Porto Azzurro - The Entry Port to Elba Island
A former Roman settlement which based its existence on the ferrous minerals in the soil here, the renamed Porto Azzurro has been turned today into a tourist attraction though it keeps much of its rural architecture and way of life, like pretty much the rest of Elba.
General Info
Formerly known as the Porto Longone until 1947, this small fishing village is found on the eastern shore, in the deep inlet of Mola Gulf of the island of Elba. It’s considered to be a pretty decent Yacht Charter tourist port. The name change occurred because the former one identified it with a prison housed in Longone fortress.
The fact that the Mola gulf is the deepest and widest on the eastern part of Elba together with the fact that it’s very well protected, makes Porto Azzuro the main port on this side of the island, the place where ferries and boats moor regularly when coming from the mainland in Tuscany. It’s also the first stop for Yacht Charter boatmen sailing to Elba.
Travel & Arrival
For those seeking fast and comfortable transportation, air travel is the way to go. For them , the island of Elba has the Marina di Campo airport which can be found almost 20km to the east of the small town, on the other side of the island. The transfer time shouldn’t exceed 20 minutes, regardless of the means of transportation your Yacht Charter group chooses.
By water, the ferry system links Porto Azzurro with numerous locations on the Italian mainland. Among them, the most important for Yacht Charter travelers are Piombino, Rio Marina and the remote island Pianosa. From Piombino, you can catch a ferry to another important town on Elba, Portoferraio, another favorite of the Yacht Charter community.
Avant & Apres Sail
The city’s history goes back to the Etruscan and Roman times when it was used as a center for extraction of the mineral deposits that can be found in the area. Due to its strategic position on the islands, it came under attack many times by various nations intent on controlling this position in the Tyrrhenian Sea and the mineral deposits it held. Proof of this military importance are the fortresses which dominate Port Azzurro today and also constitute Yacht Charter attractions.
There are also some religious places that present interest to visitors such as the Sanctuary of Madonna del Montserrato and the Spanish Church of Cuore Immacolato di Maria. Also, one kilometer outside of town, in the small village of Pianetto, the Yacht Charter adventurer will come across a miniature replica of a working mine.
The town center acts as the main harbor of human activity: this is where most of the shops, pubs and restaurants are located. The shopping consists mainly of fresh fish and produce, typical Tuscan foods and some souvenirs and clothing boutiques. For serious Yacht Charter shopping, head on over to Portoferraio or Campo nell’Elba.
The few restaurants and bars that operate in the town’s center serves menus mainly comprised of fish dishes, cooked in accordance with Tuscan recipes found on the mainland, but also typical Italian dishes such as pizza or pasta. You and your Yacht Charter friends can even grab a bite to eat at one of the many bars downtown.
The best word to describe the Porto Azzurro nightlife is “lowkey”. People who come here, do it in search of peace and silence, not loud parties until the early hours of the morning. The best choice you’ll have for an evening out is at a bar or even in some hotel pub which provides its own entertainment for its v guests.
Events & Actions
Sailing and sunbathing are the top preferred activities here. Most Yacht Charter visitors come here for the scenery, the beaches and the sun. The island of Elba offers a nice alternative to those overcrowded and overdeveloped resorts, a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life and enjoy the Tuscan wild scenery, unaffected by centuries of human intervention.