Rio Nell'Elba - Beaches Spiaggia Topinetti Topinetti Beach, located in Rio Marina, is a unique location for its colors due to the presence of gravel mixed with clear sand. The beach is easy to reach and it is a popular and quite busy (lmost chaotic).
Marciana - Natural Areas Monte Capanne The island of Elba consists in a large mountainous part which is concentrated mostly in the west, whoes highest peak is formed by the Monte Capanne, 1018 meters high, which includes the famous Costa del Sole.
Procchio - Beaches Spiaggia Paolina The beach Paolina is located in Procchio. It's a rather quite beach and it has a small surface formed by tiny and medium size pebbles. Because of its characteristics is well suited for families in search of a serenety holiday.
Cavo - Churches and places of worship Cappella Tonietti The mausoleum was designed by architect Gino Coppedè as the family tomb of Tonietti 's, the first concessionaires for the exploitation of the iron mines of the island.
Marciana Marina - Natural Areas Scoglio Fino At Scoglio Fino's you can choose for two types of immersion. The first is perfect for beginners who will drop along the submerged part of the cliff meeting many fishes including flocks of congers, Morays and octopuses. The second immersion is recommended to experts who will come down to a depth of 40 meters, where they can run into several big Scorpion fish and lobster and,with a little luck, they can even meet the Sea Eagle.http://www.visititaly.it/info/991843-scoglio-fino-marciana-marina.aspx
Marciana Marina - Natural Areas Punta del Nasuto The Punta of Nasuto has a maximum depth of 45 meters, the seabed is rocky and sometimes sandy but and the visibility is good. Along te rock wall, completely covered with sea fans, has a rich variety of fishes including conger eels, moray eels, octopus and, in the depth, also beautiful lobsters.
Portoferraio - Churches and places of worship Duomo di Portoferraio The Cathedral of Portoferraio is very characterized in the island of Elba. Dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, this building housed Napoleon, in whose honor in May of 1814 was celebrated a Mass to celebrate the investiture reigning of the island Elba.
Portoferraio - Natural Areas Scoglietto Franata delle Cernie La Franata delle Cernie is one of the diving spots of the Archipel of Portoferraio. So named for the presence of a multitude of groupers who find refuge among the boulders of the landslide, in the company of other varieties of fish including: capons, mustelle, conger eels, moray eels and croakers. On the seabed the visibility is good and the current is good.
Portoferraio - Beaches Spiaggia Cala dei Frati The beach of Cala dei Frati located in Portoferraio is one of the most narrow beaches with about 150 meters in length. I's a beach formed by gravel with a very clear sea but is rather complicated reach it on foot. In fact, there are no public footpaths but only a few private ones.
Portoferraio - Beaches Spiaggia le Ghiaie Isola d'Elba Ghiaia Snorkeling The beach Le Ghiaie is located in Portoferraio, and as it can be easily guessed from the name, it's made up of gravel, that gives it a very crystal clear color. It 'about 400 meters long and because of its ideal location can be considered the main beach of Portoferraio. It 's very well equipped presenting the classic services also areas designed exclusively for children.
Portoferraio - Beaches Spiaggia dell'Enfola A beautiful beach to visit at Portoferraio is the beach of Enfola which is situated along the isthmus that connects the Enfola to the Elba. In this strip of land there are two beaches, one placed at the antipodes of the other. In their midst there is ample free parking and the first is composed of gravel while the second is shaped stones and uneven quality.
Portoferraio - Monuments Relitto aereo Junker The Junker is the wreck of an aircraft of the Luftwaffe, used in war missions during World War II. Some parts of the aircraft have been removed but the basic structure remains intact and offers a very impressive vision. At this point the currents are muted but the descent is recommended to experts because of poor visibility.
Portoferraio - Walls, towers and gates Bastioni Medicei The Bastioni Medicei of Portoferraio on the island ,were the main defense against the dangers that came from the ground, but especially from the sea. It is majestic walls, seemingly solid, which were built for the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo I, who wanted to defend the Elba from the attacks of the Turks.
Portoferraio - Beaches Spiaggia la Biodola A Portoferraio you can visit the beach of Biodola. A beach which is about 600 meters long, made up exclusively of fine sand and placed inside the bay from which it takes its name. It's a very popular location and that's why it's provided with any type of service and equipment.
Portoferraio - Beaches Spiaggia Capobianco Isola d'Elba Snorkeling Ghiaia The beach of Capo Bianco in Portoferraio is medium-sized with its 350 m long and consists of gravel as the backdrop. To get there you just simply park your car in the on-siteparking and then head towards the sea and follow the steps. It is a fairly popular beach, especially in August.
Portoferraio - Walls, towers and gates Porta di Mare Porta di Mare in Portoferraio is a stone gate built as if to emphasize symbolically the entrance in the center of Portoferraio, one of the smallest municipalities of the Elbe, but very active from the point of view of tourism. From Sea Gate you can enjoy a splendid view of the marine view.
Portoferraio - Natural Areas Le Tre Secche At Tre Secch,e on the West side of Capo Enfola, immersion is quite complex because of the sea currents. The depth varies from 12 to 40 meters. These banks are covered by beautiful yellow gorgonians. The fauna is rich: in depth you can meet a large population of lobsters.
Portoferraio - Natural Areas Dufrè In front of the promontory of Portoferraio stand two rocks that Napoleon Bonaparte called "Deux Frères" hence the name Dufrè (the two brothers). At this point, the dive is quite easy and currents are almost always absent. Among the rocks of landslide you can find octopus, grouper, sea bream but also schools of barracuda.
Portoferraio - Natural Areas Punta Penisola Punta Penisola is located between the Gulf of Viticcio and that of Biodola. The diving here is quite simple due to the absence of currents. The route is varied and fun and you can meet dense shoals of snappers, numerous moray eels, groupers and croakers.
Portoferraio - Natural Areas Spizzichino At the south-east of Capo Enfolia it is located the rock called the Spizzichino. At this point, the dive is quite easy and the depth of about 20 meters. The walls are lined with shoals of salps, are covered with Posidonia. The fish fauna is very varied. And on the way back along the slopes, you can enjoy the spectacle of colors offered by the beautiful Astroides.
Portoferraio - Natural Areas Piane Alte The Piane Alte are a rocky point on an expanse of sandy bottom, the dive is recommended for more the more experienced ones which on the way down will encounter numerous varieties of fish including lobsters, groupers, mustelle, conger, moray eels and more.
Portoferraio - Natural Areas Scoglietto di Portoferraio Biologically protected area where you can make wonderful diving, surrounded by shoals of snappers, barracudas, sea bream salps.
Portoferraio - Parks and nature reserves Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano The largest marine park in Europe, part of the international sanctuary for cetaceans.
Portoferraio - Castles, palaces and mansions Forte Inglese Il Forte Inglese is located in Portoferraio. It's possible to admire the massive walls fronts but it can't be accessed because it is currently divided into three private properties that do not allow access to the public. It's easy to reach, it is a symbol of the history of the island and offers a wonderful panoramic view.
Portoferraio - Castles, palaces and mansions Forte Stella Forte Stella in Portoferraio, built on a promontory in 1548 in order to be able to do defensive sightings and report them to the island, is composed of multiple fortified structures in the shape of a star with five angular bastions. The whole structure is perfectly preserved.
Portoferraio - Castles, palaces and mansions Castello Volterraio The crumbling Castle Volterraio of Portoferraio was built on the height of the island for protective and defensive purposes. It has an oval shape and is formed on the slope of the land. You can access it through the drawbridge and you can admire one of the most beautiful views on the island.
Portoferraio - Walls, towers and gates Torre Martello o della Linguella The Linguella Tower, also known as Torre del Martello of Portoferraio is different from any other kind of architecture because of its characteristic octagonal shape. On the sea, the tower was originally used for sightings. It was built at the beginning of the sixteenth century by the Medici, determined to defend the Elba from possible attacks.
Portoferraio - Castles, palaces and mansions Forte Falcone The Forte Falcone in Portoferraio is located in the highest part of the historical center. It has a structure with a square plan and it's composed of several buildings. Built for defensive purposes boasts the distinction of having underground rooms that leave the decking free, providing a greater time maneuvering in a state of siege.
Capoliveri - Castles, palaces and mansions Forte Focardo The Fort Focardo is built on the East coast of Capoliveri. Has a modestly sized square. Currently some of the buildings are abandoned, while others were restructured. Once housed the accommodations for the defensive corps and deposits for weapons.
Portoferraio - Beaches La Padulella Staying in Capoliveri you can visit the beach Padulella. It consists of a backdrop of white gravel with streaks on black and is very popular. For this reason comes equipped with many services available to swimmers.
Marciana - Beaches Spiaggia di Sant'Andrea The beach of Sant'Andrea in Marciana is quite small regarding the territorial extension but it's very functional. It comes with very fine, ocher tending to brown, sand, and facilities and equipment sufficient to meet any need.
Rio Nell'Elba - Museums Museo dei Minerali Elbani In Rio Marina, is worth visiting the Tonietti Collection which is housed in the Museum of Elban Minerals. There are about a thousand samples of rocks and minerals that Tonietti began gathering at the beginning of the sixties with the assistance of the mines of Elba staff.
Marciana - Museums Museo dell'Arte Contadina At Marciana, at the old town, you can visit the Museum of the Country Art of Elba. Like all museums that refer to the history of folklore, the lounges feature testimonies of the rural past of the Elba, with objects and materials dating from the XIX and the XX centuries, especially relating to the production of wine.
Marciana - Museums Museo Civico Archeologico The Archaeological Museum of Marciana was born in the 1968, below the medieval castle. In the halls of the museum is now possible to admire materials dating prehistoric times, Etruscan and Roman periods. During the summer, the museum is only accessible during the morning.
Portoferraio - Museums Museo Civico Archeologico The Archaeological Museum of Portoferraio has a small but very attractive structure.In the inside you can see archaeological finds of land and sea discovered aboard of the Roman ships wrecked near the Elba.
Portoferraio - Museums Museo Nazionale di Villa San Martino At Portoferraio you can visit Villa San Martino, a museum dedicated to Napoleon, who was to be his summer residence but where he didn't attend to muc. Now it is mainly used as an art gallery that displays engravings from 1984 with theNapoleonic subject and with historical exhibitions.
Portoferraio - Museums Pinacoteca Comunale Foresiana An almost obligatory stage in Portoferraio is the Pinacoteca Foresiana which is housed in the barracks De Laugier. The gallerybears the name of Mario Foresi, its creator and includes paintings and prints by important artists including Signorini, Cannicci Lapi and others.
Portoferraio - Museums Museo Naturalistico The Naturalistic Museum of Portoferraio deserves a special visit, which is actually located on the island of Monte Cristo, and that since 1977 it has become a nature reserve for the protection of the present biodiversity. The museum houses collections relating to the flora and fauna of the island finds coming from the seabed. Visits are allowed only by prior arrangement.
Capoliveri - Beaches Spiaggia Felciaio The beach Felciaio at Capoliveri is quite small and consists in a mixture of sand and gravel. Thanks to the presence of some rocks placed few meters from the beach, the sea seems to be always calm. It's particularly suited for those who are looking for relax and tranquillity.
Marina di Campo - Beaches Spiaggia di Marina di Campo Is the longest beach of the island (1.5 km). Composed by fine sand is exposed to south-east. It's either a free beach equipped with many services including a bar, pedal boat, beach umbrellas, deck chairs, moorings , parking and restaurants.
Portoferraio - Beaches Spiaggia di Forno The beach of Forno is located at Portoferraio, this beach is considered one of the most characteristic places in the area. It isn't of extraordinary size but is very impressive also because of the extremely fine sand. On the spot there are special services and is often chosen for the practice of windsurfing and scuba diving.
Rio Nell'Elba - Beaches Spiaggia di Terra Nera The beach of Terra Nera is located on the territory of Rio Marina. It 's very characteristic because it's formed by sand-colored black brilliant due to the presence of pyrite and hematite. This divides the sea by a small lake behind her and has no services.
Marciana Marina - Beaches Spiaggia Ripa Barata At Marciana Marina there is the so-called beach of Ripa Barata. A location rather narrow, exclusively formed by stones of medium size with dimensions rather limited. It has a length of about 50 meters and a width of 4 meters. There are no special services availbale on the place. The parking spaces are very limited and available only on the main road.
Portoferraio - Museums Museo Nazionale della Palazzina dei Mulini Guests at the Elba îsola you can't visit the Palazzina dei Mulini in Portoferraio which was the official residence of Napoleon and still has many memorabilia of the emperor.
Procchio - Natural Areas Grotta Balu Balu cave is located about 300 meters from Punta Peninsula. The dive is of medium difficulty and not recommended for newbies. The rock is completely covered by a multitude of colorful sea sponges and it is also possible to find a big lobster, the undisputed lord of the place. You should take care to not raise the sandy bottom and to maintain high visibility.
Portoferraio - Natural Areas Scoglietto Grottoni In the Archipel Grottoni the water depth reaches up to 40 meters and that is why the dive is suitable only for experienced divers. The flora and fauna offer paradisiacal scenarios. Among the many varieties of fish you can meet the sea eagle. And 'advisable to use a flashlight underwater.
Marciana - Natural Areas Formiche della Zanca "Le Formiche of Zanca" represents one of the most attractive diving areas of the island. This is a group of rocks that outcrop at the surface, giving on the seabed one very impressive show. It comes down to a depth of 45 metres, where you can meet glances, lobsters and amberjacks.
Porto Azzurro - Churches and places of worship Santuario della Madonna di Monserrato The shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat is located close to Porto Azzurro, in the middle of a valley between Monte Castello and Cima del Monte. It was built in 1606 at the willing of the Spanish nobleman Longone: the Spanish influence echoes in the hints of Baroque decorations covering ceilings and walls.
Marina di Campo - Churches and places of worship Chiesa di San Niccolò Originally dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul and erected around the seventh century on the ruins of a pagan temple the church preserves the remains of frescoes of the fifteenth century.
Marina di Campo - Churches and places of worship Chiesa di San Francesco Small church which contains numerous frescoes
Rio Nell'Elba - Walls, towers and gates Torre del Porto The Torre del Porto in Rio Marina was built in 1534 by Jacopo Appiano V, Prince of Piombino. This, too, like many other structures on the island, served to defend the port of Rio Marina. It's topped by a tower with a clock that was only added in the nineteenth century, when Rio Marina became a municipality at all effects.
Campo Nell'Elba - Walls, towers and gates Torre di San Giovanni Situated in the locality Morota, the tower was built around the XI century as a fortress of the Republic of Pisa. The tower was also called "La torre della regina (Queen's Tower) and was the subject of many popular legends.
Portoferraio - Castles, palaces and mansions Castello San Martino ruderi The Castle Ne St. Martin in the ruins of Portoferraio, is a modest villa but embellished with a striking facade. It's well-preserved and can be visited in every room, including the particularly famous Egyptian one, which is the dining room of the emperor who had perked it to theme in remembering of the military campaign in Egypt.
Portoferraio - Churches and places of worship Chiesa della Misericordia Among the oldest buildings to visit in Portoferraio, there is the beautiful Church of Mercy. Founded by Giovanni de 'Medici as far back as 1566, it holds within it an object of high value as the pipe organ dating back to 1792. There are also sacred vessels and furniture belonging to ancient times, in perfect condition, like a bronze mask of Napoleon on his deathbed, and a mold of his hand, both in bronze. In 1852, every May 5 is celebrated a mass in his suffrage
Campo Nell'Elba - Churches and places of worship Pieve di San Giovanni Built in the XII century, the church is a sacred building in the Pisan Romanesque style.
Marciana - Churches and places of worship Santuario della Madonna del Monte The Shrine of Our Lady on the Mount of Marciana is the oldest of the island. Here is revered the portrait of Madonna Assunta, a painting on granite embedded in the wall whose origins are lost in an unspecified period of the fifteenth century. Consisting in three naves, the building was home to Napoleon and the polish countess Maria Walewska in the 1814.
Portoferraio - Castles, palaces and mansions Palazzo della Biscotteria The Palazzo della Biscotteria in Portoferraio is the current seat of the municipality of the town but when it was built for Cosimo I, it was used as a biscuit shop, a structure that produced bread for the troops that were in the city and on the island .
Portoferraio - Castles, palaces and mansions Forte di Luceri ruderi Forte di Luceri at Portoferraio is currently the ruin of the ancient fortress that once was built for defensive purposes. It's freely accessible and offers picturesque scenery representing the power and the high risk of siege which over the years has been the island.
Portoferraio - Castles, palaces and mansions Ridotta di San Rocco The Ridotta of San Rocco in Portoferraio was built in a strategic position not to be easily accessible at the same time naturally protected from the salt pans. Today, unfortunately, you can only admire his remains but that does not detract from the importance that was attached to it time ago.
Portoferraio - Castles, palaces and mansions Castello Appiani ruderi The Castle Appiani in the ruins of Portoferraio is testimony to what once was one of the strongholds of Portoferraio, considered the capital of the island of Elba. Today one can only admire the ruins of the old body construction. They are easily accessible and can be visited freely and are an ideal destination to visit during your stay.
Marciana - Castles, palaces and mansions Castelliere Etrusco ruderi The Castelliere Etrusco and the remains of Marciana represent a historical legacy in relation with the bronze age, particularly significant in that place. Today you can freely visit what remains of it, including stunning panoramic views weapped in an atmosphere rich of history offered by the surrounding area.
Porto Azzurro - Castles, palaces and mansions Forte San Giacomo The Forte San Giacomo at Porto Azzurro was built by the Spanish in 600s as a defense of the south coast of the island. It enjoys an imposing structure in plant star and is characterized by perimeter walls of brick and stone. In the inside there are several buildings including the Governor's Palace, the powder, the armory, the apartments of the garrisons, stores, hospital and a windmill.
Marciana - Castles, palaces and mansions Fortezza Pisana di Marciana The Pisan Fortress at Marciana, built in the twelfth century for defensive purposes, has a square plan and it's characterized by the bastions on all the four sides. Initially it was a warehouse for ammunition and was an important source of water, and it's said that the people used to refuge in it during the attacks of the pirates. Today it's fully restored and hosts summer parties.
Marciana Marina - Natural Areas Punta Madonna The Punta della Madonna is so called because it's possible to admire an ancient statue of the Madonna sunk a long time ago. It has a maximum depth of 42 meters, the seabed is rocky and the visibility is quite good. Going down you can visit a big canyon, along which there are living shellfish, squat,cicadas and various molluscs.
Marciana - Natural Areas Secca di Fetovaia The Secca of Fetovia has a maximum depth of 40 meters and despite the excellent visibility, the dive is recommended only for the more experienced ones. It's characterized by the presence of shoals of barracuda and big groupers.
Portoferraio - Castles, palaces and mansions Forte Monte Bello ruderi The Forte Montebello of Portoferraio is another important fortress of the island's capital. It was built as others in order to defend the territory and alert and report any time for eventually sieges.
Portoferraio - Natural Areas Scoglio della Nave The big Scoglio della Nave is located ay Capo Enfola. The descent is quite good, up to about 20 feet deep and then go down again along a steep rock face for about 50 meters. Here you can meet octopus, moray eels, lobsters and beautiful Cerianthus. The organisms sciafili on the walls limescale residues to form "snow" effect.
Portoferraio - Natural Areas Scoglietto Statua di Cristo At the Archipel of the statue of Christ the dive is quite challenging. The depth varies from a minimum of 20 meters to a maximum of 50 meters and you will be able to meet lobsters and snappers. The currents are strong enough. So named for the presence of a plateau of a relief representing the Christ.
Procchio - Natural Areas Secca del Picco Giallo The Secca of Picco Giallo is located 3 miles from the coast and has a maximum depth of 50 meters. The seabed is rocky and the visibility is good. The shoal is characterized by beautiful expanses of sea daisies and red gorgonians.
Marciana - Natural Areas Il Careno The Careno is located between Capo S. Andrea and Le Formiche della Zanca. The foundal is dotted with numerous boulders, clothed by colorful sponges, annelids and various molluscs. The depth reaches up to 50 meters.
Portoferraio - Natural Areas Panettone delle Gorgonie The Panettone of the Gorgonie is completely covered with red gorgonians. You meet very rare specimens of considerable size and including Granseola. You can see an old abandoned lobster pot, inhabited by a large white hake. At this point, the immersion is reserved for experts because the currents are very strong.