Elba is the third largest Italian island and the largest in the Tuscan Archipelago.
The island, Situated at 10 kilometres from the mainland, can be accessed by ferry or hydrofoil in one hour of navigation.
The island has a population of 35.000 divided into eight different towns, 12.000 alone residing at Portoferraio.
Besides the fact that her perimeter measures only 147 kilometres, Elba is capable of offering a mild climate and a multitude of diverse landscapes and scenery: romantic fishing villages, small towns on rocky hill-tops, ancient castles, green valleys and enchanting bays combined with sandy beaches.
Only minutes away from the steep cliffs that plunge into the crystal clear sea, the granite mountain, Monte Capanne rises to 1019 metres of altitude.
The ever present evidence of history and culture, combined with an extraordinary wealth of natural beauty, make this magical island unique.
Embracing an area that expands 600sq.km. between Livorno and the Argentario's promontory,within the National Park area are situated seven islands: Capraia, Elba, Giannutri, Giglio, Gorgona, Montecristo and Pianosa. Also included are the tiny rock formations known as the formiche (ants) di Grosseto and other tiny islands. The largest of the islands in the tuscan Archipelago is Elba (223,5 sq.kms.) and the smallest is Gorgona with an area of 2,23sq.kms. The island farthest from the coast is Montecristo which is located 68kms. from the coast. The closest of the islands are Elba and Capraia with only 34kms separating them.
Despite their reduced dimensions, the islands are each endowed with a vast variety of landscapes and scenery and despite their close proximity are each quite unique.Elba for example,boasts a divided and complex land structure where as the neighbouring Pianosa is entirely flat and the island of Montecristo is simular to a cone in formation. Along the sea shapen coastlines caves and inlets alternate with small beaches protected by wild promontories and colorful covers rock faces quashing reminders of the presence of man.
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