Top 10 Highlights of Sirmione
Best Activities in Sirmione
Climb the ramparts of the Scaliger Castle
Interestingly, the castle's strategic location underscores the ruling nobility's wariness of its common people. It served the dual purpose of shielding its lords from external threats and protecting them from potential uprisings within the local population.
Explore Grotte di Catullo
Situated at the northern tip of the Sirmione peninsula, the Grotte di Catullo also includes an showcasing artifacts like mosaics, ceramics, and coins.
Travel Information
How long should you stay?
Sirmione is a very popular destination for day trips. In a single day, you can visit the main attractions—such as Scaligero Castle and the Grottoes of Catullus—while also exploring the charming old town.
If you have two days, you can enjoy the town at a more leisurely pace. Spend the first day getting to know Sirmione, and use the second day to relax in the thermal baths, take a boat ride, or visit nearby towns like Desenzano or Peschiera. However, for an overnight stay, there are quieter and more peaceful options elsewhere.
Best time to visit
The best time to enjoy Sirmione is in May and September. The weather is usually mild and comfortable, making it ideal for exploring the town on foot or by boat. And most importantly, you'll avoid the peak tourist season, meaning that accommodations, restaurants, and activities are more readily available and affordable. If you need to decide between May and September, May is usually better since there are slightly fewer tourists than in late summer.
The summer months of June, July and August are ideal for swimming and water activities, though they are also the busiest. We highly recommend to avoid coming in August, since it's the busiest time in Italy.
Winter time isn't great in Sirmione since many attractions and services may have reduced hours or be closed entirely.
How to get to Sirmione
By Plane
The closest airports to Sirmione are Verona Airport (30 km away), Brescia Airport (40 km away), and Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports (134 km and 174 km respectively). These airports offer a range of options, from budget flights to international services. Upon arrival, you can easily reach Sirmione by renting a car, taking a taxi, or using public transport.
By Train
While Sirmione itself doesn’t have a train station, the nearest stations are Desenzano del Garda and Peschiera del Garda, both about 10-11 km away. These stations are well-connected by regional, intercity, and high-speed trains from major cities like Milan and Venice. From there, you can take a bus or a taxi to Sirmione. If you're staying overnight, it's good to know that taxis are allowed to access the historical town centre (which is closed to normal traffic). Depending on your luggage, this can be well worth the price to reach your accommodation without any hassle.
By Car
Driving to Sirmione is straightforward, especially if you’re traveling from Milan, Venice, or Verona.
- , take the A4 Turin-Trieste motorway towards Venice and exit at Sirmione. The drive is approximately 138 km and takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- , the drive is about 157 km.
- , it’s a short 43 km.
The routes are scenic and offer you the flexibility to explore other nearby attractions.
You need to park your car outside the historic centre (ZTL zone). The SirmioPark website is useful to check the current availability of parking spots in the main parking areas.
By Bus
Buses to Sirmione run regularly from nearby towns such as , , and . The journey from Verona by bus takes about 45 minutes. Bus services are frequent, making it a convenient option for travelers without a car.
Check timetables and tickets at Arriva or Flixbus to get to Sirmione.
By Ferry
Sirmione can also be reached by ferry from other towns around Lake Garda, such as and Lazise. The ferry terminal in Sirmione is conveniently located on the western side of the old town, near the pier in Piazza Carducci. For more information, visit Navigazione Laghi or download the DreamLake app.
Fancy a roadtrip?
Be inspired by our hand-picked road trips.
History
During the Roman era, Sirmione became a significant resort town, frequented by high-ranking families. The most notable archaeological site from this period is the Grottoes of Catullus, the ruins of a vast Roman villa that dates back to the first century AD. This villa is traditionally, though inaccurately, associated with the Roman poet Catullus.
In the Middle Ages, Sirmione played a strategic role due to its location. The Lombards, who swept into northern Italy in the late 6th century, established Sirmione as an administrative center. The peninsula's strategic importance continued under the Scaliger family of Verona, who fortified it with the construction of the Scaligero Castle in the 13th century. This castle, surrounded by a moat and featuring characteristic swallowtail battlements, remains one of the best-preserved examples of medieval military architecture in Italy.
Sirmione came under Venetian control in the early 15th century and remained part of the Venetian Republic until the late 18th century. Following the fall of Venice, it was briefly controlled by the Habsburg Empire before becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century.
Today, Sirmione is renowned for its historical sites, thermal baths, and stunning lake views, continuing to attract visitors with its beauty.