Crocetta beach in Marciana Marina, on the Island of Elba

The Crocetta is a charming little beach, located just after Marciana Marina, at the base of a steep cliff covered in vegetation.

Fun fact: the beach is also known locally as Cala del Purgatorio or Beach of the Souls, due to the small and exquisite chapel dedicated to the Souls of Purgatory, which is still located on the road above the cove. 

The small cove is clearly visible from the provincial road that at that point winds along the coast, revealing the beach in all its beauty.

Although it is located just a few minutes from Marciana Marina, the Crocetta is a wild beach, unspoiled and surrounded by nature.

Very small and made up of medium-to-large white pebbles, it is surrounded by cliffs of different colors: on one side, ancient dark rocks, on the other, light granite rocks.

The basalt and granite gravel seabed creates green hues that fade into the deep blue of the deeper areas. Thanks to the clarity of the sea and the sunlight reflections, the effect is truly striking.

The beach itself is not very comfortable, as the large pebbles make it somewhat inconvenient. To lie down, it's best to bring a mat or lie on the rocks, especially those to the left of the beach.

Reaching the beach is also not very easy, but the swim in the crystal-clear water with the seabed sloping into the white landslide is priceless. Perfect for snorkeling enthusiasts.

There are no services available on the beach.

How to reach the beach

The Crocetta beach is located about 600 m from Marciana Marina. The entrance to the trail that leads to the sea is well-marked and can be found near a green gate on the provincial road. The first part of the trail goes through dense vegetation of holm oaks and mastic trees, while the second consists of a characteristic staircase carved into the rocks.