Those arriving in Orbetello find a lagoon town with the open sea only a few steps away. This corner of Tuscany pairs long sandy beaches with rocky coves, backed by shady pine forests and lapped by remarkably clear water. It’s an unusual contrast in Italy, and one that gives this stretch of Maremma a character all its own. Among the things to see in Orbetello are bike rides through the pinewoods, unhurried swims, and snorkelling over transparent seabeds.
Orbetello sits in southern Maremma, spread across a lagoon and linked to Monte Argentario by a narrow dam. On either side are two long sandy stretches: Feniglia to the south and Giannella to the north. This unusual layout gives the town a real sense of being suspended between the lagoon and the Tyrrhenian Sea. One moment you’re looking out over still, silvery water dotted with fishing huts, the next you’re heading towards open sea and wide beaches, all just a short bike ride or drive away.
