The Island of Elba for children

Travelling with children? The Island of Elba is the ideal destination for a family holiday thanks to its safe, well-equipped beaches and the many activities for children. Here is a selection of places suitable for families with children on the Island of Elba.

THE BEACHES

The beach of Cavoli

Situated between Marina di Campo and Seccheto, Cavoli beach is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches on the Island of Elba. The name comes from ‘cavili’, the blocks of granite that were once extracted from the quarries in the area. It owes its fame to the transparency of the sea and the golden grainy sand. Very sheltered (not surprisingly, the vegetation blossoms somewhat earlier than on the rest of the island), it is the ideal place for sunbathing from early spring until November. It is particularly suitable for families with children because of the gently sloping seabed, where the little ones can play in peace.

The beach of Lacona

Lacona beach, with its 1,200 metres of sandy shore, is one of the longest beaches on the Island of Elba. It is located in the municipality of Capoliveri, right opposite the Island of Montecristo (made famous by the well-known novel by Alexandre Dumas). It overlooks a crystal-clear sea, with shades ranging from light turquoise blue to Persian sea blue. Thanks to its fine, golden sand and gently sloping seabed, it is definitely suitable for children. It can be accessed from the coastal road, following a path through a pine forest (where you can eat, rest and play in peace with your children) and ending at patches of natural dunes.

The Ghiaie beach

Located about a 15-minute walk from the centre of Portoferraio, Le Ghiaie beach is renowned for the unparalleled beauty of its seabed and its small white pebbles polished by the sea (stained, according to a legend told in the 1st century BC by the historian Diodorus Siculus, by the drops of sweat from the Argonauts, who founded a small harbour here for their ships, which they called Argon). The green and shady garden behind it, equipped with games and benches, is the ideal place to find some coolness and let the children play in the hottest hours.

The Biodola beach

Also near Portoferraio is Biodola beach, one of the most famous on the Island of Elba. Located in the gulf of the same name, it is a long stretch of fine, golden sand named after a reed that grew on the dunes. And it is characterised by a sort of natural amphitheatre formed by the Serrone delle Cime, Capannone and Colle Pecorara hills, covered by a lush forest and Mediterranean scrub. Ultra-equipped, it has a very gently sloping seabed, making it perfect for families with children. It is connected by a passage on the rocks to nearby Scaglieri, very similar in characteristics.

The beach of Fetovaia

Fetovaia beach is located in a narrow, deep inlet in the municipality of Campo nell’Elba. Its beauty and perfect microclimate make it one of the most popular beaches on the Island of Elba (in high season, we recommend arriving there early in the morning). It has a shallow, sandy seabed, particularly suitable for children. About 200 metres long, it is protected by Monte Cenno and the wild promontory of Punta di Fetovaia, which shelter it from all winds, apart from the Scirocco. Equipped with every comfort, it also offers many opportunities for water sports.

OTHER PLACES NOT TO BE MISSED

The Aquarium of Elba

The Aquarium of Elba is a must for anyone visiting the island with children. Located just outside Marina di Campo, it is considered one of the most complete Mediterranean aquaria in existence (in Italy, second only to the one in Genoa). The variety of species (more than 150) housed offers an extraordinary overview of the incredible biodiversity of the waters of the Island of Elba and the Tuscan Archipelago. As far as the habitat of the different species is concerned, all the main Mediterranean environments are accurately reproduced using natural and artificial materials. The aquarium also houses the ‘ElbaBrick’ exhibition, dedicated to fantasy, children and the golden age of Lego bricks. A small curiosity: the famous octopus Paul, a skilled predictor of German victories during the 2010 World Cup, lived here.

The Rio Marina Mining Park

Among the most beautiful excursions to make with your children is undoubtedly the one to the Rio Marina Mining Park, an area of great scenic and cultural value. The visit begins in the Mining Museum, located inside the Palazzo del Burò, which houses a valuable collection of Elban minerals, as well as various mine environments. After visiting the museum, board the characteristic little train for a trip through Rio Marina’s most important mining sites. The park offers a wide range of activities for the whole family. These include geology and mineralogy workshops, botany workshops, orienteering, excursions, safaris and various types of trekking.

The Piccola Miniera

Located just outside the centre of Porto Azzurro, the Piccola Miniera is a very special place, fun and engaging for children. It presents a small-scale reconstruction of a mine and the activity that took place inside it. The work, entirely reconstructed with natural and authentic materials, gives a real and concrete introduction into the complex extraction system of the various minerals from Elba. It also includes the Etruscan Mining Museum, which recounts the presence of the Etruscans on Elba in a simple manner. For the youngest visitors, it offers interesting educational workshops, where children are directly involved in manual work using Elban minerals.

The Tuscan Archipelago National Park

For the more adventurous, we recommend the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, Italy’s first large marine park and the largest in Europe. It embraces a stretch of sea covering over 600 square kilometres and includes the land areas of all the islands of the archipelago: Elba, Capraia, Giglio, Giannutri, Gorgona, Pianosa and Montecristo. Established in 1996, it is based in the former Tonnara dell’Enfola (in the municipality of Portoferraio). As far as what is on offer for children is concerned, more than 200 educational events, marine biology workshops and visits to interactive museums make the park experience engaging even for the youngest visitors.

The Butterfly Sanctuary

Another place that your little ones will certainly enjoy is the Santuario delle Farfalle (Butterfly Sanctuary), a natural oasis that runs along a path (about two kilometres long) connecting the picnic area of Monte Perone to the last slopes of Monte Capanne. Inaugurated in 2009, it is dedicated to the memory of Ornella Casnati, a passionate naturalist and author of numerous entomological discoveries. Around 50 different species of butterflies have been recorded in the area, some of them very special. Information panels along the path will help you recognise them. The sanctuary also offers activities designed and organised to involve families with children who want to get closer to nature.

Photo gallery © (1 e 3) Visit Tuscany | (2) Aquarium of Elba