A historic town that was formed centuries ago in Italy’s Tuscany region, Portoferraio offers various charms. It features a typical Mediterranean climate with wet winters and drier summers, making it a great all year round tourist spot. Portoferraio, which refers to iron city in Italian, is strategically located on the northeastern portion of Elba Island in the province of Livorno. Featuring a beautifully formed natural marina, Portoferraio is not only Elba’s biggest city, but also its main port. Experience the joys of basking in the sun on a beautiful beach like Biodola Beach and diving in its clear, blue waters to explore its amazing white seabed. To learn about Portoferraio’s history, just visit Museo Civico Archeologico della Linguella. There are archaeological artefacts as early as eighth century BC for you to admire.

Elba Island is world famous as Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s place of exile. So visiting Portoferraio won’t be complete without a trip to Villa San Martino and Palazzina dei Mulini, the former private and public residences of Bonaparte during his exile. To admire the ingenious architecture of two forts that were part of Portoferraio’s former defensive system of sighting and defence, visit Forte Stella and Forte Falcone. While you are at Portoferraio, don’t miss sampling its unique wines like Elba Bianco and local specialities like schiaccia briaca (a sweet cake that is made from ingredients like pine nuts and Aleatico wine) and stoccafisso alla riese, which is made from stockfish, black olives and other items.