SIrmione
To visit Sirmione on Lake Garda means to explore medieval and Roman architecture, take walks through olive groves and on pebble beaches, swim in Lake Garda or soak in natural hot springs. You can also taste the local Lugana wine and enjoy phenomenal views. In other words, Sirmione has all the makings of an exceptional Italian experience.
Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, is bordered by three different regions: Veneto in the south-east, Lombardy on the west side, and Trentino in the north. The already beautiful natural lake is dotted with medieval castles and villages. Sirmione is a small peninsula on the southern side of the lake in the Lombardy region. Lake Garda makes an ideal weekend trip from Venice (it’s only an hour outside of Venice and very easy to reach by train or car) or Milan, and Sirmione is one of the most interesting and beautiful spots on its shores.
It can be crowded in the high season, so you will want to choose your timing carefully. Visitors are welcomed to Sirmione by a drawbridge. Only pedestrians are allowed in the town center, but there is plenty of parking before you reach the town.
Scaligero Castle
The drawbridge is attached to 14th century castle and defensive post for Verona territory and surroundings. Ruled by the Della Scala family between 1259 and 1387, the Scaligero Castle is an exceptionally well-preserved example of Medieval architecture. Built as a fortress with docks for boats, it is the only surviving example of a 14th-century fortified port. During the period of the Venetian Republic and throughout the Napoleonic and Austrian eras, the fort was used to store arms and provide sleeping quarters for soldiers. Surrounded by transparent water, the Castle is open for visits. The cost of the ticket is around 8 euro, and you can climb to the top of the castle tower for extraordinary views of Lake Garda. Combo tickets are available for the castle as well as the nearby Roman ruins. https://visitsirmione.com/en/what-to-see/art-and-monuments/scaliger-castle/
ROMAN RUINS of Sirmione- Grotte di Catullo
At the very tip of the Sirmione peninsula stand the Grotte di Catullo Roman ruins. The name “grotte” suggests that the ruins are caves, but they’re actually the remains of a Roman villa from the first century A.D. The Romans knew exactly where to build a villa that captured the best of the landscape, and the views from the ruins are simply stunning. Because of a few lines of verse written about Sirmione on Lake Garda by the Roman poet Catullo, many believed that this villa once belonged to him. It is more likely, however, that it belonged to an aristocratic family from Verona. The archaeological museum is open on the site, showcasing mosaics and fragments of frescoes. The ruins are surrounded by a large olive grove, and views looking northwards to the Trentino direction reveal the a shining Lake Garda surrounded by mountain peaks. Meanwhile, the villa prompts you to pause and consider the way the Romans might’ve lived here once upon a time. Combo tickets are available for the Scaligero Castle, the Villa, and the archeological museum. Tickets and Times: https://www.grottedicatullo.beniculturali.it/index.php?en/1/home
waterfront dining on lake garda
There are plenty of places to get an aperitif or gelato or to have a quality meal with views of the lake in the Sirmione town center. Our favorite is Hotel La Pace, which serves quality food and has a patio that jets out over the water. You can eat fresh fish from the nearby Adriatic sea or pasta, salads, or pizza as you enjoy the peaceful view. Ristorante Caruso also offers high-quality pasta dishes and views of the lake. If you are more interested the castle, you can study the rare fortified harbor and Medieval Castle walls as you eat pizza or pasta at Ristorante Piccolo Castello.
Wandering along beaches and through olive groves
Since Sirmione is a peninsula, it’s surrounded by Lake Garda on all sides. A path meanders along the beaches and up through olive groves. The pebble beaches are great for wading and even swimming when the season is right. As the path ascends through the olive groves, meditation/gazing benches promise Mediterranean-style views. A morning walk towards the Roman ruins could allow you to enjoy the best of the Island without the crowds. This is a picture from a sunrise stroll in the direction of the Grotte di Catullo.
Spas and thermal waters in sirmione on lake garda
One thing that puts Sirmione on it on the map for a lot of Italians is its thermal water, which is proven to have unique medicinal properties. You’ll find “Acqua di Sirmone” bottled and sold pharmacies! Rich with natural mineral salts, Sirmione water is known for its ability to clear your nose and sinuses. Need some of this centuries-old remedy? Locals still swear by it today. If you would rather soak in the magical medicinal water and soothe your body and mind…and breathe through clear sinuses at the same time… take a heavenly soak in the Sirmione Thermal Gardens or at the lovely Ocelle Hotel (with its own beachfront) and enjoy the saunas and healthy food as well.
https://www.termedisirmione.com/en/spathermalgarden
https://www.hotelocellesirmione.it/
Lugana- Sirmione on Lake Garda’s best wine
Lugana is a fresh and aromatic white wine made from the Turbiana grapes (not to be confused with Trebbiano grapes) that grow in clay-rich soils around Sirmione and near the southern coastline of Lake Garda. Winemakers refer to it as “one grape with a thousand nuances.” Popular because of its low-acidity and refreshing quality, Lugana is a bright floral wine to drink on a spring or summer evening. It’s also extremely versatile and pairs beautifully with a number of dishes. Wine enthusiasts can book visit a to a cantina and tasting room in Sirmione. Ca dei Frati is a family run winery, now in its fourth generation, that hosts tours and tastings. The winery is in an old monastery once inhabited by the barefoot Carmelite monks in the fifteenth century. Wander through the cellars and tasting room for the flavors of the local land and lessons about the history of wine making in the region. https://cadeifrati.it/en/
Lugana Wine
BOAT RIDES around sirmione on lake garda
Touring around the Sirmione peninsula and beyond to other spots in Lake Garda by boat is an option, and it’s easy to book through Garda Tours. The views are phenomenal and the boat trip gives you and overall sense of the lake and the surrounding villages like San Vigilio, Bardolino, and the islands. Garda Tours offers sunset tours around the Peninsula and excursions to lakeside castles with wine tastings. https://gardatours.com/en/