Spiaggia della Contessa

Spiaggia della Contessa is a tiny shingle cove tucked just off the coast near the better-known beaches of Laconella and Lacona on Elba — drop anchor here and you'll have a quiet, uncrowded spot almost to yourself. The dark-coloured pebble beach and clear water make for surprisingly good snorkeling, with plenty of marine life to explore beneath the surface. It's the kind of place that slips under the radar, which is exactly why it's worth stopping.