Le Ghiaie
Le Ghiaie beach is located near the center of Portoferraio, to its right are the imposing Medici fortifications, to the left a few rocks divide it from the quiet Cala dei Frati beach . In the sea in front of it is the islet of Scoglietto, with the lighthouse to signal its presence to sailors and other rocks that have not emerged. The beach is located on the opposite side of the port where boarding takes place at the Elba Piombino ferry , so it can be visited at the end of the holiday, anticipating the arrival in Portoferraio a little before the departure of the ship.
Transparent water and clear gravels
It is exposed to northerly winds, so it is preferable to visit it when winds blow from the south, this will favor the transparency of the water, which will be highlighted by the light color of the gravel.
The beach is very close to the historic center (about 500 m) and is equipped with a good lighting system, this favors evening gatherings and night baths in the moonlight.
The sea of Ghiaie, like an aquarium
The Spiaggia delle Ghiaie is located in the center of the Scoglietto Marine Reserve , an area of Biological Protection established since 1971, which includes the stretch of sea from Punta Falcone to Capo White.
This makes it the ideal place for snorkelers who will be able to admire an enormous number of fish species just a few meters from the shore.
A swimming pool rich in marine fauna
“Le Ghiaie” will not only make seabed lovers happy! The fact that the beach is located within a protected area makes the fish calmer and has made them lose their distrust of man.
At the Ghiaie, for the happiness of children
Many children bring pieces of bread before going to the Ghiaie. They enter the water and holding it in their hands they are amazed and admired by the multitude of fish that go around them, eating from their hands, without any fear.
The legend of the Argonauts and the beach gravels
It is said that Jason stopped in this beach during his search for the Golden Fleece with the Argonauts, tired and exhausted they lay down on the light gravels of the beach and the drops of their sweat left the dark dots on the gravels, reminding us today of their passage.
The Gravel Gardens and other amenities
Behind the beach, in a comfortable and well-shaded park, there are the public gardens of Ghiaie, equipped with games for children.
The beach is about 400 meters long, we find the service of bar and restaurant, bathing establishment, kayak rental, SUP, pedal boats, shaded public gardens with games and parking (very difficult to find free places).
Suggest
For those who want to take advantage of the sea of Elba to the last, we suggest, given the proximity to the starting point of the ships (2 minutes) the visit to the beach on the last day of vacation, before presenting yourself at the embarkation of the ship. You can spend the last hours on the beach; In the park behind you will find the toilet and shower service, so you can remove the salt before leaving the island.
How to get to Ghiaie beach
The beach is located on the opposite side of the port of Portoferraio 300 m. Heading towards the historic center, at the height of the bridge turn left, a 200m street shaded by plane trees leads us to the public gardens of Ghiaie and the beach.
The beach of Ghiaie is connected with the bus line of the public service of Portoferraio
A public parking lot difficult to find is located inside the former Barracks of Finance near the Medici walls of Fortress Falcone and the Beach of the Ghiaie
- Car Parking
- Public garden
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Bathing establishment
- Children’s Play Area
- Kayak Rental
- Noleggio SUP
- Pedalo rental
The beach of Ghiaie and the amount of fish that we find there
The Ghiaie beach and the back garden with games
Aerial View of the Ghiaie Beach
The beach