Sirmione is one of the most beautiful destinations on Lake Garda. It offers an interesting historical and artistic heritage, starting with its wonderful Scaliger Castle and including the Grotte di Catullo, which have made it famous worldwide.
Let's discover how to get to Sirmione from Verona and what to see in this splendid village.
Sirmione is located on the southern shores of Lake Garda, in the province of Brescia, and is close to beautiful destinations like Peschiera del Garda and Desenzano del Garda. It is just over 40 km from Verona and can be reached by car or public transport.
While in Sirmione, you absolutely must visit its most iconic symbol, the famous Scaliger Castle. It is located at the entrance to the historic village, near car parking and the Sirmione bus stop.
Dating back to the 13th century, it is one of the rare examples of lake fortifications, surrounded on all four sides by water, and one of the best-preserved castles in Italy. Visiting it means taking a true journey back in time, and climbing its tower allows you to admire a unique view of all of Sirmione!
In addition to Scaliger Castle, Sirmione is also world-famous for its incredible Grotte di Catullo, located in a truly scenic spot, at the northern tip of the peninsula where the historic center of Sirmione is situated. From here, you can enjoy a splendid view of the entire lake!
The Grotte di Catullo are the remains of an ancient Roman villa, now an archaeological site of great importance. Built between the 1st century BCE and the 2nd century CE, tradition holds that the poet Gaius Valerius Catullus lived here, hence the name. During your visit, you'll see various sections, such as the villa remains, the noble floor, the terrace overlooking the belvedere, the historic olive grove, and the Sirmione Archaeological Museum, which opened to visitors in 1999.
The Scaliger Castle and the Grotte di Catullo represent, respectively, the southernmost and northernmost points of the historic center, which is a completely pedestrianized ancient village. You can access it by crossing Sirmione's drawbridge, located right next to the castle.
Walking through the center is a real experience: you can stroll through the ancient streets, enjoy beautiful views of the lake, stop at one of the many cafes, or shop in the artisan boutiques. One of the key spots is Piazza Carducci, framed on three sides by buildings, with the western side completely open to the lake, offering an incredible view. Here, you'll also find the ferry dock for Lake Garda excursions.
Sirmione is truly stunning, earning the nickname "The Pearl of Garda". It's no wonder it has long attracted visitors from around the world, including Maria Callas, the renowned American-Greek soprano and actress who later became an Italian citizen.
During her visits to Sirmione, Callas stayed at Villa Meneghini, which later became known as Villa Callas. The artist fell so deeply in love with Sirmione and its tranquility that she wished to spend her final days there, although she eventually spent them in Paris (where she is now buried at the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery). Unfortunately, the villa is not open to the public, but it’s still worth stopping by to admire it from the outside and snap a photo!
Sirmione is a narrow peninsula stretching into Lake Garda and is completely surrounded by the lake on three sides. This has led to the formation of various small bays and pebble beaches along the coast, which have become popular summer spots.
One of the most famous beaches is Jamaica Beach, located at the northernmost tip of the peninsula near the Grotte di Catullo. Accessible only on foot via a small path near the grotto entrance, it’s a truly captivating place. When it hasn't rained for a while and the lake's water recedes slightly, large stone slabs emerge, allowing visitors to enjoy a stroll right in the middle of the lake.
Jamaica Beach is located at the northern tip of Sirmione. Easily reachable on foot from Piazza Carducci (1.3 km, 16 min) - Get directions
In addition to Jamaica Beach, another famous beach is Lido delle Bionde Beach, located on the eastern side of the peninsula between the Villa Cortine Park and the Grotte di Catullo.
The beach is partly free and partly equipped, offering facilities like sunbed rentals, showers, bars, and a restaurant. Additionally, the well-known Sirmione Pier extends from the beach, a walkway stretching over the lake, which is walkable even in winter and offers a stunning view of Lake Garda!
Lido delle Bionde Beach is on Sirmione’s eastern coast. Easily reachable on foot from Piazza Carducci (750 m, 10 min) - Get directions
Beyond history and culture, Sirmione is also the most important spa destination on Lake Garda. This is thanks to the ancient Bojola Spring, which has sulfurous and salsobromoiodic waters! Sirmione has been renowned for its thermal baths since Roman times.
You can find several thermal centers in the town. For therapeutic and rehabilitative treatments, visit the Virgilio Thermal Baths or the Catullo Thermal Baths, the latter located in the historic center. For wellness and relaxation, accessible to everyone, the Aquaria Thermal SPA in the historic center offers massages and hot water baths. Many hotels also feature spa services.
Foto di Ben Bender. While walking through the ancient village of Sirmione, you might come across beautiful churches, first and foremost the Church of San Pietro in Mavino. It is the oldest church in Sirmione, located on the hill of the same name, and easily accessible on foot.
The church is completely surrounded by olive trees, creating a deep sense of peace, and inside, you can admire stunning frescoes from the 14th century. It’s a true gem, not to be missed if you have enough time to explore.
Foto di Chrumps. In addition to San Pietro in Mavino, be sure to stop by the Church of Sant'Anna della Rocca, a hidden gem in Sirmione. It is located in Piazza Castello, right at the end of Sirmione's drawbridge and opposite the Scaliger Castle.
This small church once served as the chapel for the tiny community living in Sirmione and was often used by the castle guards. A visit will take less than 10 minutes due to its small size, but it’s absolutely worth a stop to see what it holds inside: a precious effigy of the Madonna and Child, painted entirely on stone, which also features the Scaliger family crest.
Lastly, beyond culture, history, and wellness, Sirmione is also about sports and nature. A short distance from the historic center, in the small locality of Lugana, you’ll find Punta Grò, a beautiful park that stretches along the lakeshore.
At Punta Grò, you can enjoy a range of activities: sunbathing and swimming in the lake, strolling along the trails, stopping at one of the many lakeside establishments, or visiting the quaint Fisherman’s House.
Punta Grò is about 6 km from the historic center, facing Lake Garda. From the Scaliger Castle, it can be reached by car via Via Verona (15 min) or by bus, line LN026 from the Sirmione stop to Lugana di S. - Punta Gro stop (10 min) - Get directions
If you arrive in Sirmione by bus, the stop is right near the drawbridge. If you arrive by car, we recommend parking in one of the nearby lots. Once across the bridge, head to Piazza Carducci to enjoy breakfast at Caffè Grande Italia. From here, in less than a minute on foot, you can reach nearby Piazza Castello and visit Scaliger Castle, the symbol of Sirmione. Then enjoy a walk along the lakeside on the eastern side of the historic center, called Passeggiata delle Muse, pass under the "Kiss... Please" sign, and reach the Sirmione Pier for a panoramic view of Lake Garda.
For lunch, stop at the Lido delle Bionde restaurant near the beach of the same name. Afterward, continue walking to the northern tip of the peninsula to visit the Grotte di Catullo and the Sirmione Archaeological Museum. This visit will take up much of the afternoon. Once done, stop by the nearby Church of San Pietro in Mavino, surrounded by olive trees, and then enjoy a stroll through the ancient village. Be sure to pass by Villa Maria Callas to take a photo, and then enjoy an aperitif or ice cream in one of the many cafes in the center.
Finally, end your day with dinner at Trattoria La Fiasca, serving excellent local dishes featuring both fish and meat. Sirmione is a very peaceful town, but you can find several bars for a post-dinner cocktail to round off your evening in style.
Sirmione is a lakeside destination, so its cuisine is closely tied to fish. Must-try dishes include bigoli with Garda sardines, trout carpaccio (a fish abundant in the lake), grilled bleak, and lake fish soup. Additionally, you can savor dishes linked to the farming tradition, such as carbonèra: a delicious recipe made with polenta, local cheese, and Garda olive oil, served hot or grilled.
You'll find numerous restaurants both in the narrow streets of the ancient village and along the lakeshore, featuring stunning views and outdoor terraces. Sirmione remains a peaceful town even in the evening, with restaurants filling up around 7:00 PM, followed by cocktails or ice cream enjoyed while strolling through the center.
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