Sansone Beach, Elba, Italy: the Complete Guide
Sansone Beach is located on the island of Elba’s northern coast. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches on the whole island. The smooth white pebbles of the beach combine with shimmering turquoise waters to make this a top destination if you’re seeking one of the best beaches in Italy.
I love Sansone Beach. It looks like a version of the picture postcard beaches in my head made real. This article includes all the dreamy details from my experience of this incredible beach. I’ve included information on how to get to Sansone, what the beach is like, facilities and parking. There are also bonus tips on a great hike to do in the nearby nature park of Enfola.
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Sansone Beach (Spiaggia di Sansone)
The Italian island of Elba is home to a huge number of beaches and Sansone is one of the best in this part of the Tuscan Archipelago. Sansone Beach is located on the tantalising strip of white pebble beaches, to the north of Portoferraio, one of the key towns on Elba. This makes it an absolute must-visit beach if you’re based in Portoferraio. If you’re staying in another part of Elba, make sure to plan a trip – the spectacular crystal clear waters and gorgeous rugged backdrop are worth the effort.
The natural surroundings of Sansone are a key highlight of a trip here. The beach stretches from the busier eastern end to the more secluded western part, where there are rocks to sun yourself on and a few inlets and a quieter section without sunbeds to lay your towel out on. Sansone Beach gets busy in peak summer season so if you’re visiting Elba then, avoid weekends and the middle of the day.
The water at Sanson Beach is epically beautiful, it’s so clear here that you don’t even need to go snorkelling to see the fish.
Pro Tip: The beach at Sansone is made of pebbles so bring water shoes to make it easier to get in and out of the sea.
How to Get to Sansone Beach on Elba
One of the nearest cities to Elba Island on the Italian mainland is Piombino. To get to Sansone beach you need to take a ferry from Piombino to Portoferraio.
Once in Portoferraio, it’s a 70-minute walk to Sansone beach. To reach the beach, head along Viale Elba, then up Piazza Giuseppe Pietri, turn right and then left on to Via Annunziata which turns into Via Enrico De Nicola. At the end of this road, you’ll reach the coast and can stop and take a dip at another great beach, Sottobomba. Or turn left and keep going westwards along the coastal road all the way to Sansone.
There’s a lookout point, Puntale, where you can stop for a break. From there it’s a 25-minute walk to Sansone beach. Look out for signs to La Sorgente and Sansone, which is where you need to turn off the main road and take a short ten-minute walk through some houses and then take the left-hand track to reach both beaches.
La Sorgente is the first beach you will come to. Stop here or continue on past the beach and up the next section of coastal path to reach the stunning beach of Sansone.
The walk from Portoferraio to Sansone is along a road with traffic for much of it, so if that’s not for you, take the bus instead.
During summer there’s a free beach bus, #7, which goes from the bus station on Viale Elba, opposite the harbour in Portoferraio. The bus stops at various beaches along the way, including the gorgeous Capo Bianco and Padulella. Get off the bus at the stop at Acquaviva, which is just past the turning for Via Acquaviva which leads to Sansone Beach.
Check the Autolinee Toscane bus website for up-to-date bus times.
For information on car rental in Elba check out my article on how to hire a car in Elba.
Facilities at Sansone Beach
The beach at Sansone has a large section which is taken up by loungers and fellow beach-goers but walk beyond this if you want to find the quieter, natural stretch of beach.
At Sansone Beach, there’s a good-sized restaurant and bar set back from the beach at the top of the cliffs between Sansone and La Sorgente Beach. The bar backs onto the Sansone camping site.
Under the bar are flushing toilets and showers, available for a small fee of 50 cents (change required).
In addition to the bar, there’s also a hut right on the beach which rents out various beach entertainment like canoes, pedalos and Stand-Up Paddleboards. There are maps showing the route you can canoe that takes you right around the headland and back again. Rental costs from €10 per hour for a canoe.
For swimmers, it’s possible to swim beyond the headland at the eastern end of Sansone, where the rocks set just away from the beach are a popular point to aim for.
Pro Tip: Sansone is a very popular beach. If you want to avoid the crowds, wait until the second week of September to visit, when the weather will be warm but many European school holiday seasons will have finished.
Umbrella and Lounger Rental Price
There is a large section of Sansone Beach which is set up with loungers and umbrellas for rental. The price is from €35 for a day for a set of two loungers and an umbrella.
Where to Eat: the Bar at Sansone
There is a bar at the top of the cliffs overlooking Sansone, which offers casual outdoor seating and stunning views of the coast. Food ranges from crisps and drinks to hot paninis and larger plates and the bar is open until 10 pm in summer.
Parking
If you’re travelling by car or motorbike, there’s a paid parking area at the turning off the main road for Sansone and La Sorgente beaches. Parking costs from €12 per day. Limited free parking is available on the road but during summer places are at a premium.
Things to Do at Sansone
Take a 30-minute walk along the main road leading to the headland of Monte Enfola. Here, you can explore the nature reserve and two more rustic beaches.
Hike past the beaches of Enfola and head uphill to explore the old war tunnels that are dotted throughout the landscape. Some parts of the tunnels are in total darkness so make sure to take a torch or use your phone’s light to navigate the passages. The experience is both unnerving and a reminder of the island’s historical significance.
Once past the war tunnels, you can continue towards the Capo d’Enfola promontory. The hike leading to this panoramic spectacle requires some careful footing as the trail is slippery with loose dirt. As I personally discovered, it’s easy to lose balance, so go cautiously.
Along the way, there are strategically placed benches where you can catch your breath, and soak in the spectacular views. Remember to take water, as there’s nowhere to buy it after you’ve left the beach bar at Enfola behind.
Accommodation Near Sansone Beach
The nearby town of Portoferraio offers a range of accommodation, from apartments to hotels. Here are three top picks.
Belvedere Residenza Mediterranea is a highly-rated family-run residence in Portoferraio. The location is ideal for visiting the beautiful white pebble beaches of the north coast of Elba. There’s a lovely garden and an outdoor pool to unwind in at the end of the day. You can also use the free bikes, which is a great money-saving bonus if you plan to cycle around the area.
Porto Sole Rooms are designed with attention to detail. The accommodation is ideally located with views overlooking the harbour of Portoferraio. The location is also convenient for visiting the bars and restaurants of the old town. Wi-Fi and air conditioning are included, which is not always the case for apartments in Elba, so this is a great option if you want to stay connected.
Hotel Acquamarina is a 3-star hotel located on the Portoferraio coast. Enjoy breakfast with a sea view and clean and modern rooms. Free parking is available. Hundreds of guests give this property a high overall rating of 9 out of 10 on Booking.com.
Map of Sansone Beach
I’ve created a map that shows the nearest bus stop to Sansone Beach and the car park. I’ve also shown the location of Monte Enfola and the Capo d’Enfola promontory. Click the arrow icon to the left of the map heading to view the names of each of the places marked.
Summary: Sansone Beach, Elba, Italy
Elba Island, with its captivating landscapes and pristine beaches like Sansone and Fetovaia, is a fabulous holiday destination.
To enjoy the beauty of Sansone Beach without the hustle and bustle, consider planning your visit during the island’s off-peak seasons of June and mid-September to mid-October.