Bike&Boat Argentario Hotel
Argentario is a splendid promontory situated on the coast of Grosseto province, surrounded by sea and connected to the mainland via the town of Orbetello, as well as by the sandbars of Giannella and Feniglia, two long, sandy beaches.
Technically, what is referred to as Argentario is actually a mountain – Monte Argentario – which has recently acquired the status of a municipality in Grosseto province. It is home to two important and popular tourist resorts: Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole, situated respectively on the north-west and south-east sides, overlooking the sea.
Argentario attracts visitors for the uniqueness of its landscape, marine environment and exceptionally mild climate, making it an ideal holiday destination year-round. Those who love the sea can come here in summer to admire some of Tuscany’s most beautiful stretches of coastline, with small coves often only accessible on foot or by boat, offering truly unique shades of blue and magnificent sunsets over the Tyrrhenian Sea.
But it’s not just beach life: at Argentario, lovers of trekking and mountain biking will find countless trails that climb from the sea through lush Mediterranean shrubland up to 635 metres in altitude, offering views and vistas of rare beauty. For golf enthusiasts, the Argentario Golf Club is a 77-hectare park with an 18-hole course, situated in a natural amphitheatre of olive trees and Mediterranean scrub with extraordinary panoramic views.
The largest and most important tourist resort in the municipality of Monte Argentario is Porto Santo Stefano. It takes its name from its large harbour, from which ferries depart for Giglio island and Giannutri, while a short distance away there is also a tourist marina where numerous yachts and private boats are moored.
At Porto Santo Stefano, visit the historic centre with its shops and small churches, but above all, stroll up and down the pedestrian seafront promenade, which is what attracts most tourists: it winds along the entire length of the town, from the harbour to the tourist marina. Along its route you’ll find several restaurants and bars, and here you’ll also find the beautiful war memorial.
Smaller but perhaps more glamorous than Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole is the other tourist resort on Argentario. Situated on the opposite shore from Porto Santo Stefano, it also boasts a splendid tourist marina where beautiful yachts and private boats are moored, from where tourist boats and excursions depart daily to discover the most beautiful beaches of the Argentario promontory.
Porto Ercole has another trump card: the charming and characteristic historic village, part of the association of Italy’s most beautiful villages, situated on higher ground but still reachable on foot from the harbour and tourist area. Once there, wander aimlessly through the narrow streets and look out from the panoramic terrace, where you’ll be treated to a magnificent view surrounded by the Santa Barbara bastion and the sixteenth-century Palazzo dei Governanti.
On either side of Porto Ercole, as if protecting and delimiting it, there are two fortresses, one on the north side and one on the south. The first is the Forte Filippo, also reachable on foot via a steep trail. The other is the Forte Stella, open for visits every day in summer from 5pm to 9pm.
Orbetello is not part of the Argentario promontory, much less the municipality of Monte Argentario. However, if you’re visiting from afar, it’s where you’ll need to head your sat nav, as Orbetello is the gateway to the area and if you’re holidaying at Argentario you’ll have to pass through it.
Situated in an incredible location, it is completely surrounded by its lagoon. Visit its historic centre and then venture onto the water, where you can admire a truly unique ecosystem. If you’re also interested in the Tuscan countryside landscape, Orbetello is the perfect gateway to the Grosseto Maremma, made up of hills, open spaces, magnificent views and historic villages.
The Giglio is considered one of the most beautiful of the seven inhabited islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. It is reached by ferry from Porto Santo Stefano and for this reason we include it among the unmissable places at Monte Argentario; the sea crossing takes just one hour.
On arrival you’ll find dream beaches and coves bathed in crystal-clear waters and framed by Mediterranean scrubland. The top beaches are Cala dell’Arenella, Spiaggia di Campese, Spiaggia delle Cannelle, Cala degli Alberi and Cala delle Caldane.
Smaller and less visited than the nearby island of Elba, Giglio Island is recommended for those wanting relaxing holidays in nature and romantic weekends.
The Argentario promontory is renowned for its coves, reachable by walking along steep narrow paths. If the thought of climbing back up on foot at the end of a beach day frightens you, consider reaching them by boat, or alternatively, head to the beaches more suited to those seeking convenience, though these are decidedly more crowded.
Near Porto Santo Stefano, heading towards Orbetello, there are four beaches right next to the road and therefore very easy to reach: they are the Spiaggia della Bionda5, Cala Pozzarello6, the Spiaggia della Soda7 and the Bagni di Domiziano8. However, since they’re close to the town centre and at the same time small and easy to reach, there’s a real risk they’ll be very crowded, and if you’re arriving by car, parking is often very difficult to find.
West of Porto Santo Stefano, overlooking open sea, there are the magnificent little beaches of Cala Grande9 and Cala del Gesso10, both more secluded and harder to reach, and therefore less crowded. Be warned though: they’re quite small and absolutely beautiful, so in high season they too are well-trodden by tourists.
On the other side of the Argentario promontory, near Porto Ercole, there are several beaches worth visiting, foremost among them the Spiaggia Lunga11, located at the end of a steep path about 200 metres long. Don’t miss the Spiaggia delle Viste, the closest to the town centre, which together with the Spiaggia dell’Acqua Dolce and the well-known Cala Galera, with its tourist marina, form the perfect quartet of beaches to visit in the Porto Ercole area.
The southern part of the Monte Argentario promontory, furthest from Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole, is made up of small coves and beaches, such as the Spiaggia Le Cannelle12, one of the most famous, alongside the Spiaggia Sassi Verdi, Cala dell’Olio and Cala Piccola. These are all very narrow beaches, so we recommend arriving early in the morning if you want to find a spot.
Finally, if you’re looking for long, sandy beaches, don’t give up: the coves of Argentario aren’t for you, but the nearby beaches of Feniglia and Giannella, part of the municipality of Orbetello, are ideal. So long that even in peak season you’ll find an area where you’re completely isolated, they’re easy to reach, spacious and partly equipped, making them perfect for families with children and elderly visitors.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Argentario offers accommodation ranging from beachfront resorts to villas with private pools, passing through boutique hotels and apartments ideal for longer stays. Porto Santo Stefano, the liveliest centre on the promontory, is the best choice for those who want to be close to restaurants, ferries to Giglio and port life.
Porto Ercole has a more intimate and aristocratic atmosphere, with charming properties nestled within Spanish walls and overlooking the Orbetello lagoon. For those seeking tranquillity and contact with nature, holiday homes and farmhouses in the promontory’s hinterland offer an authentic alternative, often just minutes from the most beautiful beaches.
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