Hotels, travel and tourist guide
Monte Argentario is a large and hilly promontory in southern Tuscany. Popular primarily with well-off Italians, the area boasts a nature reserve and some relatively unspoilt beaches. Long ago this sizeable outpost of Tuscany was an island; later it became joined to the mainland by three sand bars, which are now covered in woodland and separated by lagoons. Monte Argentario is part of the Province of Grossetto, an interesting area of Tuscany which is becoming increasingly fashionable as a holiday destination.
Monte Argentario tourist information
There are two pretty harbour/resort towns at Monte Argentario which make good holiday bases: Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole. Porto Santo Stefano is on the northern side of the promontory, and is the largest town, served by ferries to the Tuscan islands. Porto Ercole faces south, and is a small and pretty harbour settlement. A third option is Orbetello, located on the central isthmus, between the two lagoons. The southern connecting isthmus is a pine-clad nature reserve (called the Tombolo), with a path for walkers and cyclists along its length. From here you can access one of the coast’s quietest beaches.
A night or two in Monte Argentario makes a pleasant and different addition to a holiday; alternatively the resort makes a good base for a longer and more relaxed break. It can be combined with a stay on the island of Giglio, which would make an interesting and varied holiday.
Monte Argentario travel information
Get to Monte Argentario
The handiest airports for this stretch of Tuscan coast are Rome (Fiumicino or Ciampino) and Pisa. Either driving or by train, the region can be combined with other destinations in Tuscany and Lazio, such as Florence, Siena, Rome and Viterbo.
Get around
The train station for Monte Argentario is called Orbetello – Monte Argentario, and it’s located at Orbetello Scalo, just inland from the causeways. Trains to and from Rome take approximately two hours. Buses run from the station to Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole and Orbetello, and link the towns together (see link on the right for timetables). From Porto Santo Stefano ferries run to the Isola del Giglio, a picturesque island, and the smaller Giannutri.
Monte Argentario hotels
There is a reasonable choice of hotels around the Monte Argentario coastline, but during the peak summer season it’s a good idea to book well ahead. One of Italy’s most renowned luxury hotels, Il Pellicano, is located on the cliffs near Porto Ercole, though there are also more thrifty options for a seaside stay, such as the popular four-star Hotel Filippo II outside Porto Santo Stefano.
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