ELBA ISLAND BY MOTORBIKE: 3 DAY ITINERARY

THE ISLAND WHERE NAPOLEON WAS EXILED IS 27 KM LONG, 8 KM WIDE AND OFFERS 224 SQUARE KM OF BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPES: BEACHES, SMALL BAYS AND COVES, BUT ALSO VINEYARDS AND OLIVE GROVES.THERE ARE NOT MANY PAVED ROADS BUT A MOTORCYCLE ITINERARY ON THE ELBA ISLAND IS AN EXPERIENCE YOU CAN’T MISS OUT. 

• Route difficulty 70%  
• Nature 90%  
• History and Art 40%  

130 KILOMETERS

+4 hours ESTIMATED TIME

DAY 1 PIOMBINO — PORTOFERRAIO

After arriving by ferry from Piombino, you can start the itinerary from Portoferraio (click here to find timetables and book the ferry). Even if you are travelling on a motorcycle, the tip is to stop by the town of Portoferraio. Full of historical monuments, Portoferraio offers amazing views and picture-postcard landscapes. The places to visit:

• the Medici Fortresses; 
• the Italo Bolano Open Air Museum (a park-museum created by local artist Italo Bolano); 
• the Church of the Nativity. 

And then you can wander the alleys that wind through the houses of the old town center, ancient palaces and noble villas, among a thriving nature. Another interesting place to visit is the Palazzina dei Mulini, which is located right on the panoramic promontory between Forte Falcone and Forte Stella, which was Napoleon’s main residence. The old mills were replaced by a structure that recalls the lines and the general aspect of the French court. Inside there are many ancient relics and furniture that belonged to the great emperor, but also an important library that Napoleon donated to the city of Portoferraio (beautiful the works of Voltaire, La Fontaine and Plutarch, which are jealously guarded).

If you want to dive into the crystal clear sea on the first day, the most beautiful beaches are:

• Spiaggia di Sansone: a half-moon beach of white pebbles; 
• Spiaggia di Padulella: a small stretch of white sand surrounded by cliffs. The shades of the sea are enchanting. 
• Cala dei Frati: between the Scoglietto of Portoferraio (a small island) and the Medici Fortresses. A sheltered beach where you can relax with the gentle sound of the waves. 
• Spiaggia delle Ghiaie: its white cliffs attracted the attention of Jason and the Argonauts who could not resist the call of the white pebble beach that was called Argo like their ship. In this area you can find many diving centers that offer a great opportunity to dive and enjoy the beauty of a unique seabed. Please note that Spiaggia delle Ghiaie is now a marine nature reserve. 
• Enfola and Scagliere: two small sand jewels. 

In the evening you can have dinner in one of the town’s restaurants and pubs, perhaps on the waterfront. Even when it comes to sleeping, you’re spoiled for choice: many accommodations throughout the Elba Island offer a motorbike parking included.

DAY 2: PORTOFERRAIO — POGGIO

We’re off to the eastern side of the island, towards Rio nell’Elba. You’ll pass by Ottone where you can enjoy its streets full of mountain-like turns with great views of the sea. You can take a short detour to Bagnaia, where the Volterraio Castle is located on top of a 400m cliff. You can reach the castle on foot along a steep path. It is worth visiting especially for the spectacular view of the Gulf of Portoferraio.

You’ll reach then Rio nell’Elba, one of the oldest villages on the island, famous for its iron mines that date back to the Etruscan age. It is an ideal place for tourists who are looking for quietness. Heading towards Cavo, along the road called “La Parata”, you will find the remains of an ancient town, Grassera, which was completely destroyed. Let’s go back to Porto Azzurro, where the island’s social life is. Here you can find many beaches including Barbarossa, easy to reach by motorcycle, and Terranera, beautiful and unspoiled but with no services.

Let’s then head towards Lacona: we leave the seaside for a short time to get inside the island and find this place. The streets are narrow and full of turns that need attention in summer, due to the constant traffic, especially between Sant’Ilario in Campo, Poggio and Marciana, approximately 15 km of slopes and tough climbs. After that, you can visit the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, where Monte Capanne, with its 1.019 m, towers overs the island. You will then arrive in Poggio, a small mountain village nestled in the chestnut woods which are typical of this side of the Elba Island. 

DAY 3: POGGIO — PORTOFERRAIO

From Poggio you can go drive southwards along the coast and pass the villages of Zanca, Colle d’Orano and Chiessi up to Pomonte, one of the wildest places of the island. Within 1 kilometer there are three small beaches:

• Le Scalette: you will find it at the end of the road that leads from the village church to the sea. 
• On the left, crossing a bridge, there are two more beaches: Relitto and Ogliera, which are famous because the wreck of the Elviscot, a merchant ship sunk in the 70s, lies a few meters from the shore under the homonymous rock of the Ogliera. 

You can continue along the coast passing Fetovaia and Cavoli, with their beautiful wild beaches and extraordinary views. After that, you can have a quick stop in Marina di Campo. When you cross the narrowest point of the Elba island you will enjoy turns and beautiful views until you arrive back in Portoferraio.