Looking for a villa near Monte Argentario?

Monte Argentario is the promontory at the southern end of the Tuscan coast, a place of small harbours, Spanish fortresses and a sea that is clearer than the mainland riviera. It is also one of the most distinctive landscapes in the Maremma. This guide explains what it is and where Roc Villa Bay is.

Where Monte Argentario is

Monte Argentario is a comune in the province of Grosseto, in southern Tuscany. It is a promontory connected to the mainland by two tomboli — narrow strips of land — which enclose the Orbetello lagoon. The main towns are Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole.

Roc Villa Bay is in Castiglioncello, on the coast in the province of Livorno, further north along the Tyrrhenian. Monte Argentario belongs to the Maremma; Castiglioncello belongs to the Etruscan Riviera. They are different stretches of the same sea.

What Monte Argentario is known for

The promontory is known for its dramatic coastline, its small coves and its history of fortifications. The Spanish fortresses — including the Forte Stella and the Rocca — date from the period of Spanish rule and still dominate the hills above the harbours. Porto Ercole is associated with Caravaggio, who died there in 1610.

The surrounding area includes the Orbetello lagoon, a protected wetland, and the tomboli of Giannella and Feniglia, with long sandy beaches and pine woods. It is a landscape for walking, boat trips and slow days, not for a checklist of monuments. In summer it is popular and the harbours are busy; in spring and autumn it is quieter.

Roc Villa Bay as a different base

Roc Villa Bay is a private seafront estate in Castiglioncello with four bedrooms, three private units, more than 4,000 m² of Mediterranean garden and two private accesses to the sea. It is a house for families and small groups, with a sandy beach reached by a private path and a rocky cove reached by stone steps.

Monte Argentario is a Maremma destination, and if the promontory is the centre of your trip, staying there makes more sense. A stay at Roc Villa Bay can include it as a day out, but we do not describe the house as being on Monte Argentario.

Who should choose Monte Argentario

Choose Monte Argentario if you want the Maremma coast, the harbours, the fortresses and the lagoon, and if you prefer a southern base. Choose Castiglioncello if you want a private house on the Etruscan Riviera and are happy to explore the south as an excursion. The Tuscan coast guide explains the difference between the two stretches.

The villas near Tuscany index lists the other places we cover.

Practicalities

We do not publish distances or drive times. If you are planning to visit Monte Argentario from the coast, tell us your dates and starting point and we will confirm the practicalities. Start with the enquiry form.