La Sorgente

La Sorgente sits on Elba's northern coast right next to Sansone, reached via the same path from the Portoferraio-Enfola road. It's a small, wild beach of smooth white pebbles set beneath the same pale cliffs, with water just as clear as its more famous neighbour. Because most visitors continue on to Sansone, Sorgente often stays noticeably quieter.

La Sorgente is easy to overlook, since most people walking the path down from the Portoferraio-Enfola road are headed for Sansone, the more photographed beach just around the coast. But Sorgente shares the same white cliffs, the same smooth white pebbles and the same exceptionally clear water - and because it's the first beach you reach rather than the destination, it tends to be quieter. The cove is small, around 80 metres of shoreline, tucked between the pale rock formations typical of this stretch of coast. Like Sansone, the water here is at its clearest on days with a light sirocco wind, turning the cove into a natural, calm pool that's excellent for swimming. Unlike Sansone, there's no rental point on the beach itself for umbrellas or sunbeds - if you want that kind of set-up, Sansone's small seasonal concession is a short walk further on. Sorgente does have a bar along the access path (by the Sansone Reef area) offering drinks and light food, so it's not entirely without services, just simpler than its neighbour. Sorgente works well for anyone who wants Sansone's scenery and water clarity without quite the same crowds - it's less about being a separate destination and more about stopping at the first cove instead of walking on to the second.

Other beaches in Liguria are shown on the map — tap a pin to open its page.