Italy, Tuscany, Elba island, Portoferraio, beach

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Elba

Napoleon would think twice about fleeing Elba today. Dramatically more congested than when the emperor was exiled here in 1814 (he managed to engineer an escape within a year), the island is an ever-glorious paradise of beach-laced coves, vineyards, azure waters, hairpin-bend motoring, a 1018m mountain (Monte Capanne) and mind-bending views. It's all supplemented by a fine seafaring cuisine, lovely island wines, and land and seascapes just made for hiking, biking and sea kayaking.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Exterior view of Napoleon's Villa di San Martino.

    Museo Villa Napoleonica di San Martino

    Elba

    Napoleon personally supervised the transformation of what had been a large farmhouse in the hills 5km southwest of Portoferraio into an elegant villa…

  • Forte Falcone

    Forte Falcone

    Elba

    Portoferraio's loftiest highest hill is crowned by this largely intact, 16th-century fort (1548) – a key point, together with Fort Stella and Torre del…

  • Area Archeologica della Linguella

    Area Archeologica della Linguella

    Elba

    The 16th-century Torre del Martello was where Napoleon was 'imprisoned' at the start of his fleeting exile on Elba in 1814 and the russet-red, hexagonal…

  • Teatro dei Vigilanti

    Teatro dei Vigilanti

    Elba

    This 17th-century church-turned-theatre was one of the grandest, most elaborate churches in Portoferraio when it was constructed in 1618. The Chiesa del…

  • Santuario della Madonna del Monte

    Santuario della Madonna del Monte

    Elba

    To enjoy an invigorating 40-minute hike, head up through Marciana along Via della Madonna to reach this much-altered hilltop chapel with its 13th-century…

  • Villa Romana delle Grotte

    Villa Romana delle Grotte

    Elba

    About 5km out of Portoferraio town, wander through the ruins of this 1st-century-BC Roman villa overlooking the sea at Punta delle Grotte and you will be…

  • Museo dei Minerali e dell'Arte Mineraria

    Museo dei Minerali e dell'Arte Mineraria

    Elba

    Rio's mining history dates from Etruscan times, with open-cast working continuing right up until 1982 when the mines closed. This museum charts that story…

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