marina di campo
isola d'elba
Discover Marina di Campo and Elba Island

Elba Island: what to see, what to do

And where to fall in love with the region

You've just set foot on an island scented with rosemary and coloured with light sand, where nature rules the rhythm, the sea is ever-present and every corner hides a story. An island that welcomes you with its ancient legends, hilltop villages and secret coves. Its scenic roads always seem to lead to a more beautiful place and a more captivating adventure. Want to know the perfect starting point? Marina di Campo, in the heart of Elba. Don't waste any time, come and explore!

Marina di Campo – Where it all begins

It's the liveliest town on Elba's south coast, but it never loses its gentle soul. Marina di Campo is home to the longest golden sandy beach on the island, a gently sloping sea perfect for peaceful swims, a cool and welcoming pine forest, and a bustling yet never chaotic town center brimming with bars and shops. It's a convenient starting point for exploring the island of Elba, whether for excursions, boat trips or village tours. But it's also an easy place to love and hard to leave.

7 must-see beaches just a few minutes away

On Elba Island, the sea changes its appearance at every turn. A peaceful cove in the morning, a golden stretch in the afternoon, a pink sunset among the rocks. Surrounding Marina di Campo are some of the island's most enchanting beaches: getting there is easy, but you'll need days to visit them all.
And each time, you'll feel like you're discovering a new side of yourself.

Marina di Campo Beach

Light sand, calm sea, the scent of pine trees behind you. Marina di Campo beach is your daily piece of paradise: walk there barefoot, with your towel over your shoulder and a light heart. It's the place to kick off every day on the right foot.
  • Distance: 30 m
  • How to get there: on foot

Cavoli

Cavoli is Elba's summer beach, as well as the most photographed: a bright bay, sparkling sea and playful waves. Most popular among young people, it offers the perfect landscape for those who love wild beauty and southern light.
  • Distance: 6.5 km
  • How to get there: car, bicycle or motor scooter

Seccheto

One of Elba's most hidden gems: not far from Cavoli, but much quieter. Seccheto stands out for its simplicity, peacefulness and perfect harmony between nature and comfort.
  • Distance: 7.5 km
  • How to get there: car or motor scooter

Fetovaia

Fetovaia is a picture-perfect place. People who come here fall in love with it. With its gentle, sandy seabed, the sea boasts endless shades of colour, changing every hour. Surrounded by lush, vibrant nature, the landscape looks like something out of a painting. Its location keeps it sheltered from the wind.
  • Distance: 10 km
  • How to get there: car or motor scooter

Galenzana

Few people know about it, even fewer reach it: and that's exactly what makes it so special. Galenzana is ideal for those who love walking, then enjoying the silence, nature and calm sea away from the crowds. Here you feel like a welcome guest of nature.
  • Distance: 2 km
  • How to get there: on foot, via footpath

Fonza

You can get there by sea or by following a path, and when you arrive, it feels like you've discovered a secret corner of the world. That's Fonza: quiet, simple, beautiful. You stop there to listen to the waves, to read, to just be.
  • Distance from the campsite: 4.5 km
  • How to get there: on foot or by car (dirt road)

Laconella

Not far from the famous Lacona beach, Laconella is a quiet, hidden bay, wonderfully simple. Fine sand, calm sea, vegetation hugging the shore. To be discovered with respect.
  • Distance from the campsite: 8 km
  • How to get there: by car + short footpath

Paolina

Named after Paolina Bonaparte, Napoleon's sister, who loved to swim here. It's easy to see why: the beach is small and romantic, with a tiny island opposite that you can swim to. Pure magic.
  • Distance from the campsite: 16 km
  • How to get there: by car, then a short walk downhill

Among villages, fortresses and villas: the other soul of Elba

Some places are steeped in history, where the stones bear witness to ancient footsteps and the horizon opens up between towers, fortresses and red roofs. On Elba, you only need to climb a little, venture into its villages or reach a fortress to feel the island change pace. Discover sea-facing castles, alleys that whisper stories and natural terraces from which to admire everything in silence. Every stop here is a discovery.

Portoferraio

Portoferraio welcomes you with the bright reflections of its ramparts on the sea. The scent of sea salt, the sound of footsteps on stone, the sails swaying in the harbour. Walking through its historic center is like leafing through a book: every square, every rampart has something to say. This is where Napoleon left his mark.
  • Distance from Camping Ville degli Ulivi: 18 km
  • How to get there: by car or bus (about 30 minutes)

Villa dei Mulini (Napoleon's residence)

More than just a villa; it's a glimpse into one of the most fascinating chapters in Elba's history. Villa dei Mulini was Napoleon's official residence during his exile on the island. Strolling through its rooms, looking out from the gardens onto the sea, exploring the library and admiring the period objects... it's like stepping into his time, into his thoughts. An intimate, evocative place, which reveals the more human side of a legendary man.
  • Distance from Camping Ville degli Ulivi: approximately 18 km
  • Location: in the historic center of Portoferraio

Villa of San Martino

While Villa dei Mulini was his official residence, the emperor would retreat here to breathe, think and write. Today, in addition to the original furnishings, you can also visit the Demidoff Gallery, which is full of memorabilia and artworks linked to him. It's a place steeped in tranquillity and solitude, revealing the most private side of a great story.
  • Distance from Camping Ville degli Ulivi: 14 km
  • Location: just outside Portoferraio, towards Procchio

Volterraio Fortress

If you look at it from afar, it seems to be floating between the sky and the sea. The Volterraio Fortress is the oldest defensive building on the island, built on a rocky outcrop overlooking everything on Elba. From up there, the view is just amazing: you have the sea on one side and the mountains on the other.
  • Distance from Camping Ville degli Ulivi: approximately 24 km
  • Location: on the hills between Rio nell'Elba and Portoferraio

Rio nell’Elba

Small, cosy and authentic: Rio nell'Elba is one of the oldest villages on the island. Wandering through its narrow streets, past stone houses and centuries-old fountains, reveals a different, more intimate side to Elba, where memories of the mines coexist with the tranquillity of the mountains.
  • Distance from Camping Ville degli Ulivi: approximately 30 km
  • Location: eastern side of the island, inland

Marciana Marina

Marciana is one of the oldest gems on the Island of Elba. A stone village surrounded by mountains, with houses perched on the hillside and narrow streets that open up to surprising views. As you stroll among the arches and uphill streets, you can soak up the history, peace, and authenticity. Its high, panoramic location boasts breathtaking views of forests, sea, and sky all in one place.
  • Distance from Camping Ville degli Ulivi: approximately 23 km
  • Location: western side of Elba, at the foot of Monte Capanne