Elba Island: from the sea to the mines and up to the stars

Anyone looking to pack a whole host of holiday experiences into a single trip – from beaches to trekking, cycling to diving, and (Napoleonic) history to ancient villages – should definitely add the main island of the Tuscan archipelago to their list. With over 150 kilometres of coastline perfect for this. Elba might seem like the classic Mediterranean holiday destination to be enjoyed on the shore or on the rocks; in reality, and especially in the height of summer, the island invites its visitors to make the most of the cooler hours of the day to discover its other facets too. Dawn, for example, is the ideal time to head to the beaches along the east coast, from Naregno to Capo Perla, or to Barbarossa, Topinetti and Cavo, when the sea is still calm and crystal-clear. In the morning, you can dive beneath the surface amongst Posidonia, gorgonians, corals and Mediterranean marine life: the best spots for dives suitable for all levels are the Scoglietto off Portoferraio, the Formiche della Zanca, the Secca di Fonza and the wreck of the Elviscot, which sank just 12 metres off Pomonte. To escape the heat of the day, one option is to head underground into the heart of the Calamita Mines, in Capoliveri, where a visit to the Galleria del Ginevro allows you to explore the only mine on the island still open to the public, following the tunnels and chambers where miners worked until the 1980s. At sunset, however, you can choose between a kayak trip in a see-through-bottomed kayak and the cultural events that bring the villages to life: from 28 August to 13 September, in particular, ‘Elba Isola Musicale d’Europa’ returns, an international festival now in its 30th edition

Elba Island