If you’re from the UK, chances are you’ve barely heard of Elba and that’s exactly why it took my breath away.
Most people only know it as the place Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to (random, right?), but what they don’t realise is that it’s this little slice of heaven floating off the Tuscan coast.
You take a short ferry from Piombino, and suddenly you’re somewhere that feels like it shouldn’t even exist that close to mainland Italy.
If you’re wondering whether a day trip like this is actually worth doing…
..you’re already in Tuscany and want to make the most of it
..you want something beautiful without organising loads yourself
..you love the idea of a ferry and a proper “we’re going somewhere” feeling
..you want a special family day that still feels easy and calm
..you’re choosing memories over ticking off big-name places
This was exactly that for us.
🚌 Getting There
We booked our trip through the information centre on our campsite. It was around £300 for the four of us, a full-day excursion with everything included. Early morning pick-up, ferry, guide, lunch stops…the lot. We were up bright and early, full of excitement. Not because I knew much about Elba, to be honest, I’d just looked at the leaflet at reception and thought, “Yeah, that looks stunning!” 🤣
We were picked up by coach and driven to the port — Piombino, I’m pretty sure. It took about an hour or so to get there.
Then came the ferry, which took roughly another hour to reach Elba.
The ride itself was smooth and easy, with plenty of seating and a couple of spots for food and hot drinks. But most of the time we stood out on deck. The sea breeze felt like heaven in that Tuscan heat, and the views across the ocean were just beautiful. It was actually the first time my kids had ever been on a ferry, so they loved it. It felt like a trip in itself.
When we arrived on the island, another coach took us up into the hills towards the main town area. It was full of shops, restaurants, beaches, and views that stop you in your tracks. Let me tell you, we were so grateful to have a driver. Those narrow island roads are not for the faint-hearted 😅. My husband and I both agreed we’d have been traumatised trying to drive them ourselves, so sitting back and just taking in those views felt perfect.
💚 First Impressions
And that’s when it hit me.
I remember sitting on the coach thinking… Wow. It felt like I’d just landed on a lush, green paradise. It reminded me of Jamaica, but with a Mediterranean twist. Everything felt rich. Rich in its nature, in its smells, in its atmosphere, in its awe. Elba just had this undeniable presence about it.
Everywhere I looked there was beauty. Beautiful architecture, cobbled streets, hills galore giving you the perfect viewpoint from every angle. It felt like a fairytale on an island. Tuscany as a whole had that magic, but Elba… Elba took that magic to new levels.
I even found myself walking up a set of cobbled steps saying out loud, “Oh my God, isn’t this pretty?” It’s so natural the way everything’s formed, but somehow so picture-perfect you’d swear it was made to be that way. You know when people say there’s beauty in imperfection? Well, that was Elba. From the moment I arrived, I fell in love.
🌸 Exploring the Island
We spent the day exploring…wandering cobbled streets, eating, drinking, shopping, and relaxing by the beach. And honestly? When I say it felt like a fairytale island, it really did. My whole family adored it. The only complaint was the hills, and in that heat, my daughter was done 😂. But even that couldn’t take away from how beautiful it was.
✨ Hints & Tips for Visiting Elba
💡 Book through your campsite or a local information centre. It keeps things simple and stress-free.
💡 Bring plenty of water and suncream — the hills and heat are no joke.
💡 If you can, stay overnight — Elba deserves more than a day.
💡 Wear comfy shoes — trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
💡 Spend time on the ferry deck — the sea views are breathtaking.
❤️ Final Thoughts
It’s the kind of place that sits with you long after you’ve arrived home. Honestly, Elba isn’t a day trip. It’s a destination. It deserves its own holiday. My husband and I have said ever since that we’ll go back one day, just the two of us, for a romantic little escape. Because if anywhere deserves that space… it’s Elba.
✈️ Travel That Adds Something
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💶 Next up:
Let’s talk numbers. What this Tuscan adventure actually cost, and why it was worth every single penny.
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