Free walking tours in Sirmione and what to see

Must-sees

Sirmione occupies a narrow peninsula about four kilometres long that juts into the southern shore of Lake Garda. You enter the old town through the Scaliger Castle, a 13th-century fortress surrounded by water, with a drawbridge, crenellated walls and an old dock. From its towers you can see the lake and the town. Inside, the medieval streets are full of shops, ice-cream parlours and houses where Maria Callas lived for years.

At the tip of the peninsula are the Grottoes of Catullus, the remains of a large Augustan-era Roman villa among olive trees, with a small museum of finds. On the way up you pass the church of San Pietro in Mavino, simple and surrounded by cypresses. Below the villa is a shore of large white stone slabs where people swim. Sirmione is also known for its thermal waters, used since antiquity.

Free tours and guided visits

Sirmione does not have a regular free walking tour. What is mostly on offer is getting out on the water: speedboat rides around the peninsula, Lake Garda cruises with an aperitivo and tours combining a walk through the old town with a boat trip. There are also visits to wineries in the Lugana area, with tastings of its white wines.

How long to spend

Half a day is enough for the castle, the old town and the Grottoes of Catullus. If you want a boat trip, a swim or an afternoon at the spa, give it a whole day. With two or three days you can use Sirmione as a base for getting around the lake by boat or visiting Verona, under an hour away. In summer the town fills up by mid-morning, so arrive early.

Where to stay

Staying in the old town lets you enjoy it once the day visitors have gone, with small hotels by the lake. Car access is restricted, so check the parking. Along the peninsula, towards Colombare and Lugana, there are hotels with gardens, private beaches or pools and easier parking. Desenzano del Garda, very close, has a railway station and a wide choice.