My husband and I will be driving from Rome (Fiumicino) towards Pisa (aiming for Florence) in mid-May, and would like to spend one night on the coast somewhere in between. Nothing fancy - any suggestions? Thanks!
Posted by
4 posts
I have a similar question. I'm planing on going to Voltera from Rome.
Currently considering Tarquinia or Orbitello.
Posted by
6607 posts
Orbetello is unique, set on a lagoon. I loved my stay there, also in Porto Santo Stefano.
The other places I’ve stayed were not directly on the sea but very close, such as Campiglia Marittima.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
17468 posts
Mid May is not high season, so you should be able to find accommodations easily at the locations below. The first one was kind of expensive (and fully booked) when I tried in July, but in May it should be reasonable. The others are reasonable even in summer. If you are looking for fancy they aren't (except for the first one, maybe).
Southern Tuscany is my place to go to along the coast, on the way up to my house in Tuscany when I land in Rome. I stop a couple of nights at least almost every year.
Porto Santo Stefano (Monte Argentario):
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uZ1zsNaV9C7asCSUA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/n6mj49Mm4MxxFE8DA
Talamone:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dZZ1VjMxxTrDm5st8
Castiglion della Pescaia:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/i6VyF5kgadq7mS35A
Posted by
Boston
1918 posts
I would avoid Orbetello between February and May. They have been newly besieged with an insect breeding in the lagoon (moscerini) in that period. https://www.ilpost.it/2025/03/24/invasione-moscerini-orbetello/
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
2055 posts
Neither town is right on the coast, but on the way from Fiumicino to Pisa we enjoyed both of the hilltowns of Tarquinia (views, Etruscan museum & painted tombs) and Massa Marittima (Fonti dell’Abbondanza, big central piazza, views).
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
17468 posts
Too many zanzare (mosquitos) in Orbetello for my taste. At least in summer.
But for some reason nearby Porto Santo Stefano has always been fine to me. Maybe the stagnant waters of the lagoon in Orbetello makes the difference.
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Thank you all for your feedback - especially good to know about the insects in Ortebello; I assume this is a fairly standard annual occurrence! I'm looking at possibly Porto Santo Stefano....
Posted by
6607 posts
The area can be buggy to be sure—mosquitos and sand flies are a given in season. I’ve lucked out and missed the midge problem on two late May trips, but saw the news reports and it did look horrid!
Check Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano, as with just one night it will likely come down to accommodations that sways you.