Marina di Campo lighthouse

Marina di Campo lighthouse stands on a small headland on Elba's southern coast, right above the harbour of Marina di Campo, in the municipality of Campo nell'Elba, Tuscany.

Where exactly is it?

The lighthouse sits on the tip of a promontory rising above the port's southern pier. It stands right next to an old coastal watchtower, the Torre di Marina di Campo, and together the two structures form a recognisable landmark visible from the water. The light itself occupies the upper part of a rectangular building attached to the tower. Before the light was automated, this building housed the keepers who operated it; today the station runs unattended.

How do you get there?

Marina di Campo is one of Elba's main seaside towns, on the island's south coast, reachable by regular bus services from Portoferraio and other towns on the island. From the town centre, it's a short walk along the harbour promenade toward the southern pier. The small port itself has two piers — an outer one roughly 100 metres long and an inner one of about 65 metres — and the lighthouse stands by the outer pier, clearly visible from the beach and the seafront walkway.

What will you see there?

It's a modest but distinctive structure: a white, rectangular building topped by the lantern, perched on the rocky point above the sea. The light is electric and rhythmic, flashing white every 5 seconds from a 250 W lamp (LABI type), visible up to 10 nautical miles out at sea. By day it works well as a viewpoint — from around the lighthouse and tower you get a clear view over the Marina di Campo bay, the beach and the surrounding hills. In the evening, the steady 5-second flash is easy to spot from the promenade and the beach.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons — Elba is far less crowded than in July and August, and temperatures still allow for walking and swimming. After sunset is a good time to see the light in action and to photograph it from the harbour promenade.

A short history

The lighthouse was put into service in 1901 by Italy's Royal Navy (Regia Marina) to light up a stretch of coast around Marina di Campo that was difficult to navigate. Since then it has guided sailors and fishermen approaching the harbour, and over time it has become one of the recognisable landmarks of the town.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside the lighthouse? No — it's an active navigational aid, not a visitor attraction with public access. You view it from outside, from the pier area and harbour promenade.

Is this the same lighthouse as the one on Capo Poro? No. This is a separate structure, standing directly above the Marina di Campo harbour by its southern pier — different from the lighthouse on the nearby Capo/Monte Poro headland.

Is there an entrance fee? The area around the lighthouse and the harbour are open to the public; walking the promenade is free.

Can you see the light flash from the beach? Yes — after dark, the rhythmic white flash every 5 seconds is visible from Marina di Campo's main beach and from the seafront promenade.