The beaches of Portoferraio
Beaches of the north-coast of Elba Island
Lots of the best and famous beaches of Elba Island are situated on the Portoferraio coast: starting from west there are 3 beautiful sandy beaches that form Golfo della Biodola and they are Biodola beach, Scaglieri beach and the little and nice Forno beach. Going to Enfola promontory you can see Viticcio and Enfola beaches which are composed by sand and small pebbles.
Crossing this promontory you can admire one of the most beautiful stretches of coast on the whole island which is characterized by high white coasts overlooking the sea and beaches of white pebbles that highlight nuances of seabed from turquoise to intense blue.
You can find Sansone beach and near it the little cove La Sorgente, Seccione or Prunini beach, Sottobomba beach and the beautiful Capo Bianco beach, Padulella beach, the small Cala dei Frati and Le Ghiaie beach which is so loved and frequented by citizens of Portoferraio because it is easily to reach and very close to the town center.
As the last beach before the fort zone and the reserved coast for the portual area you can find Le Viste beach made up by pebbles and coarse sand. In the past it was the Napoleon Emperor’s beach during his exile on Elba Island, in fact it is situated under Villa dei Mulini, its historical residence and nowadays a museum.
When you cross the central area of Portoferraio there are others beaches more wild that are characterized by sand and small cobblestones, in fact you can find Schiopparello and Bagnaia beaches.
Portoferraio’s beaches are sheltered from winds that blow from the south. So when there are days with Scirocco or Mezzogiorno winds they are all sheltered, in fact in that case they have calm and clear water such as natural pools and you can enjoy an unforgottable and peaceful day of your holidays.
Portoferraio’s beaches from West to East
Biodola beach
Few kilometers from Portoferraio center you can find Biodola beach. Its namesake gulf is composed by 3 of the most beautiful sandy beaches of Portoferraio. Among them the best known and popular is obviously the Biodola beach.
Biodola beach is composed by golden sand and clear water, a big part of it is equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds. We suggest it to all people, also families with children. Its seabed is very low for lots of meters from the seashore and it is possibile to practice different types of activities and games.
It offers all services and near the beach there are some of the most luxurious hotels on the island.
Scaglieri beach
Scaglieri beach is a sandy beach situated in the Biodola gulf. It is about 170 meters long and it is on the right side of the Biodola beach, more famous and frequented. It is joined with it by a small path on the rocks.
Scaglieri beach is suitable for everyone thanks to its fine sand and seabed that demotes very gently, in fact it is loved by families with small children. From beach to restaurants behind it you can admire unforgottable sunsets that will remain a wonderful memory of your holidays on Elba Island.
Forno beach
The small Forno beach is less frequented then the other ones, mostly in high season, because it is difficult, practically impossible, to find a parking space for the car, in fact if someone would like to reach it we suggest parking in the nearest beaches and walking to it or using a 2–wheeled vehicle.
Forno beach has a seabed composed by golden sand, the water is very clear and the depth of the seabed gently increases making it suitable for children too.
On the Forno beach you can find also a small rental of umbrellas and deck chairs but for the others services it is necessary to contact the nearby beaches.
Viticcio beach
Viticcio beach lies few kilometers distant from the center of Portoferraio and it is composed by 2 small beaches, the most visited is the beach on the right, it is ca 150 meters long and it is possible to reach it following the signs towards Enfola, a very well signposted place.
When you arrive at the Enfola-Viticcio junction you have to follow the signs for Viticcio and go along a road, also by car, near some houses and it will take you directly above the beach.
You can arrive at Viticcio beach by a small staircase where you can admire the natural beauty of all gulf.
Its seabed is made up by big smooth cobblestones where you can walk with caution. It is suitable for everyone but it is necessary to pay particular attention to small children and don’t leave them alone because of slippery stones in the bottom of the sea.
Enfola beach
It is one of the preferred beaches by tourists and Portoferraio citizens due to its small car-park and its services.
Enfola beach is composed by small cobblestones and colored shingle, it is very frequented even in high season.
Sometimes, during the evening, some charity dinners and musical events are organized by the “Amici dell’Enfola Association” directly on the beach.
Behind the beach you can find “La Tonnara” that was a factory used for the processing and canning of the tuna but in the recent years it is became the seat of Tuscan Archipelago National Park.
Sansone beach
Sansone beach is the most beautiful pebble beach on Elba Island, the white color of the shore and seabed highlights the various shades of clear and crystal water.
The beach is about 300 meters long, its seabed is composed by wonderful and characteristic white pebbles and the depth of the seabed increases a few meters from the shore. Sansone beach is perfect during days when winds blow from the south as the Scirocco wind.
It is possible to arrive at it through a small dirt pathway in 15 minutes by walk, therefore it is not recommended to families with babies who want to stay in their parents’ arms because when they return, after a day spent at the beach, the climb will be very tiring.
Seccione beach
Seccione beach is not so famous, unfortunately it hasn’t a parking and you need to park your car along the road, being careful not to hinder the traffic.
You can reach it crossing the Sottobomba beach and following the few indications.
Seccione beach or Prunini beach (called in this last way by citizens) is 200 meters long, it is not so famous and frequented. You can reach it through a small path composed by 150 steps.
Seccione beach is made up by pebble and sand of white-brown color, it is surrounded by greenery and is defined as a natural and wild beach because it is not equipped with rentals and establishments.
Seccione beach is suitable for people who find a relaxing day near the sea, it is chosen by lovers of natural and uncontaminated beaches.
Sottobomba beach
This beach is a small white cove about 200 meters long, you can reach it parking your car in the well signposted no free car-park and going down a staircase of about 100 steps.
Before arriving at the beach you can dream thanks to its view from above. You can admire the clear water and seabed of turquoise color which contrasts perfectly with the white of the pebbles and the cliff.
Since 2018 a part of the beach is equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds for people who want to stay comfortable and enjoy the white beach in complete relaxation.
Sottobomba beach is ideal for snorkeling lovers.
Capo Bianco beach
To reach Capo Bianco beach it is necessary to follow the signs towards Portoferraio center, follow and cross Le Ghiaie beach and, at the end, reach the well signposted parking of Capo Bianco and Padulella beaches.
Capo Bianco beach is formed by a white cliff and white stones seabed that is typical among the northern beaches of Portoferraio. It is 300 meters long and the water of thousand shades from turquoise to intense blue makes this beach a real paradise, especially when the winds blow from the south such as the Scirocco wind.
It has a big no-free parking but we suggest to you arrive, in particular during the high season period, in the early morning to find a parking place for your car.
Padulella beach
Padulella beach can be reached going towards Capo Bianco and Padulella beaches which are joined by the usual and wide no-free parking. When you park your car you have to walk about 150 meters and at the end you arrive directly at the mentioned beach.
Padulella beach is 200 meters long and it is composed by a seabed of characteristic white pebbles that color water of lots of nuances, from green to intense blue, especially when the Scirocco wind makes water calm, clear and trasparent.
Padulella beach is part of the marine reserve of Lo Scoglietto, a protected area rich in marine fauna and mainly frequented for diving and snorkeling.
The beach is suitable for everyone and it is equipped with pedal boat and kayak rental services and a little bar.
Le Ghiaie beach
Le Ghiaie beach is located right in the center of Portoferraio, few minutes by walk from the port where ferries, which leave and arrive on Elba Island, dock.
The beach is 400 meters long and it is formed by white cobblestones, very popular especially in the high season periods. Behind it there are the public gardens of Le Ghiaie where children can play with swings and others small attractions, then it is possible to have lunch in peace thanks to the shade of big trees.
The part of the sea in front of the beach, called Riserva dello Scoglietto, is a fully protected area where it is absolutely forbidden to fish, in fact it is an ideal place for diving and snorkeling.
On the Ghiaie beach there are all major services such as umbrellas, pedal boats and kayaks rentals, bars, pizzerias and restaurants.
Le Viste beach
Le Viste beach is lied in the historical center of Portoferraio, just below the Napoleonic Residence “Villa dei Mulini”, it can be reached following the signs for the Napoleonic Villa and when you reach this villa you have to go down a small narrow asphalted road.
Le Viste beach is about 200 meters long, not so visited by tourists because of its inconvenience in reaching it.
The beach is composed by small stones and pebbles of various color, the water is always clear and clean. There are umbrellas and sunbeds rentals and a bar restaurant where you can enjoy beautiful sunsets over the sea.
During his exile the Napoleon Emperor used Le Viste beach for business and pleisure meetings.
Schiopparello beach
It is a wild beach that is situated few kilometers from Portoferraio port.
If you would like to reach it you have to follow the directions for Porto Azzurro and when you arrive at Bagnaia fork you have to turn left and follow the signs towards Schiopparello beach.
The beach is very long and wide and it has a shady free and no-free parking. On the beach there are also some little trees which provide a comfortable shade to use in the hottest hours of the day as a shelter for children or you can also have packed-lunch or take a nap.
From the Schiopparello beach you can see the beautiful panorama over the city of Portoferraio, its beaches and the large medicean fortresses. We recommend it to you when it blows Scirocco wind that makes water calm, clear and clean and it will not make you regret the most beautiful and popular beaches of the island.
Schiopparello beach is ideal for lovers of natural beaches who don’t want to deprive themselves of the classic amenities of major beaches such as bars, umbrellas rental, deckchairs, pedal boats and kayaks.
Bagnaia beach
Bagnaia beach can be reached in 15 minutes by car from Portoferraio, you have to follow the signs for Porto Azzurro, after 3 kilometers you have to turn left and follow signs towards Bagnaia. After 5 kilometers you will arrive at the beach and its parkings, some free and others not.
Bagnaia beach is 250 meters long and it is made up by small cobblestones and brown sand. The beach is for everyone, also families with babies.
It is complete of all services such as umbrellas, deckchairs and sunbeds rentals, then it is possible to rent small boats, kayaks and pedal boats to discover the small coves that are situated along the near coast and reachable only by the sea.
From the beach you can admire all the gulf of Portoferraio and it is recommended especially for the wonderful sunsets over the sea.
Thanks for the translation Marika Mancusi