Go to the beach on Elba
There are many beaches on the island of Elba, more than a hundred. But some can only be reached by sea: those accessible by land are in total 86, of which 21 are sandy. In each of the eight municipalities into which the territory is administratively divided (Portoferraio, Marciana Marina, Marciana, Campo nell’Elba, Capoliveri, Porto Azzurro, Rio Marina, Rio nell’Elba) there are sandy, gravel or pebble coasts, all bathed by pure sea waters, of turquoise and emerald color.
Sandy beaches are highlighted by the yellow background of the description text.
Let’s find out all of them by going around the island counterclockwise in the next paragraph, not before inquiring, if necessary, on how to reach the island of Elba by ferry or hydrofoil (at the link for lines and timetables).
And here are the right places to sunbathe and bathe, described with useful details.
Beaches in Portoferraio
Bagnaia beach
In the gulf of Portoferraio, at the opposite end to that of the port, in front of the village of the same name, there is the beach of Bagnaia, made of pebbles, gravel and sand. 300 meters long, it is equipped and on the rear promenade there are shops, bars and restaurants.
Ottonella beach
There is also the beach of Ottonella (or della Concia) in the Gulf of Portoferraio. Of sand and pebbles, it is completely free, devoid of services, and is surrounded by spontaneous vegetation.
Ottone beach
Adjacent to the previous one, from which it is separated by a small cliff, the beach of Ottone is however larger (about 300 meters), but in any case of sand mixed with pebbles. The sloping seabed makes it ideal for families with children. It is both free and equipped.
Magazzini beach
The beach in front of the village of Magazzini is of gravel and sand, free, not very wide, with a sloping seabed. There is a restaurant bar and a marina and there is the possibility to rent deck chairs and umbrellas.
Schiopparello-Le Prade beach
The Schiopparello-Le Prade beach is made up of sand and pebbles. Not very wide but about 400 meters long, it has several areas shaded by tamarisk trees. There is a kiosk bar and the rental of bathing equipment.
Le Viste beach
Just outside the Gulf of Portoferraio, on the outer side of the arm that delimits it, there is the Le Viste beach, near the historic center of Portoferraio. Of sand mixed with pebbles, it is 180 meters long and houses a restaurant that also offers the rental service of sun loungers and umbrellas. The return on the road, where Villa dei Mulini, Napoleon’s residence, is located, is not very comfortable as the climb is steep.
Le Ghiaie beach
Le Ghiaie beach is long (about 300 meters) and wide, with white pebbles, with an equipped bathing establishment. Behind it, in addition to bars and restaurants, there are public gardens. The body of water in front (up to the so-called Scoglietto), due to the beauty of the seabed and the presence of many fish, is an area of biological protection, for which there is a ban on fishing.
Padulella beach
Padulella beach, about 170 meters long, is characterized by cliffs and white pebbles. This marine area, overlooking the coast, with its crystalline waters, is also an area of biological protection. There is a bar, restaurant, sun lounger and umbrella rental service.
Capo Bianco beach
Of white pebbles and white gravel, the Capo Bianco beach winds along the cliffs for about 300 meters. Despite the beauty of the coast, in some points it is necessary to pay attention to the risk of landslides.
Sottobomba beach
Sottomba beach is located in a wild context, at the foot of a ridge covered with Mediterranean scrub, and can be reached via a hundred steps. About 200 meters long, it is composed of pebbles and white gravel.
Seccione beach
Seccione beach, also known as Prunini beach, is made of pebbles and white gravel mixed with golden sand. To reach it you have to go down through the approximately one hundred steps made in the vegetation along the ridge. There is a bar service and rental of sunbeds, umbrellas and canoes.
Acquaviva beach
The beach of Acquaviva, about 100 meters long, of gravel and pebbles, is located in a bay behind which there is a small green plain before the hills. The shore is sandy and there are no bathing facilities.
Sorgente beach
The Sorgente beach is also called Acquavivetta. Composed of white pebbles, it is approximately 100 meters long and the cliffs behind it are not particularly steep.
Sansone beach
Sansone beach is located under steep ridges and is made up of white pebbles. There is both a bathhouse and a free section. The shoreline and the first few meters of the seabed are also pebbly, after which the bottom becomes rocky.
Enfola beach
Located on the isthmus that connects Capo Enfola to the island, the Enfola beach is made up of coarse gray pebbles and is approximately 150 meters long. Bathing equipment and pedal boats can be hired. There is the bar, the restaurant and a diving center.
Pinetina beach
Difficult to reach, in the Gulf of Viticcio, the Pinetina beach can be reached from the ground only via a very impervious path and not suitable for everyone. At the foot of the ridge there are 30 meters of clear pebbles, framed by rocks even in the first meters of the water in front.
Viticcio beach
The Viticcio beach is made up of rocks and large pebbles and, immersed in the Mediterranean scrub, has no bathing or catering services.
Forno beach
With fine golden sand, the Forno beach is about 100 meters long. On the seabed, one meter from the shoreline, there are rocks. Close to the beach there is a small cluster of houses. Sunbeds, umbrellas and kayaks are hired.
Scaglieri beach
Scaglieri beach is an expanse of almost 150 meters of very fine and golden sand. Located in the Gulf of Biodola, it has both a bathing establishment and a free piece, however surrounded by all kinds of rental services and shops. The seabed, sometimes sandy and sometimes pebbly, slopes gently.
Biodola beach
The Biodola beach, of fine golden sand, is about 600 meters long and is characterized by sloping sandy bottoms and vegetation that provides shade on the initial strip of the beach. There are various bathing establishments and free stretches, bars and restaurants. The beach is great for families and children.
Beaches of Marciana Marina
Sprizze beach
A steep path leads to the Sprizze beach, made of dark pebbles, which is neither very long nor wide. With no services, it is sheltered by pines and holm oaks.
Bagno beach
Bagno beach is pebbly, even on the seabed. The old fishermen’s houses and the tonnara are close to the beach, which is about 70 meters long and can be reached via a path with steps. There are no services.
Remontò beach
The small beach of Remontò is made of pebbles and stones, with a flat cliff. To reach it you have to cross a pine forest that, with the Mediterranean scrub, laps the shore making the place very wild.
La Marina beach
The beach on the seafront of Marciana Marina is called La Marina. Sometimes sandy and sometimes gravel, it is approximately 350 meters long. Most of it is free but there is an equipped bathing establishment, with facilities also for the disabled.
La Fenicia beach
Near the Torre degli Appiani, the pebble beach La Fenicia offers all the comforts thanks to the two bathing establishments present, one of which also offers a swimming pool. Approximately 100 meters long, it has flat cliffs on either side. Award-winning with the Blue Flag.
La Fenicetta beach
On one of the two cliffs that flanks La Fenicia there is a walkway and stairs that lead to the pebble beach La Fenicetta.
La Cala beach
Through a path of almost one kilometer you can reach the pebbly beach of La Cala, surrounded by nature. The small bay is used as a shelter from small boats that are also hoisted onto the beach.
Beaches of Marciana
Lamaia beach
The wide and wild beach of Lamaia, made of sand and gravel, borders on a reed bed and is surrounded by the shrub vegetation of the wood. The length is 60 meters.
Porticciolo beach
The small beach of the Porticciolo, about 40 meters long, is pebble, in a natural environment, without services. Behind there is a wooded hill.
Procchio beach
The Procchio beach, almost one kilometer long, of sand, is one of the largest on Elba. The golden sandy arch, ideal for families with offspring in tow also thanks to the gently sloping seabed, is easily accessible and consists precisely of the Procchio beach, Campo all’Aia and the Guardiola. There is no shortage of free stretches and establishments with all bathing services and equipment. In addition, the village with various shops is within easy reach.
Spartaia beach
On Spartaia beach, approximately 150 meters long, the sand is soft and golden. At times free and at times in concession, the coast has a very slowly sloping seabed and is a favorite for families with children.
Paolina beach
La Paolina beach owes its name to the large rock found in the water in front of it, so named in homage to Napoleon’s sister who is said to have frequented the place. Almost 100 meters long, it is made of sand mixed with pebbles and enjoys the shade of an oak forest. There is a small bathing establishment.
Redinoce beach
The Redinoce beach is pebbly, but the establishment which occupies most of the approximately 100 meters long beach has created a gravel widening with sun beds and umbrellas. There is also a specific area for dogs.
Cotoncello beach
The sandy beach of Cotoncello is about 50 meters long. Located in the Gulf of Sant’Andrea, just after the stretch of coast that administratively belongs to the municipality of Marciana Marina, it has no services and is framed in a suggestive natural landscape made of rocks and vegetation.
Sant’Andrea beach
Sant’Andrea beach offers 150 meters of fine white sand. Fairly large, it is within easy reach of the bars and restaurants in the back.
Punta Polveraia beach
The beach of Punta Polveraia, also known as della Guardia, can be reached along a steep path that winds through the vegetation of the ridge that is close to it. Approximately 60 meters long, wild and without facilities, it is composed of pebbles.
Chiessi beach
Chiessi beach, right on the seafront of the homonymous hamlet in the municipality of Marciana, is made up of pebbles, with a side cliff perfect for relaxing in the sun. It is not very large and is located to the west, from where the sunset is a spectacle.
Beaches of Campo nell’Elba
Relitto beach
Pebbly, the beach of the Shipwreck (relitto in italian) is so called because the wreck of a merchant ship is located not far from the shore. The location is Marina di Campo, part of the municipality of Campo nell’Elba, and there is a bathing establishment as well as a free stretch.
Fetovaia beach
The paradisiacal beach of Fetovaia, 200 meters long, very wide, is of fine and clear sand. Protected laterally by the verdant Punta Fetovaia, and surrounded by Mother Nature, it is ideal for families with children. Easily accessible, even for the disabled, it includes bathing establishments that have all the comforts. There is no shortage of freely accessible areas.
Seccheto beach
The Sant’Andrea beach offers 150 meters of fine white sand. Fairly large, it is within easy reach of the bars and restaurants in the back.
Cavoli beach
Cavoli beach is of medium sand and exceeds 350 meters in length. The seabed is low and sandy and since it is exposed to the south it is also frequented in low season, very often by young people. A cliff separates the free section from the one in concession to three establishments, which often offer musical performances.
Colle Palombaia beach
Colle Palombaia beach has coarse sand and pebbles and is also called the Cento Scalini (one hundred steps), a name that highlights the characteristics of the access road. About 300 meters long, it is free but there is a bar and a beach equipment rental business.
Galenzana beach
Of medium golden sand, the beach of Galenzana is both free and equipped, reachable through a path in the Mediterranean scrub, approximately one kilometer and a half long, with shrubs that reach the coast, whose length exceeds 200 meters. The facing seabed is low and pebbly.
Marina di Campo beach
Excellent for children and families, the beach of Marina di Campo, a hamlet and municipal capital, is of medium, golden sand, and the seabed slopes very gently. With its 1300 meters it is the longest on the island and has free stretches as well as all the possible and imaginable comforts, thanks to the equipped bathing establishments, rentals, sailing, diving, windsurfing schools and proximity to the town.
Fonza beach
The beach of Fonza, surrounded by spontaneous and Mediterranean vegetation, is made up of gravel and pebbles. Located in a wild cove, it is completely free and is about 100 meters long.
Beaches of Capoliveri
Laconella beach
Laconella beach, next to Punta della Contessa, is of fine sand. Along the approximately 200 meters there are no bathing establishments. The seabed, in some places, and only for a scarce meter from the shoreline, is pebbly; it is generally made of sand. The path of a hundred meters leading to the coast from the road is not very comfortable.
Cala di Punta della Contessa
The forked promontory of Punta della Contessa contains within it a small free beach (30 meters) of gravel, with a pebble seabed in front.
Lacona beach
Lacona beach, with its 1200 meters, is the second longest on the island. Of medium sand, it has a sloping and often sandy bottom. Access is convenient, as the distance from the main road is short but, at the same time, it is surrounded by nature, with a pine forest close to the coast. In addition to the bathing establishments, there are several bars and restaurants, boat and windsurf rental businesses, diving centers.
Margidore beach
Easily accessible, Margidore beach is made up of sand and pebbles. About 800 meters long, it is entirely free. There is a rental business of beach equipment, kayaks and pedal boats and a windsurfing school.
Acquarilli beach
Acquarilli beach is officially reserved for naturists and nudists. Made of gravel and small pebbles, it is about 200 meters long and is wild, completely free and without services.
Norsi beach
The beach of Norsi is located in the Stella Gulf, and it is approximately 400 meters long, of coarse and dark sand and gravel, with the Mediterranean scrub covering the area behind it. There is a bathhouse but for the most part it is free.
Felciaio beach
The Felciaio beach is sandy, about 100 meters long, free. There is a bar and the opposite stretch of water is protected by a cliff.
Lido di Capoliveri beach
The large beach of Lido di Capoliveri is almost 500 meters long. Made of sand, it is framed by vegetation and can be easily reached. It is both free and equipped. The seabed slopes down slowly.
Zuccale beach
The beach of Zuccale is sandy, with the size of the grains varying from medium to coarse, and is almost 200 meters long. The shoreline is sandy. In addition to free sections there is an equipped bathing establishment.
Barabarca beach
Barabarca beach is sandy and wild, enclosed in a green bay. To access the free coast, you have to go through several steps. There is a bar which also offers the possibility to rent sun loungers and parasols.
Stecchi beaches
The two beaches of Stecchi, of golden gravel, are both free, with a total length of just over 50 meters, framed by tuff cliffs on which the Mediterranean scrub peeps out.
Madonna delle Grazie beach
This beach takes its name from the nearby Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie. Of sand and gravel, approximately 80 meters long, it is all free, with a restaurant bar and a diving center. From here you can get to the little beach called Maretto.
Peducelli beach
Peducelli beach is made up of medium and coarse gravel, and is about 100 meters long. It is not easy to access, through paths and stairways. Surrounded by greenery, it is entirely free.
Morcone beach
Morcone beach is mostly sandy, with pebbles from the shoreline up to the seabed. The length is 270 meters and there are bathing establishments that offer every comfort, even for the disabled. The beach is easy to access.
Pareti beach
The Pareti beach is of golden sand, with a sloping seabed. It is 200 meters of coastline in a bay where the accommodation facilities alternate with shrub vegetation. One piece is freely usable, while on another there is a bathhouse with all the comforts.
Innamorata beach
The Innamorata (fallen in love in italian) beach, so called because of a legend according to which a girl threw herself into the sea to save her beloved kidnapped by pirates, is made up of sand. Almost 300 meters long, it is both equipped and free.
Istia beach
Istia beach is not easily accessible but is located in a wild natural setting with a pine forest behind it. Made of sand and small pebbles, it is approximately 100 meters long.
Calanova beach
Calanova beach is made up of sand and gravel. Partly equipped, it is located in a green natural environment with a bar and restaurant.
Malpasso beach
Malpasso beach is entirely immersed in nature; it is of coarse gravel and free. It can be reached via a fairly difficult path to follow.
Ferrato beach
The Ferrato beach is made of reddish gravel and small pebbles, reachable via an easy path, with shrubs and hedges that reach above the coast; it is entirely free. The seabed is low and pebbly.
Straccoligno beach
The sandy beach of Straccoligno is 200 meters long. Despite being surrounded by wild nature, it is equipped with all comforts, and it is also perfect for families with children and for the disabled, thanks to the services and the sloping seabed.
Capo Perla beach
Reachable via a path with stairs, the beach of Capo Perla is of sand mixed with pebbles and it is completely free. The location is between Capo Perla and Capo Focardo, where, in a seventeenth-century fort, there is a lighthouse.
Naregno beach
On the seafront of the municipal hamlet of the same name, the beach of Naregno is of sand and gravel, 500 meters long, and it is easily accessible, equipped with all services, even for the disabled, with a sloping seabed. There are also sailing, surfing and diving schools.
Beaches of Porto Azzurro
Mola beach
The beach of Mola is located in the homonymous gulf and it is made of gravel and pebbles. Along the 200 meters in length, there are a free stretch, a bathhouse and a bathing area equipped for dogs.
La Pianotta beach
La Pianotta is a small coarse gravel beach in the municipality of Porto Azzurro, near the town.
Barbarossa beach
The beach of Barbarossa is made up of sand with coarse grains; it is free and partly equipped. About 150 meters long, it is located near the center, from which it can be reached along the kilometer of the so-called Carmignani walk.
Reale beach
The Reale beach is made up of sand and pebbles; it is about 100 meters long and very wide. The context in which it is inserted is quite wild, but there is a bathing establishment in addition to the free sections, and it is easily accessible.
Terranera beach
The beach of Terranera (sand and pebbles) is characterized by the presence of the homonymous lake behind it, emerald color, not suitable for bathing due to the presence of sulphurous water, formed due to the mining activity.
Beaches of Rio Marina
Ortano beach
The beach of Ortano, made of gravel and pebbles, is very wide, and 150 meters long. It is located in front of the homonymous islet. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available exclusively for customers of the nearby tourist village.
Porticciolo di Rio beach
The beach of Porticciolo di Rio, made of gravel and pebbles, is about 100 meters long, without services. It can be reached along the so-called Sentiero dell’Amore (the panoramic route of the Porticciolo, the Path of Love in italian), which also passes through the holm oak and pine forest that borders the coast.
Luisi d’Angelo beach
Made up of gravel and small pebbles, approximately 40 meters long, the beach of Luisi d’Angelo is also accessible via the Sentiero dell’Amore (the Path of Love) and it is free.
Marina di Gennaro beach
Even the 25-meter beach called Marina di Gennaro (devoid of services of any kind) is gravelly and pebbly and can be reached via the panoramic walk, with final steps, of the so-called Path of Love (Sentiero dell’Amore).
Torre beach
At the foot of the coastal watchtower and defense, in the center of Rio Marina, there is a small free beach, about 30 meters long, of pebbles.
Sasso beach
The small beach of the Sasso is contiguous to the pier of the port of Rio Marina, near the town, and it is free, made up of sand mixed with pebbles.
Topinetti beach
Topinetti beach is located near the old Rio Albano mine. Made up of pebbles and sometimes sand, it is 200 meters long, with a kiosk bar and rental of sunbeds and umbrellas.
Cala Seregola beach
The beach of Cala Seregola is made of gravel and pebbles. Almost 200 meters long, it faces the ancient construction site of the important local mine. There is a car park, a bar and the rental of bathing equipment.
Fornacelle beach
Fornacelle beach, also known as Cala del Telegrafo, is made up of sand and pebbles, with a sloping seabed, and it extends for 150 meters in a wooded bay. There is a restaurant bar and a rental of parasols and deck chairs.
Cavo beach
The beach of Cavo is located on the seafront of the municipal hamlet of Cavo, near the port, and it is about 400 meters long, of gravel and white pebbles. Both free and with a bathing establishment, it has a gravelly and sloping seabed.
Cala delle Alghe
Cala delle Alghe is a pebbly beach completely free, with a sandy shoreline and a view of the islets of Cerboli and Palmaiola.
Frugoso beach
The Frugoso beach, more than 200 meters long, is made up of gravel and pebbles and it is located between Capo Vita and Capo Castello. Framed in the vegetation, however, it is easily accessible from the seafront and it offers various bathing services. Not far from the shore there is the islet of Topi.
Beaches of Rio nell’Elba
Nisportino beach
The beach of Nisportino 8in the bay of the same name) is set between two promontories surrounded by Mediterranean scrub. It is of gravel and pebbles and more than 100 meters long. It is protected behind by a reed thicket, with a restaurant bar and beach umbrella and sun lounger hire at the side.
Nisporto beach
Nisporto beach is a large pebble crescent (more than 200 meters long) set in a landscape characterized by bushes and shrubs. In one corner there is an old building that once served as a brick kiln. There is a bathhouse, a sailing school, a pedal boat rental and a diving center.
