More about Elba
Why Cruise to Elba?
Elba's scenic port city, Porto Ferraio, is easy to navigate on foot
The trek to Napoleon's house may be challenging for those with mobility issues, but taxis are available
Elba is a charming, less touristy island where Napoleon once lived in exile
Elba Cruise Port Facilities?
Just adjacent to the ship's dock is a cafe bar, a nice place to stop for a coffee. It's located in the parking lot adjacent to the dock. Across the street is a large bakery/gelatteria where you can grab a sweet bite and watch the maritime activity, including all the ferries coming and going to and from the mainland. There's also a little dockfront square with nice benches; its breezy location is lovely on a hot summer's day.
Getting Around?
If you're going to spend your time in Porto Ferraio, almost all of it is accessible on foot. The climb to Napoleon's city house and to the fortresses can be difficult for those with mobility problems, but there are plenty of taxis. There are also tourist vans that do a tour of the city and surrounding areas, and during the summer, from the end of May to the end of August, there's a little tourist train (on wheels) that offers a series of different sightseeing tours from two to four euros. All options are easily accessed from the parking lot in front of the ship's dock.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money?
Currency is the euro. U.S. dollars are not accepted. There is a bank on Calata Italia (which fronts the port) just past the first ferry dock (Pontile com. TE G. Massimo) if you are going to use an ATM; there is a change office on the same street just before the ferry dock if you want to change dollars or pounds to euros, and there is a post office (to change traveler's checks, which banks won't touch) above the marina on G. Gasribaldi near the Piazza della Repubblica.
Language?
Italian. Very little English is spoken here.
Where You're Docked?
The dock is in the middle of town at the bottom of the Fortezze Medicee. To the left, as you leave your ship, is the central business district and ferry docks; to the right, as you round the bottom of the Fortezze, is the marina with the yachts and upscale shops.
