Portello beach, Rio, Island of Elba

Portello beach is approximately one kilometre north of the town and port of Rio Marina, along the coast of Vigneria; this is an unusual area because there is a lot of mining machinery of the past when the mines were still in use.

It is quite a long beach, approximately 170 metres that you can easily get to  and is made up of dark sand mixed with shingle and over 300 metres of coastline where access is more limited due to the presence of large rocks. There are high, reddish coloured cliffs  at the back of  the beach , something very typical of the beaches on this side of the island due to the presence of iron minerals and  is surrounded by lush vegetation.

The coast continues like this for several hundred metres until you see the old loading dock used in the Vigneria mine.

Here the sea is crystal clear, above all when there is no wind or at the most a light sea breeze blowing from the north west.

From here you have a good view of the mainland, from Piombino as far as Follonica, and you can also see the tiny islands of Palmaiola and Cerboli.

Since it faces east it is sheltered only from the north-westerly and westerly winds.

No facilities on the beach.

Getting to Portello beach

Portello beach is approximately1 km from the town of Rio Marina in the direction of Cavo. You can park your car in the open space opposite the loading wharf in Vigneria, then continue easily on foot along the path that takes you right to the beach.

A free bus service to and from the beaches runs during the summer months.

Information and facilities