Cala del Gesso

Many define it as the most beautiful beach of the Argentario.

What is certain is that this cove has a particular charm and if you are in these parts we advise you to go and visit it.

Located near Porto Santo Stefano, it can be reached by sea or by taking the panoramic road by car, up to the parts of Cala Moresca, where you will have to leave the car in via dei Pionieri, and then take an asphalted path of about 700 meters which ends with a steep staircase.

It will be because it is not easy to reach, it will be for that crystalline water, so transparent that one would want to drink it, it will be for the panorama that can be admired from there, it will be for the seabed full of fish in the bay, the fact is that when you are there you will forget the effort made to get there and you will feel totally rewarded.

This is not an equipped beach. There are no umbrellas, sunbeds or refreshment areas. So you need to bring everything you need with you.

For this reason, especially if you have children or elderly people with you, but even if you don’t feel like tackling the long journey, we suggest you rent a boat or be taken with one of the taxi-boat services available in the two villages of the peninsula. Arriving from the sea also allows you to admire the splendid Argentario coast along the way. And so you will discover coves and bays that characterize this splendid place in the Maremma.

Usually sheltered from the wind, it faces the islet of Argentarola and in the distance you can see the island of Giglio. Watching a sunset from this point of the coast is an unforgettable experience.

How to reach Cala del Gesso

By sea

by renting a boat at the Porto Ercole pier or taking advantage of the taxi service
offered by some vessels.

By land

take the panoramic road from Porto Santo Stefano for 5.9 km and after Cala Moresca take Via dei Pionieri. At the end of the street you will find a gate, at which point you will have to leave the car and continue on foot. It is very difficult to find free parking, but there is a paid car park nearby, with about twenty parking spaces. The cost for the whole day is 10 euros.

Restaurants nearby

The Goodies of Cala Moresca
Strada Panoramica, 154, 58019 Cala Moresca, Monte Argentario GR
Tel. 0564 824028

Fontanina
Località San Pietro – Porto Santo Stefano, 58019 Monte Argentario GR
lafontanina.com
Tel. 0564 825261

Paolo and Rosita’s Trattoria a Casa
Via Privata dei Tre Ragazzi, 46, 58019 Porto Santo Stefano GR
trattoriapaoloerosita.it Tel. 0564 813139

Furthermore, in Porto Santo Stefano you will be spoiled for choice to taste
fish specialties in the numerous quality restaurants in the village.

Beautiful cove, like all those on the Argentario, it is one of the few with official parking (€ 10 for the whole day), well signposted and easy to find, the walk to reach it is not demanding (almost all on asphalt ) but long enough, they are more than a thousand meters (as rightly reported by the sign located on the gate for the pedestrian entrance to the road) all downhill on the outward journey and obviously uphill on the way back, the sea is as usual beautiful and ideal for snorkelling, the only note is linked to the heat, in September, in the central hours of the day it was really hot, I dare not imagine in the warmer months, however the sunset that can be enjoyed with the Island of Giglio on the horizon is worth all the labors

Date of experience: September 2018

Gorgeous seabed and water. On the far right looking at the sea there are some rocks from which you can dive (from 5/6 meters up to about ten metres). The beach is made of rocks and pebbles. From Porto Santo Stefano you can take a free shuttle to the beginning of the paved road that goes down to the beach. In the last stretch, the road becomes a real path, so flip-flops are not recommended. The road is quite steep, therefore the ascent, especially in the sun, can be very tiring, but it is absolutely worth it given the beauty of the cove and the landscape, very suggestive and characteristic of the Argentario area. Perhaps, indeed, it is probably the best beach in all of Tuscany.

Date of experience: September 2018

Visit on 8/27. To visit this cove you need to be a little organized but you can't skip it. Terrified by the reviews and by the impact of the "parking" problem on Monte Argentario, we found ourselves at the access to the cove at 9:30. There is no possibility of parking near the beginning of the path except at the edge of the road by walking a bit (it seems that fines still apply) but there is a small paid car park which has around twenty spaces available. It costs €10 for the day. You leave the keys with the manager who arranges the cars, and when notified, has the car ready to go out. The path starts from the parking lot and is about 20 minutes long, sloping, and in the first 2/3 paved. The beach of the cove is medium sized, made of pebbles on which you can lie down and plant umbrellas. Snorkeling: Maybe we were unlucky but 0 fish. Here, from 10/10.30am an uninterrupted flow of people, so after lunch the new arrivals essentially remain standing. You have to conquer your own space but once this is done the landscape is enchanting, the colors unique, the crystal clear water and the island of Giglio on the horizon. Beautiful.

Date of experience: August 2018

Long but not demanding route almost completely in the sun so comfortable shoes are recommended and not to be walked during too hot hours!! A beautiful show, the most beautiful in Porto Santo Stefano! Crystal clear water, variety of fish good for snorkelling! Rating 10++

Date of experience: September 2018

Go there early in the morning and stay there for the whole day. The reason is that the cove is the most beautiful in the archipelago and if you arrive late you risk not finding a place. There is nothing, no services or refreshment points, so bring everything you need from home. The panoramic walk offers breathtaking views but is very tiring: 1km on foot, therefore not suitable for families. Parking is paid, but if you arrive early you will find some little holes along the road.

Date of experience: September 2018

Tips for visiting

We recommend wearing trainers to get to the beach easily. Flip flops are not recommended. To move more casually between the beach and the sea, it would be useful to also have rock shoes with you. Although the beach is partly sandy, it is mostly made up of pebbles. Especially wearing them for children, the shoes will make your whole day much easier. Not to choose if you like fine sandy beaches.

Bring some sandwiches and enough to drink. An umbrella is essential, given that the possibilities for natural shelter are scarce.

For everyone, but especially for enthusiasts, we remind you not to forget your mask and snorkel at home. The seabed in Cala Gesso is fantastic.

The path is not difficult, but it is long. Both for the arrival and for the return, the less hot hours are to be preferred. Especially on the way back, because going up the path in the sun can become extremely tiring.

Cala del Gesso

How to reach Cala del Gesso

Restaurants nearby

Tips for visiting

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