Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
TOP ELBA BEACH SPOTS
It pays to know your
spiagge
(beaches), given that the ones along Elba's 147km of coastline embrace
every shade of sand, pebble and rock. The quietest, most select beaches are tucked in rocky coves and
involve a steep clamber down from the street. Parking is invariably roadside and scant.
Enfola
It's not so much the grey pebbles as the outdoor action that lures the crowds here, in the shape of ped-
alos to rent, a beachside diving school and a family-friendly 2.5km-long circular
hiking trail
around
the green cape. The
Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago Toscano visitors centre
(Tuscan Archipelago
National Park;
05 6591 9411;
www.islepark.it
; Enfola) is also here. Just 6km west of Portoferraio.
Sansone & Sorgenta
This twinset of cliff-ensnared white-shingle and pebble beaches stands out for its turquoise, crystal-
clear waters just made for
snorkelling
. By car from Portoferraio, follow the SP27 to Enfola. Parking
can be challenging.
Morcone, Pareti & Innamorata
Find this trio of charming sandy-pebble coves framed by sweet-smelling pine and eucalyptus trees
some 3km south of Capoliveri, on the southeastern part of the island. Rent a kayak and paddle out to
sea from Innamorata, the wildest of the three; or fine dine and stay overnight on Pereti beach at
Hotel
Stella Maris
(
05 6596 8425;
www.albergostellamaris.com
; Pareti; half-board per person d
€70-110;
) , one of the few island hotels to be found plump on the sand.
Colle d'Orano & Fetovaia
The standout highlight of these two gorgeous swaths of golden sand on Elba's western coast is the
dramatic drive
- not to be missed - along the SP25 that links the two. Legend has it that Napoleon
frequented Colle d'Orano to sit and swoon over his native Corsica visible across the water. Heavenly
scented maquis (herbal scrubland) covers the promontory protecting sandy Fetovaia, where nudists
flop on nearby granite rocks known as
Le Piscine
.
Activities
A dizzying network of walking and mountain-biking trails blanket Elba. Many start at
Portoferraio, but some of the best, far-flung trailheads kick off elsewhere on the island.
Marciana to Chiessi
A 12km hike starting high in Marciana, then heading downhill past
ancient churches, sea vistas and granite boulders for about six hours to the seaside in Ch-
iessi.
