Excursion tips and sights on Elba

Elba is more than just beaches: the island boasts the Medici fortresses of Portoferraio, Napoleon's residences, a Roman villa, ancient mountain villages, iron ore mines, and the 1.019-meter-high Monte Capanne with its cable car. Here you'll find the best sights and destinations – with information on opening times and prices, where available.

Opening hours and admission information for 2026 at a glance

The main attractions with opening hours and prices. Many establishments on Elba are open seasonally; check the times before visiting, especially during the off-season.

point of interest	Location	Opening hours	Admission
Palazzina dei Mulini (Napoleon)	Portoferraio	Mon, Thurs 14–18:30 pm; Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun/Public Holiday 9–13:30 pm; Tues closed	€5 (€2 reduced), cash only
Villa San Martino (Napoleon)	San Martino near Portoferraio	Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun/holidays 9–13:30; Wed, Fri 13:30–17:30; Mon closed	€5 (€2 reduced price)
Strong Falcone	Portoferraio	June to November, daily 10–18:40	€5 (€3 reduced price)
Villa Romana delle Grotte	Portoferraio	April to October, otherwise by prior arrangement	Ask on site
Monte Capanne cable car	Marciana	Usually April to October; 2026 season starts in July	Round trip €20, children 4–10 years €10 (as of 2024)
Parco Minerario / Mineral Museum	Rio Marina	Museum open daily 9:30–12:30 and 15:30–18:30; tours from April to October by reservation	Train tour €16 (adults)
Volterraio Fortress	between Portoferraio and Rio	Guided hikes only with a park guide; evening openings in summer.	depending on the guide

Portoferraio: Fortresses, Napoleon and Romans

The Medici fortresses

In 1548, Cosimo I de' Medici founded the fortified city of Cosmopoli, today known as Portoferraio. The imposing walls, including the Stella and Falcone forts , are still standing and are best viewed from the water or the harbor. A stroll through the old town with its narrow, stepped streets leads to the bastions and viewpoints overlooking the bay.

You can visit Forte Falcone, located at the highest point of the old town: according to museionline, it is open daily from 10 AM to 18:40 PM from June to November (admission €5, concessions €3). From the bastions, you have a panoramic view of the harbor and the bay. Forte Stella, with its lighthouse, is right next door.

The Napoleon residences

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Napoleon lived on Elba for almost ten months in 1814/15. His town residence, the Palazzina dei Mulini, and his country estate, the Villa San Martino, are now state museums (admission €5 each, as of 2026). Detailed information on opening times, history, and background can be found on our page Napoleon on Elba.

Villa Romana delle Grotte

Across from the old town, on a headland at the bay of Portoferraio, lie the remains of a luxurious Roman villa from the end of the 1st century BC. It probably belonged to members of the powerful Valerii family and was researched by the University of Siena. From the villa's two levels, you enjoy a wide view of the gulf.

Nature and views

Monte Capanne and the cable car

Monte Capanne, at 1.019 meters, is Elba's highest mountain. On a clear day, you can see the islands of the archipelago and Corsica from the summit. The cable car from Marciana offers a comfortable ascent: in open, yellow wire baskets for two people, you'll glide from 18 meters to 375 meters in about 950 minutes; the final stretch to the summit is on foot. The cable car usually runs from April to October; in 2024, a round trip cost €20 (children aged 4-10 €10). In 2026, the season didn't start until July – check the current schedule before visiting. A head for heights is recommended.

Volterraio Fortress

The castle ruin towers at 395 m above sea level on a rocky peak above the bay of Portoferraio. The Etruscans already had a lookout post here, but the fortress received its present form at the end of the 13th century under Pisa. According to the info point of the national park, guided hikes are offered (approx. 2 hours), and in summer the fortress is also open in the early evening with a park guide on site. Sturdy shoes are mandatory.

Hiking on Elba

A large part of Elba belongs to the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. A well-marked network of trails leads across the granite mountains in the west, to pilgrimage churches such as the Madonna del Monte above Marciana, and through the hills in the east. The best time for hiking is spring and autumn – in the height of summer, the trails without shade become very hot.

Mountain villages and mining

Marciana and Poggio

Marciana is one of the oldest villages on the island and lies high above the sea on the slopes of Monte Capanne. The Fortezza Pisana towers above the village; its narrow streets and staircases are perfect for strolling. The cable car to Monte Capanne also departs from here. The neighboring village of Poggio is similarly picturesque.

Capoliveri

The mountain village in the south is known for its narrow, arched streets and its lively piazza overlooking the sea. Iron ore was once mined around Monte Calamita. You can find more information about Capoliveri and the other villages in our guide to the most beautiful places on Elba.

Parco Minerario in Rio Marina

For millennia, Elba was famous for its iron ore. Tours in the Rio Marina Mining Park depart from the Mineral Museum: one by small train through the old open-cast mines, where you can collect minerals yourself, and the other by off-road vehicle. According to infoelba, the train tour costs €16 (adults); tours run from April to October by reservation. The reddish lake "Le Conche" near Rio Albano is particularly photogenic.

Those interested in minerals will find a second museum in the west: The Museo Minéralogico “Luigi Celleri” in San Piero in Campo (municipality of Campo nell'Elba) displays minerals and gemstones from the island. It's best to check the opening times in advance.

Porto Azzurro

The harbour town in the east is overlooked by the Forte San Giacomo fortress from the 17th century, which still serves as a prison today. Below lie the old fishing quarter and the harbour square – ideal for an evening stroll.

Excursions from Elba

• Pianosa: The flat former prison island, accessible by boat from Marina di Campo – more information at Pianosa Island.
• Montecristo: Strictly protected, only on a few dates with a park guide, departure from Piombino with a stop in Porto Azzurro – see Montecristo Island.
• Whales and dolphins: In summer, the national park offers whale watching tours from Marina di Campo – see Whales and dolphins in Tuscany.
• Capraia: the wild volcanic island north of Elba – see Capraia Island.

You can find bathing coves for breaks between excursions at the most beautiful beaches of Elba ; everything about the crossing when arriving in Elba.

Tours & Excursions

• Boat trips around Elba – guided boat tours, for example to the wreck of the Pomonte, to the Gemini Islands or by catamaran from Portoferraio.
• Tours from Portoferraio – Snorkelling tours in the marine protected area, stand-up paddling at Capo d'Enfola and island tours.
• All tours and activities on Elba – from kayak and e-bike tours to excursions to the mountain villages.

Frequently asked questions about tourist attractions on Elba