Imagine a little corner of paradise where the fragrant maquis flirts with the turquoise waters. Imagine an island where the inhabitants have the sincere welcome of the rural population.. Still mysterious, the island of Elba offers another approach to Tuscany, between the metal past of this piece of land and the extraordinary variety of its landscapes

A mountain lost in the sea

There is an island in the Mediterranean where the crystalline sea, adorned with a thousand shades, runs alongside steep cliffs and the sharp summit of Monte Capanne, which rises to 1,019 metres. This "little Italian Corsica", rich in colours and perfumes, emerges from the depths to form a precious and authentic pearl of the Tuscan archipelago.

Despite its exile image, the Elba is the largest, most developed and most touristy of the Tuscan islands. 29 km long and 18.5 km wide, it stretches its 147 km of indented coastline and offers fantastic natural spots: wild maquis, aromatic scrubland, pine, holm oak and chestnut forests, terraced crops, granite quarries, pebble creeks or fine sandy beaches... A discovery that can become a revelation!

A rich history, from the Etruscans to Napoleon

Its strategic position in the Tyrrhenian Sea, the mineral wealth of its subsoil, its beauty and its particularly favourable climate have always influenced the destiny of the Elbe. From the Ligurians to the Medici, from the Greeks to the exile of Napoleon, whose footprints are still strong, the island is rich in testimonies of its past history. A shred of land, in the open sea, which can therefore boast a history as rich as it is tormented.

Even today, the island of Elba continues to ride the contagious and unstoppable wave of the Napoleonic Bicentenary, whose "first voyage" began on 3 May 1814 and lasted until 26 February 1815. Napoleon vibrates in the air and in the waters of the island which, thanks to the French Emperor, was modernised, stimulated and above all united for the first time in its history.

Culinary blending

Linguistically, culturally, economically and gastronomically, the island of Elba can be subdivided into three distinct territories: the central region of Portoferraio, the eastern side and the western side.

In the centre first of all, seafood dishes are legion; "the best meat is fish" as an Elbo saying goes. Some examples are squid with chard, polpo all'elbana (octopus with potatoes), risotto with cuttlefish ink, spaghetti alla margherita (the local name for spider crab), stuffed sardines...

The specialities of the eastern region are characterised by dishes requiring a long preparation, such as stoccafisso alla riese (fish soup of Ibero-Moorish origin accompanied by anchovies, onions, tomatoes, basil, parsley, green peppers, black olives, pine nuts and capers), or gurguglione (vegetable stew).

While the western part is distinguished by its high hills with slopes covered with chestnut groves. It is therefore natural to find chestnut-based dishes such as castagnaccio (traditional chestnut flour cake), chestnut fritters, and cooked chestnuts flavoured with wild fennel seeds.

An open-air mineralogical museum

The Elbe - the smoky, sparkling island, as it was called by the Greeks and Romans - has one of the world's most important mineral deposits. UNESCO has classified the island of Elba in the listof sites of geological interest. Particularly abundant,iron ores have influenced the lives and historical events of islanders for centuries

Three trips in one!

And since holidays are precious, we might as well enjoy them fully on an island which, in our opinion, combines a Corsican landscape, a Cretan climate and the (precious) Italian friendliness! For a stay without compromise.

Smart info

When? It is advisable to visit the island of Elba in spring and late summer: the most pleasant months are April, May, June and September (especially if you plan to go trekking). The mild year-round coastal climate is contrasted with the harsh winter climate in the mountains. Even in summer, the sunshine of the coasts contrasts with the coolness, which is very pleasant in case of strong heat, in altitude.

Get there by boat. Link Tuscany - Elba Island: the island is located about 10 km from the Italian peninsula. The boats all leave from the port of Piombino (Livorno), where 4 companies - Moby, Toremar, Blu Navy and Corsica Ferries - connect the mainland to Portoferraio (70 min), Rio Marina (45 min) and Cavo (35 min). Link Corsica - Elba Island: the island is about 50 km away from Corsica. In summer, Corsica Ferries offers a line connecting Portoferraio to Bastia (1h30).

Fly there. The island of Elba is served by a small airport, located about 2 km from Marina di Campo. Silver Air connects the island directly to the airports of Pisa, Florence, Milan Linate and, in summer, Lugano (Switzerland). While InterSky and Sky Work connect the island with Germany (Munich) and Switzerland (Zurich and Bern)

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Discover our freshly released guide ELBE ISLAND 2016, the only one dedicated to this beautiful island of Tuscany