The promotory of Argentario was inhabited by the Etruscans, and was then the personal property of the Ahenobarbi family, who obtained it in return for the money they lent to the Roman Republic during the Punic Wars. The name “argentarii” was the name of money lenders in ancient Rome

It was ceded to the church by Constantine in the 4th century, and in the middle ages was the possession Monastery of San Paolo in Rome. Like Orbetello, it was then passed between the Aldobrandeschi, the Orsini, Naples, Siena, and finally Spain, who acquired in in the 16th Century. Then the French, and finally the Grand Duchy of Florence.

There are three beautiful Monasteries near the forest peak of Monte Telegrafo, the highest point of Argentario. The largest is Convento della Presentazione al Tempio, which was consecrated in 1737 and holds a number of beautiful religious works. There is also a lovely little cafe restaurant nearby called Ristoro la Sorgente.