Italian Port Days – Porto Aperto in Portoferraio

A day dedicated to the port of Portoferraio

On April 25, 2026, the port of Portoferraio on the Island of Elba takes center stage as part of the Italian Port Days, the major national event promoted by Assoporti that invites citizens and visitors to rediscover Italian ports as places of culture, knowledge, and identity. In the municipality of Portoferraio, in the province of Livorno and the heart of the Tuscan islands, the event is titled "Porto Aperto" and is curated by the Tuscan Archipelago National Park in collaboration with the North Tyrrhenian Sea Port Authority.

The Roman Villa delle Grotte and the bay

The core of the initiative is a free guided tour of the archaeological complex of the Roman Villa delle Grotte, one of the most evocative Roman-era maritime residences in the archipelago, overlooking the bay of Portoferraio. From the hill where the villa stands, the view embraces the port and the stretch of sea separating Elba from the Piombino coast: a privileged vantage point to understand the strategic value of this port since antiquity. The Park's guides accompany participants through the ruins of the villa, sharing stories of daily Roman life, the relationship with the sea, and the evolution of the port over the centuries.

Italian Port Days on Elba

The 2026 Italian Port Days take place from April 11 to May 29, involving the ports of the Upper Tyrrhenian – from Livorno and Piombino to the Tuscan Archipelago, including Portoferraio, Rio Marina, Cavo, and Capraia. The program alternates between tours, meetings, cultural outreach, and territorial exploration, with the goal of transforming ports into spaces of exchange and participation open to the community. The Elba stop on April 25 combines the maritime dimension with the naturalistic and archaeological heritage typical of the National Park.

Why participate

• A free tour of an archaeological site usually explored with expert accompaniment;
• The story of the port of Portoferraio and its thousand-year history;
• A unique panorama of the bay and the Elba channel;
• The chance to experience the Island of Elba in spring, away from the summer crowds.

"Porto Aperto" is designed for families, history and nature enthusiasts, and anyone wishing to learn more about the bond between Portoferraio and its sea. An authentic way to celebrate the maritime identity of the Tuscan islands.