Lake Garda reveals itself best from above. These Lake Garda scenic viewpoints offer views that change with the light and the seasons:
Sirmione
Explore the beauty of Sirmione on Lake Garda: the Castle, the thermal baths and romantic sunsets.
What to see in Sirmione
Let’s find out together what to see in Sirmione, the charming town located on the Brescia side of Lake Garda, at its southernmost point. This town is an important cultural and spa centre, stretching out on a picturesque peninsula about 4 km long, which divides the lower part of the lake.
During your visit to Sirmione, you can explore the ruins of the Roman Villa and admire the famous Grotte di Catullo, which offer a glimpse into the life and architecture of past eras.
Sirmione is also renowned for the presence of a thermal spring that produces sulphurous salsobromoiodic water whose beneficial properties have been known since ancient times. Sirmione is therefore an ideal destination for lovers of culture, history and wellness.
Curiosity: Once frequented and loved by the poet Valerius Catullus, Sirmione was called ‘The Pearl of the Garda’ by the poet himself.
Sirmione in pills
THE UNMISSABLE
• Castello scaligero
• Grotte di Catullo
• Villa Callas
top beaches
• Spiaggia Giamaica
• Lido delle Bionde
• Spiaggia Punta Grò
weekly market
• Monday
What to see in Sirmione
‘Behold: the green Sirmio in the shining lake smiles,
flower of the peninsulas’
(‘Sirmione’ Giosuè Carducci, 1876)
One cannot but agree with Carducci, Sirmione arouses poetry. A tourist destination par excellence, it is an authentic wonder to be discovered. Every year it attracts throngs of tourists who go crazy for the history of the place, but also for its beneficial thermal waters.
But let’s see together what is worth seeing in Sirmione; starting with the delightful old town, characterised by narrow, irregular alleys, teeming with sweet ice-cream parlours, elegant shops and romantic restaurants.
So, what to visit in Sirmione?
THE SCALIGER CASTLE
Built between the 13th and 14th centuries, the castle of Sirmione is one of the best preserved Scaliger castles. In the 16th century, Sirmione Castle saw its importance as a defensive post decline in favour of the fortress of Peschiera del Garda.
Thus, the castle of Sirmione then played a number of different roles. During the Napoleonic era, and later under Austrian rule, it was used as a weapons depot and accommodation for troops. At a later stage it even served as a prison.
Today, the Scaliger Castle in Sirmione is one of the main tourist attractions in the area and is the gateway to the historic centre of Sirmione. Climbing the tower you can admire an unforgettable 360 degree panorama of the lake.
HISTORIC CENTRE
As soon as you enter the old town, you are immersed in an enchanting medieval atmosphere. Cobbled streets lead past stone houses with traditional architecture and quaint shops selling local handicrafts. Walking through these streets is like taking a trip back in time, as you breathe in the essence of a bygone era.
GROTTOES OF CATULLUS
Although the name may be deceptive, we are in front of the most remarkable example of a Roman villa in northern Italy. In fact, these are the remains of an ancient Roman domus dating from the period between the end of the 1st century BC and the beginning of the 1st century AD.
As for who commissioned the building, it is uncertain whether it was actually owned by the famous poet Gaius Valerius Catullus, who in one of his famous poems actually confided that he had a property in Sirmione, but there is no certainty that these exact ruins were.
While the name ‘Grotte’ was coined in the 15th century following accounts by early travellers, who, observing the ruins now covered by vegetation, mistook them for natural caves.
Despite these vicissitudes over the name, the archaeological site, which occupies an area of two hectares, is certainly worth a visit for its important historical interest.
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MARIA CALLAS PALACE AND VILLA
To proceed with the illustrious names linked to this beautiful town, in Piazza Giosuè Carducci we find Palazzo Maria Callas, dating back to the 17th century, owned by the municipality and dedicated to the famous opera singer.
Also linked to Maria Callas is Villa Meneghini-Callas, owned by her husband, the businessman Meneghini, where the two lived between 1950 and 1959. Today it is a private condominium, in front of which stretches the Maria Callas Park, open to all. Romantic and peaceful, it is ideal for picturesque walks. It is easily reached from the city centre.
PLACES OF FAITH
Sirmione is also rich in remarkable places of worship.
The church of San Pietro in Mavino is located close to the historical centre, but surrounded by green olive trees, immersed in an almost surreal tranquillity. Romanesque in style, but remodelled over the years, it is evocative in its simple and characteristic layout. Not to be missed are the magnificent frescoes inside and the ancient bell tower.
Like a little gem, close to the Scaliger Castle we find the 14th-century church of Sant’Anna. Once inside you will be greeted by a sense of serenity and recollection, as well as by the splendid 16th-century frescoes, and the image of the Madonna above the altar will leave you speechless.
The parish church of Santa Maria Maggiore, also known as Santa Maria della Neve, is also worth a visit. Built in the 15th century over the ruins of an earlier church, it is characterised by a beautiful five-arched portico on the main façade. Noteworthy are the frescoes and the wooden statue of the ‘Madonna Enthroned’.
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Things to do in Sirmione
If you are wondering what to do in Sirmione, here are some suggestions for your holiday.
Sirmione beaches
For lovers of beach life, Jamaica beach is undoubtedly a must-see: crystal-clear water and a landscape so evocative that you won’t remember any similar ones.
Truly a little corner of dreams, but be careful to wear flip-flops suitable for walking on the rocks, they are potentially slippery!
Another shoreline that will not disappoint is the municipal beach of Santa Maria di Lugana, behind the Scaliger Castle. Large and comfortable, the beach has a nice grassy carpet on which to relax and trees under which to find refreshment. The icing on the cake, a beautiful panorama, of course.
Nearby, you will find numerous bars, restaurants and ice-cream parlours.
Finally, we recommend a free beach a little outside the centre of Sirmione, Punta Grò, with a large lawn. Sunbeds, parasols, pedalos and water-skiing equipment can be hired.
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Walk of the Muses
If, on the other hand, you want to indulge in a nice walk in the lake nature, among reeds, small beaches, and romantic views, the Walk of the Muses will meet your taste. The hike starts from the Scaligera fortress and ends near the grottoes of Catullus. Comfortable shoes are recommended!
Wineries and wine tasting
Sirmione is a renowned wine-growing area, where the well-known white wine Lugana, a DOC wine from the provinces of Brescia and Verona, is produced. If you are a lover of good wine, therefore, a visit with wine-tasting in one of the wine cellars in the area cannot be missing from your programme.
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Thermal baths in Sirmione
Sirmione is undoubtedly famous for everything we have listed above, but we cannot forget the thermal treatments, which every year bring thousands of visitors here in search of the benefits of the precious local water: a natural, unique resource, and undoubtedly beneficial to health.
The sulphurous salso-bromo-iodine water of Sirmione brings considerable benefits for the respiratory, osteoarticular, circulatory, skin, and even gynaecological systems. Thermal cures can be taken at one of the many accommodation sites in the area, such as Terme di Virgilio, Acquaria Thermal SPA, Hotel Terme di Catullo, and Gran Hotel Terme Sirmione.
We hope you have enjoyed this ‘virtual’ journey through the beauty of Sirmione and have been intrigued enough to think about booking your next stay here. In the name of culture, wellness and good wine.
Sirmione and surroundings
If you do not want to move too far from Sirmione, you can go to one of the nearby towns, either on the Brescia or Verona side. The closest towns to Sirmione are Desenzano del Garda, Peschiera, but also Lazise and Bardolino.
While in Castelnuovo del Garda, you will find the famous amusement parks such as Gardaland and Movieland.
And again, you could take a scenic cruise from Sirmione to Isola del Garda, where you will find a splendid neo-Gothic villa surrounded by a lush park.
Another idea is to spend a day in the green at Parco Sigurtà. Located a few kilometres from Sirmione, Parco Sigurtà is a vast landscaped park with beautiful gardens, ponds, fountains and a variety of plants and flowers.
FAQ Sirmione Lago di Garda
How to get to Sirmione?
-by car, A4 Milan-Venice motorway, Sirmione exit
– by train, Milan-Venice line, Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda stop. Here you can take a taxi to Sirmione.
– by plane: The closest airports to Sirmione are Brescia’s Gabriele D’Annunzio Airport, Verona’s Valerio Catullo Airport and Orio al Serio Airport (Bergamo). From your chosen airport, you can use public transport services or hire a car to reach Sirmione.
-It is possible to reach Sirmione from other locations on the lake by ferry. Check timetables and fares with the Lake Garda shipping company.
Where to park in Sirmione?
Here is where to park in the centre of Sirmione, outside the ZTL area:
- Grifo Parking: main service car park located in Piazzale Monte Baldo
- Parking in Piazzale Europa, 500 metres from Castello Scaligero
- Parking in via Marconi 52 parking spaces
What to do in Sirmione if it rains?
If it rains during your visit to Sirmione, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy. Here are some ideas on what to do in Sirmione when it rains:
-Visit the Scaliger Castle: The Scaliger Castle is one of Sirmione’s main attractions. You can explore the interior of the castle, which houses a museum, and admire the panoramic view from the top of the towers. It is a great way to immerse yourself in the history and architecture of the area, out of the rain.
– Spend a day of relaxation and wellness at one of the spas in the area. There are indoor thermal pools, saunas, Turkish baths and wellness treatments that you can enjoy while the rain falls outside.
– Shopping: Sirmione offers a variety of shops, boutiques and souvenir shops. You can spend time indoor shopping and look for unique objects, local products or fashion items.
-Visit a wine cellar to discover the history, curiosities and taste the wines of the area.
In this article you will find more ideas on what to do on Lake Garda when it rains.
What to do with children in Sirmione?
Sirmione will delight the little ones with a visit to the castle. Don’t miss, of course, a day at the beach or a pedalo trip. Moving on a few kilometres, you can then reach Castelnuovo del Garda with its amusement parks, to the delight of the children.
For those who love adventure in the green, we suggest adventure parks such as La Quiete Adventure Park in Lonato, and the Rimbalzello Adventure Park in Barbarano di Salò. About half an hour’s drive from Sirmione there is also the Giocabosco, a fabulous theme park for children, completely immersed in nature, populated by gnomes and fairies.
What is Sirmione famous for?
Sirmione is famous for its natural beauty, its thermal baths and its castle. Sirmione, even in the past, was a place of great importance and was already known for its thermal waters and its location offering enchanting views.
In which region is Sirmione located?
Sirmione is a town located in the region of Lombardy. Specifically, it is located on the southern shore of Lake Garda, in the province of Brescia.
Other curiosities about Sirmione:
A Guide to Camper Stopovers at Lake Garda, town by town
5 boat tours on Lake Garda to discover its wonders from a new perspective.
In this article we discover some of the most renowned golf courses in all of Lake Garda.