Portoferraio Beaches

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Testing the Waters at Portoferraio

A young woman in bathing suit testing the waters

Beaches and Resorts

Portoferraio's beaches remind me of beaches in the Philippine islands - a choice of sand, pebbles and gravel with clear blue water, except that the beaches here are just outside the city walls. For example, Le Ghiaie, an ovoidali pebble beach is on the north side of the city, and Le Viste - a sand and gravel beach just under the walls near Forte Falcone.

A little farther away from the city center, and accessible by car or scooter, and to the east, are beaches in Bagnaia (sand and gravel), Magazzini (gravel), Ottone (sand and gravel),

Schiopparello (gravel) while at the western side are Acquaviva (gravel), la Biodola (sand), Capo Bianco (gravel), Enfola (gravelly sand), Forno (sand), Padulella (gravel), Scaglieri (sand), Seccione (gravel), Viticcio (sand and gravel), Prunini (sand and gravel).

If these Elba Island beaches in Portoferraio are too crowded for you, there are two small resorts to the north of the city at Acquaviva, Vitticcio, and Capo d'Enfola.

From the city center, going east at Bivio Boni, is the thermal spa of San Giovanni, a perfect place to get sulfurous mud bath, massage, and seaweed

body treatment. While here, drop by the ruins of the Roman villa at Le Grotte - to explore the ruins and be mystified by the exhilirating sight.

From the city center, going east at Bivio Boni, is the thermal spa of San Giovanni, a perfect place to get sulfurous mud bath, massage, and seaweed body treatment. While here, drop by the ruins of the Roman villa at Le Grotte - to explore the ruins and be mystified by the exhilirating sight.

Further east are the beaches at Ottone, Magazzini, and Bagnaia. For lovers of ancient architecture, take a side trip to the beautiful 12th-century church of Santo Stefano, a beautiful Pisan Romanesque church on top of a hill located south from Magazzini.

Westward and about five kilometers from Bivio Boni is the resort at Biodola Bay and Napoleon's country retreat house - the Villa Napoleone di San Martino. This is a museum with a small art gallery that includes Canova's Galatea. Your ticket from Villa dei Mulini is accepted here too at no extra cost.

Time to Move On

Now that you've seen what this city has to offer, it is time to explore the rest of Elba island and the unique experience that each destination offers.

To the east, Rio nell' Elba and Rio Marina beckons, and to the west Marciana Alta and Pomonte, or you could go south to Capoliveri or Campo nell' Elba. Whatever you choose, you are sure to have an enjoyable Elba island vacation!

Beaches west of Portoferraio -

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