Porto Santo Stefano
Where Porto Santo Stefano is located
Porto Santo Stefano is located in the southern part of Tuscany, in the province of Grosseto, and is one of two urban centers located on the Monte Argentario Promontory, along with Porto Ercole. The town is situated along the northern coast and developed within a huge bay, the ends of which border the old Pilarella port and the new Valle port, divided by the long arm of Molo Garibaldi.
Porto Santo Stefano faces the Tyrrhenian Sea and is about 40 kilometers southwest of Grosseto.
It represents the perfect location for reaching the main islands of the Tuscan Archipelago, such as Giglio Island and Giannutri, thanks in part to a large embarkation area from which our company's ships depart, Maregiglio.
Would you like to learn more about Porto Santo Stefano? Read our dedicated in-depth article to learn more!
Historical background on Porto Santo Stefano
Already the ancient Romans had identified the happy location of this area and had built several domus, or seaside villas, vital centers of production, especially fish production, given the presence of numerous tanks for breeding sea bass, mullet, bream and tuna. Thus were born the Domitian Villa, the remains of which can still be seen just after leaving S. Liberata, the Villa Dentiliana, in the locality of Pozzarello in whose bay a small naval post had been created; today, both the port and the villa have practically no trace.
Finally the Villa of the Muracci, not far from the Valley port where there was a tuna processing and canning plant.
To the Romans this land is closely linked and probably owes its name to them as well, since in addition to Emperor Nero, who spent time at Domitian in his youth, it was the powerful Enobarbi family who established their home here And being their bankers, i.e. Argentarii, here is an easy connection with the name Monte Argentario. When Roman rule ended, the promontory temporarily left history until, Approximately in the second half of the 13th century we begin to talk about Porto Santo Stefano as a transit landing and refuge for passing ships and fishing boats.
This maritime movement gave rise, little by little, to a more stable situation with a small settled settlement in the area of the Pilarella harbor, whose inhabitants were engaged, above all, in tuna and coral fishing.
In the 16th century, the whole promontory became part of the Spanish State of the Presidium and the small village of Porto S. Stefano is given an imposing Fortress that dominated the houses and served as protection from frequent corsair raids.
What is there to see in Porto Santo Stefano?
One of the places not to be missed is the Spanish Fortress., an imposing 16th-century structure that dominates the village and offers a splendid panoramic view.
Today the Fortress, a symbol of Porto Santo Stefano, hosts two permanent exhibitions on local nautical crafts and underwater archaeology and always dominates a village that, no longer small, has never lost its connection to the sea.
The sea is the country's main tourist attraction, so much so that an ad hoc place has been dedicated to it, Argentario's Mediterranean Aquarium, located on the Navigators' Promenade.
Opened in 2001, this aquarium offers a faithful reconstruction of what the seabed looks like on the Monte Argentario Promontory, and houses a wide variety of local marine species inside.
The traditional Palio Marinaro in August.
The sea of Porto Santo Stefano itself becomes the protagonist during the challenge every mid-August: the Palio Marinaro del Monte Argentario is the challenge between the four districts of Porto Santo Stefano: Croce, Fortezza, Pilarella and Valle.
These districts compete in a rowing race with traditional goiters, wooden boats maneuvered by a coxswain and four oarsmen.
The competition course, about 4 kilometers long, winds through the beautiful setting of Porto Santo Stefano harbor.
The Palio celebration is not only the race, but also songs, dances, dinners and fireworks that make the atmosphere even more festive and engaging.
Each victory is celebrated throughout the year until the next Palio, making this tradition one of the most anticipated and heartfelt events in the entire Argentario region.
Where to go to the beach in Porto Santo Stefano
Porto Santo Stefano offers several options for a day at the beach; let's see together what they are.
La Cantoniera is a beautiful and easily accessible beach at the beginning of the town, connected to Porto Santo Stefano by tunnels. It offers both an establishment with a bar and restaurant and a free beach.
Black Point, reached from La Bionda beach, is a small cove encountered just before the village. It does not have a parking lot, so it is necessary to walk a short distance.
The Blonde is located near the resort of Il Pozzarello, just outside the village of Porto Santo Stefano, and can be reached on foot by walking through the characteristic tunnels.
Pozzarello, with its establishments and small free beaches, is easily accessible directly from the provincial road.
The Soda is located at the beginning of the village and is easily visible from the road. This pebble beach is divided into two parts by a small pier, offering both a bathing establishment and free beach.
Finally, we mention the Baths of Domitian, a small cove located on the road to Porto Santo Stefano. This hidden cove offers a very picturesque path through an olive grove to reach the beach.
How do you get there in Porto Santo Stefano?
To avoid repetition, we have already extensively told how to get to Porto Santo Stefano by taking advantage of the main means (car, train, bus).
Accordingly, we leave you the link to be able to read the dedicated in-depth, and also all directions on where to leave the car in Porto Santo Stefano , once they arrive at the site.
Where do you take the ferry from Porto Santo Stefano?
Porto Santo Stefano remains the main starting point for exploring the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago.
Maregiglio is the shipping company for you to get to your destination with ease while enjoying top-quality onboard services.
Let's see now Some useful information if you travel to Porto Santo Stefano to take the ferry.
To take the ferry from Porto Santo Stefano, following the route to Giglio Island or Giannutri, you will have to go to the Ferry Terminal, located at Piazzale Candi 8, in the area of the Port of the Valley, which is not to be confused with the nearby pier.
Here you will find boarding for ferries to the islands. If you are traveling with your car or motorcycle, you will be able to leave it at the embarkation terminal, respecting the arrival time: it is recommended to arrive 30 minutes before the departure of the ferry.
On the other hand, if you are a passenger without a vehicle, simply show up 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
These advance times are FUNDAMENTAL., as those who arrive late are not guaranteed boarding, despite the regularity of their documents.
How long does it take from Porto Santo Stefano to Giglio Island by ferry?
The ferry ride from Porto Santo Stefano to Giglio Island takes an average of 1 hour and covers a distance of about 22 km, or 12 nautical miles.
We always remember to book your ticket early, especially during the busiest tourist periods.
To facilitate, you can book online conveniently at this link (or anyway purchase at the physical ticket office, present in Porto Santo Stefano at Facchinetti Square 6/7), while here you can read all about the schedules of our ferries.
How long does it take from Porto Santo Stefano to Giannutri by ferry?
The ferry ride from Porto Santo Stefano to Giannutri generally takes about 1 hour and covers a distance of about 20 km, or 11 nautical miles.
The info we just wrote about, regarding tickets, also applies here. In the schedule section you will find updated ones for both destinations, so also for Giannutri.
What ferries depart from Porto Santo Stefano?
All Maregiglio company ferries depart from Porto Santo Stefano, following the two routes to Isola del Giglio or Giannutri Island.
On Porto Santo Stefano - Giglio Island route, two ro-pax ferries operate:
- M/V Giglio Island, which can carry up to 595 passengers and 40 vehicles;
- M/V Dianium which can carry up to 345 passengers and about 12 vehicles.
On Porto Santo Stefano - Giannutri route operates the Motorship Silver Coast, available exclusively for passenger transport and with a maximum capacity of 350 people.
But that is not all, as from Porto Santo Stefano also depart some of the our interesting mini-cruises, daily tours specially designed to introduce you to the best of the beauty of the Tuscan Archipelago.
From Porto Santo Stefano leaves:
- the mini-cruise Giglio-Giannutri, operating in the period from April 1 to September 30;
- the Giannutri mini-cruise: the hidden treasures, carried out from May 29 to September 30, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday;
- the snorkeling tours at Giglio Island, carried out from June 1 to September 10, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
To conveniently book one of our mini-cruises online, simply visit this link.
