The town of Orbetello rises out of the lagoon that shares its name and is linked to Monte Argentario by a road built along a dyke that divides the lagoon into two mirror-like bodies of water known as the Lagoons of “Levante” and “Ponente” (east & west)

The topography of the town's territory is extremely  varied; the damp lagoon district is delineated on its seaward side by the two tombolos – Feniglia and Giannella – characterised by long sandy beaches, pine woods and Mediterranean brush. The coastline around  the hillier areas of Talamone and Ansedonia however is rocky and access is difficult.


The Orbetello Lagoon Reserve

Created and managed by the WWF as an area of wetland of international significance, this reserve is one of the most important in Italy as an overwintering area for many bird species. Ortobello Lagoon is in fact a stretch of seawater that extends between two sandbars that link the Argentario promontory to the mainland. With a surface area of some 26.22 km.sq., the lagoon is full of high-priced fish such as sea bass, gilt head bream, mullet and eel. Once upon a time, crayfish and molluscs were also fished here too.   The daily catch is not only sold locally, but is sent to markets elsewhere in Italy and abroad too. Mullet roe and smoked eel (prepared with various spices and chilli-pepper) is particularly sought after and the latter is undoubtedly the area's most typical dish.                 The lagoon is a wetland area of international significance thanks to the vast numbers of birds that nest in or pass through it including black-winged stilts, pink  flamingos, great white egrets, ospreys,spoonbills, avocets, cormorants and various species of ducks. Part of the western side of the lagoon comes under the protection of the WWF's Ortobello Lagoon and Patanella Woods reserves.