Elba Island Travel Podcast: Why We Want to Go Back
Elba is a small island off the coast of Tuscany, about a 45-minute ferry ride from the mainland, and it ended up being one of our favorite beach trips in Italy. In this Elba Island travel podcast, we talk about the week we spent there, the beaches we kept seeking out, the towns we explored and why the island feels so different from places like Sardinia or the Amalfi Coast.
What we loved most was the variety. Elba has dozens of beaches, and two beaches only a short drive apart can feel completely different. Some are easy to reach, while others mean parking wherever you can and hiking down to the water.
Our Week on Elba
We stayed in Rio nell’Elba, in a small hilltop village that was nowhere near the beach but gave us easy access to hiking trails and incredible views over the island. It was quiet, local and definitely not the kind of place where everything was built around visitors.
Having a car made a huge difference. Elba is small enough that we could drive to a completely different part of the island, spend a few hours at a beach and still be back before dinner. That freedom is a big part of why we enjoyed it so much.
The Beaches
The beaches are the real reason we would go back.
We visited well over a dozen during the week, from clear pebble beaches to more rugged spots that required a hike. Spiaggia di Cavoli was one of the standouts, and another favorite was reached by parking above the coast and walking down to the water. We also took a boat trip to coves and a shipwreck site. Elba’s clear Mediterranean water made swimming and snorkeling a huge part of the trip, even if the occasional jellyfish added a little drama.
More Than a Beach Trip
Elba also has plenty to do away from the water.
We visited the old mineral mines near Porto Azzurro, where you can explore the site and crack open rocks looking for crystals. We also toured Napoleon’s residence above Portoferraio. He was exiled to Elba in 1814 and spent about ten months on the island, and the house and gardens make for an easy break from the beaches.
Is Elba Right for You?
Elba is not the Italian beach destination we would choose if we wanted a polished resort, the same lounge chair every day and everything within a few steps.
It is better for someone who likes exploring, driving around, hiking to beaches and seeing where the day takes them. That is exactly why we loved it.
Planning a Trip to Italy?
If you’re planning your own Italian trip, these guides can help you go deeper:
Tuscany Travel Guide → explore more of mainland Tuscany
Italy Travel Guide → start planning the rest of your Italy trip
Corsica Travel Guide → another Mediterranean island we’ve spent time exploring
If you enjoyed this episode, follow The GetawayZ Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for more of our European travel stories and advice.