Capoliveri and Porto Azzurro (south-east)
Nearly half our Elba villas are around Capoliveri, a hill village with lanes of bars and shops and a lively evening passeggiata. Below it are a string of beaches, including Innamorata, Morcone and Pareti, with the old iron mines of Monte Calamita on the headland. Porto Azzurro, ten minutes away, is a harbour town with cafés on the quay and a fort above the bay.
Best for: Families who want a choice of beaches within ten minutes' drive
Not for you if: You want to drive straight from the ferry: the road from Portoferraio takes around 25 minutes and is slow in August.
Cavoli, Marina di Campo and Lacona (south coast)
Cavoli is a sheltered sandy cove with clear water, beach bars and a road down from the hillside houses above it. Seccheto, next along, has flat granite slabs for swimming. Marina di Campo has the island's longest beach and a small harbour town behind it. Lacona is a broad sandy bay backed by dunes and pine woods. Portoferraio is 20 to 30 minutes away by car.
Best for: Sandy bays, snorkelling and easy beach days
Not for you if: You want quiet in August: Cavoli's small beach is packed by mid-morning.
Rio Marina, Cavo and Rio nell'Elba (east coast)
The east was Elba's mining district, and Rio Marina's mineral museum and pebble beaches still show it. Rio Marina has its own car ferry from Piombino, about 45 minutes, and Cavo has fast passenger boats taking around 20 minutes. Cavo is a small resort with a harbour and sandy beach. Rio nell'Elba is a quiet hill village with old public wash houses fed by springs.
Best for: Short ferry crossings and a quieter, local side of the island
Not for you if: You want soft sand: the beaches here are mostly pebbles, some stained red by iron ore.
Nisporto and Nisportino (north-east)
These are two small bays at the end of winding roads on the north-east coast, each with a pebble and sand beach, a bar or two and little else. The water is calm and clear for snorkelling, and the hills behind are covered in scrub and footpaths. Portoferraio is about 30 minutes away, and Cavo's fast ferry is closer.
Best for: Couples who want a small cove and very little traffic
Not for you if: You don't like narrow, steep roads: the drive down is winding, and shops are back in Rio or Portoferraio.
Portoferraio (north coast)
Portoferraio is where most ferries arrive, with Medici fortifications above the harbour. Napoleon spent his exile here, and his town house, the Palazzina dei Mulini, and his summer villa at San Martino are open to visitors. The beaches of Capo Bianco, with white pebbles, and the long sandy Biodola bay are a short drive west. Villas here suit late ferries and early departures.
Best for: Ferry convenience, Napoleon's houses and a proper town
Not for you if: You want a beach village: Portoferraio is the island's working port and busy with ferry traffic.
Marciana, Sant'Andrea and Patresi (west)
The west of the island rises to Monte Capanne, and a cable car of open standing baskets runs up from near Marciana for views to Corsica. Marciana is a stone village of steep alleys, with chestnut woods and trails above it. Sant'Andrea has granite rocks and a small sandy beach, and Patresi is a scattered hamlet on the slopes above the sea. Shops are limited, so stock up in Marciana Marina.
Best for: Walkers, rock swimming and sunsets over Corsica
Not for you if: You want short drives: from here Portoferraio is 45 minutes to an hour away on a winding road.
