Monte Argentario Travel Guide

What to See and Do in Monte Argentario, Tuscany

Take a look at Tuscany's hidden gem on the sea - Monte Argentario in southern Tuscany's Maremma region.

Monte Argentario Highlights:

• Beautiful rugged coastline and beaches
• Wildlife, nature, and hiking
• Boat trips to the Tuscan archipelago
• Port towns of Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano
• Forts and towers

Monte Argentario Overview

Monte Argentario was once an island of the coast of Tuscany but is now connected to the mainland by large sandbars and lagoons. It's completely different from the rest of Tuscany, having once belonged to both Spain and Naples. In fact, sometimes it feels more like being in southern Italy than Tuscany.

Monte Argentario is wooded and full of wildlife. The mountain is surrounded by beautiful, rocky coastline. It's more wild than most of the rest of Tuscany.

Monte Argentario Location

Monte Argentario is in the Maremma region of southern Tuscany. It's about 150 km north of Rome and 190 km south of Pisa. The closest large city is Grosseto, about 40 km away. Nearby are the islands of Giglio and Giannutri.

Monte Argentario Transportation

The closest airports are Rome or Pisa (see Italy airports map). There's a train station in Orbetello Scalo and there's some bus transportation but it's really best to have a car to explore Monte Argentario.

Monte Argentario Hotels and Vacation Houses

Here are guest rated and reviewed hotels in Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano on Venere (book direct). Tuscany Now has vacation rentals for Monte Argentario, mostly in secluded locations with a pool and sea view. We stayed in la Trappola in a beautiful setting on the cliffs above the sea near la Maddalena tower (see photo of la Maddelena tower).

Monte Argentario Pictures

Take a look at pictures of Monte Argentario on Europe Travel.

Porto Santo Stefano

Porto Santo Stefano is one of two port towns. The 16th century Fortezza Spagnola, Spanish Fort, dominats the historic city. It's been renovated and inside are the unusual Museum of the Masters of the Axe and the Submerged Memmories exhibit with archeological finds from the sea. There's an Aquarium, seaside 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 (cuttlefish) salad with beans and corn is an unusual and delicious appetizer. For our fish course, the waiter brought a platter of fresh fish to the table for us to choose what we wanted. We had a local fish baked in the oven with potatoes. My dessert, a warm chocolate and ricotta cake, was fantastic. In nice weather, they have outdoor seating.

Porto Ercole

Porto Ercole is the most picturesque town on the island. Forte Filippo, a large military fort, sits on a hill near the town. The sea promenade is lined with fishermen's cottages and along the coast are both sandy and rocky beaches. In the old town, up the hill from the harbor, is the Chiesa di Sant Erasmo with a marble altar and tombstones of the Spanish govenors. The Spanish Rocca sits above the old town and can be visited.

Orbetello

Orbetello is built into the lagoons between the mainland and Monte Argentario. Buses connect the town with the train station in Orbetello Scalo so it's probably the best option for those traveling by public transportation. A pedestrian street with shops, bars, and restaurants cuts through the center of town and outside town are nice beaches. Restaurant Cantuccio serves inexpensive typical food of Maremma, mostly meat.

Feniglia

Tombolo della Feniglia is a nature reserve in the lagoon with pine trees, birds, deer, and wild pigs. Along the coast are good beaches.