Portoferraio
Logo of the municipality Portoferraio

Municipality of (en)Portoferraio

Portoferraio Tourist information

Neighbouring Municipalities: Marciana, Campo nell'Elba, Rio nell'Elba, Capoliveri, Porto Azzurro
Zip Code: 57037 Area code: (0565)
Fractions: Acquaviva, Biodola, Magazzini, San Giovanni, San Martino, Scaglieri, Schiopparello, Valle di Lazzaro, Viticcio, Volterraio, Isola di Montecristo
Country: Italy ­ Region: Tuscany ­ Province: Livorno (LI) – Tuscan Archipelago
Inhabitants: 12136 (portoferraiesi)
Density: 255 ab/kmq
Altitude: Max 645 m - Min 0 m
Altitude Range: 645 m
Surface: 47,46 Kmq
Latitude: 42°48'45"00 N
Longitude: 10°18'56"16 E
Decimal Degrees: 42,8125; 10,3156
Locator (WWL): JN52DT
Day Degree: 1025
Climatic zone (a): C
Starting Thermal Plants: 10 hours a day from November 15 to March 31.
Seismic Classification: very low seismicity
ISTAT code: 049014
Land Registry: G912
Patron Saint: San Cristino
Festive Day: April 29

Portoferraio is a small town with a lot of history, located upon a spur of rocks and surrounded by the Fortezza Medicea (Medici Fortress). With its “Natural” port, Portoferraio is considered the county seat of Elba Island, and the main site of most of the offices and public services of the island.

It is also the main communication centre thanks to a great number of daily naval connections with the port of Piombino. Here many tourists come every day in search of a memorable holiday.

The town still preserves the memory of the Medici renaming it as Cosmopoli in 1548, in honor of Cosimo de’ Medici, who rebuilt and fortifies the city destroyed by the Saracens.

From the architect's plans Giovambattista Bellucci and Giovanni Camerini, were built Forte Falcone, Forte Stella (recognizable from  the lighthouse) and Torre della Linguella (at the entrance of the harbor) in order to defend and protect the citizen’s safety from the frequent attacks by pirates.

Once you get to Portoferraio with the ferry, you will see the great Medici fortifications dominating over the Bay.

Beautiful is also the promenade leading from the tourist port to the inside walls of the old town, especially during the evening when the road is closed to vehicles and you can easily go for shopping.

Portoferraio looks like an attractive place to visit, thanks to its historic center, characterized by narrow streets behind the harbor, Piazza Cavour and Piazza della Repubblica, old buildings used as shops and restaurants on the ground floor and as residences with flowered balconies on the upper floors.

From the old town of Portoferraio some narrow streets and panoramic squares climb up to reach the Medici fortifications and Napoleon’s residence Villa dei Mulini situated on the top of Portoferraio.

Portoferraio was until not long ago the centre of iron and steel industry, then it was dismantled following the bombing of World War II. Although the town did not develop much in terms of tourism, it managed to preserves itself over the years.

The other historic aspect related to Portoferraio is linked to the presence of the emperor Napoleon Bonaparte who stayed there from May 3, 1814 to February 26, 1815, leaving important evidences (180 000 in the world,including many in Elba Island). During his “299”days stay, he had to settle for a 8000 hectares field where he built his residences Villa dei Munlini and Villa San Martino.

The municipal territory of Portoferraio offers very beautiful traits of coast with fascinating tourist locations and uncontaminated beaches.

First of all the part of coast extending from the urban beach of Le Ghiaie until the promontory of Enfola: a white tall cliff characterized by many little coves and bays with crystal clear sea.

The promontory of Enfola looks like a green hill joined to the rest of the island by a narrow strip about few metres long. Here we also see a Marfaraggio, the ground structure of a tuna fishing net (today headquarters of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park), to remind us the profound vocation of this area to tuna fishing until a few years ago.

There are many beach resorts and residential areas within the municipality of Portoferraio. The most important and furnished ones to accommodate tourists are Viticcio, Biodola, Magazzini, Enfola, San Giovanni, Concia di Terra, San Martino, Scaglieri, Forno and Carpani.


Friday outdoors market from 8:00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

The most important events in the town of Portoferraio are:

  • April 29 San Cristino - patron saint of Portoferraio
  • May International  European Market
  • End June Marelba Ghiaie beach in Portoferraio
  • July Fish Festival in Loc. Enfola
  • Late August Sbaracco in Portoferraio
  • September International Festival (Elba Musical Island of Europe)
  • December 31 New Year's Eve in Piazza in Portoferraio

District of Portoferraio

There are important tourist locations and beach resorts withIn the municipality of Portoferraio. There are in fact fully furnished tourist facilities,  such as Hotels, Bed & Breakfast, Agritourisms, Campsites and Apartments which are ideal to spend your holiday.

Among these places we recall: La Biodola, Il Viticco, Enfola, I Magazzini, San Giovanni, San Martino and Acquabona.


San Giovanni

The location of San Giovanni is to be found along the provincial road connecting Portoferraio to Capoliveri and Porto...

Enfola

Enfola is a seaside resort within the municipality of Portoferraio, located on the northern coast of Elba. Accessible...

Biodola

Biodola is a popular and sought-after tourist location and beach resort of Elba Island.Biodola belongs administrative...

Viticcio

The tourist and seaside location of Viticcio is immersed in the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and it is known with...

Acquabona

The location of Acquabona is in Elba and administratively belongs to the municipality of Portoferraio which is about ...

Carpani

Carpani is an exclusively residential location, thus not a tourist destination and it is located just outside the doo...

Magazzini

Magazzini is a small fraction within the municipality of Portoferraio. The location of Magazzini, which has developed...

Ottone

The tourist resort of Ottone is characterized by the presence of one of the most luxurious hotels of Elba Island. The...

Schiopparello

The location of Schiopparello is about 4km away from the town of Portoferraio to which it belongs administratively. I...

Beaches from Portoferraio

The municipality of Portoferraio extends on the northern side of the island along its 24.5 km long coast.

Its coastline is almost entirely accessible by land, that is why many beaches are easy to reach, although there are not many possibilities of parking and you have to leave your car parked along the road.

The coast of Portoferraio is often characterized by white pebbles beaches and by a high coast surrounded by the Mediterranean maquis.  The morphology of this coastal stretch, makes the water particularly crystalline because of alternating stretches of gravel, sand and seaweeds seabeds.

The beaches belonging to the town of Portoferraio, are in fact characterized by a transparent water with shades of green cobalt. The main beaches stretch along the north-western coast and among all we remember the sandy beach of Biodola, with its wonderful gulf which also contains the beaches of Forno and Scaglieri.

One of the most famous and popular beaches also because of its proximity to the town center is Le Ghiaie beach, characterized by white pebbles with overlooking Scoglietto.

Among the various beaches we suggest to visit: Enfola beach, the beach of Viticcio, the beach of Magazzini, Schiopparello Beach, the lovely beach of Sansone and the wonderful beaches of Capobianco and Padulella.

Biodola beach

Biodola beach

Wide equipped beach with sand.
Features: suitable for children and disabled people.

Scaglieri beach

Scaglieri beach

Small sandy beach suitable for children.
Features: partly equipped with facilities.

Forno beach

Forno beach

Small equipped beach with sand.
Features: suitable for children.

Viticcio beach

Viticcio beach

Wild gravelly beach with cliffs.
Features: series of small beaches nearby.

Enfola beach

Enfola beach

Two gravelly beaches on the Northern Coast.
Features: located on the peninsula of Capo d'Enfola.

Sansone beach

Sansone beach

Wonderful pebbly beach.
Features: clear waters and pristine.

Sorgente beach

Sorgente beach

Beautiful white pebbly beach.
Features: clear and pristine waters.

Acquaviva beach

Acquaviva beach

Beach without services close to Portoferraio.
Features: fine gravel mixed with pebbles.

Seccione beach

Seccione beach

Wild beach near Portoferraio.
Features: fine sand mixed with gravel.

Sottobomba beach

Sottobomba beach

Wild beach near Portoferraio.
Features: white gravel.

Capobianco beach

Capobianco beach

Lovely beach near Portoferraio.
Features: white gravels and crystal clear water.

Padulella beach

Padulella beach

Equipped beach close to Portoferraio.
Features: white gravel and crystal clear water.

Cala dei Frati beach

Cala dei Frati beach

Small Cove close to Portoferraio.
Features: white pebbles - no services.

Ghiaie beach

Ghiaie beach

Beautiful beach in Portoferraio.
Features: white gravels - with services.

Le Viste beach

Le Viste beach

Secluded beach with some services.
Features: sand and pebbles.

Grigolo beach

Grigolo beach

Quiet beach in Portoferraio.
Features: gravelly beach.

San Giovanni beach

San Giovanni beach

Wild beach ideal for dogsFeatures: pebbly and sandy--INTRO- Beach gravel mixed with sand, in the municipality of Por...
Prade beach

Prade beach

Wild beach ideal for dogs.
Features: sand and gravel.

Schiopparello beach

Schiopparello beach

Shaded beach with some services.
Features: fine sand.

Magazzini beach

Magazzini beach

Shaded beach with services.
Features: sand and gravels.

Ottone beach

Ottone beach

Narrow and long beach.
Features: sand and gravels.

Points of interest Portoferraio

The Municipality of Portoferraio retains the biggest historical and artistic heritage in Elba. There are many interesting things to see from the Napoleonic residences of Villa dei Mulini and Villa San Martino to the Fortezze Medicee. Other important things to visit are:The Vigilanti Theatre, the Duomo, The Church of Misericordia, the cultural centre De Laugier and the Pinacoteca Foresiana (Foresiana Art Gallery), The Palace of the Municipality,Villa Romana delle Grotte, the Church of Santo Stefano, The Linguella Tower and the Archeological Museum.

Museums

Open Air Museum of Italo Bolano

Open Air Museum of Italo Bolano

The Museum was designed by the Elban artist Italo Bolano, was made in 1965 and includes thirty important monuments in...
Villa Napoleon San Martino

Villa Napoleon San Martino

Villa San Martino is located in Portoferraio and it is the Napoleonic Residences National Museum on Elba together wit...
Napoleon’s windmill villa

Napoleon’s windmill villa

Windmill villa was built in 1724 and refurbished by Napoleon in 1814, and it’s located in Portoferraio town.
Museo Archeologico della Linguella

Museo Archeologico della Linguella

The Linguella Civic and Archeological Museum is located inside the Medici Fortress of Linguella in Portoferraio.
Museum of napoleonic relics

Museum of napoleonic relics

Small museum next to Chiesa della Misericordia in Portoferraio
Pinacoteca Foresiana

Pinacoteca Foresiana

It houses the Elban intellectual Mario Foresi’s art private collection, given to Portoferraio.
Foresiana Library

Foresiana Library

It houses more than 20.000 books, including those donated by Napoleon and by the intellectual Mario Foresi to Portofe...

Cinema and Theatre

Vigilanti Theater

Vigilanti Theater

The Vigilanti Theatre is in Portoferraio and hosts many important theatrical shows and has a rich schedule.

Getting around by Bus

Shuttle Bus in Portoferraio

Shuttle Bus in Portoferraio

Free summer shuttle bus between the town center of Portoferraio and the harbor.

Geography of Elba

La Costa Verde

La Costa Verde

Five kilometres of unspoiled coast ideal for a relaxing holiday.

Diving

The Scoglietto

The Scoglietto

News/curiosities and information on Scoglietto’s underwater pathway at Porteferraio--INRO--Lo Scoglietto is a l...

Monuments

Volterraio Castle

Volterraio Castle

Suggestive place, the castle lays down on Volterraio Mount and from its panoramic position overlooks and controls Por...
Linguella villa

Linguella villa

Remains of an ancient Roman villa stood between the I century BC and the III century AD at the entrance to the port o...
Linguella Tower

Linguella Tower

Also known as a Martello Tower is recognizable for its octagonal shape that dominates the entrance to the port of Por...
Villa delle Grotte

Villa delle Grotte

First century BC Roman luxury villa dominating the gulf of Portoferraio --
INTRO-- The Roman villa of the Grottos...
De’ Medici fortresses

De’ Medici fortresses

Wanted by Cosimo I de Medici, embracing the entire city of Portoferraio with its bastions.
Fort Falcone

Fort Falcone

Impressive De’ Medici fortification that dominates the historic center of Portoferraio.
Fort Stella

Fort Stella

With star-shaped plant, it is located above the ancient city of Portoferraio and is one of three main structures of D...
English Fort

English Fort

Wanted by Cosimo III, it was built in 1700 and during his troubled history various names have been assigned.
Biscuit Palace

Biscuit Palace

Built at the request ofKing Cosimo I, today it is the seat of Town Hall of Portoferraio.
Galleass of  dockyard

Galleass of dockyard

Wanted by Cosimo de' Medici, currently hosts the covered indoor market of Portoferraio.
De Laugier Barracks

De Laugier Barracks

Built in 1562 by Cosimo I de' Medici now Culture and Congress Centre

Walks

White Beaches

White Beaches

Path from the centre of Portoferraio to the white beaches up to the famous Capo Bianco.--INTRODUCTION--White beachesA...
Viticcio - Biodola

Viticcio - Biodola

Walk through the Mediterranean forest on the coast of Portoferraio.--INTRODUCTION--Approximately 5.0 km itinerary- Mi...
Portoferraio Center

Portoferraio Center

Walk through the historical center of Portoferraio between forts and monuments.--INTRODUCTION-- Approximately 2....
Botanical Garden - Ottone

Botanical Garden - Ottone

Easy and interesting itinerary through the Botanical Garden and the Ottone beach.--INTRODUCTION--About 2 km itinerary...

Places of worship at Elba

Portoferraio Duomo

Portoferraio Duomo

It dates back to the Medici family period. It was built thanks to Cosimo I and it is in Portoferraio city center.
Mercy Church

Mercy Church

It was built in 1677 and there are Saint Cristino (patron of Portoferraio) relics.
Blessed Sacrament Church

Blessed Sacrament Church

It is a 1568 church consecrated to Saint Mary of the Assumption and it is in Portoferraio city center.
Saint Stephen Church in Trane

Saint Stephen Church in Trane

Ancient Romanesque church in Portoferraio. It is consecrated and there are church services. 

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