Le Ghiaie beach in Portoferraio, on the Island of Elba

New for summer 2025: a large Ferris wheel has been installed along the promenade at Ghiaie Beach, offering a panoramic view of the enchanting coastline, the turquoise waters of the sea, and the majestic fortresses overlooking Portoferraio. A unique opportunity to experience the magic of Elba from a whole new perspective.

Very close to the historic center of Portoferraio, the Ghiaie Beach is famous for the incomparable beauty of its seabed and the white pebbles smoothed by the sea, which, according to a legend, are stained with the sweat drops of the Argonauts.

It is recommended to visit the beach especially during days with a sirocco wind, which will further enhance the transparency of the water and the reflections of the splendid seabed, making it resemble a swimming pool.

The stretch of sea in front, which extends for about one nautical mile including the Scoglietto, has been a biological protection zone since 1971. Thanks to the richness of its marine flora and fauna, this protected area is now one of the most beautiful spots for scuba diving. Fishing is, of course, prohibited.

Ghiaie Beach is a true paradise for snorkeling! Even children with a simple mask, just a few meters from the shore, can see a myriad of fish.

The beach is about 330 meters long (plus 75 meters of cliff) and 18 meters wide (at its widest point); to the right, the last meters are made up of rocks, which, however, do not allow you to lie down and sunbathe.

On the beach, there is a boardwalk providing access to the sea for people with disabilities. It borders a nice avenue that separates it from the public gardens, an ideal place to find some shade and let children play during the hottest hours.

The facilities are not lacking: behind the beach along the avenue, there are bars, restaurants, ice cream parlors, and a paid parking lot. On the beach itself, there is a bathing establishment, pedal boat rentals, and boat rentals.

Curiosity: Since 2016 Ghiaie Beach has been equipped with a powerful lighting system to allow all citizens and visitors of the Island of Elba to swim at night in complete safety.

To ensure safety in the stretch of sea in front of the rocky cliff separating Ghiaie Beach from Cala dei Frati, an ordinance has been issued with new rules for navigation and bathing. Read the ordinance No. 28/2019 from the Municipality of Portoferraio »

How to reach Ghiaie Beach

It is easily reachable by car from the port (though it may be a bit more challenging to find parking). Before entering the historic center of the city, turn left and follow a tree-lined avenue that leads to this beautiful beach.

The beach is connected by the public bus service.