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Argentario Coast

The Maremman seaside is very quickly making a name for itself as not only beautiful, but beautifully preserved and still authentic enough to make the nearby Cinque Terre look like a terrible tourist trap.

The coastline is represented by two neighbouring port towns that couldn’t be more polar opposites if they tried.

Porto Santo Stefano is lively and chaotic with a vibrant boardwalk that’s alive with boats coming in and out, people strolling and fishmonger’s selling the days catch.

A little further down the coast, Porto Ercole is refined and staid.

Here the stores and restaurants are upmarket and the locals more inclined to while away the days at one of the cafes overlooking the water.

DA NON PERDERE:

Porto Santo Stefano

Porto Santo Stefano is one of the villages that rise on Monte Argentario, a very peculiar village and particularly loved for its seaside promenade, restaurants and trattorias, and shops where you can buy souvenirs and handicrafts.

Located on the north-western side of the Argentario promontory, Porto Santo Stefano is ideal both for its history and its beaches, two elements that distinguish it and make it unique.

The area was inhabited since ancient times thanks to its favorable location, the port was already frequented by the Romans as evidenced by the ruins of the Baths of Domitian, later, in the Sienese era, the port was subject to pirate raids, and it is to this particular historical moment that the construction of the coastal towers dates back, first and foremost the Torre dell’Argentiera, dating back to 1442, with the Government of the State of the Presidi, the imposing Spanish Fortress was built. The fortress of Porto Santo Stefano is truly unique. It was built, unlike all the other buildings and monuments of Maremma, by the Spanish. The Spanish Empire conquered the entire Argentario coast for a brief period of time, but managed to leave a significant mark on the architecture, cuisine, and culture of the place. The Spanish Fortress of Porto Santo Stefano is today the home of one of the most beautiful museums dedicated to Etruscan and Roman history, displaying a collection of objects and artifacts found on the seabed.

Porto Ercole

On the eastern side of Monte Argentario is Porto Ercole, which became one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy in 2014. It's not hard to see why, the village is truly spectacular and unique in its kind, small and gathered around its port, it looks like a postcard…

The town is rich in historic buildings and monuments to discover. The Palazzo dei Governanti, in the heart of the village, dates back to the first half of the 16th century and was originally the official residence of the Spanish Governors during the dominion of the State of the Presidi. The building overlooks the main square of Porto Ercole, right in front of the bastion of Santa Barbara.

Nestled among the alleys of the historic center is the Church of Sant'Erasmo. The original building dates back to the 4th century, was remodeled and restored in the following centuries, particularly in the 17th century. It is from this period that the baroque stylistic elements date back.

Just outside Porto Ercole, we find another Spanish fortress, Forte Stella. The Spanish built a total of 3 fortresses on the Argentario promontory as lookout and defense points in case of pirate attacks. This fort is the only one open to the public and is truly spectacular, both inside and out. If you have the chance to visit the fort at sunset in summer, you will be enchanted by the beauty of the coastal and Mediterranean landscapes, surrounded by the Mediterranean scrub.

Orbetello

Orbetello is probably one of the most well-known villages in the Tuscan Maremma, connected to Monte Argentario thanks to the two tombolos, Giannella and Feniglia. It rises above the lagoon to which it gives its name and is a place of indescribable beauty and ancient charm.

Orbetello indeed stands right at the center of the lagoon - the Orbetello Lagoon - and observing it from above - perhaps from the viewpoint of the Convent of the Passionist Fathers, on the panoramic road of the Argentario - you can notice its uniqueness and its beauty.

The origins of the town of Orbetello are very ancient; a first settlement already existed in the Etruscan-Roman period, and it was the Romans themselves who built, a very short distance from Orbetello, at Ansedonia, the city of Cosa, today an important archaeological site.

Orbetello is a town to be discovered, starting with its one-of-a-kind lagoon, where you can admire the ancient Spanish mill, built by the Spanish during the dominion of the State of the Presidi, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built on a Roman temple of the 5th century, inside are housed valuable works of art, such as a painting from 1800 depicting the Madonna on a Throne among Angels against the Background of the Orbetello Lagoon and an Assumption of the Madonna, made for the King of Naples in 1801, the Governor's Palace, in Piazza Eroe dei Due Mondi, served as the residence of the Spanish governor, the Polveriera Guzmàn, dating back to 1692 during the Spanish government, was supplied by Garibaldi during his Expedition of the Thousand, today it hosts the Archaeological Museum of Orbetello.

Beaches of the Argentario

The coast of the Argentario is, of course, famous for its beaches. All the beaches in this area have areas designated for free beaches and areas designated for beach resorts. For about 10 euros a day, you can relax by renting two sunbeds and an umbrella. If you prefer something more intimate and free, explore the coast and you will find more secluded and quiet beaches. The most beautiful beaches of the Argentario are located along the scenic road, just outside Porto Ercole.

The most beautiful beaches of the Argentario:

Feniglia Dune Nature Reserve, from the park you can access the beaches and the lagoon by following a path immersed in the woods where, if you are a bit lucky, you can observe numerous specimens of fallow deer that live in the wild, they are accustomed to human presence. The beaches of this park are wonderful, wild, and untouched (especially if you decide to take a slightly longer walk and not stop at the first exit), with crystal clear water and a spectacular view of the Ansedonia promontory.

Cala del GessoCala di Gesso in Porto Santo Stefano, is one of the most well-known beaches of the Argentario. It is accessible from the Panoramic Road by walking a downhill stretch. It's a true corner of Paradise. The beach is not very large but beautiful, with small pebbles and crystal-clear waters it's perfect for snorkeling enthusiasts.

Cala Grande, also accessible from the Panoramic Road and then by a footpath through the woods... is a real spectacle, with turquoise waters that are clear and crystalline. The beach is pebbly, it is all free beach with no facilities or bars.

Mar Morto (Dead Sea) is the wildest of the Argentario beaches. The path to reach it is quite challenging but it will definitely be worth it... rocks and cliffs and a sea that is crystalline and very clear, a wonder!

Spiaggia dell'Acqua Dolce, in Porto Ercole, is one of the most famous, just past the Il Pellicano hotel, with sand and pebbles and clear waters.

Porto Santo Stefano

Porto Santo Stefano is one of the villages that rise on Monte Argentario, a very peculiar village and particularly loved for its seaside promenade, restaurants and trattorias, and shops where you can buy souvenirs and handicrafts.

Located on the north-western side of the Argentario promontory, Porto Santo Stefano is ideal both for its history and its beaches, two elements that distinguish it and make it unique.

The area was inhabited since ancient times thanks to its favorable location, the port was already frequented by the Romans as evidenced by the ruins of the Baths of Domitian, later, in the Sienese era, the port was subject to pirate raids, and it is to this particular historical moment that the construction of the coastal towers dates back, first and foremost the Torre dell’Argentiera, dating back to 1442, with the Government of the State of the Presidi, the imposing Spanish Fortress was built. The fortress of Porto Santo Stefano is truly unique. It was built, unlike all the other buildings and monuments of Maremma, by the Spanish. The Spanish Empire conquered the entire Argentario coast for a brief period of time, but managed to leave a significant mark on the architecture, cuisine, and culture of the place. The Spanish Fortress of Porto Santo Stefano is today the home of one of the most beautiful museums dedicated to Etruscan and Roman history, displaying a collection of objects and artifacts found on the seabed.

Porto Ercole

On the eastern side of Monte Argentario is Porto Ercole, which became one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy in 2014. It's not hard to see why, the village is truly spectacular and unique in its kind, small and gathered around its port, it looks like a postcard…

The town is rich in historic buildings and monuments to discover. The Palazzo dei Governanti, in the heart of the village, dates back to the first half of the 16th century and was originally the official residence of the Spanish Governors during the dominion of the State of the Presidi. The building overlooks the main square of Porto Ercole, right in front of the bastion of Santa Barbara.

Nestled among the alleys of the historic center is the Church of Sant'Erasmo. The original building dates back to the 4th century, was remodeled and restored in the following centuries, particularly in the 17th century. It is from this period that the baroque stylistic elements date back.

Just outside Porto Ercole, we find another Spanish fortress, Forte Stella. The Spanish built a total of 3 fortresses on the Argentario promontory as lookout and defense points in case of pirate attacks. This fort is the only one open to the public and is truly spectacular, both inside and out. If you have the chance to visit the fort at sunset in summer, you will be enchanted by the beauty of the coastal and Mediterranean landscapes, surrounded by the Mediterranean scrub.

Orbetello

Orbetello is probably one of the most well-known villages in the Tuscan Maremma, connected to Monte Argentario thanks to the two tombolos, Giannella and Feniglia. It rises above the lagoon to which it gives its name and is a place of indescribable beauty and ancient charm.

Orbetello indeed stands right at the center of the lagoon - the Orbetello Lagoon - and observing it from above - perhaps from the viewpoint of the Convent of the Passionist Fathers, on the panoramic road of the Argentario - you can notice its uniqueness and its beauty.

The origins of the town of Orbetello are very ancient; a first settlement already existed in the Etruscan-Roman period, and it was the Romans themselves who built, a very short distance from Orbetello, at Ansedonia, the city of Cosa, today an important archaeological site.

Orbetello is a town to be discovered, starting with its one-of-a-kind lagoon, where you can admire the ancient Spanish mill, built by the Spanish during the dominion of the State of the Presidi, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built on a Roman temple of the 5th century, inside are housed valuable works of art, such as a painting from 1800 depicting the Madonna on a Throne among Angels against the Background of the Orbetello Lagoon and an Assumption of the Madonna, made for the King of Naples in 1801, the Governor's Palace, in Piazza Eroe dei Due Mondi, served as the residence of the Spanish governor, the Polveriera Guzmàn, dating back to 1692 during the Spanish government, was supplied by Garibaldi during his Expedition of the Thousand, today it hosts the Archaeological Museum of Orbetello.

Beaches of the Argentario

The coast of the Argentario is, of course, famous for its beaches. All the beaches in this area have areas designated for free beaches and areas designated for beach resorts. For about 10 euros a day, you can relax by renting two sunbeds and an umbrella. If you prefer something more intimate and free, explore the coast and you will find more secluded and quiet beaches. The most beautiful beaches of the Argentario are located along the scenic road, just outside Porto Ercole.

The most beautiful beaches of the Argentario:

Feniglia Dune Nature Reserve, from the park you can access the beaches and the lagoon by following a path immersed in the woods where, if you are a bit lucky, you can observe numerous specimens of fallow deer that live in the wild, they are accustomed to human presence. The beaches of this park are wonderful, wild, and untouched (especially if you decide to take a slightly longer walk and not stop at the first exit), with crystal clear water and a spectacular view of the Ansedonia promontory.

Cala del GessoCala di Gesso in Porto Santo Stefano, is one of the most well-known beaches of the Argentario. It is accessible from the Panoramic Road by walking a downhill stretch. It's a true corner of Paradise. The beach is not very large but beautiful, with small pebbles and crystal-clear waters it's perfect for snorkeling enthusiasts.

Cala Grande, also accessible from the Panoramic Road and then by a footpath through the woods... is a real spectacle, with turquoise waters that are clear and crystalline. The beach is pebbly, it is all free beach with no facilities or bars.

Mar Morto (Dead Sea) is the wildest of the Argentario beaches. The path to reach it is quite challenging but it will definitely be worth it... rocks and cliffs and a sea that is crystalline and very clear, a wonder!

Spiaggia dell'Acqua Dolce, in Porto Ercole, is one of the most famous, just past the Il Pellicano hotel, with sand and pebbles and clear waters.

Terme di Sorano – Monte Argentario (GR) 75,3 km – 1 h 30 min.

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