Lacona, Elba Island

Lacona is one of the best-known localities on the southern side of the Island of Elba, located between the headland of Capo Calamita and that of Capo di Fonza. The landscape is marked by gentle hills, vineyards and the scents of the Mediterranean maquis. Historically a land of farmers and winegrowers, over the years it has become one of the island’s most popular seaside destinations, while maintaining a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

The morphology of the area is defined by Capo Stella, a long and narrow tongue of land that projects into the sea for almost two miles, dividing the Gulf of Lacona from the Gulf of Stella and giving the locality an unmistakable coastal profile.

The toponym Lacona probably derives from the Latin lacuna, “lagoon”, a reference to the wide shallow gulf that characterises the hamlet. Until the early twentieth century the area was in fact marked by the presence of marshland.

The locality develops around the long beach of Lacona, one of the largest on Elba, appreciated for its fine golden sand and for the seabed that slopes gently. It is ideal for families with children, but also for those who enjoy sports activities: fully equipped bathing establishments alternate with stretches of free beach and rental points for water sports, while the pinewood behind offers natural shade and cool areas for a break during the hottest hours of the day.

Interesting fact: the beach is home to one of the last natural dunes of the Tuscan Archipelago, a rare and protected habitat where protected plant species such as the sea daffodil grow.

At the ends of the gulf there are wilder and more evocative corners. On the western side lies the beautiful Laconella, bordered by Punta della Contessa: a small, intimate and quiet bay, much loved by those in search of privacy, crystal-clear water and seabeds suitable for snorkelling. Beyond Capo Stella, towards the east, is the bay of Margidore, with a beach of dark pebbles and very clear sea.

Besides the sea, Lacona offers a good variety of services and stands out for its wide range of accommodation facilities surrounded by nature, which mainly welcome families, sports enthusiasts and lovers of outdoor life. Shops, bars and restaurants help create a lively yet never chaotic atmosphere, where summer evenings are pleasantly spent.

Its position along the southern side and the proximity to Portoferraio make Lacona an excellent starting point for exploring the island.

Lacona is a welcoming and sunny locality where nature, the sea and tranquillity coexist in harmony, offering an ideal setting for a holiday devoted to relaxation, outdoor activities and the slow pace typical of life on Elba.