We stayed in Portoferraio, Elba, the place where most of the ferries come in. It is not the most beautiful part of the island, but very convenient for our first visit because it is central to everything.
The port is impressive.
The town is worth spending some time in. We climbed up to the fort at the top only to find it closed…not to worry, it was an interesting area.
Our first discovery after Portoferraio was hilltop Capoliveri. We arrived at mid afternoon to find most things closed, but even when asleep the town is charming. The lovely piazza was no doubt bustling with people over the Easter break.
Marciana Marina is a lovely seaside town. There are some great shops and lots of restaurants to choose from.
Here I found the most gorgeous Aqua del Elba shop. The perfume and skin care shops are all over the island. The shops are blue…all over, just like the sea around the island.
Poggio is a seriously cute village high in the hills.
We had a lovely experience in Rio nell’Elba, a tiny town in the hills above Rio Marina.
A friendly man packing up his vegetable stand wanted to sell us some tomatoes. When we told him we had no kitchen he quickly offered to make us some lunch with them. He made delicious bruschetta and we were served at the bar beside his stand…wonderful Italy.
Porto Azzurro was our absolute favourite town on Elba. It is a little bigger than most of the other places we found. It is like Sorrento, Amalfi and Portofino all rolled into a tiny package. We will definitely be back to stay for a few days.
Here are some random photos from our stay on Elba.
We will return.
I loved this post, Debra! Your photos are beautiful! I’d love to visit here too!!
By: Margie Miklas on April 19, 2017
at 7:38 pm
We loved Elba and look forward to spending more time there.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 20, 2017
at 5:01 am
Elba looks like a place I’d like to visit.
By: lulu on April 19, 2017
at 7:55 pm
It’s great, there is lots to see and do.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 20, 2017
at 5:02 am
We were in Elba for my 2nd visit last summer and like you, found it charming. The fitout in the Aqua di Elba shops is so elegant and I bought a candle and some beautiful
handmade jewellery in Marciana made by a local using aquamarines.
By: Elizabeth Valerie Litzow on April 19, 2017
at 9:10 pm
We didn’t get to Marciana…next time.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 20, 2017
at 5:03 am
Thanks Deb, this is a fabulous post on Elba. Yes I too have put it on my list for a future trip. read os much about it over the year and you make it just come to life.
By: Dianne Cant on April 19, 2017
at 9:58 pm
You will love the Aqua del Elba shops, they are your colour.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 20, 2017
at 5:03 am
Elba looks so lovely Debra, thankyou for all the beautiful photos.
By: Paula on April 19, 2017
at 10:27 pm
It is a beautiful island and luckily for us, not too far away.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 20, 2017
at 5:04 am
We really enjoyed our stay on Elba visiting all the little villages. We based ourselves in Campo di Marina and found the food and shops on the island to be very good.
By: Kerry & Jim on April 19, 2017
at 11:01 pm
…another place for us to visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 20, 2017
at 5:05 am
How fabulous! What an extraordinary tree trunk too.
By: Jan on April 19, 2017
at 11:28 pm
It looked as though the tree had intestines.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 20, 2017
at 5:05 am
The palm trees give it such a tropical vibe and I love that shade of blue! 😀
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on April 20, 2017
at 7:08 am
The sea is a gorgeous colour…The Aqua del Elba shops are too.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 21, 2017
at 5:40 am
Elba looks beautiful and it looks like you had it all to yourselves! This is definitely the time to visit these vacation spots before the hoards of tourists descend! I’m assuming you got there by boat – could you bring your car? How long of a boat ride is it and from what port did you depart from? How many days would you recommend to soak it all in? One of these days I hope to explore these lovely islands!
By: tesorotreasures on April 20, 2017
at 9:19 pm
We were there for just a few days and will return to stay at Porto Azzurro for 3-4 days next spring. My next post will tell you all about getting there.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 21, 2017
at 5:39 am
This looks like another fabulous place to visit in wonderful Italy? Thanks for your tips Debra, your words and photos make it seem so close! I am earmarking this for our next visit for sure.
By: Anonymous on April 21, 2017
at 9:37 am
Elba is lovely, I’m sure you will enjoy a stay there.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 23, 2017
at 7:03 am
I still have a leather reversible handbag, and a waistcoat that turns into a carry bag and a beautiful necklace I bought here several years ago. All items I still use and love. Good justification for shopping on holidays.
By: tastetravel on April 23, 2017
at 1:10 am
The Aqua de Elba shop was definitely not there then otherwise I would know!
By: tastetravel on April 23, 2017
at 1:11 am
They were all over the island. In some towns there were 2. There is also one in Lucca. I don’t know how old they are.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 23, 2017
at 7:04 am
Do you happen to know when in the season the ferries start? We are wondering whether we can visit Elba in mid-March. It would be a fun overnight trip from Lucca.
By: Laura on April 23, 2017
at 11:40 pm
I’m sure the ferries run all year. 30,000 people live on Elba. Look at the next post about the ferry.
Not a lot would be open in mid March. Things were just beginning to open when we were there.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2017
at 4:21 am
[…] visited Elba with friends and loved it. This is another place we will try to return to on a regular […]
By: A new year begins | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on January 1, 2018
at 8:18 am