When summer rolls around and you’re in Rome, you might want to indulge in a day (or two!) at the beach. Most travel blogs and guides, including this one, will point south: to Sperlonga, or Anzio.

However, with a slightly longer commute, it is very possible to reach other beautiful seaside destinations in southern Tuscany, by the border with the Lazio region – which makes them reachable in no time from Rome.

Introducing Monte Argentario

Take a look at a map and find the Monte Argentario promontory – the main natural landmark in a stretch of coast just south of the Orbetello nature reserve and the Maremma park: two hints that the area in question is of great importance when it comes to the protection of wildlife.

Indeed, around Monte Argentario you’ll find marshes, lagoons and forests that are the natural habitat of flamingoes as well as ospreys, Testudo hermanni tortoises or lanner falcons (and many other species!). It’s not the only appeal for lovers of the outdoors, because the sea waters here are included in the European Cetacean Sanctuary that encompasses three nations: Italy, France and Monte Carlo.

Boat excursions or hiking are the best way to discover the area, which can also be enjoyed by wind surfing, water skiing and scuba diving. However, those who just want to relax will be able to do so in several villages and small towns that provide plenty of opportunities to do just that!

Orbetello, quaint and untouched from mass tourism

Orbetello is a small medieval town, although it was probably founded by the Etruscans (and later conquered by the Romans). It’s very well known for its lagoon and for the long dam which connects it to Monte Argentario proper. What can you find in its winding alleys? Great food, great atmosphere… and the lovely feeling of being the only visitor there!

Porto Santo Stefano & Ansedonia: exclusive retreats

Porto Santo Stefano (along with nearby Porto Ercole), on the edge of the Argentario promontory, and Ansedonia – south of Orbetello – are known for its exclusive character. It’s not uncommon to find internationally known celebrities vacationing at either site. Both are highly recommended if you want to spend a day out in style!

VIP watching in Capalbio

And speaking of style, many Italian politicians, entrepreneurs and showbiz personalities are known to spend time in Capalbio – a hill town with a handful of sophisticated bathing establishments and beach clubs just a few miles away, where access is usually members-only. The alternative – as with most towns in the area – is to look for a public, access free stretch of beach and hang out there!

Living like fishermen: Isola del Giglio

A short ferry ride from Porto Santo Stefano or Porto Ercole, Isola del Giglio and nearby Giannutri are two islands constituting a “daytrip within a daytrip”, with the hamlet of Giglio Porto a former fishermen’s village where you can rent bikes and mopeds and explore the rest of the main island at will.

What else to do by Monte Argentario?

In Capalbio, lovers of art will enjoy Il Giardino dei Tarocchi, a giant sculpture garden work by the late Niki de Saint Phalle, while visitors to Porto Ercole can ponder on the fate of none other than Caravaggio, who died here and whose tomb was never found.

On Monte Argentario proper, a tour like this one will take you into the Feniglia nature reserve: beautiful and wild!

One of the attractions in the nearby Maremma park is the Butteri – the local equivalent of cowboys, whose skills were praised by Buffalo Bill during one of his Wild West shows when it traveled to Italy in the 1890s.

Inland, don’t forget that the Baths at Saturnia are nearby, as are other popular destinations such as Volterra or Pitigliano (all three will be the subjects of dedicated posts on this blog!).

How to reach the Monte Argentario area

Apart from Grosseto, the main train stations in the area are Orbetello and Capalbio: all three are directly connected to Roma Termini, Roma San Pietro or Roma Trastevere. Travel times are around 2 hours or so, depending on the type of train you will be boarding.

Grosseto is also reachable by bus from the hub at Roma Tiburtina.

Of course the most popular travel option is by car – whether you want to rent a vehicle yourself or rely on one of our partners’ private vans, this will prove the cheaper choice!