Ferry from Portoferraio to Bastia

Portoferraio Guide

The Italian town of Portoferraio is located in the Province of Livorno, on the edge of the harbour on the island of Elba. The town's name is derived from the Italian for "Iron Port", after the iron mills in and around the city. It is because of these mills that facilitated the city's growth during the 19th century. During this period the town became the main shipping port of profitable iron ore towards the mainland. Thanks to Napoleon's stay, as he was exiled in Elba in 1814 after his defeats in Europe and his forced abdication, Portoferraio and the entire island enjoyed an age of glory.

Arriving from the sea, Portoferraio seems like a bay, protected from pirates by it bastions which provide shelter from the sea. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the town are its ancient bastions and historic walls, which are fairly well preserved, and were built to provide protection to the town. Located nearby is the hamlet of Le Grotte, where visitors can see remains of a Roman villa dating back to the Imperial period. Until 1960, the ruins were covered by shrubs and plants, but excavation showed the extent of the complex with wall sin opus reticulatum, large terraces overlooking the sea and a pool with heating and water cycle system.

Ferry services from the town's harbour depart to Plombino, Bastia and Cavo.

Bastia Guide

The city of Bastia is located on Corsica's east coast and faces Italy with views out to the Tuscan Archipelago, and is the second largest city on Corsica. To the north of Bastia is le Cap Corse which is a peninsula dotted with Genoese Towers and a large nature reserve that is popular with hikers. The town's history, like many in Corsica, begins with the Genoese who ruled Corsica from the 14th century. In the south of the town, the Old Port (Vieux Port) is a popular spot to take a stroll and to see the town's jaded buildings clustered around the fishing port, which are not dissimilar to those you might expect to find in Venice. From the port, a stroll through the Romieu garden will take you to the citadel above the port, which is actually the original Genoese town that was protected by defensive walls, added during the 15th century, and includes the Porte Louis XVI through which you enter the citadel.

The ferry Port of Bastia links the city to France (Marseille, Nice and Toulon) and Italy (Genoa, La Spezzia, Livorno, Piombino, Savona, Portoferraio).