An optical cable having at least one element for the transmission of optical signals and a structure that is able to protect the at least one element. The structure is a multilayer structure and is arranged in a position radially external to the at least one element and has a) at least one first covering layer of polymeric material in a position radially external to the at least one element; b) at least one covering layer of foamed polymeric material in a position radially external to the at least one first covering layer, and c) at least one second covering layer of polymeric material in a position radially external to the at least one covering layer of foamed polymeric material. The foamed polymeric material has a density between 0.3 and 0.7 kg/dm.sup.3 and tensile modulus at 20.degree. C. between 300 and 700 MPa.