Porto  Santo  Stefano​

Latest page update: 24 May 2025
By: Dion Protani

Where to Stay

Where to Stay in Porto Santo Stefano
Porto Santo Stefano offers a strong range of established hotels, reflecting its position as one of the main towns on the Monte Argentario peninsula. Most properties enjoy views over the harbour or Tyrrhenian Sea and are well regarded for comfort, location and professional service.
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Hotel Torre di Cala Piccola is among the most prestigious choices, set on a clifftop overlooking the sea with a pool, restaurant and private beach access, praised for its views, facilities and attentive staff (€€€€). Hotel Vittoria provides centrally located accommodation near the harbour, featuring comfortable rooms and on-site dining, earning positive feedback for its cleanliness and convenience (€€). For a modern, resort-style stay, Argentario Lagoon Resort & Spa offers extensive amenities including pools, a spa and tennis courts, highly rated for its facilities, comfort and service (€€€).

Where is

Where is Porto Santo Stefano?
​The seaside town of Porto Santo Stefano is situated on the Ligurian Sea in the Province of Grosseto.

It has a population of around 8,000 residents while the main highlights include the port area from which you can take a ferry to the islands of Giglio and Giannutri. Places of interest nearby include Monte Argentario, Orbetello, Porto Ercole and Ansedonia.
Porto Santo Stefano - frazione di Monte Argentario
Comune: Monte Argentario

Province: Grosseto

Region: Tuscany

Highlights: port, ferries to islands of Giglio and Giannutri

Close by: ​Monte Argentario, Orbetello, Porto Ercole, Ansedonia

Recommended accommodation: Bike & Boat Argentario Hotel​​​

What People Ask About Porto Santo Stefano, Tuscany

Is Porto Santo Stefano worth visiting?
Yes, Porto Santo Stefano is worth visiting for its seafront setting, picturesque harbour, and ferry connections to Giglio Island. It’s the largest town on Monte Argentario and a popular destination for seafood, boat trips, and coastal scenery.
What are the main attractions in Porto Santo Stefano?
Main attractions include the Spanish Fortress, the promenade along the port, and the beaches at Cala del Gesso and Cala Grande. The town is also known for boat tours, sailing opportunities, and panoramic drives around the Argentario coast.
How do I get to Porto Santo Stefano?
Porto Santo Stefano is about 12 km from Orbetello and can be reached by car or local bus. The nearest train station is Orbetello-Monte Argentario, with connections to Rome and Pisa. Ferries to Giglio Island depart directly from the harbour.
What is Porto Santo Stefano known for?
Porto Santo Stefano is known for its port, ferry terminal, and seafaring history. It’s also recognised for fresh seafood, panoramic coastal roads, and as a starting point for exploring Monte Argentario and nearby islands.
When is the best time to visit Porto Santo Stefano?
The best time to visit Porto Santo Stefano is from May to September, especially for enjoying boat trips and beach days. July and August are the busiest months, while May, June, and early September offer warm weather with fewer crowds.
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Discover

Discover Porto Santo Stefano
Ferry Port for Giglio and Giannutri
Porto Santo Stefano is the main town on the Monte Argentario peninsula in southern Tuscany, facing the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Argentario Lagoon. Set on a series of slopes around a natural harbour, it combines fishing traditions with a modern marina and seafront promenade. The town is surrounded by rocky coastline, pine-covered hills and winding roads that lead to panoramic viewpoints and secluded coves.
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Above the harbour stands the Fortezza Spagnola, built in the seventeenth century during the Spanish rule of the State of Presidi. The Aquarium of the Argentario and the Maritime Museum reflect the town’s connection with the sea. Ferries depart regularly to Isola del Giglio and Giannutri, making Porto Santo Stefano the main departure point for the Tuscan Archipelago. Its location and facilities make it an important centre for exploring the wider Maremma coast and nearby Orbetello.

Things to Do

Things to Do in Porto Santo Stefano
  • Fortezza Spagnola is a 17th-century Spanish fortress built to defend the harbour from pirate attacks, set on a hill above the port. It includes towers, bastions, and panoramic terraces overlooking the town and sea. The interior hosts a small museum with exhibitions on maritime history and traditional shipbuilding.
  • Passeggiata lungo il Porto is the waterfront promenade lined with cafés, shops, and fishing boats, running along the curved harbour. It is a popular spot for evening walks and summer events. The promenade connects the ferry terminal with beaches and offers views of the surrounding hills and coastline.
  • Acquario Mediterraneo dell’Argentario is a small but informative aquarium focused on marine species from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Exhibits include tanks with fish, crustaceans, and sea urchins, alongside educational panels. It’s located near the harbour and suitable for families with young children.
  • Pozzarello and Cala del Gesso beaches offer two contrasting experiences—Pozzarello is accessible and partially equipped, while Cala del Gesso requires a walk and offers a more secluded setting. Both feature clear water and rocky surroundings. Snorkelling is popular thanks to the rich underwater life.
  • Boat tour of the Argentario coast and Giglio Island departs from Porto Santo Stefano and explores coves, cliffs, and the clear waters around Monte Argentario. Full-day tours often include a stop on Giglio Island, with time for swimming and exploration. Guides provide insights into local history and marine environments.

Tours and Activities

Porto Santo Stefano Tours and Activities

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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

How to Get to [Place Name]

How to Get to Porto Santo Stefano
By Rail: Porto Santo Stefano does not have its own railway station. The nearest station is in Orbetello-Monte Argentario, about 12 kilometres away, on the Rome–Grosseto line operated by Trenitalia. Regional and intercity trains connect Orbetello to Rome in around 1 hour and 30 minutes, to Grosseto in about 30 minutes, and to Pisa in roughly 2 hours. From the station, Porto Santo Stefano can be reached by car, taxi, or local bus.

By Road: The town is located on the Monte Argentario peninsula, connected to the mainland by causeways across the Orbetello Lagoon. From Grosseto, the distance is approximately 45 kilometres, with a driving time of about 45 minutes via the SS1 motorway and the SP161 road. From Rome, the journey is around 160 kilometres and takes about 2 hours, while from Pisa it is about 190 kilometres, with a drive of roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes. Parking is available near the harbour and in designated car parks on the hillside above the town.

Nearest International Airports:

  • Rome Fiumicino Airport: Located about 150 kilometres from Porto Santo Stefano, with a driving time of around 2 hours. 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 and some long-haul routes.
  • Florence Peretola Airport: Roughly 200 kilometres from Porto Santo Stefano, with a driving time of about 2 hours and 40 minutes. It serves a range of European and national destinations.

Ferry Connections:
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Giglio Island: Year-round ferries depart from Porto Santo Stefano to Giglio Porto, with a crossing time of about 1 hour. Services operate several times daily for passengers and vehicles, with extra departures during the summer season.

Private Transfers

Porto Santo Stefano Private Transfers
A private transfer provides a comfortable and efficient way to reach Porto Santo Stefano 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 rely on public transport or manage long coastal drives yourself.

From Porto Santo Stefano, 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 convenient for shorter trips to nearby places such as Orbetello, Ansedonia, and Porto Ercole, or for travelling further across the Maremma coastline and the scenic southern Tuscan region.
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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.

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