Spartaia Beach

Spartaia is a small bay on the north coast of Elba, in the municipality of Marciana, just west of Procchio on the road to Marciana Marina. The beach, about 200 metres long, is fine golden sand tucked into a narrow inlet between two rocky headlands. The shallow seabed slopes gently and, when the sea is calm, the water shifts from turquoise to emerald green.

Getting there

From Procchio take the provincial road towards Marciana Marina and follow the sign for Spartaia: a one-way road leads down towards the sea, with paid parking in summer. From the car park, an easy footpath of about 100 metres takes you to the sand and can be used with a pushchair or wheelchair. In summer the area is served by the Marebus shuttle.

Which wind to go with

The bay faces north: the sea is calm with the sirocco, the south wind and the libeccio (south-west wind); it is with the south wind that the water takes on its most vivid colours. The tramontana (north wind) and the grecale (north-east wind), on the other hand, send waves into it.

Facilities and tips

Part of the beach is taken up by beach clubs with loungers and umbrellas; the rest is free. There is a bar, a restaurant, toilets and pedalo and canoe hire. The clear water along the rocks at either side is good for snorkelling. By pedalo, the nearby Paolina beach is about ten minutes away. The name comes from sparto (Lygeum spartum), a grass of sandy shores.