Major city · Italy
Porto Ercole
Half a day to a full day: walk the historic walled core, see the fortress, and eat pizza by the harbour. Not a base for the region.
Porto Ercole is a small fortified harbour town on the Monte Argentario promontory in southern Tuscany. Its Renaissance walls, Aldobrandesca fortress, Corsini garden and a couple of good pizzerias fill half a day. Most travellers visit as a stop between Grosseto and the coast or combine it with Porto Santo Stefano and Orbetello.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot)
- Airports
- PSA · FCO
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
- Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
- Italy ↗Italy is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Italy ↗Historic centres are ZTL limited-traffic zones: cameras fine any unauthorised car that enters, often months later through the hire company. Park outside and walk in.
- Italy ↗Regional train tickets bought on paper must be validated in the machine on the platform before boarding; digital tickets carry a time and need no stamping.
- Italy ↗Venice charges day-visitors an access fee on selected peak days; check the city's official site if you are not sleeping there.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Porto Ercole113 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Porto Ercole, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Italy-wide
- SIM or eSIMTIM, Vodafone, WindTre and Iliad sell prepaid SIMs in shops and at airports; a passport and an Italian tax code (codice fiscale…Italy-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe unless signed otherwise; Rome's nasoni fountains run all day.Italy-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Coperto or service may already be on the bill; leave €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) a person or round up for good service.Italy-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Italy-wide
- SafetyPorto Ercole is safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €1 (≈ US$2).Italy-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 115 fire · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany state museums close on Monday; the Vatican Museums close on most Sundays.Italy-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPSA Pisa International Airport (About 2 h by car or train+bus via Grosseto).
- Getting aroundThe historic core is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a bar€1–1.50 (≈ US$2)
- Street or quick mealPizza slice at Il forno del portocheck€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
- Metro or bus rideBus Porto Ercole–Orbetellocheck€3 (≈ US$4)
- Museum or sight ticketFortress entrycheck
- Budget bedHostel bed or B&B single, a night, per person€40 (≈ US$50)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in hotel or B&B, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedDouble room in hotel or B&B, a night, per room€250 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PSA Pisa International Airport (About 2 h by car or train+bus via Grosseto) · FCO Rome–Fiumicino (About 2.5 h by car or train+bus via Orbetello)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Nov (9 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Porto Ercole: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The historic core is walkable. For the fortress and garden, a 10–15 min walk uphill. A car is useful for exploring the promontory.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Porto Santo Stefano
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Bus or car along the coast, about 15 min
Larger town with more restaurants and ferry connections.
Orbetello
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Bus or car, about 20 min
Historic centre and lagoon views.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car via SS74, about 1 h
Natural thermal springs; go early to avoid crowds.
Grosseto
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus or car, about 40 min
Provincial capital with a medieval centre and museums.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Porto Ercole centre
Hotels and B&Bs near the harbour; walk to everything.
Monte Argentario hills
Villas and agriturismi with sea views; car needed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in hotel or B&B1 × 1 night × €140 | €140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €120 | €240 |
| Bus Porto Ercole–Orbetello, one way2 × €3 | €6 |
| Pizza and drink at Il forno del porto2 × €12 | €24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €41 |
| Trip total≈ €226 per person per day, bed included | €451≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Pizza slice at Il forno del portocheck | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Coffee at a bar | €1–1.50 (≈ US$2) |
| Bus Porto Ercole–Orbetellocheck | €3 (≈ US$4) |
| Fortress entry | check |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking in the centre is limited in summer; park outside the walls.
- Pizza places can be packed from 10:00 to 12:30 in summer.Pizza places can be packed from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM in summer.
- The fortress may have limited opening hours; check locally.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Fire
- 115
- Ambulance
- 118
- General emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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Porto ErcolePorto Ercole
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A questo indirizzo, per favoreTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police113
- Fire115
- Ambulance118
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Porto Ercole–Orbetello: about €3 (≈ US$4), 20 min (check)
- Taxi from Orbetello station to Porto Ercole: €20–30 (≈ US$25–35), about 20 min (check)
Say or show
- Ciao — Hello / Goodbye (chow)
- Grazie — Thank you (GRAHT-see-eh)
- Quanto costa? — How much is it? (KWAHN-toh KOH-stah)
- Dov'è il bagno? — Where is the toilet? (doh-VEH eel BAHN-yoh)
- Posso pagare con carta? — Can I pay by card? (POH-soh pah-GAH-reh kon KAR-tah)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Porto Ercole. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Porto Ercole
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