The beaches and the bathing establishments on the Island of Elba

White sand or pebbles, granite cliffs and crystal clear sea

One of the strangest aspects of the biggest island in Tuscany is how each area is completely different from all the others. Each of the hundreds of beaches in Elba is like no other: you can find long ones with golden sand, or tiny coves made of of small shingle, black sandy ones, or with pure white shingles, and even smooth granite cliffs. These beautiful beaches, with breathtaking views, and the crystal clear sea are in no way inferior to the typical Caribbean beaches.

The pages we have made up refer only to the main beaches - it would be impossible to list every single tiny grove - and our aim is to help you choose where you want to lie in the sun or go for a refreshing swim in the crystal clear sea.

In most beaches, the sea gets deeper the further in you go, with exception of the sandy beaches of La Biodola, Marina di Campo, Lacona, Procchio and Fetovaia; here the sea is very shallow and doesn't start getting deeper until after about 30-40 metres.

All the beaches are free on the island of Elba, or at the worst, a good part on each beach is free.On most of the bigger beaches there are fully equipped bathing establishments where you can hire not only bathing huts, sun beds and sun umbrellas, but also practise many water sports. Some beaches also have what is called a Punto Blu, where you can hire your sun umbrella and sun bed and use them on the part of the beach that is free.

We have also listed the major sandy beaches in Elba, suitable for children. There are also some beaches on the Island where dogs are allowed, so that your pet can be with you at all times.

Although the law doesn't normally allow it, there are beaches on the Island of Elba where nude swimming and sunbathing is accepted. We have made up a list of six areas in Elba where it has been done for years.

And finally, one last piece of advice should your day at the beach be ruined because you have been stung by a jellyfish: natural relief and not once you've been stung!

Legend of points of interest

Sand and shingles / Black

Shingles / Golden

Shingles / Black

Shingles / Multicolor

Shingles / Grey

Sand and shingles / Golden

Sand and shingles / Multicolor

Sand / Golden

Shingles / White

Sand and shingles / Red

Reef / Grey

Sand and shingles / Grey

Sand and shingles / White

Sand / Black

Sand / White

Shingles / Red

Sand / Grey

Le Ghiaie Le Ghiaie, made up of small, smooth white shingle, is one of Portoferraio's most beautiful beaches. Environment protection area, thus perfect for scuba diving.

Cala dei Frati Cala dei Frati is a small, white pebble beach with access by sea only; sheltered from all winds, be they scirocco or the west wind.

Padulella Padulella is a white pebble beach, near Le Ghiaie and Capo Bianco, with many facilities and a crystal clear sea.

Capo Bianco Capo Bianco is a white pebble beach with crystal clear water, not far from the centre of Portoferraio

Sottobomba Sottobomba is white shingle beach, typical of this area, with a crystal clear sea and spacious car park.

Seccione Seccione beach (also called Prunini) is a very quiet and relaxing beach on the road to Viticcio, in Portoferraio.

Acquaviva Acquaviva is a small, white shingle beach, near Enfola and Viticcio, in the commune of Portoferraio

Sorgente La Sorgente (also called Acquavivetta) is tiny, white shingle beach near Viticcio and Enfola, in Portoferraio.

Sansone Sansone is an enchanting beach consisting of small white shingle and has a fantastic sea bed, typical of the northern side of the Island of Elba.

Enfola Capo d'Enfola is famous for its ancient tuna fishing port, now the seat of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. The narrow isthmus has a beach on either side.

Pinetina Crystal clear water that is shallow till quite far out that is breathtakingly beautiful with various shades of blue.

Viticcio There are no facilities on the beaches in Viticcio, so they are perfect if you want to have a relaxing time at the beach away from the busy crowds.

Forno Forno is a small, quiet sandy beach facing La Biodola Gulf.

Scaglieri Tiny sandy beach next to La Biodola, with many facilities and breathtaking sunsets over the Island of Capraia on the horizon.

Biodola Biodola is a sandy beach in one of the most enchanting gulfs in Elba, near Portoferraio. Beautiful hotels and restaurants right on the beach.

Lamaia Tiny beach that is interesting from a naturalistic point of view and that you get to by following the Sentiero della Salute: Biodola - Procchio.

Porticciolo Porticciolo beach is a tiny, sheltered pristine inlet that is much loved by boatmen who are looking for peace and quiet.

Procchio Procchio is one of the longest and most pleasant sandy beaches in Elba, with a very wide choice of facilities and plenty room to park.

Spartaia Fine, golden sand set like a precious jewel between two rows of cliffs: this is Spartaia beach.

La Paolina La Paolina is a sand and tiny stone beach, and takes it name from Napoleon's sister.

Redinoce Redinoce is a fully equipped, stone and sand beach between Procchio and Marciana Marina.

Le Sprizze Dark shingle beach sheltered by a pine grove, on the road between Procchio and Marciana Marina.

Bagno Bagno is a small beach consisting of medium/large shingle, mostly grey and multicoloured.

Remontò Remonto is a tiny beach consisting of pebbles of different colours and is near Marciana Marina.

Crocetta Crocetta beach consists of large, cream coloured stones, and offers you a crystal clear sea near Marciana Marina.

Marciana Marina Small beach next to the town of Marciana Marina

La Fenicia La Fenicia is a long, shingle beach in Marciana Marina, with easy access and numerous facilities for the disabled.

La Fenicetta Enchanting tiny, almost hidden beach set like a jewel in picturesque natural surroundings

Ripa Barata Ripa Barata is a tiny, pristine cove that takes its name from the "landslide" of rocks to the right of the beach.

La Cala Set like a jewel in one of the most beautiful coastlines of the island with lush vegetation all around.

Cotoncello The small beach of Cotoncello has smooth granite cliffs at its back, and is considered a natural swimming pool.

Sant'Andrea The cream coloured fine grain sand makes Sant'Andrea the perfect beach for relaxing on.

Cote Piane Beautiful smooth granite rocks to lie on and sunbathe.

Punta Polveraia This beautiful cove, sometimes called Guardia beach, lies in the high cliffs of Punta Polveraia.

Patresi Patresi beach consists of large pebbles, and the beautiful sea bed is perfect for lovers of scuba diving and snorkelling.

Le Buche Tiny beach along the Costa del Sole that you can get to from Colle d'Orano

Campo Lo Feno Perfect for those who want to relax on a secluded and peaceful beach

Pietre Albe The beach lies at the foot of Monte Capanne with a very steep and high coastline behind it.

Punta Nera The magnificent, breathtaking colours of the sea make this beach one of the most frequently photographed by anyone going along the Western Ring Road in Elba.

Chiessi Chiessi beach is surrounded by granite cliffs, and is perfect for those who want to do windsurf or go snorkelling on the Island of Elba.

Calello e Cala Maestrale Unbelievably white granite cliffs that gently slope down as far as the sea

Pomonte Pomonte beach has the same name as the town where it sits, whose sea bed fascinates scuba divers and whose weather is much loved by windsurfing fans.

Relitto Relitto (or Quartiere) is the perfect beach to start off from if you want to go and see the Elviscot shipwreck.

Ogliera The most southern beach of the three in Pomonte, facing the Ogliera rock.

Giardino Tiny, quiet beach in the heart of natural, wild and unpolluted beauty

Le Tombe Le Tombe beach consists of tiny, dark stones, and although not very easy to get to it is of pristine, natural beauty.

Aliva Cala dell'Aliva is one of the Island of Elba's most deserted and pristine beaches.

Fetovaia Famous Fetovaia, one of the most suggestive beaches on the island, consists of golden sand and smooth rocks.

Le Calle The crystal clear water and the fact that the area is secluded means that Le Calle rocks are much loved.

Le Piscine Famous for its flat, rather smooth rocks that are comfortable for lying on, dotted with natural pools created by the waves.

Seccheto Pleasant and peaceful, coarse grain sands beach, surrounded by beautiful cliffs, Seccheto is perfect if you want peace and quiet.

Cavoli Cavoli is a sandy beach, perfect for teenagers who want to have a good time and get a great sun tan.

Colle Palombaia Colle Palombaia is a pristine and suggestive beach near Marina di Campo, and is perfect if you want to relax away from the noisy crowd.

Galenzana Galenzana is a unique and extremely beautiful beach, with Mediterranean bush all around.

Salandro The second of the two, tiny, magnificent and rugged beaches berween Marina di Campo and Galenzana beach, on a very lush part of the coast.

Salandro Due A tiny, pristine heaven on earth from both an environmental and a scenic point of view.

Marina di Campo Marina di Campo is a long beach consisting of fine grain sand, right next to the town, and is perfect for children because the water is shallow till far out.

Fonza Fonza beach is near Marina di Campo, dogs are allowed. The sea is shallow till quite far out, the sea bed is sandy.

Cala di Punta di Mele A tiny, enchanting cove that is very quiet because access is only by sea, also called Punta alle Mete by the locals.

Ripa Nera Ripa Nera beach is unique, and takes its name from the steep, dark cliffs that drop sheer down as far as the sea.

Laconella Laconella is an enchanting, fine grain sandy beach between the Punta della Contessa promontory and Capo Fonza.

Cala di Punta della Contessa Tiny, dark shingle beach well sheltered by two rows of rocks that separate it from the beaches of Laconella and Lacona.

Lacona Lacona is one of Elba's largest beaches, and consists of fine grain sand dunes, with many facilities to offer.

Margidore Margidore is a very long, but quiet beach, easy to get to, even by the disabled. Bars, as well as canoe and surf rental on the beach.

Acquarilli Acquarilli is an enchanting beach, thanks to its black sand and shingle, and the steep cliffs around it.

Norsi Norsi is a long, sand and shingle beach in Capoliveri, easy to get to and perfect for children.

Felciaio Felciaio is both a sandy and a pebble beach, and is perfect for those who wish to relax or love diving.

Lido di Capoliveri Lido di Capoliveri is a large, sandy beach, very popular among teenagers and very easy to get to thanks to the bus service.

Zuccale Zuccale beach consisting of fine grain sand and rocks, offers crystal clear water and breathtaking sunsets.

Barabarca Barabarca beach has more than one type of sand, and is in a bay that is sheltered from most winds that blow across the island.

Stecchi Due Tiny, quiet beach sheltered by low cliffs that are rich in tuff.

Stecchi Small, enchanting beach on a flat, tuffaceous part of the coast, between Barabarca and Madonna delle Grazie.

Madonna delle Grazie Madonna delle Grazie is a small, sand and pebble beach, with a diving school, and a bar/restaurant.

Peducelli A picturesque beach with suggestive cliffs covered in Mediterranean bush watching over it.

Morcone Morcone is a small beach near the centre of Capoliveri, and despite not being very long it offers many facilities.

Pareti Pareti is a sandy beach surrounded by Mediterranean scrub, not far from the centre of Capoliveri.

Innamorata Innamorata beach, a romantic, sandy cove, that offers you crystal clear water and enchanting sunsets.

Le Francesche Le Francesche beach is in the Calamita mining area and is one of the most rugged and deserted beaches on the Island of Elba.

Cannello Cannello beach stands out because the scenery has been deeply influenced by the extracion work carried out in the nearby mines.

Vetrangoli A small beach in the mining area of Capoliveri, characterized by sand of suggestive and varying hues that gives the beach an unbelievable colourful aspect.

Remaiolo Remaiolo is a sandy beach you can't get to by car, so it is very quiet. There are several small, rugged coves nearby.

Ginepro Ginepro beach has come to be thanks to the stone residues and iron gravel and is right below what is left of the mine.

Cala delle Brache Cala delle Brache beach is home to several colonies of seagulls, hence the name of the coast.

Punta Bianca (Carbonaia) Free climbing is very popular on the cliffs of Punta Bianca.

Stagnone Two tiny beaches surrounded by low rocks that have created a kind of natural swimming pool, hence the name Stagnone.

Punta Nera Two tiny beaches set like jewels in rocky cliffs north east of Monte Calamita.

Buzzancone A tiny, pristine beach from a natural and scenic point of view, perfect for going snorkelling.

Istia Getting to Istia (or Istria) beach is not easy, but the peace and quiet you find here more than make up for the difficulty in getting there.

Calanova Calanova beach is a tiny oasis surrounded by lush vegetation that grows right down as far as the beach.

Malpasso Malpasso beach is in a rather rugged part of the coast, and very important from a naturalistic point of view.

Ferrato Ferrato is the name of two small beaches on the eastern side of the Island of Elba separated one from the other by a line of rocks.

Straccoligno Straccoligno is a beautiful, pristine, sandy beach with bars and restaurants, as well as many tourist facilities like windsurfing schools.

Capo Perla A tiny cove surrounded by Mediterranean bush with the majestic Fort Focardo watching over it.

Naregno Naregno is a sandy beach between Porto Azzurro and Capoliveri, near many types of accommodation for tourists.

Mola Since 2006 Mola has been the first Dog Beach on the Island of Elba

La Rossa La Rossa is inside the harbour in Porto Azzurro and looks out to one of the biggest inlets in the eastern side of the Island of Elba.

La Pianotta La Pianotta is one of the two beaches in the town of Porto Azzurro

Barbarossa Barbarossa is a sandy beach near Porto Azzurro, surrounded by a lush green bay, and is easy to get to by car.

Reale Reale, where you can still see traces of the mines, is a sandy beach near Porto Azzurro and not far from the small lake of Terranera.

Terranera Terranera beach, consisting of sand mixed with hematite, which explains its dark colour, separates the sea from the lake bearing the same name.

Ortano Ortano is one of the most popular beaches on this side of Elba and is perfect if you want to go snorkelling or swim out to the tiny island.

Porticciolo di Rio Just follow the "Sentiero dell'Amore" from Ortano, and the first tiny cove you get to is Porticciolo beach.

Luisi d'Angelo Beautiful, tiny bay set along a green and peaceful coastline.

Marina di Gennaro Several vineyard terracings above it and a pine tree at the top of the cliffs.

La Torre The beach lies at the foot of the sixteenth century Appian Tower that can be seen from anywhere in the town.

Del Sasso Del Sasso beach used to be much longer and was a favourite place for getting together with friends and chatting

Portello The beach is in a rather unusual area that is characterized by industrial mining archaeology

Malpasso di Rio The beach consists of thousands of iron mineral lamellas and hematite micro crystals that shimmer in the sun.

Ripa Bianca Ripa Bianca beach is pristine and rugged, and takes its name from the large, white pebbles it is made up of.

Topinetti Truly beautiful beach, thanks to the contrast in colours between the dark, iron, mineral sand underneath, and the white medium sized stones on top.

Cala Seregola Cala Seregola beach consists mainly of dark, mineral sand mixed with tiny stones, and is near the mines in Rio Marina.

Direttore A tiny, rugged beach without any facilities, consisting of blackish sand rich in iron minerals that sparkles in the sun.

Fornacelle Fornacelle beach consists of sand and iron dust that sparkles in the sun!

San Bennato San Bennato (or San Bernardo), is the first part of the beach that was once the long beach in Cavo.

Cavo The perfect beach if you want to relax by the sea. Various facilities to be found here, as well as a tourist port and refuelling for boats.

Cala delle Alghe Wonderful bay with a breathtaking view and crystal clear water surrounded by beautiful rocks.

Frugoso Frugoso is a small beach made up of tiny stones, and there is also a car park and a bar.

Mangani Almost magical because typically pristine and rugged, Mangani beach is one of the most beautiful and untouched bays on the Island of Elba.

Rivercina Rivercina is one of the most deserted beaches on the Island of Elba because it is one of the most rugges and pristine.

Nisportino Nisportino is definitely the beach for those who want to escape from the city and have a completely relaxing holiday.

Nisporto Nisporto is well sheltered from the wind and is perfect for children, thanks to its sea bed and the numerous facilities available

Le Secche Small beach mid way between Bagnaia and Nisporto, access to which is only by sea.

Zupignano Zupignano beach is truly beautiful from a geological point of view, thanks to the high clifftops that seem to want to push it down into the sea.