← Maratona dell'Isola d'Elba·Day trip

Costa del Sole: The Race Villages Without the Race

The south-west coast villages of Seccheto, Fetovaia, Pomonte and Chiessi are the ones the marathon runs through, and they are quieter and kinder on the Monday after.

DurationDay trip
TransitLocal bus or hire car from Marina di Campo, check timetable
DepartsMarina di Campo

After the Maratona dell'Isola d'Elba: The Costa del Sole

The Route: Marina di Campo → Cavoli → Seccheto → Fetovaia → Pomonte → Chiessi → Marina di Campo Logistics: Local bus or a hire car. Check the Monday timetable before relying on the bus. Marathon Month: May Duration: Day trip

Marina di Campo ──(bus or car along the coast road)──> Seccheto ──> Fetovaia ──> Pomonte ──> Chiessi
        ▲                                                                                   │
        └────────────────────(same road back, check last bus)───────────────────────────────┘

The marathon course leaves Marina di Campo, climbs to the hill villages of Sant'Ilario and San Piero, then drops to the south-west coast and follows it to a turnaround at Chiessi at about km 25, before coming back the same way. Most runners see that coast at race pace and with other things on their minds. A day here on Monday shows it properly.

May on the Costa del Sole can be warm in the sun and cold in the wind, and the 2026 marathon was run in heavy rain. Pack a light waterproof. The water is still cold for swimming, which suits legs that want a paddle rather than a swim.

The villages

The coast road is narrow and winding, and it is the same road that the marathon uses. It is easier by hire car than by bus, because the bus timetable outside summer is limited. If driving, park at each village and walk the front. Cavoli, Seccheto and Fetovaia each have a small beach and a handful of restaurants. Pomonte and Chiessi are smaller and more remote, and several businesses there open only in the main season, so check before making the trip for lunch.

The gradients on the coast road are the point. A marathon course that looks flat on the map is not, and a slow drive shows where the course climbs and drops. Colle Palombaia, at about km 12.5 and again near km 35 on the GPX, is the hill most runners remember.

Food

Partner restaurants of the race are in Marina di Campo, and the coastal villages have their own small places. Confirm opening days, because a Monday closure is common in small Italian resort villages outside July and August.

Getting back

Return to Marina di Campo the same way. If relying on the bus, check the last departure from the coast villages before lunch. A taxi from Marina di Campo is the fallback, but it will cost more the further along the coast you are.