Orbetello
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Latest page update: 24 May 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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Where to Stay
Where to Stay in Orbetello
Orbetello offers a solid range of established hotels, many set around its lagoon or within easy reach of the Monte Argentario peninsula. Accommodation here is known for comfort, convenient locations and consistently strong reviews for service and facilities.
San Biagio Relais is one of the top-rated options, housed in a restored historic building in the town centre, offering elegant rooms, a courtyard and excellent service, praised for its atmosphere and attention to detail (€€€). Hotel Vecchia Maremma, just outside Orbetello, provides comfortable accommodation with a pool, restaurant and parking, appreciated for its good value and welcoming staff (€€). For a resort-style option closer to the coast, Argentario Camping Village Hotel offers hotel-standard rooms with access to pools, restaurants and a private beach area, earning positive feedback for facilities and location (€€).
San Biagio Relais is one of the top-rated options, housed in a restored historic building in the town centre, offering elegant rooms, a courtyard and excellent service, praised for its atmosphere and attention to detail (€€€). Hotel Vecchia Maremma, just outside Orbetello, provides comfortable accommodation with a pool, restaurant and parking, appreciated for its good value and welcoming staff (€€). For a resort-style option closer to the coast, Argentario Camping Village Hotel offers hotel-standard rooms with access to pools, restaurants and a private beach area, earning positive feedback for facilities and location (€€).
Where is
Where is Orbetello?
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The seaside town of Orbetello is situated on the Orbetello Lagoon in the Province of Grosseto. It has a population of around 15,000 residents while the highlights include the town centre, the lagoon and the iconic Spanish Mill which sits in the water.
Places of interest nearby include Monte Argentario, Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole. |
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Comune di Orbetello
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Province: Grosseto
Region: Tuscany Population: 14,186 (in 2024 - source) Size: 227 km² Highlights: town centre, Orbetello Lagoon, Molino Spagnolo Water quality: Blue Flag Beach 2024 - 2025 Close by: Monte Argentario, Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole Recommended hotel: La Posta di Torrenova |
What People Ask About Orbetello, Tuscany
Is Orbetello worth visiting?
What are the main attractions in Orbetello?
How do I get to Orbetello?
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Discover
Discover Orbetello
Orbetello is a coastal town in southern Tuscany, situated on a narrow strip of land within the Lagoon of Orbetello. Surrounded by water on three sides, it lies between the Tombolo della Feniglia and the Tombolo della Giannella, with views across to the Monte Argentario peninsula. The town’s unique position gives it a distinctive setting, blending lagoon landscapes with access to nearby beaches and coastal reserves.
At its centre, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta stands on the site of an ancient Etruscan temple, while the Polveriera Guzman and Spanish Mill reflect its strategic importance under various rulers. Orbetello’s lagoon is protected as a nature reserve, providing habitat for migratory birds including flamingos. The town is linked to the mainland by a causeway and has convenient road connections to Ansedonia, Capalbio, and Monte Argentario, forming a key part of the southern Maremma.
At its centre, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta stands on the site of an ancient Etruscan temple, while the Polveriera Guzman and Spanish Mill reflect its strategic importance under various rulers. Orbetello’s lagoon is protected as a nature reserve, providing habitat for migratory birds including flamingos. The town is linked to the mainland by a causeway and has convenient road connections to Ansedonia, Capalbio, and Monte Argentario, forming a key part of the southern Maremma.
Things to Do
Things to Do in Orbetello
- Centro Storico di Orbetello is enclosed within Spanish-built walls and filled with narrow streets, arcaded buildings, and historic landmarks. Highlights include Corso Italia, the main pedestrian street, and the remains of the Etruscan-Roman city gate. The town’s layout reflects centuries of influence, from Etruscan roots to Spanish rule.
- Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta is built on the foundations of an Etruscan-Roman temple and later rebuilt in the 14th century in Gothic style. Inside are frescoes, stone altars, and remnants of earlier structures visible through the walls. It remains a focal point of the old town and sits at the head of the central square.
- Laguna di Orbetello surrounds the town on three sides and is a haven for wildlife, particularly migratory birds such as flamingos and herons. Wooden walkways and observation points allow for birdwatching and photography. The lagoon also plays a key role in local fish farming, with traditional techniques still in use.
- Mulino Spagnolo is a 16th-century windmill standing in the water just outside the town walls, originally used for milling grain with tidal power. It has become an iconic image of Orbetello and is best viewed at sunset. Though not open inside, it can be seen clearly from the cycling path that runs along the lagoon.
- Guided bike tour across the Diga Leopoldina and Monte Argentario offers a route that starts in Orbetello and crosses the causeway linking it to the coast. The tour includes sea views, nature stops, and climbs to panoramic points on the Argentario promontory. Bikes can be hired in town, and electric options are often available.
Tours and Activities
Orbetello Tours and Activities
Photo Gallery
Orbetello Photo Gallery
Tuscany Top 10 - My Recommended Destinations in Tuscany
1. Florence
2. Siena
3. Val d'Orcia
4. Pisa
5. Lucca
6. San Gimignano
7. Giglio
8. Volterra
9. Pienza
10. Elba
👉 Explore the Top 10 Places to Visit in Tuscany
1. Florence
2. Siena
3. Val d'Orcia
4. Pisa
5. Lucca
6. San Gimignano
7. Giglio
8. Volterra
9. Pienza
10. Elba
👉 Explore the Top 10 Places to Visit in Tuscany
How to Get to [Place Name]
How to Get to Orbetello
By Rail: Orbetello has its own railway station, known as Orbetello-Monte Argentario, located about 3 kilometres from the town centre on the main Rome–Grosseto line operated by Trenitalia. Regional and intercity trains connect Orbetello to Rome in around 1 hour and 30 minutes, to Grosseto in approximately 30 minutes, and to Pisa in about 2 hours. The station is linked to the town and coastal areas by local buses and taxis.
By Road: The town is situated on a lagoon in southern Tuscany, connected to the Monte Argentario peninsula by causeways. From Grosseto, the distance is roughly 45 kilometres, with a driving time of about 40 minutes via the SS1 motorway. From Rome, the journey is approximately 150 kilometres and takes around 2 hours, while from Pisa it is about 190 kilometres, with a drive of around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Parking is available near the lagoon and around the historic centre.
Nearest International Airports:
Ferry Connections:
Giglio Island: Regular ferries depart from Porto Santo Stefano, about 15 kilometres from Orbetello, to Giglio Porto. Crossings take around 1 hour and operate year-round for passengers and vehicles, with increased frequency during the summer months.
By Road: The town is situated on a lagoon in southern Tuscany, connected to the Monte Argentario peninsula by causeways. From Grosseto, the distance is roughly 45 kilometres, with a driving time of about 40 minutes via the SS1 motorway. From Rome, the journey is approximately 150 kilometres and takes around 2 hours, while from Pisa it is about 190 kilometres, with a drive of around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Parking is available near the lagoon and around the historic centre.
Nearest International Airports:
- Rome Fiumicino Airport: Located about 140 kilometres from Orbetello, with a driving time of around 1 hour and 50 minutes. It provides a full range of domestic, European, and intercontinental flights.
- Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport: Approximately 190 kilometres away, the journey takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. It offers numerous European routes and some long-haul connections.
- Florence Peretola Airport: Roughly 200 kilometres from Orbetello, with a driving time of around 2 hours and 40 minutes. It serves several European and national destinations.
Ferry Connections:
Giglio Island: Regular ferries depart from Porto Santo Stefano, about 15 kilometres from Orbetello, to Giglio Porto. Crossings take around 1 hour and operate year-round for passengers and vehicles, with increased frequency during the summer months.
Private Transfers
Orbetello Private Transfers
A private transfer provides a convenient and comfortable way to reach Orbetello or continue your journey to other destinations in southern Tuscany and central Italy. You’ll be collected from your chosen location and taken directly to your destination by a professional driver, without the need to arrange public transport or drive along coastal roads yourself.
From Orbetello, transfers can connect you with Rome Fiumicino Airport and Pisa International Airport, while longer routes are also available to Florence Airport and Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport. They are also suitable for shorter trips to nearby coastal towns such as Porto Santo Stefano, Ansedonia, and Capalbio, or for travelling further across the Maremma region and surrounding Tuscan countryside.
To request a quote or check availability for a private transfer, just fill out the short form below and we’ll get back to you with all the details.
From Orbetello, transfers can connect you with Rome Fiumicino Airport and Pisa International Airport, while longer routes are also available to Florence Airport and Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport. They are also suitable for shorter trips to nearby coastal towns such as Porto Santo Stefano, Ansedonia, and Capalbio, or for travelling further across the Maremma region and surrounding Tuscan countryside.
To request a quote or check availability for a private transfer, just fill out the short form below and we’ll get back to you with all the details.
