Capalbio and the Tarot Garden day trip from Monte Argentario or Orbetello or Rome
A day trip to Capalbio and the Tarot Garden from Monte Argentario, Orbetello or Rome: the walled hill town of Capalbio, its walk along the walls and the Rocca Aldobrandesca in the morning, Niki de Saint Phalle's garden of giant mosaic sculptures in the Maremma hills after lunch, then a swim on Capalbio's beach. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Capalbio and the Tarot Garden in 1 day
Day 1
Historic centre of Capalbio (Piazza Magenta and the walk on the walls)
Medieval hill town inside its walls, with lanes and small squares and a walkway on the walls with views over the Maremma.
Rocca Aldobrandesca, Capalbio
Medieval fortress of the Aldobrandeschi at the top of the town, its tower rising over the rooftops and the walls.
Tarot Garden (Giardino dei Tarocchi)
Garden of twenty-two monumental figures of the tarot by Niki de Saint Phalle, covered in mirrors and ceramic mosaic, some walk-through.
Capalbio beach
Long sandy beach backed by dunes and Mediterranean scrub on the coast below the town, good for a late-afternoon swim in summer.
Getting there
A car is the easy way: the Tarot Garden is about 25 minutes from Orbetello and 40 minutes from Monte Argentario along the Aurelia, and about 1 hour 45 minutes from Rome. Regional trains on the Rome-Pisa line stop at Capalbio station, a short taxi ride from the garden and the town.
Staying in Monte Argentario or Orbetello or Rome? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Capalbio and the Tarot Garden
The Tarot Garden is open from April to mid-October, so come in those months; May, June and September are the most pleasant. July and August are hot and Capalbio's beaches fill with summer visitors from Rome. In winter the garden is closed, but the town is quiet.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Capalbio and the Tarot Garden on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Capalbio and the Tarot Garden on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Capalbio and the Tarot Garden on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
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Tips for Capalbio and the Tarot Garden
- The Tarot Garden opens only from April to mid-October and only in the afternoon, from 14:30; see Capalbio in the morning and the garden after lunch.
- Tickets for the Tarot Garden must be booked online for a date and time slot, even free ones.
- Park below Capalbio's walls and walk up; the walkway on the walls gives views over the Maremma to the sea.
- Wear comfortable shoes in the garden: the paths are uneven and some sculptures can be walked through and climbed inside.
- Wild boar is a classic of the Maremma; try it in one of Capalbio's trattorias.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Historic centre of Capalbio (Piazza Magenta and the walk on the walls): LigaDue, CC BY 3.0
- Tarot Garden (Giardino dei Tarocchi): DustyLosAngeles, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
