Best of European Union » tuscan archipelago http://www.best-of-european-union.eu Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Portoferraio – the largest and capital city of the Italian island of Elba http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2011/04/10/portoferraio-the-largest-and-capital-city-of-the-italian-island-of-elba/ http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2011/04/10/portoferraio-the-largest-and-capital-city-of-the-italian-island-of-elba/#comments Sun, 10 Apr 2011 14:47:28 +0000 Julius http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/?p=2819 Portoferraio is the largest and capital city of the Italian island of Elba. It lies on the northern coast of the island, about 25km from the mainland. In 2010 it has about 12,000 inhabitants. There is a large port and many monuments from the 16th century. The old port was already used by Etruscans. At […]

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]]> Portoferraio is the largest and capital city of the Italian island of Elba. It lies on the northern coast of the island, about 25km from the mainland. In 2010 it has about 12,000 inhabitants. There is a large port and many monuments from the 16th century. The old port was already used by Etruscans. At the modern waterfront you can visit any of the restaurants, cafes and pizzerias. You should not forget to taste the local seafood specialties, and traditional seafood dishes. At each step there is a small shop with souvenirs and craftwork.

In the city you can walk through the narrow cobbled streets full of stairs and steps. Portoferraio is also known for its numerous old churches. Since the city was reconstructed in 1548 in a military style, its main attractions are fortresses Stella, Falcone and Bastion della Linguella. Another interesting sights are the Church of Reverend Mercy and Napoleon’s museum. In the old city there is also one the residences of Napoleon. If you rent a car or a motorcycle in Portoferraio, you can take a circuit around the island and visit some of the most interesting places, including hidden and remote beaches. Portoferraio has good ferry connections with Livorno, Piombino and with many other islands of the Tuscan archipelago.

In the area of ​​Portoferraio there are one of the most popular beaches for scuba diving. However the whole island of Elba is actually a paradise for divers. Therefore you can find almost everywhere a dive shop, where you can add an oxygen or rent diving equipment. Even if you have no experience with diving and would like to try it, you can subscribe to any of the courses in the local diving schools. The local beach has a gentle declivity towards the sea, which is especially appreciated by families with small children and less able-bodied swimmers. Swimming is allowed in the crystal clear water of the Ligurian Sea.

You can try out a variety of water sports such as windsurfing, paragliding, water skiing, scooters and pedal boats. The port city of Portoferraio is also an ideal place for sailing, there are regularly held international sailing races.

Not surprisingly, Portoferraio fascinated visitors since the Middle Ages, however the increasing number of tourists is the only disadvantage of this great island.


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]]> http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2011/04/10/portoferraio-the-largest-and-capital-city-of-the-italian-island-of-elba/feed/ 0 Island of Elba – pearl of the Tuscan Archipelago http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2011/03/25/island-of-elba-pearl-of-the-tuscan-archipelago/ http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2011/03/25/island-of-elba-pearl-of-the-tuscan-archipelago/#comments Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:50:34 +0000 Julius http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/?p=2898 Elba is one of the most beautiful islands of Italy with crystal clear water. It is the third largest island of Italy – after Sicily and Sardinia. Its capital city is Portoferraio which is the largest city of Elba. The island is situated about 20km west from the Italian costal town of Piombino and about […]

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]]> Elba is one of the most beautiful islands of Italy with crystal clear water. It is the third largest island of Italy – after Sicily and Sardinia. Its capital city is Portoferraio which is the largest city of Elba. The island is situated about 20km west from the Italian costal town of Piombino and about 50km east from French island of Corsica.

Elba is located between Liguria Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea and is often called as The Pearl of the Tuscan Archipelago.

Elba offers wonderful natural sceneries and beautiful mountains. Sandy beaches are very popular here and many tourists prefer to visit Portoferraio for its National Park activities. The island of Elba is about 150km long and covers the area of 224 km2. The Monte Cappane – the highest mountain on Elba (1019m) is very popular for hiking and it is also called “roof of the Tuscan Archipelago”.

Since Portoferraio has the historical value, many scholars are doing research in the island. About thirty thousand people are living in this island and about eleven thousand persons are staying in Portoferraio city. On Elba you can find lots of monuments.

You can enjoy here the sunbathing, fishing, the pirate ship battle, hiking, visiting Napoleon’s palace (Napoleon was here in exile as governor), or even sitting in pubs and tasting excellent local cuisine.

Regular boat services are available from Piombino. Our tip is to rent a boat and discover the coast of Elba where you can find lots of unknown and empty wonderful beaches.

Tourists visiting Italy should not miss to visit Elba, as we think it is one of few places, which have to be visited, at least once in a life.


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