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Going to the Island of Elba: a virtual tour to get to know it better

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  1. Island of Elba
  2. The Island of Elba
    • The Butterfly Sanctuary
    • Dunes in Lacona
    • Tuscan Archipelago National Park
    • Guided excursions
    • Useful information
    • Maps
    • I am...
    • My holiday
    • Places to see

A virtual tour of the Island of Elba to get to know it better

The Island of Elba is a biodiversity hotspot, a green and blue oasis where nature reigns supreme. With its 223.50 km², it is the third-largest Italian island and the largest in the Tuscan Archipelago. From west to east, from Punta Nera to Capo Pero, it stretches about 27 kilometers, and from north to south, from Capo Vita to Punta dei Ripalti, it is about 18 kilometers.

With its countless coves, its territory is lush, green, and wild, with a heart rich in metals and precious minerals.

The island offers a mild climate and a multitude of different landscapes: romantic fishing villages, hilltop towns, ancient castles, green valleys, and charming gulfs alternating with beautiful beaches.

Despite its perimeter being just 147 kilometers, the coastline is very rich, and there are various beaches and coves of every type and color. In just a few minutes, from the steep cliffs that plunge into the crystal-clear sea, one can reach the granite massif of Mount Capanne.

At the top, 1019 meters above sea level, the view stretches across 360 degrees of endless sea, the Tuscan islands, and Corsica.

The Island of Elba has a rich geomineralogical landscape: a wide range of gems, rocks, and minerals, evidence of the complex geological events that led to the formation of the island.

The vegetation of Elba is mainly characterized by the Mediterranean scrub, which can vary from a bushy form (low scrub) to a more arboreal form (high scrub), all the way to full-fledged forests.

In the forests of Elba, the holm oak is the predominant species, along with cork oak, tree heather, lentisk, and strawberry tree. On the higher mountain ridges, the presence of the chestnut, yew, and black hornbeam is significant, and in the cooler valleys, the fern thrives. Other plants present on the island include various species of pine: Aleppo pine, domestic pine, and maritime pine.

Fun Fact: Elba, with an area less than a thousandth of Italy's, is home to 13.4% of all plant species.

In the low scrub, shrubs like myrtle, rockrose, and broom can be found. In some areas, especially on the southern slopes, a very low and sparse vegetation appears: the garrigue. Aromatic species such as rosemary, helichrysum, and wild orchids are typical of this environment, with their flowering being a very suggestive spectacle.

The geographical isolation has favored the presence of numerous endemics such as the Monte Capanne cornflower, the Corsican violet, and Limonio.

Fun Fact: Recently, a new endemic species was discovered on Mount Capanne, blooming in early spring: the Elba saffron.

Amid the scents of the Mediterranean scrub, Elba hosts a vibrant and original variety of wildlife. Wild goats and some non-native species like the mouflon, which has found its habitat on the western slopes of the island, and the wild boar, which lives in the underbrush feeding on berries and roots, can be spotted.

Among the smaller mammals, the presence of the marten, hare, dormouse, and hedgehog is noteworthy, along with some species of reptiles and amphibians: viper, grass snake, lizard, gecko, common toad, tree frog, and green frog.

Elba also has a great variety of butterflies, found everywhere: in gardens, fields, orchards, on beaches, and along the coasts. Some species are endemic to the Tuscan islands or just Elba.

This beautiful butterfly world can be admired throughout Elba, but some areas are much more hospitable. One of these areas is the Butterfly Sanctuary, located within the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago.

The presence of numerous historical and cultural testimonies, combined with extraordinary natural beauties and gastronomic traditions, makes this island a magical place; a unique destination in the world to rediscover the pleasure of exploration and spend your holidays!

Elba is connected by numerous daily ferry and hydrofoil services, which cover the 10 kilometers of sea separating it from the mainland in about an hour. Its population is around 35,000 inhabitants, divided into seven municipalities, with twelve thousand residents in Portoferraio, the island's capital.

Protected Area and Access

On land, protected areas cover nearly 50% of the Elban territory, including some rocks and small islands: the Formiche della Zanca, Ogliera, Scoglio della Triglia, Isola Corbella, Isole Gemini, Isolotto d'Ortano, Isola dei Topi, and Scoglietto di Portoferraio (zone 2). The territories of the small islands of Palmaiola and Cerboli in the Piombino Channel (zone 2) are also protected.

At sea: the Ministerial Decree of August 10, 1971, established a Biological Protection Zone in the sea area of Portoferraio municipality, in the Ghiaie locality, between Punta Falcone and Capo Bianco, where Scoglietto is located. In this area, all fishing activities, both professional and recreational, are prohibited, except for fishing with lines and from land using totanaie.

The Butterfly Sanctuary

The Butterfly Sanctuary is an unforgettable walk where you will be able to admire over 50 different species of butterflies, some endemic of the Island of Elba.

Dunes in Lacona

The dune area in Lacona is the last, sandy, coastal habitat in the Tuscan Archipelago.

Tuscan Archipelago National Park

Much of Elba's territory is inside the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, as are the islands of Pianosa, Capraia, Giglio, Giannutri, Montecristo, Gorgona.
European Card of Eco-Friendly Tourism
One of the projects carried out by the PNAT is how to obtain a CETS: the European Card of Eco-Friendly Tourism.

CETS: the aim of the Park
The Park has started the procedure for obtaining the CETS and in 2016 was given a positive assessment on behalf of the Europarc.

Park Offices
Park Offices: information centres and communication points for visitors to the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.

The seven islands
Elba is one of the 7 islands that make up the Tuscan Archipelago, the others are: Giglio, Montecristo, Capraia, Pianosa, Giannutri and Gorgona.

Excursions to the Tuscan islands
Several shipping companies offer excursions and mini cruises from the Island of Elba to other islands of the Tuscan Archipelago.

Sea turtles' nests
Find a nest and you find a treasure: useful information if you're looking for sea turtles nests and the best way to protect them.

Watching the monk seal
Correct behaviour if you sea a monk seal: a protected species by the law so it is forbidden to kill one, capture it or even disturb it in any way.

International Cetacean Sanctuary
The International Sanctuary of Marine Mammals is a protected area created in 1999 thanks to an agreement between Italy, France and the Principality of Monaco.

Tuscany Islands UNESCO MaB
The UNESCO MaB Reserve of the Tuscany Islands consists of the seven Archipelago islands as well as other small islands between the Tuscan coast and Corsica.

Resto con Life
Resto con Life is a project that aims at improving the conditions of natural habitats as well as rare, animal and plant species in the Tuscan islands.

Guided excursions

Whether you are on foot, on horseback, in a kayak or sailing boat, Elba has a wide choice of ways of getting to know it.
Guided tours
Young, expert guides from the island, with deep knowledge of the territory, will take you round Elba.

Boat trips
Discover coves and coasts with access only by sea by going on a motor boat trip with guides who have expert knowledge of Elba.

Useful information

Things to do on the island of Elba if it rains, if it's windy, if you' can't be bothered going to the beach or if you just want to get to know the island better
What to do if it rains
Even if it rains or the weather isn't at its best in Elba there are always lots of things to do, places to visit, and farms that serve good food.

What to do if it's windy
Regarless of which wind is blowing on the Island of Elba, a swim is guaranteed as long as you choose the right area. How to distinguish one wind from the other.

What to do if it's too hot
Where to go on the Island of Elba if it's too hot for the beach. Finding somewhere cooler and more relaxing.

What to do if it's still a bit cool
The Island of Elba has a mild and moderate climate, which means you can have a swim in the sea even in Spring, when it is still quite cool.

What to do if you're bored with the beach
Elba isn't just sun and sea, but also history and culture. What to do on the Island of Elba if you are bored with the beach.

Round the western side
Going round the coast road from Procchio to Marina di Campo, called the western ring road, to admire breathtaking views.

Maps

Some geography of Elba and a map you can download of its main, secondary and grit roads.
Track maps
Map of the PNAT and CAI tracks, where you can also see the areas of interest, land and sea protected areas, as well as cultural and logistic information.

Map of water dispensers
Refill Now Map is an interactive map with a navigation system where you can clearly see where the public and private water dispensers are on the Island of Elba.

Distances between communes and towns
The distances in kilometres between the main towns and places on the Island of Elba.

Sailing distances on the Island of Elba
Both a chart of the sailing distances in nautical miles between major ports and berths on the Island of Elba as well as the beaches you can only get to by sea.

Distances between the other islands
Some useful numbers to get to know the seven islands of the Tuscan Archipelago better.

The measurements of Elba
Some geographical information in order to fully comprehend Elba's size.

I am...

Island of Elba: from families with children to teenagers in search of fun, from couples awaiting sunset to singles looking for their kindred spirit.
Singles or groups of friends
In Elba it's easy to make new friends, then have dinner together, spend whole nights dancing and maybe even go for a midnight swim.

Young couple
If you're a young couple looking for privacy and peace, Elba has many tiny coves that are more or less deserted even in August.

Families with children
The island of Elba is the ideal holiday resort for families with small children

Elba with my pet
There are many hotels in Elba that allow pets, just as there are many places to take him walking or running.

Holidays by camper
Discover the freedom of going round the Island of Elba by camper:dive into nature, visit enchanting towns and beaches, and live every moment at your leisure..

Group or party of people
Booking the ferry beforehand and consulting a tourist guide is the best way to organize a holiday on the Island of Elba for a party of people.

Disabled
Using our experience and our taking friends' advice we have chosen some of the beaches and hotels where there are no architectural barriers for the disabled.

Over 70
The best months in Elba for a quiet and peaceful holiday are April, May, june and September, when there are very few tourists.

Special needs person
Even if you have to undergo daily dialysis or have to eat gluten free foods, you can still have a wondeful holiday on the island of Elba.

My holiday

A detailed programme of what to go and see on the Island of Elba in one or more days, including times and routes, by car or by motorbike.
Elba in one day
Here are some suggestions if you want to make the most of a one day trip to the island of Elba.

Elba in three days
You need at least three days to go round Elba. We suggest you divide your map into three parts.

Elba by motorbike
Touring Elba by motorbike is a unique and unforgettable joy: The winding, coastal roads round the Island of Elba have one bend after another.

Itinerary of Romanesque church yards
This 80 km route by car enables you to visit all the major Romanesque church yards in Elba.

Places to see

Museums, ancient monuments, breathtaking views, traces of a glorious past.
Churches and sanctuaries
There are numerous places of worship, parish churches, churches and ancient hermitages in Elba.

Forts and fortresses
There are Etruscan fortifications, Pisan and Appian towers, and Medicean and Spanish fortresses in Elba, all examples of forefront impregnable architecture.

Historic places and archaeological sites
Symbolic places of famous people and ancient civilizations on the Island of Elba.

Museums and archeological sites
Museums, archaeological sites, travelling exhibitions tell us of the Island of Elba's complex history.

Scenic and suggestive places
Admiring sunsets, coves, stone monsters and colours on the Island of Elba.

Advice from Infoelba

Elba not to be missedOutdoor sports

You might also like...

Distances between the other islandsExcursions to the Tuscan islands

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Info Park PortoferraioCEA and visiting Centre in MarcianaCEA and visiting Centre in Rio nell'ElbaCEA and Info Park LaconaIsland of Elba infopoint
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