Visiting the Island of Elba: a virtual tour to discover Elba

The Island of Elba is a haven of biodiversity, a green and blue oasis where nature reigns supreme. With an area of 223.50 sq km, 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 extends for approximately 27 kilometres, and from north to south, from Capo Vita to Punta dei Ripalti, for approximately 18 kilometres.

With its countless inlets, its territory is lush, green and wild, with a heart filled with metals and precious minerals.

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

Although its perimeter measures only 147 kilometres, the coastline is extremely varied, with many beaches and small coves of every type and colour. In just a few minutes, you can travel from steep cliffs plunging into the crystal-clear sea to the granite massif of Monte Capanne.

From the summit, at an altitude of 1,019 metres, the view stretches across 360 degrees of endless sea, the Tuscan islands and Corsica.

The Island of Elba has an extraordinarily rich geo-mineralogical heritage: a wide range of gems, rocks and minerals, evidence of the complex geological events that led to the formation of the island.

Elba's vegetation landscape is largely characterised by Mediterranean scrub, which ranges from a shrubby form (low scrub) to a more tree-like form (high scrub), and finally to true woodland.

In Elba's woodlands, the holm oak is the predominant species, together with the cork oak, tree heath, mastic tree and strawberry tree. At higher elevations, there is a significant presence of chestnut trees, yews and hop-hornbeams, while ferns grow in the cooler valleys. Other plants found on the island include several species of pine: Aleppo pine, stone pine and maritime pine.

Interesting fact: Elba, whose area is less than one thousandth of Italy's, is home to 13.4% of all plant species.

Low scrubland contains shrubs such as myrtle, rockrose and broom. In some areas, especially on the southern side, the vegetation is extremely low and sparse: this is known as garrigue. Aromatic species such as rosemary, curry plant and wild orchids are particularly typical of this environment, and their flowering creates a highly evocative spectacle.

Geographical isolation has encouraged the presence of numerous endemic species, such as the Monte Capanne cornflower, Viola corsica and Limonium.

Interesting fact: A new endemic species that flowers in early spring was recently discovered on Capanne: Elba saffron.

Amid the scents of the Mediterranean scrub, Elba is home to a lively and distinctive variety of wildlife. Wild goats can be spotted, as well as some species not native to the island, such as the mouflon, which has found its habitat along the slopes of the western part of the island, and the wild boar, which lives in the undergrowth and feeds on berries and roots.

Among the smaller mammals, notable species include the pine marten, hare, edible dormouse and hedgehog, together with several reptiles and amphibians: viper, green whip snake, lizard, gecko, common toad, tree frog and edible frog.

Elba is also home to a great variety of butterflies, which can be found everywhere: in gardens, fields, vegetable gardens, on beaches and along the coast. Some species are endemic to the Tuscan islands or to Elba alone.

This beautiful world of butterflies can be admired throughout Elba, although some environments are far more welcoming. One of these areas is the Butterfly Sanctuary, located within the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.

The presence of countless historical and cultural sites, combined with extraordinary natural beauty and food and wine traditions, makes this island a magical place; a unique destination where visitors can rediscover the pleasure of exploration and enjoy their holidays!

Elba is connected to the mainland by numerous daily ferry and hydrofoil services, which cover the 10 kilometres of sea separating it from the mainland in one hour. Its population is approximately 35,000, divided among seven municipalities, with twelve thousand residents living in Portoferraio, the island's capital.

Protected areas and access

On land, protected areas cover almost 50% of Elba's territory, including several rocks and islets: 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 Palmaiola and Cerboli islets in the Piombino Channel are also protected (zone 2).

At sea: the Ministerial Decree of 10 August 1971 established a Biological Protection Zone in the waters of the municipality of Portoferraio, in the Le Ghiaie area, between Punta Falcone and Capo Bianco, where Lo Scoglietto is located. All professional and recreational fishing is prohibited in this stretch of sea, except fishing from the shore with lines and squid jigs.