Top Rated Attracties in Portoferraio

It was only through Napoleon that the town which was founded by Cosimo I de Medici as 'Cosmopoli' became the capital of the island of Elba. He chose to reside here during his exile. The name of the town and harbour 'porto' refers to the iron 'ferro' that was mined here for a long time.

Elba is the biggest island among the islands in Tuscany, Italy made from old rock which was once part of the prehistoric Tethyan sea when continents were still one mass called Pangea. The island is criss-crossed by many rivers and, as part of the Archipelago Toscano National Park, is rich in flora and fauna. The island has been inhabited since ancient times by the Ilvati tribe of the Ligures people. Since then the island has passed trough the hands of the Greek, Romans, Etruscans, Venetians and other rulers and show signs of this rich and varied heritage. Today it is quite a popular spot for tourists and is known for the wine produced here. Several bike paths and trails makes it easy to explore the island.

The Arcipelago Toscano National Park protects the islands of Elba, Isola del Giglio, Capraia, Montecristo, Pianosa, Giannutri and Gorgona, as well as the several rocks and islets of the Tuscan Archipelago. The park encompasses 56,766 hectares of sea and 17,887 hectares of land, earning it the title of Italy's largest marine park. Each island is spectacularly different from the others, together presenting a vibrant collage of ecosystems that range from wooded terrain awash in blooms to stark, rocky outcrops carved by the elements. While the islands sustain disparate plants and birds, the waters of this stretch of the Mediterranean are home to multitudes of marine species including dolphins, groupers and moonfish. From sun-dappled beaches to grottoes and caves, the Arcipelago Toscano National Park is a medley of natural wonders.