Porto Ercole is a stunning port town in Maremma on the Tuscan Coast. It is a vibrant, lively town with one of the best nightlife scenes in the area and is home to high class restaurants, glamorous bars and nightclubs, chic boutiques, pretty beaches, impressive yachts lined up in rows and colourful buildings crowded next to clear blue seas and skies. The town and its locals are quite unlike the typically humble people of Maremma but, instead, are a little more glamorous and interested in luxury. As a result, you'll find yourself walking amongst exceptionally stylish figures and, occasionally, a celebrity looking to experience the joys of Tuscany for themselves. If you want to do the same, just browse our holiday rentals in Porto Ercole.
Located on the Argentario Promontory, with colorful buildings perched on hills surrounding the harbor, the town is dominated by the impressive figure cut by the imposing Spanish Fortress. Porto Ercole dates back to the Etruscan period but began to really take shape in the 13th century. In the 15th century, the Republic of Siena overtook the harbor and developed the medieval city walls that still surround part of the town. The Spanish were the next occupiers of the city and fortified it. The Palazzo dei Governanti, which was the residence of the Spanish governors during the 16th century, is a fascinating reminder of their time in the city and one of the major cultural attractions of the town.
Other must-sees are the Giardino Corsini, a botanical garden that houses native and tropical plants; the Church of Sant’Erasmo that hosts the tombs of the governors and what is thought to be the final resting place of Caravaggio; other forts such as the splendid hexagonal Forte Stella.
Other must-sees are the Giardino Corsini, a botanical garden that houses native and tropical plants; the Church of Sant’Erasmo that hosts the tombs of the governors and what is thought to be the final resting place of Caravaggio; other forts such as the splendid hexagonal Forte Stella.
The town also has many celebrations and festivals throughout the year that act as a nice taste of local history and tradition to complement a relaxing and luxurious holiday full of fine dining, lying out on beaches and enjoying the local nightlife. These include the religious procession by the sea in honor of Patron Sant’Erasmo in June; the Night of the Pirates during which sees locals dress up as pirates and search for a hidden treasure around the town; and the Palio, a regatta in which the town’s 4 historic neighborhoods compete against one another. Whether you want to lie around and do nothing, or explore local Tuscan history, culture and natural beauty, you'll find it all and more in beautiful Porto Ercole.
Photo credits
Picture 1: Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Mac9 / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 3: Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0
Picture 1: Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Mac9 / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 3: Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0
