Pianosa Island, paradise in the Tuscan Archipelago
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Pianosa is the flat "prison island" of the Tuscan Archipelago, about 14 km southwest of Elba . Until 1998, it housed a high-security prison – which is why the natural environment remained almost untouched. Today, you can visit Pianosa as a day trip by boat from Elba or Piombino : The village and Cala Giovanna beach are freely accessible, while the rest of the island requires a park guide.
Visiting Pianosa – At a glance (as of 2026)
- Arrival: During the season, daily departures with Aquavision from Marina di Campo (Elba, approx. 45 min.) or from Piombino; on Tuesdays with Toremar from Piombino via Rio Marina.
- Freely accessible: just the village and the beach Cala Giovanna – the only bathing beach on the island.
- Guided tour: Hiking, mountain biking, carriage and bus tours, snorkeling, kayaking and diving with authorized diving schools.
- Regulate: Do not leave any rubbish behind, do not collect anything (plants, animals, fossils), dogs must be kept on a leash in the village.
- Information and booking: Info Park Arcipelago Toscano (parcoarcipelago.info).
Where is Pianosa?
View larger mapPianosa belongs to the municipality of Campo nell'Elba and is one of the seven islands of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, established in 1996. As the name suggests, the island is remarkably flat – its highest point is only 29 meters above sea level. Pianosa covers an area of just over 10 square kilometers, with a coastline of approximately 22 kilometers. Very few people live permanently on the island. The Pelagos Sanctuary for whales and dolphins surrounds Pianosa.
Visiting Pianosa: Ferries, tours and rules
Ferries to Pianosa
| shipping company | Departure | When |
|---|---|---|
| Aquavision | Piombino and Marina di Campo (Elba) | Daily during the season; outbound journey in the morning, return journey in the late afternoon |
| Toremar | Piombino via Rio Marina (Elba) | once a week (Tuesdays), shorter stay |
Visitor numbers are limited. Therefore, you should book early in July and August. For information on how to get to Elba, please see our travel guide to Elba.
What is allowed without a guide
Without a park guide, you are only allowed in the village and on Cala Giovanna beach. The bay, right next to the old harbor, is the only place on the island where swimming is permitted. Bring provisions, water, and sunscreen, and take your rubbish with you – there is no rubbish collection for visitors on Pianosa. The village has a bar and restaurant, and the Hotel Milena offers accommodation.
Guided tours
- Hiking and cycling: Guided trekking and mountain biking tours to coasts, bays and archaeological sites.
- Carriage or bus: Comfortable tours around the island.
- Snorkeling and kayaking: e.g. at Cala dei Turchi.
- Dive: Diving is only permitted with authorized diving schools at fixed buoys and in small groups, as the sea around Pianosa is strictly protected.
Sights on Pianosa
Villa of Agrippa Postumus and the “Bagni di Agrippa”
Even the Romans used Pianosa as a place of exile. The most famous exile was Agrippa Postumus (12 BC–14 AD), grandson and, for a time, adopted son of Emperor Augustus. He was sent to the island around 7 AD and murdered after Augustus' death in 14 AD – presumably to secure the succession for Tiberius. Near Cala Giovanna, the remains of his villa can be seen: a small theater, baths (the "Bagni di Agrippa"), and mosaic floors.
The catacombs
Beneath the village lies a Christian catacomb system from the 4th century. It is considered the largest north of Rome; the burial niches are carved into the rock on two levels.
Village, Forte Teglia and the Dalla Chiesa Wall
The village with its small harbor is dominated by the Forte Teglia fortress. Anyone arriving immediately sees the "Muro Dalla Chiesa": a concrete wall approximately 6 meters high and 3 kilometers long, built in 1979 to separate the village from the high-security prison.
Nature and caves
Because Pianosa was a prison island for around 150 years, the land and sea remained largely untouched. The island is home to numerous fossils and caves containing prehistoric finds, such as the Grotta di Cala Biagio. Thanks to the long ban on boating and diving, the underwater world is also exceptionally rich in biodiversity.
History: Pianosa as a prison island
In 1856, an agricultural penal colony was established on Pianosa. In the 1970s, it became a maximum-security prison, housing, among others, Mafia bosses and members of the Red Brigades. On June 28, 1998, the Prodi government decided on its permanent closure. Today, some inmates on work release from the Porto Azzurro prison work on the island, for example in the restaurant industry and in gardens. The island of Gorgona , where the prison still exists, has a similar history.
Pianosa and the other islands of the archipelago
Boats to the strictly protected island of Montecristo also depart from Piombino . A day trip to Pianosa can easily be combined with a holiday on Elba – you can find tips under "Sights on Elba" and "Most Beautiful Beaches on Elba".
Frequently asked questions about Pianosa Island
Is it possible to visit Pianosa Island?
Yes. Pianosa is accessible as a day trip by boat. The village and Cala Giovanna beach are freely accessible, but for the rest of the island you need an authorized park guide.
How do you get to Pianosa?
During the season, Aquavision sails daily from Marina di Campo on Elba (approx. 45 minutes) and from Piombino. Toremar sails once a week (Tuesdays) from Piombino via Rio Marina.
Is swimming allowed on Pianosa?
Yes, but only at Cala Giovanna beach near the village. All other coastal areas are closed to swimming.
Is Pianosa still a prison?
The high-security prison was closed in 1998. Today, only a few inmates on work release from the Porto Azzurro prison still work on the island.
What are the Bagni di Agrippa?
The remains of the baths at the villa of Agrippa Postumus, grandson of Emperor Augustus, who was exiled to Pianosa around 7 AD, are located near Cala Giovanna and can be visited with a guided tour.
