About Elba
Elba is the largest island of the Tuscan Archipelago and the third largest in Italy, lying just 10 kilometers from the mainland. It is most famous historically as the place of Napoleon Bonaparte's first exile in 1814. He ruled the island as emperor for 300 days, leaving a significant lasting impact on its infrastructure and mining industry. His residences, the Villa dei Mulini and Villa San Martino, are now museums.
Geologically, Elba is rich in iron ore, having been mined since the time of the Etruscans. Today, nature has reclaimed the mines, and the island is a green jewel with rugged mountains (Mount Capanne is the highest peak) and over 150 beaches. The water clarity is exceptional, making it a paradise for snorkeling and diving.
The island is crisscrossed by hiking trails and charming towns like Portoferraio, with its Medici fortifications, and the picturesque hill towns of Capoliveri and Marciana. Elba offers a microcosm of Tuscany—good wine, excellent food, and rolling landscapes—surrounded by the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea.