According to legend, Venus, Goddess of beauty, emerging from the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, dropped seven pearls from the necklace around her neck, which fell into the sea and became the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago: Elba, Giglio, Capraia, Montecristo, Pianosa, Giannutri and Gorgona. The seven islands are part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, the largest marine park in Europe. Although all seven islands are subject to a protection regime, they are all still open to visitors. Below is a brief presentation of the seven 'pearls' of the Tuscan Archipelago.
ELBA ISLAND
Elba is the largest of the islands of the Archipelago and the third largest Italian island. Reachable from Piombino in an hour by ferry, it consists of seven municipalities, has more than 32,000 inhabitants, over a hundred beaches, lush nature and spectacular views.
Hereyou will find all the details on the Elban municipalities and beaches.
ISLAND OF PIANOSA
The island can be reached from the port of Marina di Campo by a small boat. Pianosa is famous for its prison, which until 1996 set the pace for the small resident community, and for its beautiful beach with turquoise waters. It is possible to go on excursions and guided tours with specialised guides from the Tuscan Archipelago Park.
ISLAND OF CAPRAIA
Capraia, also known as 'the island of goats', can be reached from several ports. the quickest way to get there is to leave from the pier at Marciana Marina in a small boat. To welcome tourists, there is a small harbour with characteristic shops, which is only 800 metres away from the village on the hill, which can be reached on foot or by shuttle bus. The island is never overcrowded with tourists because the small village accommodates a maximum of a thousand guests.
ISLAND OF GIGLIO
The island of Giglio, known to many as the island of the Costa Concordia shipwreck, hides an unspoilt nature with an intoxicating scent. Its inhabited centres, Giglio Castello, Giglio Porto and Giglio Campese are very different from each other and picturesque. To reach the island, it is necessary to leave from Porto Santo Stefano .
ISLAND OF MONTECRISTO
Montecristo is one of the most important islands for the protection of biodiversity in the Tuscan Archipelago. Access to the island is strictly regulated, bathing is forbidden, no plant or animal species may be taken, and children under the age of 12 are not allowed to enter the island, nor are pets allowed. Guided tours are permitted up to a maximum number of 1600 visitors per year. Here, nature is not pressurised by man, cement or traffic, but reigns supreme.
ISLAND OF GORGONA
The island is marked by the presence of the prison, which offers prisoners an opportunity to work on the 'Gorgona farm'. It can be reached from Livorno, the main port of connection, with an hour's sailing, and can only be visited during the day with the obligation to be accompanied by an authorised guide under the supervision of the prison police. It is forbidden to use mobile phones and take photographs. The island is predominantly mountainous and its vegetation is typical of the Mediterranean maquis.
ISLAND OF GIANNUTRI
Giannutri is the southernmost island of the Tuscan Archipelago and is not easy to reach. It can be reached from Porto Santo Stefano by a small ferry. There are no beaches on Giannutri, but it is possible to bathe by diving into the turquoise waters of Cala Maestra and Cala Spalmatoio. The pearl of the island is the remains of the Roman villa Domizia, built by the imperial family of the Domizi Enobarbi, from where one could enjoy the view of the islands: Elba, Giglio, Montecristo and Pianosa. Today, the archaeological site is open for guided tours
