Orbetello
Orbetello è un comune della Maremma toscana, in provincia di Grosseto, che sorge su una sottile lingua di terra al centro della su...
Mis à jour le 19 juillet 2026
En cette saison · Juillet · Été
Que faire à Orbetello maintenant
Le récit
L'histoire de Orbetello
A town between land and water
Orbetello stands on a sandy tombolo that stretches into the lagoon bearing its name, in the heart of the Grosseto Maremma, along the stretch of Tuscan coast known as the Costa d'Argento. The historic centre occupies a narrow peninsula surrounded by water, linked to the mainland by road and to Monte Argentario by an artificial causeway crossing the lagoon. This position, unique in Italy, made Orbetello a strategic crossroads since ancient times and still shapes its landscape today, suspended between the blue lagoon, green coastal pine woods and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Etruscan origins and Spanish rule
Orbetello's origins date back to the Etruscans, who founded a fortified settlement here, traces of whose polygonal walls survive, later reworked in Roman times. In the sixteenth century, under Spanish rule, Orbetello became the capital of the Stato dei Presidi, a small coastal territory controlled directly by the Spanish Crown to secure the Tyrrhenian Sea. Much of the bastioned fortifications still encircling the old town date from this period, along with military buildings such as the former gunpowder magazine, now converted into a museum space devoted to local history and the area's archaeological finds.
The lagoon and the sandbars
The Orbetello Lagoon, split into two basins by a channel and by the causeway leading to Monte Argentario, is a wetland of great natural value, protected as a WWF reserve. Its shallow, nutrient-rich waters host pink flamingos, herons, avocets and many other waterbird species, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers. On either side of the lagoon stretch the sandy tomboli of Giannella and Feniglia, strips of beach and pine forest separating the sea from the inland waters: the latter in particular is another protected area that can be explored on foot or by bicycle among dunes, maritime pines and sea views.
What to see in the old town
Strolling through Orbetello's old town means wandering narrow lanes, intimate squares and views over the water. The cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, stands on an older foundation and preserves elements from different periods in its façade. The walls, partly Etruscan-Roman and partly Spanish, can largely be walked along the town's perimeter, offering glimpses of the lagoon. Near the harbour, among the streets of the centre, the atmosphere of a Maremma fishing town still lingers, with low buildings, coloured façades and a pace of life shaped by fishing seasons and the changing tides.
Lagoon flavours and seafaring traditions
Orbetello's cuisine is closely tied to both the lagoon and the open sea. Its best-known product is bottarga, made from dried and salted mullet roe, used to season pasta or served in thin shavings as a starter. Eel, caught with the traditional fish traps known as lavorieri, is also common, alongside other lagoon fish such as sea bream and sea bass, prepared with simple recipes that let the local ingredients shine. Alongside seafood dishes, the Maremma table also offers seasonal vegetables, local olive oil and regional wines, balancing the inland farming tradition with the coastal seafaring culture.
Not to be missed
- The historic centre of Orbetello with its walls and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
- The former Spanish gunpowder magazine, now an archaeological museum
- The WWF Oasis of the Orbetello Lagoon for birdwatching
- The Feniglia tombolo, between pine forest, dunes and sea
- A taste of local bottarga in the town's restaurants
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