Napoleon Bonaparte arrived on Elba on May 4, 1814 — exiled after his first abdication. He was given sovereignty over the island (224 km², 12,000 inhabitants), a personal guard, and a modest palace in Portoferraio. He stayed 10 months. He reorganized the island's economy, built roads, reformed the mines, and on February 26, 1815, escaped with 1,000 men to reconquer France (the Hundred Days, ending at Waterloo). Today Elba is the third-largest Italian island, the largest in the Tuscan Archipelago, and — beyond the Napoleon story — one of the most beautiful beach islands in the Mediterranean. Secret islands →
Villa dei Mulini (Portoferraio): Napoleon's town residence — modest but well-appointed, garden terrace overlooking the harbor where he planned the escape. Original furniture, his library, the flag he designed for Elba. €5. Villa San Martino (5km inland): His country villa — the Egyptian Room (frescoed with campaign memories), formal gardens. €5, or €8 combined with Mulini. Portoferraio's old town: Napoleonic fortifications (Forte Stella, Forte Falcone — both climbable, panoramic views). The harbor where he landed and from which he escaped.
Elba has 150+ beaches. Spiaggia di Sansone: White pebbles, turquoise water, accessible only by path (15 min walk — the effort filters out the lazy). Fetovaia: Enclosed bay, gold sand, the postcard beach. Cavoli: Sandy, family, stabilimenti. Capoliveri: Innamorata beach (the lovers' beach — legend of a woman who drowned waiting for her man). The wild west coast (Pomonte): Roman shipwreck visible snorkeling 6m underwater. The iron coast (east): Red-rust colored beaches from the ancient iron mines (Etruscan→Roman→19th century) — Rio Marina and the mineral park.
Ferry from Piombino: Toremar/Moby/Blu Navy — 1h to Portoferraio (€10-20/person, €40-60/car). From Florence: 2.5h to Piombino + 1h ferry. Car recommended (the island is 27km long — manageable but the beaches are spread out). Stay 4-7 days: The island rewards exploration — a different beach every day, Napoleon in the morning, snorkeling in the afternoon. Tuscan coast →