Holiday apartment in Porto Ercole: harbour, fortresses and coastal paths

Porto Ercole between village and harbour

Porto Ercole reveals several facets that can be considered alongside one another when planning a trip around different interests. The Chiesa di Sant'Erasmo stands at the highest point of Porto Ercole's old seafaring village. A picturesque waterfront promenade lined with fishermen's houses runs along the marina of Porto Ercole. When you choose a holiday apartment in Porto Ercole, you can therefore shape your travel plans around local history, the harbour, fortresses, paths or coastal views.

Rocca and fortifications

The Rocca of Porto Ercole was built in the 15th century to a design by Vecchietta and includes several buildings dating from the 13th century. The wall descending from the Rocca to the sea connects the Rocca with the Bastion of Santa Barbara through an underground passage. Forte Filippo is a private fortification built in 1558 to a design by Giovanni Camerini. The complex has an elongated rectangular shape, prominent corner bastions and a deep moat.

Town centre, square and harbour views

The Porta Pisana, with its clock tower, forms the entrance to the old town centre of Porto Ercole. The Governor's Palace on Santa Barbara Square offers a broad view of the harbour of Porto Ercole. Together, the entrance, square, palace and waterfront promenade form a clear sequence of local landmarks through which you can mentally explore Porto Ercole from the old centre to the water.

Hiking paths with cultural highlights

The Anello dei 4 forti circular route leads from Porto Ercole to the Spanish fortresses and passes through Cala Galera, the Rocca and Le Viste. The Percorso del Caravaggio is a hiking path dedicated to Caravaggio's final days in Porto Ercole. Porto Ercole is also associated with Caravaggio's death in 1610. For planning your day, this provides a circular route to the fortresses and a Caravaggio-related hiking path as separate themes.

Panoramic views and botanical diversity

Forte Stella was built by the Spanish around the second half of the 16th century and is located near Porto Ercole in the municipality of Monte Argentario. From Forte Stella, the view extends along the coast from southern Argentario to the headland of Capo Linaro near Civitavecchia. The Orto Botanico Corsini covers more than 7 hectares and contains more than 1,300 plants from 150 different species.

Planning your trip by bike and beach

Cycling and beach perspectives can also be included when selecting your travel interests. The Giro del Monte e le Rocche Spagnole dell’Argentario cycling route reaches Cala Galera and the first houses of Porto Ercole. From the beach, there is a view of the Tombolo della Feniglia and Forte Filippo. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore weigh up whether the planned trip should be shaped more by the cycling route, beach view, harbour or fortress landscape.

Discover more places

If you would like to include other places in your travel plans alongside Porto Ercole, you can find Terrarossa and Porto San Stefano here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Monte Argentario.