Portello Beach in Rio Marina, Elba Island

Portello beach is located on the eastern coast of Elba Island, about one kilometre north of the town centre and port of Rio Marina, in the direction of Cavo. The beach lies within the mining landscape of Vigneria, an area characterised by examples of industrial archaeology linked to the extraction and transport of iron ore, which was very important to the mining economy of Elba Island during the twentieth century

The most easily accessible section of Portello beach is about 40 metres long. It is joined by a small inlet, which can be reached by carefully crossing the rocks, and a much longer stretch of coastline that is less easy to access due to the presence of large boulders.
Beyond the small inlet, there are also rocks where visitors can lie down. 

The beach consists of dark mineral sand, gravel and pebbles. Behind it rises a cliff with striking reddish tones caused by the presence of iron minerals, surrounded by the typical vegetation of the Mediterranean scrub.

The sea is generally very clear, especially on windless days or when a light breeze blows from the north-west. The rocky seabed and the contrast between the water, dark sand and iron-rich rocks make the landscape particularly distinctive.

From the beach, the view extends towards the mainland, from the coast of Piombino to the area around Follonica. On the clearest days, the Argentario promontory and the island of Giglio are also clearly visible. Offshore, the islets of Palmaiola and Cerboli can also be seen.

The beach faces east and is more sheltered from westerly winds, particularly the ponente and maestrale. When winds blow from the eastern quadrants, however, the sea can become rough.

There are no beach establishments or other services directly on the beach.

How to get to Portello beach

Portello beach is located about one kilometre north of Rio Marina, along the road towards Cavo.

Cars can be left in the large open area at Vigneria, near the site of the historic pier once used to load iron ore onto ships, or more precisely onto the cargo vessels that docked here to take on the iron-bearing material. The Vigneria pier was one of the symbols of Rio Marina’s mining past and was severely damaged and broken apart by the storm surge during the night between 27 and 28 October 2018.

From the large free car park, continue on foot along a pedestrian path just over 500 metres long. The route is mainly flat and sunny, with one short, slightly more demanding section, but overall it is comfortable and easy to walk.

During the walk, as well as views of the mainland coast and the islands, attention is drawn above all to the large boulders below, characterised by intense red tones caused by the presence of iron minerals. The route is therefore not only a way to reach the beach, but also a path through one of the most characteristic mining landscapes of eastern Elba.