Introduction
Finding a parking space on the Island of Elba can feel like a challenge, especially in peak season. However, the island offers a variety of solutions once you know where to look. The staff of Hotel Giardino compiled this Q&A guide to help travellers choose between free and paid car parks and to plan ahead so they can relax during their holiday. Paid parking areas close to the beaches and historic centres generally cost between €1.50 and €2.50 per hour, with day passes around €8‑12 and weekly passes available at supervised lots . Larger towns such as Portoferraio, Marina di Campo, Capoliveri and Porto Azzurro have well‑marked paid car parks near the sea, but there are also free gravel lots a short walk away . Shuttle services like the Marebus operate in summer, linking peripheral car parks with the most popular beaches .
Parking at the island’s main beaches
Do the popular beaches have free or paid parking?
Elba’s busy beaches tend to have a mix of free and paid parking. Many well‑known bays offer large paid areas, while lesser‑known coves often provide free, unsupervised gravel lots close to the shoreline. Below is a summary of parking at some of the island’s best‑known beaches. Charges refer to the 2025 season.
| Beach | Location | Free parking | Paid parking & fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procchio | Campo nell’Elba | Yes – large free gravel lot with disk parking | No (except a few blue‑line spots in high season) | Arrive early in summer to secure free space. |
| Cavoli | Campo nell’Elba | Limited free parking | Yes – gated and supervised | Two lots: one free, one paid. Paid spaces fill quickly in July/August. |
| Marina di Campo | Campo nell’Elba | Some free parking | Yes – blue zones €1 per hour | Numerous paid areas in town; the beach is accessible on foot from the centre. |
| Fetovaia | Campo nell’Elba | Limited free parking | Yes – around €18/day or €11 for half day | Large gravel lot divided into free and paid sections; arrive very early. |
| Biodola | Portoferraio | Limited free parking along access road | Yes – about €10/day | Large paid lot 100 m from the beach; watch for fines if parked on roadside verges. |
| Padulella & Capo Bianco | Portoferraio | No (only limited roadside spots) | Yes – shared paid lot roughly €10/day | Arrive early; free spots along the access road can be used in the morning. |
| Wild beaches (Viticcio, Enfola, Le Viste, Schiopparello, Nisportino, Nisporto, Ortano, Terranera, Dog Beach at Mola, Naregno, Madonna delle Grazie, Margidore, Fonza, Patresi, etc.) | Various | Yes – free gravel or roadside parking | No | For example, Viticcio, Enfola and Le Viste have small free lots at or near the beach . Ortano and Terranera offer free areas a few hundred metres from the water . Dog Beach (Mola), Naregno and Madonna delle Grazie provide free spaces right on the beach or along the access road . |
In general, large beaches such as Cavoli, Marina di Campo, Fetovaia and Biodola operate paid car parks in high season, whereas many smaller bays remain free at least in part . It’s a good idea to consult a map before you set out to locate the nearest public parking area .
Parking in historic centres and ports
Where should I park in the main towns?
Many of Elba’s historic centres enforce ZTLs (limited traffic zones) to protect their heritage. Visitors should leave the car just outside the gates and explore on foot .
- Portoferraio: The upper part of the old town is off‑limits to unauthorised vehicles at all times. The ZTL cameras at Porta a Terra (ZTL 1) and Piazza della Repubblica (ZTL 3) operate 24 hours, while the entry at Calata Mazzini (ZTL 2) is active from 19:30 – 06:00 . Park in the blue‑line zones near the harbour or just before the ZTL gates, or use the large lots at San Giovanni and near the cemetery .
- Porto Azzurro: Cars cannot drive through the narrow central street. Park along the seafront (Ex Oleificio area) or in Piazza Matteotti and then walk around the village .
- Capoliveri: From 1 June to 30 September the ZTL on Via Circonvallazione operates daily from 12:30–14:30 and 18:00–05:00 . Visitors should park in the surrounding areas (for example, in Via Amendola) and walk up to the centre .
- Marciana Marina: A summer ZTL applies from 31 May to 15 September. The gates on Via XX Settembre and Viale G. Dussol operate from 13:00–03:00; the gate on Viale Aldo Moro from 21:00–03:00 . Visitors can park along the seafront on Lungomare Garibaldi or behind the marina (Via dei Mulini) .
- Other villages (Rio Marina, Rio nell’Elba): Park at the entrance to the village (for example, Tre Croci car park) and continue on foot .
Always check the road signs or local council websites for up‑to‑date ZTL schedules; fines are issued by cameras. In the ferry ports of Portoferraio and Cavo there are short‑stay zones (15–30 minutes) for drop‑offs; for longer stays it’s best to use urban car parks .
Parking for campervans and motorcycles
Where can campervans park on the island?
Wild camping is prohibited. Campervans may only park at authorised areas (usually paid), often located near towns or official campsites. For example, there is a municipal camper area near the port of Portoferraio and dedicated spaces in campsites around Marina di Campo . Some stretches of rural road (e.g. between Portoferraio and Capoliveri) have lay‑bys for short stops, but overnight parking is not permitted . It’s advisable to contact campsites in advance to reserve a space; daily rates in supervised areas are around €20–25 .
Where can motorcycles park?
Motorcycles may usually use free parking areas (white lines) without payment . In towns with paid blue‑line zones, motorbikes are often exempt from the charge, but check the signs . On beaches many open car parks have dedicated spaces for scooters and mopeds free of charge . Hotel Giardino provides a covered parking area for motorbikes and bicycles at no extra cost .
How do I park for hiking on Monte Capanne?
The hiking trail to Elba’s highest peak (1 019 m) starts at the cableway in Marciana. There is a large free car park in Poggio at the cable car station, but in high season spaces fill quickly. Visitors can park along the provincial road nearby and then walk to the station .
Opening times, tariffs and practical advice
Best time to find a space: In summer it is best to arrive at the beaches before 08:00–09:00; free car parks fill up quickly . In towns, some evening spaces open up after dinner, but ZTL restrictions mean that many areas remain closed. Payment apps such as Telepass Pay or EasyPark can help locate and pay for blue‑line spaces without needing to use a meter .
Typical prices: Municipal blue‑line parking generally costs about €1 per hour (minimum payment €0.50) . At Marina di Campo, the price is €1 per hour from 08:00 to 24:00 (1 June–30 September) . At Cavoli the rate is €2 per hour, with special half‑day (€9) and daily (€15) options . Private beach car parks rarely charge by the hour; for example, Fetovaia costs around €18 per day (or €11 for half a day) . Biodola, Padulella and Capo Bianco cost about €10 per day , while other beaches such as Le Tombe and Topinetti remain free . Payment machines usually accept coins, debit cards and mobile apps .
ZTL rules: The main summer ZTL restrictions are summarised below :
- Portoferraio: ZTL1 and ZTL3 operate 24 h; ZTL2 operates 19:30–06:00 .
- Capoliveri: Via Circonvallazione is closed to non‑residents daily from 12:30–14:30 and 18:00–05:00 (1 June–30 September) .
- Marciana Marina: Summer ZTL from 31 May to 15 September; gates on Via XX Settembre and Viale G. Dussol from 13:00–03:00; Viale Aldo Moro from 21:00–03:00 .
- Campo nell’Elba (Marina di Campo): No summer ZTL; instead, blue‑line parking rules apply .
Other villages (Porto Azzurro, Rio, Marciana) have less rigid summer ZTLs . Always check municipal websites or street signs before entering a historic centre .
Hotel Giardino: your base for exploring Elba by car or bike
The Hotel Giardino in Lacona sits in a 30 000 m² park of pine and Mediterranean scrub just 100 m from the wide sandy beach of Lacona . Its strategic position means that the main towns — Marina di Campo, Capoliveri, Porto Azzurro and Portoferraio — are only 10–15 minutes away by car . Guests enjoy comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, satellite TV, air conditioning and safes , plus a large shaded garden with relaxation areas, bar and veranda . The hotel has a free, private parking area for cars, scooters and bicycles , making it an ideal base for exploring the island without worrying about where to leave your vehicle. Additional services include free Wi‑Fi in common areas, a covered bicycle storage area, agreements with diving centres and discounts on ferry tickets. Abundant buffet breakfasts with homemade products are served in the breakfast room, and staff are on hand to recommend itineraries for trekking and mountain biking . For motorcyclists and cyclists, covered parking and a quiet location away from the busiest resorts make it easy to return to the hotel after a day on the road.