourists. However, if you go here, for example, in May, you have a relatively good chance that you will enjoy this place in a more intimate number of vacationers.

Spiaggia di Terranera

9. Rio Marina – a trace of mining history

Rio Marina was the center of iron mining from the 19th century to the 1970s. Today it is a quiet town with a promenade, a mining museum and pleasant cafes. Stop for a drink at the bar Dolce Vita, a great place to relax and watch life in the harbor.

>> Find accommodation on Elba

Rio Marina

10. Cima del Monte and old shepherd’s paths

From Rio Marina you can take the GTE South route to Cima del Monte. The path leads along a former shepherd’s path, which passes stone shelters and offers views of the coast and the interior. Solid shoes, physical condition and plenty of water should be a matter of course.

11. Spiaggia di Capo Bianco

In the north of the island, not far from Portoferraio, lies Capo Bianco. It is a beach with white cliffs and pebbles that contrast with the crystal-clear water. It is one of the most photogenic places in Elba, but watch out for seagulls, they defend their nests very carefully. We already encountered this at the beginning of summer on the islands near Rovinj. They are usually not primarily aggressive, but just to be sure, don’t get too close to them.

Spiaggia di Capo Bianco

12. Sansone Beach – such a rewarding beach after a hike

Spiaggia di Sansone is often referred to as the most beautiful beach in Elba. Crystal clear sea, white sand and peace await you, as the way here requires a short descent on foot. Thanks to this, there are not so many people here. Ideal for snorkeling and relaxing away from the hustle and bustle.

Spiaggia di Sansone

13. Zuccale Beach – Elba

It is a pleasant sandy beach, easily accessible, with crystal clear water. The free zone without umbrellas and sunbeds is not very large, if you want to lie freely, arrive early or later in the afternoon. There is a bar and a pedal boat rental on site. Parking is paid, approx. 12 euros.

Zuccale Beach

How to get to Elba?

By ferry

• The main port for boarding is Piombino Marittima on the mainland. Ferries depart from it to various ports on Elba, e.g. to Portoferraio, Rio Marina or Cavo.

• Most one-way tickets for pedestrians start at approx. €17.44 up to €35.55 in high season

• A ticket with a car + 1 passenger starts at a price of approx. €29 on the Piombino–Cavo route

By train / bus / car

• The port of Piombino can be reached by car or train. For example, by train, the exit station is Piombino Marittima railway station, from where there is a direct connection to the ferry.

• Bus transport is operated on the island by Autolinee Toscane. Tickets can be purchased online/digitally, by sending an SMS, etc.

My tip at the end: Before taking the ferry back to Piombino, treat yourself to one last evening in Portoferraio. Stroll around the harbor, have a coffee or a glass of wine and enjoy the magical peace that Elba has after sunset.

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