Campo nell'Elba
Campo nell'Elba is a municipality on the south-western coast of the Island of Elba, in the province of Livorno, known for its whit...
Updated 21 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Campo nell'Elba now
The story
The story of Campo nell'Elba
Introduction and location
Campo nell'Elba occupies the south-western side of the Island of Elba, in the Tuscan archipelago, in the province of Livorno. The municipal territory includes a coastline facing the Tyrrhenian Sea and a hilly hinterland rising towards the Monte Capanne massif, the island's highest peak. The main settlement, Marina di Campo, overlooks a wide sandy bay, while several hamlets sit on the surrounding hills. This position, between open sea and granite ridges, makes the municipality a reference point for visitors seeking both coastline and inland scenery.
History and origins
Like much of the Island of Elba, the territory of Campo nell'Elba bears the marks of a history tied to seafaring, coastal defence and the exploitation of mineral resources and granite, abundant in the surrounding hills. Over the centuries the island experienced a succession of different rulers and the need to guard against raids from the sea, which left traces in the layout of its villages, often perched in elevated positions above the coast. The local economy was historically linked to fishing and hillside farming and, more recently, to tourism, which turned Marina di Campo into one of the island's most visited seaside resorts.
Nature and landscape
The landscape of Campo nell'Elba alternates pale sandy beaches with stretches of rocky granite coastline, with coves reached through Mediterranean vegetation of holm oaks, strawberry trees, broom and low scrub. Behind the coast the land rises quickly towards Monte Capanne, which dominates the horizon with its granite ridges and hiking trails. The combination of clear sea, jagged coastline and nearby mountains offers varied environments within a few kilometres, appreciated by those seeking both a swim at the beach and trekking at altitude, with views stretching over the Tyrrhenian Sea and the neighbouring islands of the archipelago.
What to do and see
In Marina di Campo visitors can stroll along the seafront and the wide sandy beach, while hillside hamlets such as San Piero in Campo and Sant'Ilario in Campo retain the layout typical of Elba's villages, with narrow lanes and stone houses. Beaches scattered along the coast, some reached on foot through the Mediterranean scrub, attract swimmers and snorkelling enthusiasts thanks to seabeds dotted with granite outcrops. For those who enjoy walking, the trails climbing towards Monte Capanne offer routes of varying difficulty, suited to both short strolls and more demanding high-altitude hikes.
Flavours and traditions
The cuisine of Campo nell'Elba reflects the meeting of sea and hill: fresh fish dishes, such as the local catch served in Marina di Campo's restaurants, sit alongside country recipes based on vegetables, pulses and locally made cheeses. The island is also known for its wines, including Ansonica and other Elba DOC labels, produced on sun-exposed hillside terraces. Farming and maritime traditions remain alive among small local producers, offering visitors an authentic taste of the Tuscan archipelago's flavours.
Not to be missed
- The beach and seafront of Marina di Campo
- The hillside village of San Piero in Campo
- The village of Sant'Ilario in Campo
- Hiking trails towards Monte Capanne
- The sandy and granite coves along the coast
To see
What to see in Campo nell'Elba
Routes · Trovido Route
