Monte Argentario
Monte Argentario is a promontory of the Tuscan Maremma facing the Tyrrhenian Sea, joined to the mainland by two sandy strips that...
Updated 21 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Monte Argentario now
The story
The story of Monte Argentario
Introduction and location
Monte Argentario is a promontory of the Tuscan Maremma, in the province of Grosseto, jutting into the Tyrrhenian Sea almost like an island. It is joined to the mainland by two sandy strips, the tomboli of Giannella and Feniglia, which enclose the Orbetello lagoon. The municipality includes the seafaring villages of Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole, along with a hilly hinterland covered in Mediterranean scrub. Suspended between open sea and lagoon, its setting makes it one of the most recognisable coastal destinations in southern Tuscany.
History and origins
The history of Monte Argentario is bound up with the sea and its defences. Ruled first by Siena and then by the Orsini family, in the sixteenth century the promontory became part of the Spanish Stato dei Presidi, a possession of the Crown of Spain in central Italy. Imposing fortifications were built to protect the coast from raids and pirates, and many still stand today in Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano. It was in Porto Ercole, in 1610, that the painter Caravaggio died while travelling back toward Rome, an episode that remains one of the best-known chapters connected to this land.
Nature and landscape
The landscape of Monte Argentario alternates rugged rocky coastline and hidden inlets, the famous cale, with pine woods stretching along the sandy tomboli. The Feniglia tombolo is a protected natural area that can be explored on foot or by bicycle among centuries-old maritime pines and dunes. The Orbetello lagoon, separated from the open sea by the tomboli themselves, is an internationally important wetland where migratory birds stop to rest. The hilly hinterland, covered in Mediterranean scrub, is crossed by panoramic roads offering views over the Tuscan archipelago.
Things to do and see
Among the best-loved activities on Monte Argentario are strolls along the harbours of Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole, busy with fishing boats and pleasure craft. Ferries to the islands of Giglio and Giannutri depart from Porto Santo Stefano, making them ideal destinations for a day trip. Sea lovers can go sailing, diving and snorkelling in the clear waters of the coves, while those who prefer dry land can follow trails climbing to the promontory's scenic viewpoints. The Spanish fortifications, visible while walking through both towns, add a historical touch to any visit.
Flavours and traditions
The cuisine of Monte Argentario reflects its seafaring vocation: fresh fish dishes, seafood soups and palamita, once caught in large quantities off the promontory, remain staples of the local table. The fishing tradition, still alive in both harbours, is interwoven with the agriculture of the hinterland, where vineyards produce Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario, a white wine with a controlled designation of origin. Village festivals punctuate the summer, celebrating the community's centuries-old bond with the surrounding sea.
Not to be missed
- Porto Santo Stefano and its historic harbour
- Porto Ercole and its Spanish fortifications
- The Feniglia tombolo and its pine forest
- The Orbetello lagoon
- The rocky coves along the coast
To see
What to see in Monte Argentario
Routes · Trovido Route
Routes in Monte Argentario
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