How to explore Italy like a local
20/06/2025 · By Tim Hall
Expert Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager and blogger Tim Hall discusses how to explore Italy with his top tips and advice about food, drink and culture.
Read moreThe town of Sirmione is located at the southern end of Lake Garda, where the lakefront is almost sea-like - inviting beaches line the shores of the wide expanse of water. The picturesque town occupies a peculiar position on a thin and craggy peninsula jutting 4km into the lake. Surrounded on three sides by water, Sirmione is one of the most peaceful towns on Lake Garda.
Sirmione is a pleasure to discover; the town is bursting with history and charm, including the imposing Rocca Scaligera - a beautifully preserved 13th century castle surrounded by a large water-filled moat that dominates the Old Quarter of town.
Sightseeing in Grotte di Catullo
The Grotte di Catullo, the remains of one of the largest
Roman villas in Italy, is another of Sirmione's most famous sights,
while the town is home to Lake Garda's only thermal spring - you
can easily spend a day pampering yourself and relaxing at the
famous Aquaria Thermal Spa.
The historic centre of Sirmione is mostly pedestrianised, with its narrow winding lanes and pretty piazzas. A panoramic walk leads out around the promontory, and on a clear day you can enjoy great views over the lake and towards the mountains in the north.
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Sirmione's location was also recognised for its importance in the defence of Lake Garda against invaders, hence the castle was built on the peninsula in the thirteenth century which remains one of the town's key attractions today.
Sirmione's ancient charm and historic architecture coupled with an array of fine cafes, shops and restaurants, a relaxed and hospitable atmosphere and a distinct lack of traffic ensure that the city is both delightful to explore and a great base from which to discover neighbouring towns and villages on Lake Garda's picturesque southern shores.
Grotto of Catullus
It's not actually a grotto, and the celebrated Roman poet Catullus never lived here (although he did frequent Sirmione), but this remarkable ruin of a three-storey Italian palazzo dating from around 150AD is still one of Sirmione's historic highlights and is accompanied by a small but excellent archaeological museum.
Scaliger Castle
Sirmione's magnificently-restored thirteenth-century fortress is unmissable thanks to its fish-filled moat, crossed by an authentic drawbridge, and for the stunning views of Lake Garda and of Sirmione afforded by the 150-step climb up to the castle's crenelated ramparts.
The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
Set in a beautiful public park, Sirmione's parish church is notable for its fifteenth-century frescos, its Baroque architecture which features a stunning columned portico, its marble altar and for its unique terracotta decorations.
Sirmione beach
The eastern shore of Sirmione's peninsula features a white sand beach that is perfect for relaxing and sunbathing upon and offers superb views of southern Lake Garda's surrounding landscapes. The water here is particularly clear and well suited to swimming and water sports.