Beaches
Best Beaches Near Capoliveri and Campo nell'Elba
Elba's southern coast compared: Innamorata and Lacona near Capoliveri, and Cavoli, Fetovaia and Marina di Campo near Campo nell'Elba.
Elba's southern coast holds two of the island's main towns, Capoliveri and Campo nell'Elba, along with five of its best-known beaches between them. Capoliveri's side leans toward dark sand and open dunes; Campo nell'Elba's side has the classic golden coves and the island's longest town beach.
This guide covers both clusters together, since they're close enough to combine in a single day if you have a car.
Near Capoliveri: Innamorata
Innamorata sits south of Monte Calamita, a stretch of dark sand mixed with small pebbles named for a 16th-century tale of doomed love, still marked each July with a torchlight procession. Two small islets just offshore, the Gemini, make it a good spot for an easy swim with a destination.
- Best for: clear water, local legend and a slightly different look from Elba's paler beaches.
- Good to know: the closest parking fills quickly, but a larger overflow area sits a short walk further up.
Near Capoliveri: Lacona
Lacona curves around a sheltered gulf a short drive from Capoliveri, Elba's second-longest beach at almost 1.2 km, with shallow water and low dunes supporting one of the last protected dune systems in the Tuscan Archipelago.
- Best for: families and anyone wanting more space than a small cove.
- Good to know: multiple access points along the road behind the beach mean crowding depends on which one you use.
Near Campo nell'Elba: Fetovaia
Fetovaia is one of Elba's most photographed beaches, a small cove of fine golden sand with shallow, gently sloping water. It's a short drive from the town of Campo nell'Elba, on the western side of the peninsula.
- Best for: a scenic, family-friendly swim, provided you arrive early.
- Good to know: the paid car park behind the beach often fills before 10am in summer.
Near Campo nell'Elba: Cavoli
A few kilometres from Fetovaia, Cavoli has coarser golden sand, clear water and a livelier atmosphere, including beach parties and DJ sets at the beachside venue Il Convio in high summer. A smaller, quieter cove sits around a low cliff at its western end.
- Best for: a livelier beach day, or a quick escape to the quieter western cove.
- Good to know: parking along the access road can be tight in peak season.
Near Campo nell'Elba: Marina di Campo
Marina di Campo's beach runs for about 1.5 km directly behind the town, Elba's longest stretch of sand, with a gently sloping seabed and the island's most complete set of facilities, including a children's play area and water sports rental.
- Best for: convenience, restaurants and a proper town seafront.
- Good to know: the sections nearest the promenade and hotels fill first in peak season.
Combining Both Areas in One Day
Capoliveri and Campo nell'Elba sit close enough together that it's realistic to visit a beach from each cluster in a single day, Innamorata or Lacona in the morning, then Fetovaia, Cavoli or Marina di Campo in the afternoon, or the other way around. If you only have time for one area, choose Capoliveri's side for dark sand, dunes and a bit of local legend, or Campo nell'Elba's side for the classic golden-cove look and the most facilities.
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