"Orbetello - Monte Argentario" Orbetello by breughel

Orbetello Travel Guide: 7 reviews and 11 photos

Argentario peninsula on the Tyrrhenian coast.

The entry to the peninsula of the Monte Argentario

Orbetello is the entry to the peninsula of the Monte Argentario about 160 Km north of Rome on the Tyrrhenian coast. The mountainous promontory is 635 m high and has high and rocky coastlines. Monte Argentario was probably an island which became linked to the main land by strips of sand forming a laguna. The town of Orbetello is located on the middle strip.

Thanks to its position, at the centre of the coast of Tyrrhenian Sea, Monte Argentario was a safe place for the navigators. There are two ports: Porto Santo Stefano of the north side and Porto Ercole on the south side. Because of its strategic position, watch towers were built under the Republic of Siena to help prevent raids by the Saracen pirates. Under the Spanish rule (16th - 17 th c.) the promontory of Argentario became the most important strong hold in all Tuscany. Orbetello, Porto Ercole, Porto Santo Stefano and Talamone were members of the Stato dei Presidi (State of Royal Garrisons of Spain).

The Mediterranean vegetation (dwarf palm, maritime pine, olive trees, vineyards, orchards) of the Monte Argentario is very nice as well as the two ports of Santo Stefano and Ercole. Orbetello is less attractive.
Nowadays Monte Argentario is a place of tourism, essentially Italian tourism. Many Romans have here vacation residences going from luxury villas, apartments to small bungalows. There are many camping's and well developed marinas.
Actually there are not many hotels; international tourism is less developed here than on the Ligurian or Adriatic coasts.

The area is very crowded in summer and on week-ends, I would advise to visit in low season.

Map of Orbetello and Argentario peninsula.

Last visit to Orbetello: Sep 2007
Intro Updated Oct 19, 2007
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Reviews (5)

Orbetello Monuments and Museum. Things to Do (4)

As the town of Orbetello goes back as far as the Etruscans, the Romans, the Republic of Siena, the State of Royal... more travel advice

"Molino Spagnolo" Spanish mill. Things to Do (4)

The "Molino Spagnolo" Spanish mill is the only wind mill which remained from a series of nine built by the Sienesi and... more travel advice

The Lagoon - Laguna of Orbetello. Things to Do (4)

The Lagoon of Orbetello is an inside sea of 27 Km². Average depth is about 1 meter, maximum depth 2 m. The lagoon is... more travel advice

The gates of Orbetello. Things to Do (4)

Orbetello is the gate to the Argentario not only in the literary meaning but also physically because the visitors coming... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (1)
Mosquito's - "zanzare".

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Comments (8)

BruceDunning Feb 27, 2012 at 3:51 PM Report Abuse

You are one of the few-we being the other that has visited this area. We liked it a lot-but not enough time to spend there. Nice pictures you took
icunme Aug 4, 2009 at 1:18 AM Report Abuse

Sold! I like this roadmap for a trip all the way down to the Amalfi area. Grazie, Carol
Nemorino Jul 4, 2008 at 12:37 AM Report Abuse

Good that they only allow pedestrians and bicycles in the Feniglia. This looks like a fascinating area with lots of history, but those zanzaras sound awful. I hadn't realized they still had malaria here up to about 1955.
nicolaitan Mar 5, 2008 at 10:32 AM Report Abuse

Nice stuff - friends with whom we would never travel spent a week at a luxe resort in P. Ercole and never left the resort. Stupid. This place looks very interesting indeed. N.
scottishvisitor Nov 4, 2007 at 4:00 AM Report Abuse

Lovely old mill & the lagoon looks so peaceful = enjoyed the read
wandeljp Oct 24, 2007 at 3:40 AM Report Abuse

Pages superbes sur un coin méconnu d'Italie, hors des sentiers battus. Je crois de plus en plus qu'il me reste beaucoup à découvrir ! Jean-Pierre.
Jefie Oct 21, 2007 at 1:36 PM Report Abuse

Une autre page fascinante! Je n'avais jamais auparavant vu de moulins ailleurs que sur la terre ferme!
LoriPori Oct 21, 2007 at 4:43 AM Report Abuse

Enjoyed reading about the Mill, the Lagoon and good warning about the Mosquitos. If there is one mosquito within a mile , it will surely find me. hehe!