With 93 miles of unspoiled coastline, white sandy beaches, and fish-filled waters – you’d expect this tranquil island to be saturated with tourists. However, it’s remained a ‘relatively unknown haven’
A ‘relatively unknown haven’ with white sandy beaches and crystalline waters could easily compete with the Maldives – but is much closer to home. With 93 miles of stunning coastline, soaring cliffs and secluded coves – this EU island feels like it should be saturated with sun-worshipping tourists, but is often overshadowed by its big brother and sister.
We’re talking about Elba, the third biggest Italian island following the tourist hotspots of Sicily and Sardina. Despite only being 86 square miles, this idyllic destination is bursting with beauty and things to do, from lounging on the iconic Sansone Beach to snorkelling in the fish-filled sea.
Inland, the landscape of rugged cliffs and crashing waves melts away, and is replaced with green fields, fruit orchards and vineyards – as well as a slew of enchanting towns and villages. Here, you’ll be able to hike Capanne Mountain for some breathtaking views, or spend an evening wine tasting while watching the sunset.
“The sea in Elba is unlike anything I’d ever seen before: crystal clear water, bright white sand, and vast quantities of fish swimming in the shallows (who needs the Maldives!),” raved local Ella Rose Phillips. “The most important things to pack for a trip to Elba are goggles and a snorkel. The island is very hilly with plenty of dramatic cliffs with sunset views as well as gorgeous hilltop villages tucked away between the pines. Keep an eye out for the wild boar which roam the woods and can often be spotted trotting along the roads at night with piglets in tow.”
Of course, no trip to Elba is complete without visiting Napoleon Bonaparte’s residences. The French Emperor was exiled to the Island of Elba for around 10 months in 1814 – and visitors can now roam around The Villa dei Mulini and Villa San Martino.
Want the latest travel news and cheapest holiday deals sent straight to your inbox? Sign up to our Travel Newsletter
Getting to Elba can be a little tricky, which could be one of the main reasons why it’s not insanely popular already. Brits would first have to fly to Pisa – which takes just over two hours on average. Several major UK airports offer direct routes to the city, including Manchester, Luton and Stansted. If you’re flexible with dates, you can grab return flights for as little as £39 in March.
Once in Italy, you’ll need to make your way down to the Port of Piombino. This is around one hour and 15 minutes in a taxi, or one and a half hours if you choose to take a train. At the port, you’ll need to catch a one-hour ferry ride over to Elba, which runs several times a day, and costs around €30 for a return ticket.
While accommodation is limited on the island, compared to the likes of Sicily, there are a range of choices depending on your budget. A basic room at a three-star hotel will set you back £387 for a week in March (Monday 10 – 17) while a more upscale hotel will cost around £698 for the same dates.
*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.
What’s your favourite EU destination? Let us know in the comments section below