…all the men and vessels entrusted to him are safe at Portoferraio, which because of its breadth is the safest port in the world
Horatio Nelson, July 20, 1796

Portoferraio is the capital and main port of the island of Elba . Ships of all sizes can anchor in its harbour , and the entire dock is equipped with quays . Passing vessels can moor on good seabed, on the northern half of Calata Mazzini (entering on the left) and at the end of the dock. The other quays are reserved for fishermen or official services.

Surrounding the dock are bars, restaurants, specialty stores and boutiques, and the traditional covered market where the galley can be stocked. Boaters will also be able to take advantage of water outlets and a gas station at the dock.

The port is accessible both day and night in all weather conditions, but you must navigate carefully because ferry and hydrofoil traffic is heavy. It is the only port in Italy where you must keep to the left, both when entering and when leaving. Boats leaving the harbor have the right of way over those entering. Outbound vessels must not pass more than 150 m south of Punta del Torrione. The entrance to the dock is marked by two sets of lights (2 fixed vertical red lights, 2 fixed vertical green lights), and the city’s lighting is sufficient for maneuvering.

The town is not visible from the open sea, but the Stella and Falcone forts are easily distinguishable on the cliffs to the right of the anchorage entrance; the former is topped by a lighthouse, while the latter is larger and higher. North of Forte Stella, you can make out Scoglietto, topped by a small lighthouse. Approaching from the west, you’ll need to pass more than 400 m offshore from the tip of Capo Bianco to avoid the dangerous, unmarked shoal that juts out north of the tip.

In winter, winds from the first and second quadrants blow in the anchorage. The Tramontana in February and March sometimes causes rough seas in the outer anchorages. During the other months of the year, winds from the third quadrant prevail. The Mistral may force ships to drop a second anchor. The anchorage is subject to the Tramontana crosswind, while the harbor is subject to the Libeccio and Scirocco crosswinds.

Portoferraio’s location on a rocky promontory guarding the harbor has always made it a place of strategic importance for the security of the harbor. It was founded in 1548 by Cosimo de’ Medici, and it was here that Napoleon spent his first exile. Characteristic are its pastel-colored houses adorned with flowered balconies, narrow streets and squares with glimpses of the sea. Places to visit are the Napoleonic residence, the Archaeological Museum, the Foresiana Picture Gallery, the Misericordia Church, and the Falcone and Stella Fortresses.

Beaches range from long sandy shores to tiny pebble coves, from beaches of black sand to others of the whitest pebbles. The seabed in most of the beaches slopes down quickly. The major beaches feature well-equipped beach resorts where, in addition to renting cabanas, lounge chairs, and umbrellas, you can enjoy water sports.

Elba’s cuisine is based on simple dishes and is influenced by western Tuscan and maritime traditions. Typical dishes include seafood such as the stockfish riese style, il gurguglione and cacciucco to be accompanied by Elban wines such as theElba, the Ansonica, the Muscat and the Aleatico.