Argentario

PROMONTORY OVERLOOKING THE MAREMMA FACING THE TYRRHENIAN SEA AND CONNECTED TO THE MAINLAND BY THREE STRIPS OF LAND ON THE ORBETELLO LAGOON, MONTE ARGENTARIO IS AN IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATION FOR TUSCANY AND ALL OF ITALY.

At the foot of this promontory, you will find two towns (falling under the single municipality of Monte Argentario), Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole. They are both ancient fishing villages of different sizes and are now important tourist centers. The strength of this area is undoubtedly its landscape.
On Monte Argentario (635 meters high), in the inland part of the promontory, there are numerous trails for hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts that traverse the Mediterranean vegetation from the sea.
The beaches are very diverse, with numerous coves to discover around the entire perimeter of the mountain, featuring rocky seabeds and caves, perfect for diving enthusiasts. There are also many isolated and wild cliffs that descend into the sea, some of which can be reached via trails or by sea with a boat. Furthermore, there are the two sandy beaches of Orbetello, the two strips of land connecting Argentario to the mainland: Feniglia and Giannella.
This area was already frequented in antiquity and has preserved some important elements such as the Spanish forts and watchtowers (State of the Presidi). Another important element of this area is its food and wine. Many seafood products with typical fish dishes like soup, as well as excellent wines and oils for a cuisine that also includes game from the inland areas.

What to See on Argentario

PORTO SANTO STEFANO

It is the largest of the towns on Monte Argentario and serves as the port from which you can reach the Isola del Giglio. An important tourist center for the entire area, it is dominated from above by the 17th-century Spanish Fortress. The historic center consists of a series of very unique narrow streets and staircases that descend towards the sea and the port. The waterfront and Piazza dei Rioni are definitely worth a stroll, and you will find numerous places where you can taste the typical dishes of the local maritime tradition and much more.

PORTO ERCOLE

Porto Ercole was once an ancient fishing village and is now a famous tourist destination. The oldest residential area is enclosed within the walls and overlooked by the Spanish Fortress. Since it’s entirely pedestrianized, you can explore the port area with a pleasant walk. The Spanish fortresses built during the State of the Presidi are very picturesque and overlook the town from above, providing beautiful panoramic views. Beautiful yachts are now moored in the small harbor, as it’s a highly frequented area by VIPs, but you can also see the fishermen at work with their charming boats, going out for their daily catch.

Scenic Drive

Another unique feature of Monte Argentario is the scenic road that runs along the part of the promontory overlooking the open sea, going from Porto Santo Stefano to Porto Ercole. While the entire route is not accessible by car, the part that can be driven is worth a visit to admire the beautiful panorama.