From	To	Nautical Miles
Piombino	Giannutri	46nm
Giannutri	Giglio	11nm
Giglio	Pianosa	44nm
Pianosa	Capraia	29nm
Capraia	Portoferraio	26nm
Portoferraio	Piombino	12nm

Giannutri

The southernmost of the Tuscany islands, Giannutri has a surface of just two square kilometres and a handful of inhabitants. Its coasts are ragged and full of fascinating coves. There are two landing places: Cala Maestra on the western side and Cala dello Spalmatoio, where the built-up area is developing.  Although you’re not allowed to stay overnight on the island unless you have rented accommodation, the island still deserves to be visited for the incredible beauty of its sea and the unspoilt nature; the island is both a natural reserve and a marine park.

Isola del Giglio

This island is an enormous mass of grey granite covered with deep-green vegetation and lying 14 kilometres from the Argentario promontory. Its steep coasts alternate with small beaches. There are three developed areas: Giglio Porto (ferries from Porto Santo Stefano berth here), Giglio Castello (a fortified village built by a colony from the city of Pisa) and Campese (with the most beautiful beach). The island had already been inhabited by the Greeks and by the Etruscans, and was subsequently exploited by the Romans for its granite caves. Its name ('Giglio' means lily in Italian) has nothing to do with the flowers, but derived from the Greek word "Aegilion" which means "the place of the goats" because of the high number of these animals living here. Local restaurants offer delicious dishes, mainly based on fish and seafood.

Pianosa

This is the Tuscan island which lies closest to the isle of Elba; however, a permit from the Direzione Generale degli Istituti di Prevenzione e Pena (Head Office of Prevention and Detention facilities) of the Italian Ministry of Justice is required before landing, as there is a prison on it. Pianosa is bordered by enchanting beaches and looks like a tropical island. The most beautiful beach is Cala Giovanna. Archaeological finds of the Roman age are visible on the sea-bed around the island.

Capraia

This wild and hilly island is the farthest from the Tuscan coast and the closest to Corsica. It is the only one of volcanic origin and the only island with a lake ‘Lo Stagnone’. This island with a surface of 7.72 sq. miles is covered with brushwood, has 18.6 miles of coastline and is part of the Tuscan Islands National Park.

Portoferraio

Portoferraio is the main city of Elba, which is divided into three parts: the western side is of volcanic origin and higher in elevation; the central part is flat or with low hills; the eastern side includes the minerary area. Its millenary history was written by the Etruscans and by the Romans. The Etruscans were the first to exploit its metals, while the Romans called it "Ilva" and built sumptuous villas on it (the best example is Villa delle Grotte in Portoferraio).

But it was undoubtedly Napoleon who left the most significant mark on the island, after being exiled there in 1814. Today it is a top tourist destination. Portoferraio was founded in 1514 on the remains of a Roman port and was protected by Forte del Falcone, Forte Stella and by Torre Linguella. There are 7 other villages nearby: Campo dell'Elba, Porto Azzurro, Rio Marina, Marciana, Capoliveri, Marciana Marina and Rio nell'Elba. The island has a total population of 28000 inhabitants and there is a paved road network of 99.4miles; therefore the car is the most practical way of visiting the island due to its size.