Rio Marina

Italy, Italy

---

Rio Marina is a small fishing and mining village on the eastern side of Elba Island in Tuscany, Italy, with roots dating back to Etruscan times that was once known as the “Capital of Iron” of Elba.

For centuries, the town’s mines and port were central to extracting and transporting iron ore, whose reddish color and glimmer still characterizes the town’s buildings, beaches, and even seabeds today. The iron mines closed in 1981, and Rio Marina has since transformed into a flourishing seaside resort focused on tourism while preserving its rich mining heritage.

Visitors can explore the Island of Elba Mineral Park, an open-air museum where you can walk, bike, or ride a small train through rocks and minerals of inestimable value, or visit the Museum of Elba Minerals and Mining Art housed in the former Mine’s Directorate building that recreates original mining environments. The town features historic attractions including a 16th-century hexagonal port tower, an 1882 clock tower, the 1570 oratory of San Rocco, and the Rio Marina rock necropolis—a natural gallery in San Giuseppe cave containing remains of over 80 people from the 3rd millennium BC.

Rio Marina serves as an ideal starting point for exploring Elba’s “Shining Coast” stretching to Cavo, offers beautiful beaches like Cala Seregola and Topinetti, and hosts annual festivals honoring patron saints Santa Barbara and San Rocco. With about 1,220 permanent residents, this hidden gem combines natural beauty, fascinating history, and a relaxed atmosphere for travelers seeking sea, sun, and slow tourism.