Portoferraio

Portoferraio is the main town and principal ferry port of the island of Elba, its harbour ringed by 16th-century Medici fortifications, including Forte Falcone and Forte Stella. The town is best known as Napoleon Bonaparte's residence during his exile on Elba: he lived here for nine months, from May 1814 to February 1815, at the Palazzina dei Mulini, a hilltop villa between the two forts that he enlarged to serve as his official residence, with sweeping views over the port he could use to watch incoming ships. His more private residence, Villa di San Martino, lies a short distance outside town. Both are preserved today as the National Museum of Napoleonic Residences.

Portoferraio is Elba's main ferry port, connected to the mainland port of Piombino.

The old town within the fortifications is walkable; a car or scooter helps for reaching the rest of the island.

The Palazzina dei Mulini and Villa di San Martino, together forming the National Museum of Napoleonic Residences, are the town's signature sights, along with the Medici-era Forte Falcone and Forte Stella overlooking the harbour.

Touring the Napoleonic residences and walking the fortified old town are the main activities in town itself; Elba's beaches and hiking trails are accessible around the island.

Elba's other towns, including Capoliveri and the coastal resorts, are reachable by road from Portoferraio.