Need help. Has anyone been to Elba? We are thinking of going at the end of Oct.
any hotel recomendations and restaurants would be appreciated. Also is the weather still warm enough to go to the beaches? We will have a car. Thanks Myra

I recommend HOTEL CERNIA. Very beautiful location in Marciana, beautiful garden, homey atmosphere and good food. Owned and run by by the Anselmi family. Have a look at their site: www.hotelcernia.it

Thanks for the information. What do you think of the weather in Oct. Also places to go around the island. Thanks

End of October is not beach weather.

Beginning of Oct is still beach weather in Italy.. end isn't.

For those who have been to Elba, is it necessary to have a car or are there good buses and boat services to get around the island? If you did use a car, did you bring it from the mainland or rent it on the island. Finally, how many nights would you suggest to really take in the island? I am deciding between 4 or just 3 and having an extra day in Rome. Thanks

Elba is WONDERFUL and one of my most favorite places to go to! It is an enchanting island and so close to the Tuscan coast that it merits multiple visits! I have been twice within the last 1 1/2 years (both in spring and in summer) and have never had a car. We took a train down to Piombino Marittima, then caught a ferry boat over to Elba. Once there, we stayed in Portoferraio at the APE ELBANA, Salita Cosimo de' Medici (tel/fax 011.39.91 42.45). The hotel is within approx. 25 minutes walking distance from the boat dock and overlooks the piazza of the "centro storico." The room rates are very reasonable (under 100 euros for a double/2 persons, including breakfast!); and they have an excellent restaurant in-house that served delicious, reasonably priced meals. We took evening passegiatas along the waterfront and enjoyed coffee, music from the many live bands, etc in the lovely night air. From the hotel, you are within walking distance to Napoleon's "town" residence, the Villa dei Mullini (where his mother lived also while on the island). We took a local bus out to the Villa Napoleonica de San Martino (his summer residence) and spent an entire afternoon there. Everything is within walking distance in Portoferraio - beaches, shops, restaurants, harbor, etc so you would be fine without a car. The beaches wouldn't be considered "swimming warm" as Italians adhere to the seasons most strictly (end of October being distinctly Fall); however, there are several beaches that you could take a picnic lunch and blanket to and sit out on the grainy sand and enjoy the sea air and perhaps venture into the water!!

Hi!

We went there after spending a week in Civitella Marittima, at Casina di Rosa, and we thought the island is great!

We were very lucky with the weather.
We were camping so I don't know about hotels but the camp sites are like hotels there!

Thanks for the info, it's helping me plan a trip to Elba, too. I have a few more questions though. Does anyone know if it's easy to get there from Pisa? That's where we'll be flying into. Also, has anyone done any camping there? We're thinking about saving some money doing that since we'll be there at the beginning of July. Thanks!!!

Hi Adeline: You can very easily take a train down from Pisa to Piombino Marittima - it is a 2 hour trip (2:06 to be exact). The train station is right across the street from the Teremar ferry boat offices where you buy your tickets to go over to Elba. There are numerous boats going over to Portoferraio (nearly every hour) so you won't "miss the boat!"

Re: camping, Elba has the feel of more like a Portofino or fashionable resort -- there are expensive, pay beaches all around the island; yachts lined up in the harbors and in Portoferraio's town centre there are numerous expensive boutique style shops and pricey restaurants to boot. Also, please note that July and August are the busiest months on Elba with tons of German and Italian tourists there so it will be crowded! However, several of my Italian friends have gone there to camp over the years and gave me some recommendations:

The western coast of the island has sandy beaches and more flat space for camping and also a suitable coastline for water sports, while the eastern side is more rocky with cliffs and stony beaches. The best area for camping is the Marina Di Campo (sw end of island) with miles of fine white sand beaches. To the left of Marina di Campo's waterfront are 2 places to try: La Foce (011-39-97-60-40) a well-equipped place right on the beach, or nearby Del Mare (011-39-97-62-37). There are markets around to stock up on food supplies, etc. Also, another campsite near Porto Azzurro is Locanda Barbarossa, all very close to the beach. The largest one there is Camping Roclan's (011-39-95-78-03). These places listed should all speak (some) English as there are LOTS of German campers that don't speak any Italian, so you might try calling ahead in case you need to reserve a spot for July. Have fun and enjoy Elba, it is so beautiful there (sigh!)

ttt.

We (DH & I) were in Elba in 2003 and loved it. We stayed in Portoferrario and then in Marina di Campo. I did a trip report but it seems to have been dropped from this site. What I remember best are the clear blue seas and the yummy seafood!