Portoferraio is an alluring coastal destination on the island of Elba, surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea and blessed with pristine white-sand beaches. Along with granting easy access to a sprawling national park, Portoferraio has distinct 16th-century architecture around its port and exceptional seafood restaurants.

Things to do

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches in Portoferraio, which boasts the photogenic Padulella Beach with its multi-hued water and white sand. You can also relax in umbrellaed loungers at The Gravel Beach or enjoy excellent snorkelling conditions at Spiaggia di Capo Bianco. Head to the Beach Of Samson for waterside camping, boat tours and calm azure water.

Discover more about the region’s rich history at the Museo Nazionale Residenze Napoleoniche dell'Elba, which boasts vintage furnishings and paintings in a historic manor. Don’t miss seeing the centuries-old Forte Stella lighthouse or the Forte Falcone. The latter is a seaside fortress built between the 16th and 18th centuries and is blessed with panoramic sea views.

You’ll find numerous pizza restaurants in Portoferraio, such as Pizzeria Trattoria da Emilio and L'ombelico Del Mondo. Both are near Gelateria Lollypop, where you can pick up some ice cream for dessert. Don’t forget to browse the surrounding boutiques, such as Magi or Mary Poppins.

Looking for some lively nightlife? Head to Bar Kursaal for excellent cocktails or Bar Elba for a glass of beer or wine. If you want to cook some seafood at your accommodation, pick up fresh fish and crustaceans from Pescheria Del Porto.

Getting around

Portoferraio is best reached by catching a ferry from Piombino on the mainland, which takes just over 1.5 hours. You’ll need a car to explore the entire island, but you can cover most of the town on foot. You can catch buses to some towns or hire a car or scooter.