Only 10 km off the coastal town of Piombino (Livorno), Elba is the third largest Italian island after Sicily and Sardinia, and the largest island of the Tuscan Archipelago. With an area of 224 square kilometers, it is a concentration of Mediterranean treasures where all visitors can find a wonder that is right for them.
Each of the hundreds of beaches in Elba on the 147 kilometers of coastline is unique. There are long beaches and hidden coves; white, golden and black sands; polished pebbles and sharp rocks, all on crystal-clear waters. ‘Cavoli’, in the south, is a thin and long and sandy golden beach on emerald and crystalline seawater. Ideal for children thanks to the shallow, calm, and emerald waters, it is close to ‘Grotta Azzurra’, a submarine grotto that can be visited by swimming or small boats. ‘Biodola’ is a spacious beach of fine sand; well-equipped for families, it is perfect to relax in the sun, but also for diving and snorkeling. Strikingly beautiful is also ‘Padulella’, a 150 meters cove that is part of a protected area. Surrounded by high white cliffs, it offers an extraordinary scenery, thanks to the unspoiled nature and the contrast of colors between the white seabed of small polished pebbles and the green and turquoise water. A great destination for divers is Capo d’Enfola, where, among the luminous cliffs of Capo Bianco, we dive to explore the pristine sea caves.
Elba, however, is not only synonymous with sea. Cyclists can enjoy kilometer cycle paths through the whole territory. Which, being part of the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago, is a paradise for environmentalists, who can choose one of the many campsites to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy bird watching or hiking while breathing in the scent of pines and olive groves. But it is also possible to wander the small alleys of medieval villages like Capoliveri or admire the imposing Medici fortification that surrounds the town of Portoferraio since 1555.
Ilona Catani Scarlett