For sure every nickname has an explanation: with an area of 223km² Italy’s third biggest island is consideralby smaller than Corsica, so it can be defined its “Little Sister”.

And who drives on the island’s curvy roads to its coasts and their up to 120 m high cliffs, passing through fields covered with bushes, vineyards and olive trees, all around Monte Capanne and its chestnut groves, can really think to be in a “Tuscany in Miniature”.

The rich history of the Island shows all of its character. You will even feel Napoleon’s spirit by paying a visit to the exile residence of the french Emperor in Portoferraio.

Also above the surface, Elba offers countless opportunities for an exciting holiday. Visiting a small country church, climbing Monte Capanne by cable car, discovering hidden villages where to sip a glas of wine or to buy minerals from the abandoned mines – these are just a few examples.

The village was once known as Porto Longone, from the near fortress Forte Longone (or Forte San Giacomo), visible from sea and land even by far distance. The fortress was originally built by the Spanish and since the 19. century is used as a prison. 

With the development of modern turism the village wanted to have a new image and in the year 1947 changed its name from “Porto Longone” to the more pleasant “Porto Azzurro”.