Vacation on the Treasure Island: 10 Insider Tips for Elba

Small island, big treasure: The Tuscan island of Elba is full of secrets. There's no mass tourism here, but instead, authentic and honest experiences. Here are ten insider tips for Elba off the beaten path.

Just ten kilometers from the Italian mainland, the island of Elba floats like a small treasure in the Mediterranean. Elba is part of Tuscany and the Tuscan Archipelago. The island's maximum length from east to west is 27 kilometers, and the distance between the north and south coasts is only 18 kilometers. Elba is small, but the density of experiences is great. Here are ten secret tips you must explore on the treasure island Elba.

High on a cliff, dozens of silhouettes appear like small dots against the setting sun. One turn on the coastal road from Lacona toward Capoliveri, and the destination is reached: The Acquarilli Clifftop Bar towers above the sea and is the spectacular spot for a sundowner on the island of Elba.

The atmosphere is unique: On the cliff, among wild-growing greenery and lush cacti, are numerous chairs, lounge seats, and benches. A converted trailer serves drinks, and chill-out music plays from speakers. The Acquarilli Bar is the coolest place on Elba to marvel at the sunset with an ice-cold spritz. From the cliff, there is a breathtaking panoramic view of the coast.

In the south of the island, there is one of the longest beaches: Lacona Beach is 1200 meters long and stretches like a broad arc in the gulf of the same name. Those who swim here or stroll through the fine sand can see Montecristo Island, made famous by Alexandre Dumas's novel 'The Count of Monte Cristo.' The small island is uninhabited and under strict nature protection.

Located on Lacona Beach is the family-run campground 'Camping Valle Santa Maria', offering not only pitches but also apartments-and a superlative: It is the first campground on Elba awarded with the European Eco-Label. Gabriele, who runs the campground in the second generation, emphasizes sustainability.

A marine biologist is regularly on-site to assess water quality, the beach is cleaned every morning, and solar panels reduce CO2 emissions. The Miramar Bistro, perched on stilts over the beach, is a meeting point not just for campground guests. Here you can enjoy pizza, pasta, and fish, accompanied by the sound of the sea. Tip for hot days: try a 'Caffè Shakerato,' a shaken coffee.

Mass tourism is a foreign concept on Elba. There are no large hotel or restaurant chains, nor the usual outlets of international fashion brands. For shopping, you'll only find small shops that sell regional and Italian products. Capoliveri is an insider tip for a shopping tour.

The clustered little town stands 167 meters above the sea on a hilltop at the slope of Monte Calamita. The historic city center is famous for its medieval flair. In the narrow streets, you will find many 'Chiassi.' These are archways where small artisan shops and eateries are hidden. So it goes from door to door and shop to shop. Everyone finds something here. From Italian leather handbags to jewelry from local designers to culinary souvenirs from the island, everything is available.

Speaking of culinary delights: To discover the authentic taste of the island, Capoliveri is the place to be. In 2019, Andrea and Cristina opened their 'Elba Kitchen Club': the first amateur cooking school on the island. Participants cook a complete menu. Nothing is pre-cut, pre-cooked, or pre-prepared. The products used come from the island's various farms, markets, and nearby groceries.

Different menus are cooked depending on the program: from the traditional Elban, Tuscan, and Italian cuisine to international cuisine with Spanish, Japanese, or Mexican elements. Under the coordination of Andrea and Cristina, cooking is done as a team and, of course, the menu is also eaten together. Participants will meet locals, as Andrea and Cristina aimed not only to cook with tourists but also with Elban residents.

The road leads over bumpy paths into the hinterland, and then La Finca is reached. Amidst a lush green garden, a bonfire glows, casting a warm light on an arbor and several set wooden tables. At the fire stands Luigi, who runs La Finca with his wife Mary. He holds a wheel of Caciocavallo cheese to the flames until it melts, then spreads it on toasted, freshly baked bread.

La Finca is hidden in the interior of Elba and considered a well-kept secret. To dine at Luigi and Mary's, call or text via Whatsapp (+39 340 862 22 86). They offer slow food in an intimate setting: a maximum of 20 people can sit at the long outdoor table. You can choose between fish, meat, or vegetarian options. Ingredients are sourced from their garden and regional suppliers. In a small shop, you can buy their products: honey, olive oil, wine, fruits, or vegetables.

The routes on Elba are short, so the sea always seems just around the corner. For the most beautiful panoramic views of the coast, it is worth putting on hiking boots and exploring the island's ridges. If you wish, you can even hike across all of Elba: on the 'Grande Traversata Elbana,' or GTE, developed around 30 years ago.

The route is 60 to 65 kilometers long, crossing the hills and mountains of the island's interior from Cavo in the far east to Pomonte or Patresi in the southwest. There is a fair amount of elevation, as the stages always start at sea level. This makes it possible to walk just individual sections. The first stage, from Portoferraio to Porto Azzurro, is considered an insider tip. This route offers the most beautiful panoramic views of the island!

Marciana doubles up on Elba: first as the medieval town of Marciana at 375 meters altitude, and second as the coastal town of Marciana Marina directly by the sea. Marciana is built on the slopes of Monte Capanne and is among the oldest municipalities on the island. Its historic old town, with narrow, terrace-like streets, is particularly worth seeing, with many paths leading up and down stairs.

Marciana Marina is the island's smallest municipality at just five square kilometers and is also one of the quietest. An insider tip in the coastal town is the Gelateria La Svolta, reputed for having the best ice cream on Elba. Only high-quality ingredients are used: Elban fruits, Piedmontese hazelnuts, Sicilian almonds. The flavors are changed regularly and are creative: from chili pepper ice cream to lemon buttermilk and 'Precario' (a mix of pear, milk, almonds, honey, Pecorino).

Tourism and authenticity often go hand in hand on Elba. The vacation spot Marina di Campo is the best example of this. Once a small fishing village that arose on marshland and discovered tourism from the 1950s onwards, many visitors now come to bathe at the island's longest beach or enjoy the many restaurants, bars, and discos.

However, Marina di Campo has also retained its original charm. The oldest part of the coastal town is by the small harbor, where several restaurants are on the piers. An insider tip is the Bar Il Veliero. Locals meet here in the morning for an espresso and a chat. As a visitor, you are warmly welcomed-and you'll quickly find yourself in conversation, perhaps learning some insider tips.

Marina di Campo is also home to the island's most famous company. Locman was founded on Elba in 1986 and is globally renowned for its watchmaking. The name derives from the founders' initials, Locci and Mantovani. The watches are handmade and entirely produced in Italy. The company has remained true to its principles: it has consistently declined offers to sell to luxury companies like Louis Vuitton.

Equally intriguing is the story of Acqua dell'Elba, where the island's scent has become a bestseller. The perfume manufacturer was founded in 2001, and today there are 19 outlets on Elba dedicated to the island's aroma. The company's heart is in the lab at Marciana Marina, where the first Acqua dell'Elba shop was established. They offer various essences, with the most popular being the unisex fragrance 'Classico'-the company's first perfume-and the cactus fig room fragrance.

A quiet side of Elba can be found on the southeastern coast on Calamita Peninsula. Here, tourism and authenticity meet. The area is famed for its mines and the largest magnetite deposit in Europe, which is why many visitors come to see the peninsula. However, this region is also part of the Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago Toscano and is protected by UNESCO due to its diversity and abundance of minerals, making the peninsula particularly serene and untouched.

The iron from the mines significantly shapes the island's mining history. Traces of ore extraction are visible across the peninsula. The centerpiece is Monte Calamita. The name means 'magnet mountain.' It was said that the influence was so strong in earlier times that ships were pulled off course due to its magnetic pull. Since mining operations ceased, Calamita has been left to nature, with Mediterranean plants overgrowing it.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations at bettercities.net.