10 Things to Do on Elba Island: Your Ultimate Travel Guide
Elba is Tuscany’s island escape — lush, untamed, and shaped by sea and stone. Whether you're interested in hiking through chestnut forests, snorkeling over shipwrecks, or exploring historic seaside towns, Elba delivers variety and authenticity in equal measure.
Elba is Tuscany’s island escape — lush, untamed, and shaped by sea and stone. While most visitors rush to the mainland’s wine roads or Renaissance cities, Elba offers a slower rhythm: translucent waters, pine forests, ancient trails, and cliffs that fall straight into the sea. The coastline changes every few kilometers, from white-pebble coves to dark sand beaches. Inland, the hills carry the memory of miners and emperors. Here are ten ways to experience Elba at its best.
Is Elba Island Worth Visiting?
Elba Island is absolutely worth the trip. The island is the largest in the Tuscan Archipelago, and offers a rare blend of nature, culture, and adventure. Whether you're interested in hiking through chestnut forests, snorkeling over shipwrecks, or exploring historic seaside towns, Elba delivers variety and authenticity in equal measure.
Top 10 Things to Do on Elba Island
1. Swim beneath the white cliffs of Sansone
Located just west of Portoferraio, Sansone Beach is known for its white pebbles and remarkably clear water. Surrounded by light-colored cliffs, the beach is reached by a footpath, which keeps it relatively quiet even in summer. It’s a good spot for swimming and snorkeling close to shore, especially in the early hours when the sea is calm and visibility is high.
2. Ride the open-air cable car to Monte Capanne
Monte Capanne is the highest point on Elba and can be reached by a cable car that departs from Marciana. The ascent takes about 20 minutes and offers wide views over the island and, on clear days, the distant outline of Corsica. From the summit, short walking paths lead through low vegetation and granite rocks. The air is noticeably cooler, making it a good escape on hot afternoons.
3. Snorkel above a sunken ship in Pomonte
Near the village of Pomonte on the island’s southwest coast, a small cargo ship that sank in the 1970s lies in shallow water close to the beach. It’s easily reached with a short swim and attracts fish and marine life. The snorkeling site is especially popular because of the clear water and the ease of access—there’s no need for a boat or equipment beyond a mask and fins.
4. Visit Napoleon’s residences
During his brief exile on Elba, Napoleon lived in two main residences. The Villa dei Mulini in Portoferraio served as his official residence and is located above the old town with a view over the harbor. The Villa San Martino, set further inland, was his summer home. Both locations are open to visitors and provide insight into the historical period as well as into how Napoleon adapted to life on the island.
5. Follow the coast by paddleboard or kayak
Several parts of Elba’s coastline are best explored from the water. Rental points in towns like Marina di Campo or Fetovaia offer kayaks and paddleboards for half-day or full-day outings. Paddling along the coast reveals small coves, natural arches, and stretches of rock not visible from land. Early mornings or late afternoons are generally best for calm conditions.
6. Walk the coastline at Capo Sant’Andrea
Capo Sant’Andrea is on the island’s northwestern tip and is known for its smooth granite rocks and shallow, clear water. The area combines quiet beaches with short walking trails that lead past small inlets and rocky outcrops. The water here is usually calm, and visibility is high, making it a good area for casual snorkeling or a slow swim close to shore.
7. Take a boat to Capraia or Pianosa
Both islands are part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and can be visited on day trips from Elba. Capraia is more mountainous, with hiking trails and a small harbor village, while Pianosa is flat and more limited in access due to its history as a prison colony. Organized boat tours operate in summer and include time for walking or swimming, depending on the island and itinerary.
8. Visit Elba’s quiet aquarium on a hot afternoon
Near Marina di Campo, the island’s aquarium presents a focused look at local marine species. Though small, it includes tanks with Mediterranean fish, crustaceans, and other sea life found in the waters around Elba. Attached to the aquarium is a natural history museum with exhibits on the island’s geology, plants, and animals. It’s a useful indoor option when the sun is strong or the weather is unsettled.
9. Discover the red earth of Rio Marina
The village of Rio Marina on the island’s eastern coast has a long history of iron mining. A small museum and outdoor mining park preserve this industrial past, with trails, former mining equipment, and mineral displays. Walking paths lead through the reddish soil left by hematite extraction, and some overlook the coastline where ore was once shipped to the mainland.
10. Taste local food and wine
Elba’s cuisine combines maritime and inland traditions. Along the coast, fish stews, anchovies, and grilled octopus are common, while inland areas focus more on rabbit, vegetables, and chestnuts. Local wines like Aleatico and Ansonica are produced in small quantities and often available at restaurants or agriturismi around Capoliveri and Porto Azzurro. Seasonal fruit, olive oil, and dessert cakes like schiaccia briaca round out the island’s food culture.
LA ROQQA’s Boat Experiences
Located in Porto Ercole, LA ROQQA offers exclusive boat tour experiences that allow guests to explore the southern Tuscan coast from a unique vantage point.
Whether it’s a day trip around the Argentario promontory, a swim in the clear waters of hidden coves, or a visit to nearby islands like Giannutri or Giglio, these curated outings combine comfort, privacy, and direct access to some of the most scenic stretches of the Tyrrhenian Sea.