Spiaggia di Ortano, Beach in Rio Marina, Elba Island, Italy

Spiaggia di Ortano is a sandy and pebbly beach on Elba's coast with a moderate length and width. The water shallow and extends far out, making it accessible for all kinds of swimmers.

The beach shows traces of its mining past with remains of an old mineral loading pier and iron rails. This infrastructure dates back to when ore was transported from the island.

The name Ortano comes from a fertile valley behind the beach that once supplied water for farming in the area. You can still see traces of this agricultural past in the landscape around the beach today.

You can reach the beach by a short path from free parking near a local holiday resort. Take time when you arrive to explore the area and find the best spot for swimming.

The beach lies at the foot of the granite slopes of Monte Ortano, whose quarries were worked in the past; blocks of this stone can still be seen in the older buildings of the area. The cove opens toward the mainland, so on clear days the Tuscan coast is visible across the water.