Nisporto: Bay, Beach and Coastal Trails

Nisporto between Bay and Coast

Nisporto lies west of Rio nell'Elba in a narrow, horseshoe-shaped bay at the end of a small valley. This valley slopes down from Monte Capannello to the sea, giving the place a clearly recognisable coastal form. When choosing a holiday apartment in Nisporto, this landscape provides a tangible point of reference: you are choosing a place whose character is shaped by the bay, the beach and the descending slopes. Nisporto can also be traced back a long way historically. In Giovanni Antonio Magini’s cartography from 1598, the place name is recorded as “Disporto Grande”.

Nisporto Beach

Nisporto Beach faces north. It is protected by Punta di Nisporto to the west and Poggio La Guardia to the east. This gives the beach a clearly defined position between two prominent points. You can swim here and take part in activities that allow you to explore the sea. Pedal boats and small boats are also available for hire on the beach, so your stay need not be limited to swimming.

Hiking between Nisporto and Nisportino

The paths along the coast are also part of the character of the place. Hiking trail 201 leads to Nisporto Beach. The circular trail near Nisportino begins and ends at Nisportino Beach and can be reached from Nisporto via a paved road. Along the Nisportino route, the cliffs drop steeply to the sea. Kestrels and peregrine falcons breed in this section of the coast. The different routes help you distinguish between a direct trail to the beach and a circular route with a stronger focus on nature and the coast.

The Fornace della Ballerina

At the left-hand end of Nisporto Beach are the remains of an old kiln made of stone and red bricks, bearing the name “della Ballerina”. The Fornace della Ballerina has been classified by the Soprintendenza as a building of historic and artistic interest. Lime and bricks were produced in this kiln. The products were then transported to Portoferraio by rowing boats. Thus, the beach brings together the immediate coastal landscape and a tangible reminder of the area’s former craft use.

Beach Days, Local Life and Planning

There are bars and restaurants on Nisporto Beach. You will find several car parks along the road to the beach. Another cultural event is the annual re-enactment of the love story of the “Prince” and the ballerina of Nisporto, which takes place on the beach on 10 August. This allows you to combine different interests when choosing your holiday apartment: you can consider the beach location for days spent swimming and exploring the sea, include the paths to Nisportino for hikes, and take the historical significance of the Fornace and the August event into account. Nisporto therefore offers tangible points of reference for different kinds of holiday days, without requiring the landscape, coastal experience and local history to be considered separately.

For the higher-level travel overview: Rio Nell'elba.