In a privileged position amid centuries-old pine forests, coastal roads that offer enchanting views and traces of last century's history, Porto Santo Stefano is the main center of Argentario.
A picturesque village of seafaring origin, it has evolved over time while retaining its wild nature.
The promenade along the waterfront remains one of the most evocative on the entire coast and is the starting point for adventurous excursions to the nearby Island of Giglio and Island of Giannutri, pearls of the Tuscan archipelago. The harbor is divided into two parts, the old and the new port, and is the heart of tourist activities, as well as those related to fishing.
Of course, the absolute protagonist of this village is the sea, with numerous beaches, all different one from the other: you can find coves hidden among the rocks and tongues of golden sand where you can lie and sunbathe in total relaxation. Of note are the beach of Cala del Gesso and the beach of Cala Piccola, where you can go diving and snorkeling.
Of course, there is no shortage of opportunities to engage in other sea sports such as surfing, wind surfing, kite surfing and recreational fishing.
Thanks to its strategic location, this area has been frequented since ancient times by the various peoples who sailed the Mediterranean: among the many traces left by the Romans are the remains of the Bagni di Domiziano (Baths of Domitian) - one of the cetarie basins (used in Roman times for fish processing), used for fish farming, which can be found in a small bay and called the Domiziane (Domitian ones) after the name of the Domitian family - but it was much later - during the Stato dei Presidi (State of the Presidi), around 1500 - that the city began to develop around the Fortress.
Dating from this period - and a must-see - is the Spanish Fortress, which was built for defensive purposes and which, over time, became an important cultural center: today it houses permanent exhibitions such as "Memorie Sommerse" (Underwater Memories) - with archeological finds recovered from the nearby seabed - and "Maestri d’Ascia " (Shipwrights) - dedicated to the old builders of ships and boats for fishermen.
For families and all marine life enthusiasts, the Acquario Mediterraneo della Costa d’Argento (Silver Coast Mediterranean Aquarium) offers a faithful reconstruction of the characteristic environments of the Argentario seabed to give visitors the feeling of diving.
Every year at Ferragosto (the holiday celebrated on 15 August) a maritime tradition comes to life with the Palio dell'Argentario, an evocative competition between the town's four districts: the festivities begin as early as the week before with the dinners of the contrade (districts) and a historical parade.
Do not miss the Convento dei Frati Passionisti (Convent of the Passionist Friars), a sanctuary built in the 18th century by San Paolo della Croce (St. Paul of the Cross).
