Tuscany’s hidden gem by the sea, Monte Argentario, is located in the Maremma region of southern Tuscany. Monte Argentario was once an island off the coast of Tuscany, but is now connected to the mainland by large sandbars and lagoons. It is completely different from the rest of Tuscany, as it once belonged to Spain and Naples. In fact, it sometimes feels more like southern Italy than Tuscany.
Monte Argentario is wooded and teeming with wildlife and has a much wilder beauty than most parts of Tuscany. The mountain is surrounded by a beautiful rocky shoreline.
The highlights of Monte Argentario
- Beautiful rugged coastlines and beaches
- Wildlife, nature and hiking
- Boat trips to the Tuscan archipelago
- Ports of Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano
- Forts and towers
Monte Argentario Location
Monte Argentario is located in the Maremma region of southern Tuscany. It is about 150 km north of Rome and 190 km south of Pisa. The nearest big city is Grosseto, about 40 km away. Nearby are the islands of Giglio and Giannutri .
Transporte Monte Argentario
The closest airports to Monte Argentario are Rome or Pisa. There is a train station in Orbetello Scalo and there is bus transportation, but it is really better to have a car to explore Monte Argentario.
Monte Argentario Hotels and Holiday Homes
Of the two cities, Porto Santo Stefano has more hotels than Porto Ercole, although the latter has a luxury resort, Il Pellicano. Both locations have plenty of villa, apartment, and guesthouse rentals on AirBnB and elsewhere. Tuscany Now also has vacation rentals for Monte Argentario, mostly in secluded locations with pools and ocean views.
Porto Santo Stefano
Porto Santo Stefano is one of the two port cities. The 16th century Fortezza Spagnola , a Spanish fort, dominates the historic city. It has been renovated and inside are the unusual Museum of the Masters of the Ax and the exhibition of Submerged Memories with archaeological finds from the sea. There is an aquarium, a promenade, tourist information and ferries to explore the islands of the Tuscan archipelago.
Ristorante la Bussola , P. Facchinetti, serves excellent fresh seafood. The warm seppie salad (cuttlefish) with beans and corn is an unusual and delicious appetizer. For the fish plate, the waiter brings a plate of fresh fish to the table for you to choose from. When the weather is nice, they have outdoor seating.
Porto Ercole
Porto Ercole is the most picturesque town on the island. Forte Filippo , a large military fort, stands on a hill near the city. The promenade is lined with fishermen’s huts and along the coast there are sandy and rocky beaches. In the old town, up the hill from the port, is the Chiesa di Sant Erasmo with a marble altar and tombstones of the Spanish governors. The Spanish Rocca is located above the old town and can be visited.
Orbetello
Orbetello is embedded in the lagoons between the mainland and Monte Argentario. Buses connect the city with the Orbetello Scalo train station, so this is probably the best option for those traveling by public transport. A pedestrian street with shops, bars and restaurants that runs through the city center and the outskirts of the city are beautiful beaches. Cantuccio Restaurant serves cheap typical Maremma food, mainly meat.
Feniglia
Near Porto Ercole, Tombolo della Feniglia is a nature reserve on the lagoon with pine trees, birds, deer and wild pigs. Along the coast there are good beaches.
A day trip to Giglio
From Porto Santo Stefano, you can take one of the frequent passenger ferries (non-residents are not allowed to bring cars in high season) to Isola di Giglio, a picturesque island in the Tuscan archipelago. You can explore Giglio Porto, the small town where the ferries arrive, on foot and go to the nearby beaches. Or you can easily hire a private boat to take you around the island and stop at hidden coves and beaches that can only be reached by boat.
