Beaches with access and facilities for the disabled

Planning a beach vacation with solutions for vacations accessible to people with disabilities is not always easy, especially when it comes to beaches.

Architectural barriers are still present in many seaside locations, but fortunately not in all of them.

On the Island of Elba, the beaches equipped for people with motor disabilities are Procchio, Marciana Marina, Fetovaia, Morcone, Naregno, and [page id="275"]Barbarossa.

At Barbarossa, the beach establishment has a teak walkway and a job chair. At Naregno, the Stabilimento Elba in Love is suitable for the specific needs of people with disabilities. It is therefore equipped with certified walkways and a job chair (for the easy transportation of elderly people and those with disabilities on the beach and in the sea), and some beach spots are reserved for those with motor difficulties.

On the Morcone beach, despite its small size, several services are available. The Stabilimento Albatros & Drago Elba in Love is equipped with certified walkways for access to the sea, a bathroom for people with disabilities, an external shower accessible by wheelchair, and a job chair.

Another beach establishment to keep in mind for a beach vacation is the Pino Solitario, located on the enchanting Fetovaia beach. The establishment has a dedicated umbrella for disabled people with more space available, and it also provides a job chair, wooden walkway to reach umbrellas and sunbeds, showers, and a disabled-access bathroom near the parking lot, just 50 meters from the beach.

Finding a free parking space won't be that easy, although there are two reserved spots; alternatively, there is a paid parking option.

Another beautiful, large sandy beach is Procchio. Since it's very long, there are various access points: the best for disabled people is the avenue that starts from the town of Procchio and leads directly to the beach, where cabins and bathrooms have been created for people with disabilities, who can also use a job chair. A tactile map for the visually impaired, representing the Gulf of Procchio, is also located near the beach.

At the concession beach establishment of Hotel Perla del Golfo, another job chair is available.

The Marciana Marina beach is directly accessible from its promenade. A portion of the beach is dedicated to disabled people; it is equipped with a wooden ramp, where sunbeds and umbrellas are positioned, and a walkway to the sea. The area is also equipped with a changing cabin and a job chair.

In Marciana Marina, at the municipal pool, a mobile hoist is in operation to ensure access to the water for people with disabilities.

In addition to the equipped beaches, there are other beaches on the Island of Elba that, due to their location or structure, can also be accessible to people with mobility difficulties.

For example, the long Marina di Campo beach, located right on the seafront, consists of pure sand.

Near Portoferraio, there are the Biodola beach (though parking can be a bit far), Schiopparello, and Le Ghiaie, which is located right in Portoferraio. Even though finding parking can sometimes be difficult, the beach borders a lovely avenue that separates it from public gardens, and access to the sea is via a wooden walkway.

On the southern side of Elba, it is preferable to visit Margidore and Innamorata, where walkways for disabled people are installed. Lacona, made up of fine sand dunes, is one of the few beaches that offer shade thanks to the beautiful pine forest right by the beach.

Finally, on the eastern side, one of the most accessible beaches is certainly Cavo, which is also right on the seafront.