Ferries to Pianosa

The ferry port of Pianosa lies on the flat island of the same name in the Tuscan archipelago, south-west of Elba and part of the province of Livorno. A penal colony stood here until 1997; today the island belongs to the national park. The small berth is called at from Piombino on the mainland and from Rio Marina on Elba, on one day of the week each; together the routes add up to as many as 4 departures a day. Crossings take between 1.75 and 2.75 hours. The port is served by Toremar.

Getting there and the terminal

Pianosa can be reached all year round: the Toremar ferry leaves Piombino on Tuesdays and calls at Rio Marina on Elba on the way. Access to the island is chargeable and tied to the Tuscan Archipelago National Park; you pay the entrance ticket together with the operator's fare. Visitor numbers are capped, normally at 450 a day; on the Tuesdays with a ferry call, up to 200 additional people may come ashore. You may move about freely only in the village by the harbour. The grounds of the former penal colony behind the wall remain closed, and you may walk the paths across the island only in the company of accredited nature guides. Dogs have to stay outside, guide dogs excepted.