Guide to Monte Argentario: how to get there and where to stay, what to see and where to sunbathe. The most interesting in Monte Argentario: fresh reviews and photos, places to see, branded entertainment and beaches.
Monte Argentario is a commune or, in other words, a municipality, as well as a peninsula belonging to the province of Grosseto in the Italian region of Tuscany, located 150 km south of Florence.
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| Monte Argentario |
The peninsula is connected to the mainland by three elongated sandbars that form two closed lagoons: Laguna di Ponente to the west of the middle sandy embankment and Laguna di Levante to the east. Two small port towns are comfortably located on Cape Argentario: the “northern” Porto Santo Stefano and the “southern” Porto Ercole.
An interesting fact is that Monte Argentario is a cape protruding directly into the Tyrrhenian Sea and adjacent to two islands of the Tuscan archipelago - Giglio and Giannutri, known, by the way, for their diving schools.
Once Argentario was an island, but sea currents and the Albeña River connected it to the mainland, forming the so-called tomboli ("sandbanks").
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| Monte Argentario |
How to get there
The nearest airports to Monte Argentario are in Pisa and in Rome, where famous airlines fly regularly, including Aeroflot and AlItalia. There is also a train station at Orbetello Scalo and several bus stations.
Take the Pisa-Rome train and get off at the nearest station to Argentario - Orbetello (15-20 minutes by car). The station has Rama buses (tel.: 0564 86 79 29) that will take you either to Porto Santo Stefano or Porte Ercole; travel time is about 20 minutes. The same buses run to Grosseto (on the way 1 hour, 4 departures per day).
Traveling by car from the north - from Pisa - takes only 2.5 hours. You can also drive in an hour and a half and from the south - from Rome's Fiumicino airport, covering a distance of 150 km.
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| Monte Argentario |
Attractions in Monte Argentario
At an altitude of 635 m is the highest point of the peninsula - the peak of Punta Telegrafo (Punta Telegrafo). The landscape here is mostly rocky. On this hill, in a medieval fortress, there is a monastery with a restaurant with Tuscan cuisine. From the top of Punta Telegrafo, there are wonderful views of the Tuscan archipelago, as well as yachts sailing in the distance.
From the panoramic road Strada panoramica, which originates in Porto Santo Stefano and runs along the entire perimeter of the peninsula, in good weather you can see the coast of the island of Corsica.
Three fortresses rise above Cape Argentario: Fortezza Spagnola - in Porto Santo Stefano, as well as Forte Filippo and Forte Stella - in Porto Ercole. These fortifications, which are part of a chain of defensive towers and fortresses, were built by the Spaniards in the middle of the 16th century to control the Tyrrhenian Sea. By the way, the largest and most famous is Fortezza Spagnola, where you can see interesting exhibitions of shipbuilding and shipwrecks.
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| Monte Argentario |
Events
The most important day in the calendar of the town of Porto Santo Stefano is August 3, when the remains of St. Stephen were found, thrown into the sea by local fishermen. During the festival, a crowd dressed in 17th century costumes passes through the entire city. People are followed by a string of local boats illuminated by colorful lights.
On August 15, the famous rowing competition Palio Marinaro takes place between the different areas of Porto Santo Stefano. This competition is held in honor of the tartan boat used to transport coal and wood. It was these ships that once saved the city from Saracen pirates.
On the last Sunday of August every year, the people of Porto Santo Stefano celebrate City Day. On this day, fireworks are lit in the night sky, festivities and wine tasting are held.
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| Monte Argentario |
Weather in Monte Argentario
The climate in Monte Argentario is particularly pleasant. Even in the heat of the day, when the warm sirocco wind blows from North Africa, high humidity and clouds will cover the peninsula for a day or two before the mistral brings sun and cool breezes again.
After the arrival of the "sirocco", we recommend taking the opportunity to travel to Saturnia and immerse yourself in the warm thermal waters.
Winters in Monte Argentario are usually very mild, as the peninsula is protected by hills and is still in the south. Therefore, it is good to come here out of season, even at Easter.