Before you go

Your trip to Sirmione.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Sirmione – Lombardia Destination Verona and Lago de Garda about 135 km from Milão

How to get there

Aeroporto di Verona-Villafranca Valerio Catullo (VRN) Villafranca di Verona · 35 km
Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione Desenzano del Garda · 10 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. The closest airport is Verona Villafranca (VRN), about 35 km away. By train, get off at Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione or Peschiera del Garda on regional and high-speed lines between Milan and Verona, and continue by bus. In the season, typically from late March to early November, boats link Sirmione with Desenzano, Peschiera and other towns.

How many days

Half a day to a full day is enough for the castle, the historic center, the Grotte di Catullo and a boat trip around the peninsula. Those wanting to relax by the lake can stay one or two nights and use Sirmione as a base for the southern Garda region.

When to go

From May to September the lake is lively, with boats and cafés open; July and August are hot and very busy, especially on weekends. April, May, September and October usually have pleasant weather and fewer people. In winter, from December to February, it's cold and damp, boats stop running and some businesses close.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The historic center is a ZTL (limited traffic zone) closed to outside cars: visitors arriving by car leave their vehicle in paid parking areas before the castle. By bus from Desenzano or Peschiera stations, or by boat in season, you can reach it without problem. Everything on the peninsula is done on foot.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Sirmione

Morning
Castello Scaligero
Arrive early and enter the Castello Scaligero as soon as it opens. Climb the steps to the ramparts and the main tower to see the fortified harbor and the lake on both sides of the peninsula.
Afternoon
Historic center and Grotte di Catullo
Have lunch in the historic center around 1:00 pm. Then walk along the peninsula, passing the church of San Pietro in Mavino, to the Grotte di Catullo at the tip. Allow at least 1.5 hours for the ruins and the museum.
Late afternoon
Boat trip around the peninsula
In season, typically from late March to early November, take a boat trip around the peninsula from the harbor near the castle to see the Roman ruins and the stone slabs at the water's edge.
Evening
Dinner by the lake
Dine at a restaurant in the historic center from around 7:30 pm. Order a lake fish and, if you like, a glass of Lugana, the white wine produced in the lands south of Sirmione.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Can you do a day trip from Verona to Sirmione?

Yes. It's about 40 km. By train, go to Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione or Peschiera del Garda and continue by bus to Sirmione. Check the schedules.

Can I drive into Sirmione's historic center?

No. The historic center is a ZTL closed to outside cars. Leave your car in the paid parking areas before the castle and continue on foot.

Do the boats operate year-round?

No. The full boat season usually runs from late March to early November, with fewer departures from October. In winter, from November to mid-March, passenger boats between towns practically stop.

Can you swim in the lake at Sirmione?

There are bathing areas along the peninsula's shore, including stone slabs below the Grotte di Catullo. The water is usually more pleasant from June to September. Respect the signage and permitted areas.

Back to Sirmione