A holiday in Tuscany on the Argentario is an opportunity to discover fabulous natural landscapes, beaches overlooking the crystal clear sea, and villages nestled on the hills. Monte Argentario, with its promontory, stands out on the sea in all its angular beauty, along the Silver Coast of the Grosseto Maremma. It is impossible not to be fascinated by this area of southern Tuscany, with all its history, nature, and food and wine. Between relaxing days at the beach and the pleasure of walking and shopping in the coastal villages, time will seem to fly. Here are all the tips for your holiday in Tuscany on the Argentario.
The beaches of the Argentario and the Orbetello Lagoon
The Silver Coast offers amazing beaches caressed by the sea and hidden coves surrounded by greenery. The bathing establishments are all located along the Giannella beach or the Feniglia beach, on the opposite side. The strip of land that connects the Argentario promontory to the coast encloses the Orbetello Lagoon. This wonderful nature reserve, surrounded by a pedestrian and cycle path, offers unforgettable sunsets and beautiful pink flamingos sightings. The view of the Lagoon is therefore a first, fabulous show that you cannot miss during your Tuscan holiday. To experience it to the fullest, I recommend the Hotel Argentario Lagoon Resort & Spa. A magical and secluded place, surrounded by nature and equipped with all the comforts for a dream vacation. Not surprisingly, it boasts the largest wellness center in Argentario and a refined restaurant with local ingredients.
Beaches and bathing establishments on the Argentario
1. For those who love music, the sea and shopping
Along the Giannella beach, overlooking the fine sand, the Tuscany Bay bathing establishment is ideal if you are looking for relaxation, elegance and entertainment. The beach equipped with sunbeds and beach umbrellas features a lounge bar for concerts and aperitifs and a restaurant with typical and refined dishes, between the notes of a saxophone and the sea view.
After a day of sunbathing, I definitely recommend you visit Orbetello. This lively town contains traces of Romanesque history, of the Sienese dominion of the fifteenth century and of the passage of Garibaldi and the Thousand. In the Piazza dell’Eroe dei due Mondi, the Palazzo del Podestà awaits you with the imposing clock tower. Moreover, in Corso Italia, the main street of the center, you will find many shops, from the most common ones, such as Intimissimi and Douglas, to the most sought after. For example, the Ma’aM Collection by Monica Formichetti, in via Vincenzo Gioberti, parallel to Corso Italia. Here Made in Italy meets the craftsmanship and fabrics of India and Nepal for true queen-style collections. In the same street, I recommend a stop at the La mi Casa Restaurant, where you can enjoy exquisite fish, meat or vegetarian dishes. All made with the freshest ingredients accompanied by quality wines.
TO DO:
ORBETELLO SHOPPING
2. If you can’t resist fabulous sunsets
Another great beach establishment for your stay on the Giannella is definitely Il Tramonto Beach. With comfortable loungers and wattle-lined beach umbrellas, a stunning seaside location and an excellent restaurant, it’s ideal for a day at the beach. Without forgetting the spectacle of the sun setting over the sea, dyeing everything in the colors of red gold. As a destination for the evening I recommend Porto Santo Stefano, much larger than Porto Ercole and with a magnificent promenade.
TIPS FOR THE EVENING:
Enjoy the sunset with a walk along the harbor until you reach the Orlando Osteria restaurant. Intimate and informal, overlooking the sea, it offers delicious fresh fish dishes, including an unmissable salt sea bass.
TO DO:
2 DAYS BY BOAT AT THE GIGLIO ISLAND AND GIANNUTRI
3. If you are in the mood for romance
In Ansedonia, in the final area of the Feniglia tombolo, you cannot not miss a day on the beach at the Al Cartello establishment. A dream location with straw beach umbrellas, the restaurant and the breathtaking view: the perfect place for a romantic day with your better half.
For the evening, I recommend a visit to Porto Ercole, with its characteristic town overlooking the sea. It is wonderful to walk through the suggestive streets of the harbor and stop for an aperitif in one of the seafront places to enjoy the sunset. Don’t miss a dinner at Gambero Rosso, with its contemporary fish dishes inspired by tradition. My advice? The fried sea bass is a real treat!
TIPS FOR THE EVENING:
Go shopping after dinner in one of the small shops along the harbor streets. A wide selection of long beach dresses, swimsuits, hats and bags for all tastes awaits you.
4. If you wish to relax and immerse yourself in the Tuscan landscape
Between Foce del Chiarone and Macchiatonda, near Lake Burano, a WWF wildlife reserve, the historic beach establishment Ultima Spiaggia awaits you. In addition to the cobalt blue sea, like the sun beds and beach umbrellas available, a lounge music bar awaits you for aperitifs and themed evenings. And to fully relax you can always request a massage.
The destination for the evening can only be the town of Capalbio, with its double walls and the majestic Rocca Aldobrandesca. In addition to its characteristic tower, it houses some finely decorated rooms and the piano that belonged to Giacomo Puccini. For a Tuscan dinner, I recommend the Trattoria Toscana Restaurant, which includes homemade pasta, truffle recipes and excellent meat.
TIPS FOR A VISIT:
A walk along the ancient walls of the town, with an enchanting view of the Tuscan countryside.
MUST SEE:
VISIT TO THE TAROT GARDEN
5. Spend a day between history and nature
In the locality of Talamone, in a splendid cove set on the cliff, Bagno delle Donne awaits you, with its pebble beach. The transparent water of the crystal clear sea and the wild beauty of the rocks make this place the favorite destination for snorkeling and exploring the seabed. In the beach establishment you will find everything you need for your comfort and, at nightfall, you can directly reach the historic center of Talamone. In this small fortified village, dominated by the Rocca degli Aldobrandeschi, Garibaldi landed in 1860. Today, the ancient stone houses of the historic center retain traces of the Etruscan and Roman past and the sixteenth-century dominion of Siena. For an unforgettable dinner I recommend the Vicoletto Restaurant, in a secluded alley of the village, where you can taste fabulous seafood specialties. My favourite? Spaghetti with garlic and oil with prawn tartare and fragrant bread.
TIPS FOR A TRIP:
Reach the highest point of the village to take a photo with a breathtaking sunset.
Shopping Orbetello
Can’t wait to go shopping among the delightful boutiques and stores of Orbetello? Here is my exclusive guide for you with tips to help you choose.
If you love interior design and are looking for something special for your home, this is the shop for you. Among elegant glass bottles and special dish sets, perhaps combined with a whimsical patterned tablecloth, you will certainly find what you are looking for. Do you prefer household linen instead of kitchen accessories? Then I recommend a beautiful set of linen and cotton sheets, strictly Made in Italy, in the colors you love the most.
If your motto is “you can never have enough shoes”, then the destination for you can only be BABI Calzature, a large store of original shoes for every style. Let yourself be conquered by the range of colors and models and immerse yourself in some wild shoe shopping. My advice? An elegant pair of leather sandals.
Are you looking for a pair of glam glasses to show off during your vacation? In the main street of Orbetello I recommend this eyewear shop, with a wide selection of trendy models. From designer sunglasses to the most exclusive and sought-after ones, you will surely find the ideal lenses to protect your eyes with the right charm.
This irresistible clothing store has not one, but three stores, in Orbetello, Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano. With its classic style collections and handcrafted accessories it is an excellent shopping destination for women, men and children. The ideal shop to buy a polo-model cotton sweater or a classy sweater for an evening on the boat.
It can’t be a real vacation without a good book. If you are in the mood for literary purchases, this delightful bookshop with a vintage atmosphere awaits you in the historic center of Orbetello. Among its shelves full of volumes for all genres you will find the right title for your relaxation.
If you are looking for designer tableware for your boat, or special decorations, this furniture shop is perfect for you. From wicker baskets to straw lamps, from crystals to lampshades, you will be spoiled for choice. And don’t forget to buy a set of porcelain plates with designs in perfect sea style, in shades of blue, light blue and jade green.
If you love the colors of summer, the exotic style and fabrics in splendid patterns, don’t miss the Rasna boutique. This clothing store with an international touch is the ideal place to buy a long sunset dress or a magnificent caftan.
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