Isola d’Elba (Elba Island) is the largest island of the Tuscan Archipelago and it is only 10 kilometers away from the coast of Tuscany. It is also the third largest island in Italy after Sardinia and Sicily.
Since the ancient times the island has witnessed the succession of different civilizations and also the barbaric invasions. The first visitors came to the island in the neolithic era. The island was invaded by the Etruscans and you can find different sites with Etruscan materials in Elba.
In 480 BC Elba was invaded by the Romans and there are ruins of three ancient Roman villas in the and also underwater wreckages of the Roman age.Duringthe middle ages, it was invaded by the Ostrogoths and the Lombardsand afterwards it became part of the Republic of Pisa.
In the following centuries the island was handed over to different kingdoms of Italy, and in 1736 passed under the jurisdiction of the kingdom of Naples. In 1860, it became part of the new unified Kingdom of Italy.
HOW TO GET TO ELBA ISLAND
The nearest international airport is Pisa airport. On the website of Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.net) you can find the flights from your nearest airport to Pisa (PSA).
From Pisa airport you can either take a shuttle bus to Elba, a train or hire a car.
Travel by train
There are train rides from Pisa airport to Piombino Marittima, the port where you will take the ferry to Elba island. The name of the train station at Pisa airport is Pisa Fermata Aeroporto.You can purchase the train ticket on the website of the national rail of Italy: http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en
The train ride from Pisa airport to Piombino Marittima is about 2 hours and 15 minutes. When you arrive at the port Piombino Marittima you can take the ferry to Elba island. The ferry ride from Piombino Marittima to Portoferraio, the main port of Elba is from 45 minutes to 1 hour. You can buy the ferry ticket directly at the port or you can buy it online at the website www.directferries.co.uk
Travel by car
Once you are at Pisa airport you can rent a car and pick up the car directly at the airport through a rental car company. You can book your car online at www.autoeurope.itor www.economycarrentals.comFrom Pisa airport you drive directly to Piombino Marittima. When you book your ferry ticket you will also have to pay for the transport of the car. Details about prices are available on www.directferries.co.ukWhen you make the reservation specify the port of arrival, Portoferraio.
Travel by shuttle bus
From Pisa airport you can take a shuttle bus that goes directly to Elba island. The duration of the journey including the ferry ride is about 2 hours and 50 minutes. For more information about the schedules and the fares send an Email to booking@elba-shuttle.itor call 39 334 2513647
If you have arrived at the island by train or by bus and would like to rent a car in the island,
there are several car rental companies in Elba:
Elba by Car (www.elbabycar.com)
Rent Happy (www.renthappy.it)
Rent Chiappi (www.rentchiappi.it)
Rent Mondo (www.rentmondo.it)
PLACES TO SEE
On the West Coast of the island there is a long stretch of coast calledCosta del Solewhich is popular for the beauty of its beaches. The East Coast of the island is named Costa che Brilla, with unique features of brightness and colours and with gorgeous beaches.
The most beautiful beaches of the island are:
Fetovaia, which can also be reached with a public bus
Spiaggia di Sansone, a gorgeous beach good for snorkeling
Spiaggia di Forno, with cafes, restaurants and a parking space.
Spiaggia Laconella, a quiet beach on the gulf of Lacona with golden sand
Spiaggia Felciaio, which includes sandy and pebbles beaches
Spiaggia Madonna delle Grazie, named after the nearby sanctuary and with crystal waters
Spiaggia Enfola, with an idyllic landscape
Spiaggia di Cavo, a long stretch of serviced beach
Spiaggia Giardino, a beautiful pebble beach with a very natural landscape
Spiaggia Capo Bianco, with white seabed and sea with a wonderful green colour.
In Elba island there are also several museums and archeological sites to visit:
- Museo Archeologico della Linguella with Etruscan and Roman finds from the eighth century B.C. To the fifth century.
- Museo Civico Archeologico di Marcian with find of the Stone Age and the Etruscan and Roman period.
- Museo Civico Archeologico Rio Elba, inside the Mineral Park of Elba, which illustrates the history of the Eastern part of the island from the third millennium B.C. to the Middle Ages. The history of this part of the island is connected to the presence of minerary deposits.
- MUM Museo Mineralogico Luigi Celleri di San Piero dedicated to Luigi Celleri, a citizen of Elba of the 19thcentury who dedicated his life to the minerary research. In the museum there are on display minerals and also gems.
- Museo del Mare di Capoliver, showing the treasures recovered from a ship wreck of 1841.
- Villa San Martino, a residence of the French emperor Napoleon during his exile on Elba island.
- In the Villa there are memorabilia and works of art of that time.
- Museo Nazionale Villa dei Mulini, a 18thcentury villa which became the official residence of Napoleon.
- Pinacoteca Foresiana with a rich collection of artefacts, prints and paintings.
You can enjoy a breathtaking view of Elba Island and the Tuscan Archipelago on the highest peak of Monte Capanne. In Marciana, on the Western part of Elba, there is a cable car that can take you directly to the top of Monte Capanne. The cable car is open only during the summer.
