Which is more beautiful, Porto Ercole or Porto Santo Stefano?

For charm as a village and its views, I would say Porto Ercole : its old town slopes down toward the harbor, with narrow lanes, little squares and Spanish fortresses overlooking the bay. But if you prefer a lively seafront, boats and a more harbor-like atmosphere, Porto Santo Stefano peut te sembler plus beau. C’est une préférence de décor, pas un verdict : les deux villages donnent sur la mer, mais n’ont pas la même échelle ni la même atmosphère.

Porto Santo Stefano is also the departure point for the ferries to the island of Giglio, so the harbor there is more geared toward excursions and comings and goings. Porto Ercole is smaller and lends itself better to a stroll through the old town, then along the bay. Both are about 11 km from each other, i.e. around 15 to 20 minutes by car outside of traffic; in summer, allow more time and check parking, which can be restrictive. If you can, visit both: they complement each other well. To keep only one, choose Porto Ercole for the historic setting, Porto Santo Stefano pour l’ambiance maritime et le ferry.