Argentario
Orbetello
This beautiful area is largely covered by the fragrant Mediterranean scrub, dominated by the 635 m Mount Argentario. Three slender sandy tongues enclosing the bird sanctuary of the Orbetello maquis tie the Argentario promontory to the coast, an enchanted place with incomparable scenery.
The country to see
The coast
Orbetello’s lagoon area is bounded seaward by two strips of sand called “tomboli”: the Feniglia Tombolo and the Giannella Tombolo.
La Feniglia is a 6-km strip of sand between the hill of Ansedonia to the east, and Mount Argentario to the west. Giannella, on the other hand, also 6 km long, runs from Mount Argentario to the mouth of the Albegna River. Characterized by long beaches, sandy dunes, pine forests and Mediterranean scrubland, these coastal areas are an ideal destination for beach tourism.
For those who like rocks instead, we recommend visiting the coast near the reliefs ofTalamone and Ansedonia. Rocky and difficult to access, also very beautiful.
Orbetello Lagoon Nature Reserve
One of the places not to be missed is definitely the Orbetello Nature Reserve. It is a brackish coastal lagoon dotted with small sand islands and fed by fresh water from surrounding canals.
Distinguished by its great botanical variety and enchanting butterfly garden, the oasis with its 200 species of birds is a favorite destination for birdwatching.
Port Hercules
The town is 45 km from the Maremma capital, Grosseto, while 6 km from Orbetello and 12 km from Porto Santo Stefano, the other, and only, larger town on the promontory.
The small village reveals itself to our eyes as a quaint little port with ancient smells, with nets resting on the characteristic gozzi and the faces of the fishermen marked by the wind and the sea. The ancient heart of Porto Ercole is located in the village at the southern end of the bay: this area is accessed through the Porta Pisana (Via Ricasoli), from here a maze of alleys and the city walls branch off, embracing the entire town and rejoining the Rocca. In Santa Barbara Square, from which there is a beautiful view of the harbor, we will also find the Governor’s Palace with its Renaissance-style facade. The oldest church, on the other hand, is located at the top of the village, of 18th-century origin, was partly rebuilt after the last war, and inside it are the tombstones of the Spanish governors of the former State of the Principalities.
Porto Santo Stefano
Porto Santo Stefano is the capital of the municipality of Monte Argentario, province of Grosseto. The seaside village is located on the eastern coast of Argentario, today it is a well-equipped tourist and commercial port, it is easily reached from the SS1 Aurelia following the Arriving by car, already from the descent that leads to the village, in addition to the beautiful coastline where beautiful houses are set, you can admire a beautiful view of Porto Santo Stefano. The first thing one encounters will be the shipyard, where shipwrights refurbish authentic jewels of the sea. Skirting the sea and the entire port of Valle are the embarkations for the islands of Giglio and Giannutri, an excursion we recommend because you can go there and visit in one day.
At the End of the Promenade we arrived in Piazza dei Rioni, which, overlooking the marina, we could call it the “living room” of Porto Santo Stefano. A stop at the many bars and small restaurants with terraces overlooking the sea is a must, at any time of the day, from breakfast to aperitif to after dinner, the relaxing atmosphere of this place gives you truly enjoyable moments.
To get to the heart of the village, alleys and stairways of the historic center must be climbed, and the Spanish Fortress is finally reached.