Elba Island for the little ones

Located just a few kilometers from Marina di Campo, Cavoli is the most beautiful beach on the southern part of Elba Island, the so-called Costa del Sole (Sun Coast): a long sandy beach and a shallow seabed, ideal even for children trying their hand at swimming and aquatics for the first time.

Lacona Beach is one of the longest beaches on the island. Thanks to the fine, golden sand and the gently sloping seabed for the first few meters, it is definitely suitable for young children. Behind almost the entire beach, a beautiful pine forest will allow children to eat, rest and play in serenity.

Le Ghiaie is the town beach of Portoferraio. Part of the beach is equipped with sunbeds and beach umbrellas, is within easy walking distance of the center, and the promenade that runs along it is dotted with bars and restaurants. The green and shady garden behind it, equipped with games and benches, is a comfortable place to take children even during the hottest hours.

Also near Portoferraio, we cannot fail to mention the beaches of Biodola and Scaglieri. Separated by a very short stretch of cliff, these small oases have a beautiful bottom of fine white sand and usually calm sea, as they are protected within the gulf of Biodola.

As an alternative to days at the beach, which are very pleasant but also a bit tiring, there are visits to the Aquarium of Elba near Marina di Campo, the tour with the little train inside the mine of Rio Marina - the full tour starts inside the Mining Museum. Staying with this theme, the Archaeological Museum of the Mining District in Rio nell'Elba offers many activities for children - by reservation only - and illustrates the history of the island through an impressive collection of minerals, followed by a geological presentation of Elba, its mineral resources and the techniques used for working bronze and iron from antiquity to modern times.

For those who want to discover Napoleon's footsteps and learn about this illustrious historical figure, nothing beats a visit to the historic residences Villa dei Mulini and Villa San Martino, which has now become a museum that preserves a collection of 19th-century prints and period furnishings in frescoed rooms.
Among the most beautiful is the so-called "Egyptian Room", which was intended to celebrate Napoleon's victory in Egypt.

For the more adventurous, the Tuscan Archipelago National Park offers several family-friendly solutions: from children's workshops to hikes with park guides, it will be really interesting to immerse yourself in the wilderness!

In alternativa alle giornate in spiaggia, molto piacevoli ma anche un po’ faticose, ci sono le visite all'Acquario dell'Elba vicino a Marina di Campo, il giro con il trenino all'interno della miniera di Rio Marina - la visita completa inizia all’interno del Museo Minerario. Restando sempre sul tema, il Museo Archeologico del Distretto Minerario di Rio nell’Elba offre molte attività per bambini - su prenotazione - e illustra la storia dell’isola attraverso una suggestiva raccolta di minerali, cui segue una presentazione geologica dell’Elba, delle sue risorse minerarie e delle tecniche impiegate per la lavorazione del bronzo e del ferro dall’antichità all’età moderna.

Per chi vuole scoprire le tracce di Napoleone e conoscere la storia di questo illustre personaggio storico, niente di meglio che la visita alle storiche residenze Villa dei Mulini e Villa San Martino oggi divenuta un museo che conserva una raccolta di stampe ottocentesche e arredamento d’epoca in sale affrescate.
Tra le più belle vi è la cosiddetta “Sala egizia”, che voleva celebrare la vittoria di Napoleone in Egitto.

Per i più avventurosi il Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago Toscano offre diverse soluzioni adatte alle famiglie: dai laboratori per bambini alle escursioni con le guide del parco sarà davvero interessante immergersi nella natura selvaggia!