# Sirmione and Lake Garda: what to see, what to do

> For the Ascension long weekend, we chose to fly off to Italy and more precisely to Lombardy.

Source: https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/en/blog/sirmione-and-lake-garda/
Published on 13 May 2024

For the Ascension long weekend, we chose to fly off to Italy and more precisely to Lombardy. Heading for Brescia and then **Sirmione on the shores of Lake Garda**, two towns that had caught our eye for their exceptional heritage. In our [article on Brescia](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/en/blog/brescia-in-2-days-what-to-see-and-do/), we give you our visiting programme and our tips for getting there easily. As for Sirmione, it is one of the most famous towns on Lake Garda. This peninsula at the far south of the lake is renowned for its thermal baths, its castle and its picturesque historic centre. A fairly popular lakeside resort in short, but one that deserves more than a day of your time. A real favourite for us!

As everywhere in Italy, it is very simple to get around by **public transport** (train, bus, boat…): no need to rent a car for this long weekend. To get to Sirmione from Brescia, we took two services (1h15 of travel, 5€ per person to be paid in cash on the bus):

- Bus LN034 (Via XX Septembre stop) to Desenzano del Garda
- Bus LN026 to Sirmione (in front of the entrance to the old town)

In this article we give you everything we were able to see and do during three days in Sirmione, in the south of Lake Garda. Happy reading!

**_[See our stay in pictures on our Instagram account!](https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18024988937107645/)_**

## What to see in Sirmione?

### Sirmione castle (Castello Scaligero)

Who does not dream of seeing a fairytale castle in the middle of a lake with emerald waters? **Sirmione castle** is truly a little architectural gem, a visit not to be missed under any circumstances. This medieval castle with the look of a fortress, with its wall walk and its drawbridges, is one of the best preserved in the country. The highlight of the visit is the panoramic view over the lake and the castle ramparts: quite simply magnificent. We spent about two hours on the visit.

💰 _14€ for the combined ticket with Sirmione castle and the Villa Romana in Desenzano del Garda_ _(or 6€ for entry alone)_  
Our tip: buy your tickets at the Grotte di Catullo, they act as a skip-the-line pass for the castle. So you will go past everyone waiting their turn.

Also, we strongly recommend staying once night has fallen to see the castle lit up. On the town entrance side, a projection mapping is also cast on the stone, which gives another dimension to the fortress.

![Castle moat and Lake Garda seen from the keep](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-02-7daedf1a.webp)

![Woman looking at the castle tower through an opening](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-03-02d6648d.webp)

![Crenellated wall walk reaching out above the water](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-04-79d38daf.webp)

![Woman sitting on the quay facing the castle and the boats](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-05-ad649752.webp)

![Castle lit up with golden patterns at nightfall](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-06-09303e6a.webp)

### The Grotte di Catullo

At the end of the Sirmione peninsula is an exceptional archaeological site: the **Grotte di Catullo**. But it is in no way a cave, rather a former rich and immense Roman villa. The name comes from the Latin poet Catullus who was already praising the merits of Sirmione back then. He was right, the views over the lake from the ruins are breathtaking. From here you can very clearly see the white rocks of Jamaica Beach, which we talk about a bit further down in the article. We stayed more than two hours (self-guided visit) on this two-hectare site, between ruins, lake and olive grove. An unmissable visit to make in Sirmione!

💰 _14€ for the combined ticket with Sirmione castle and the Villa Romana in Desenzano del Garda_

![Couple embracing beneath a ruined Roman arch](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-07-f99de34a.webp)

![Stone remains overlooking the waters of the lake](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-08-81e19432.webp)

![Woman climbing the steps towards an arch of the ruins](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-09-9161f936.webp)

![Long sunken passage between two ancient walls](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-10-306cd7a7.webp)

### Sunsets by the lake

If you are passing through Sirmione, on Lake Garda, you absolutely must stay for the **sunset**! We were lucky enough to see three different ones as we were staying on the peninsula.

For our first sunset, we found a magnificent and thoroughly romantic spot where we were alone enjoying the colours of the end of the day. Head to the **[Passeggiata delle Ricordanze Poetiche](https://maps.app.goo.gl/MXhDxnEtR3GVrMQVA)**, at the far west of the peninsula: a promenade runs along the lake, right at the water's edge, with a view over the boats going by. Just sublime!

Another spot to admire the sunset is on the **[jetty at the end of the Piazza Castello](https://maps.app.goo.gl/un7c9BDmP3MK8UYz7)**. From here, you can see the boats pass by and dock, and the swans take flight: the show is magnificent. Do not expect to be alone around here, people flock in to see the colours of the sky reflected on the lake.

![Man watching the sunset at the edge of the lake](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-11-bef559df.webp)

![Figure on a jetty in the light of the setting sun](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-12-23e0c401.webp)

![Woman sitting on a low wall facing the setting sun](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-13-83da752e.webp)

![Woman in a green dress on the golden evening shore](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-14-f3facda0.webp)

## What to do in Sirmione and around Lake Garda?

### Swimming in Lake Garda

The Sirmione peninsula is surrounded by small pebble beaches where you can sunbathe and swim. They are found notably along the Passeggiata delle Muse, just after the historic heart. But we wanted to get away from the easily reachable shore to find a quieter spot. And we came across a wonder of nature: **Jamaica Beach**. Transparent turquoise water, white rocks and bright sunshine: no doubt about it, there is a little corner of paradise in Sirmione, on the shores of Lake Garda. This “beach” is at the tip of the peninsula, below the Grotte di Catullo.

To swim, go down the path just after the entrance to the grottoes, go past the beach bar and head to the water's edge. From there, go to the right to find a quiet corner with nobody around! Plan to put your swimsuit on beforehand because you will be up to your waist in water. It is the perfect place to cool off between two visits.

![Swimmer in the translucent water near a wooded point](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-15-d0a65e5b.webp)

![Turquoise water and wooded shores facing the mountains](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-16-1f7a8880.webp)

![Man with his feet in the waves of Lake Garda](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-17-334673c2.webp)

### Enjoying the thermal baths by Lake Garda

We took advantage of a cloudy, stormy morning to give ourselves a moment of relaxation. Sirmione's reputation for its beneficial sulphurous waters needs no proving. So we decided to go to [Aquaria Termal Spa](https://www.termedisirmione.com/en/aquaria) (Terme di Sirmione), a spa set in a large wooded park **on the shore of Lake Garda**. There are several packages and entry options (from 19€) for the baths, which vary according to the day and the time of day, with or without a treatment. Just be careful to bring flip-flops with you, they are compulsory to enter the baths. There is really plenty to enjoy: heated outdoor pools, jacuzzis, saunas, baths, circuits, essential oil showers, relaxation rooms… An ideal place to take a moment for yourself!

💰 We went for the **package at 79€ per person** which includes a 50-minute massage (which can be done as a couple) and 3 hours' entry to the spa.

![Woman in a swimsuit on a wooden jetty on the lake](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-18-f7e943f7.webp)

![Indoor pool of the thermal baths opening onto the lake](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-19-349eb504.webp)

![Sun lounger and lemon tree on a wooden terrace](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-20-d36f12da.webp)

### Taking a boat trip on Lake Garda

We did not have time to do it but we would have liked to discover the Sirmione peninsula from Lake Garda. Here are the two **boat trips** we had spotted and which might interest you:

- [Sunset cruise with local wine](https://www.getyourguide.fr/sirmione-l108547/sirmione-croisiere-en-bateau-au-coucher-du-soleil-avec-du-vin-local-t392374/?partner_id=FKIBHTM&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=article_sirmione) (paid partner link) (25€ per person)
- [Boat cruise around the peninsula](https://www.getyourguide.fr/sirmione-l108547/sirmione-croisiere-en-bateau-de-25-minutes-autour-de-la-peninsule-t367415/?partner_id=FKIBHTM&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=article_sirmione) (paid partner link) (12€ per person)

## What to see in Desenzano, near Sirmione

From Sirmione, you can go **by boat to Desenzano del Garda**, a small town in the south of Lake Garda. All the timetables and fares are on the website of [Navigazione Laghi](https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/biglietti-e-orari-lago-di-garda/), which operates the crossings. We spent the afternoon in Desenzano del Garda: long enough to get a good overview of the town. The historic heart is packed with charm with its colourful houses, its little marina and its flower-filled lanes.

Once off the boat on the quay, we started exploring Desenzano with a visit to its richly decorated cathedral, the **Duomo di Santa Maria Maddalena**. We carried on with the **Villa Romana** (visit included in the Sirmione castle + Grotte di Catullo pass; 4€ entry otherwise). These are the remains of a former Roman villa from late Antiquity, one of the rare examples still visible in northern Italy. The museum is very basic and the outdoor areas quite small, you have to use a lot of imagination to picture the Roman villa in question. That is only our opinion, but it is not an essential visit if you do not have the Sirmione pass. We then went up to the **castle** for a lovely panoramic view over the town and Lake Garda.

💰 3€ for a one-way ticket  
⏲ The journey takes 20-25 minutes by boat (or 13 minutes by speedboat).

![Boats moored in the harbour lined with arcades](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-21-51d289cf.webp)

![Man sitting on a low wall in front of the rooftops of Desenzano](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-22-ab849be1.webp)

![Terraces and pink bunting beneath the clock tower](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-23-868f9274.webp)

![Roman mosaics sheltered beneath a timber roof](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-24-22ab257c.webp)

![Painted dome of a church seen from below](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-25-9f472f66.webp)

![Bed of pink flowers in front of a bronze statue](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-26-1bbad81a.webp)

## Accommodation: where to stay in Sirmione?

You should know that accommodation is very expensive on the Sirmione peninsula. We booked a month before our trip and here is the best value for money we found. As usual, we preferred to go direct and we contacted the owner on WhatsApp (cheaper than on his site or on other platforms).

Suitcases down for **three nights at the [B&B Meuble Adriana](https://sirmione.meubleadriana.it/)**, a sort of youth hostel run by an Italian couple, right in the historic centre of Sirmione. We slept in **room 6 with a balcony** that looks out on the castle: do not hesitate to ask for this room! Breakfast is taken in the main room on the ground floor: it is vegan, homemade and very complete (sweet and savoury). A good place that we recommend if you come to Sirmione!  
💰 **100€ a night** with breakfast

![Balcony opening onto the yellow rooftops and the castle tower](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-27-7e496640.webp)

![Narrow lane and a rooms to let sign](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-28-99ab086f.webp)

![Bedroom with a blue bed opening onto a balcony](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-29-36c8ea36.webp)

## Food and drink: where to eat in Sirmione and the south of Lake Garda?

- **[Piadineria](https://www.google.fr/maps/place/Piadineria+Sirmione/@45.4920348,10.605882,17.27z/data=!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x478194aaa71cb97f:0x88fd035a18154e79!2s25019+Sirmione,+Brescia,+Italie!3b1!8m2!3d45.4650403!4d10.6067412!16zL20vMDRkMl8z!3m5!1s0x478193a7eeb8e659:0xa7ec0c11581c489e!8m2!3d45.4931449!4d10.6068933!16s%2Fg%2F11h_z7f2qm?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) in Sirmione**: one of the cheapest places on the island (and one of the best rated) for eating on the go, let's say it does the job for a picnic but it is nothing incredible either. 8,80€ the piadina
- **[ll Vicolo](https://www.google.fr/maps/place/Il+Vicolo/@45.4920348,10.605882,17.27z/data=!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x478194aaa71cb97f:0x88fd035a18154e79!2s25019+Sirmione,+Brescia,+Italie!3b1!8m2!3d45.4650403!4d10.6067412!16zL20vMDRkMl8z!3m5!1s0x478193e62f64e059:0xe70b56b26c421b30!8m2!3d45.4926563!4d10.6082544!16s%2Fg%2F11fr56ty1q?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) in Sirmione**: a place that got us out of trouble one evening, for eating takeaway without spending too much. 14€ the burger
- ❤️ **[Cono Loco](https://www.google.fr/maps/place/Cono+Loco/@45.4717103,10.5359598,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x478194422dc03249:0xcc5017c0d6fadd1c!4m6!3m5!1s0x478195f7b39c192d:0xefd2c5562de02de9!8m2!3d45.4717103!4d10.5385347!16s%2Fg%2F11mwyr89gs?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) in Desenzao del Garda**: an excellent ice cream shop in the historic centre offering original flavours (bergamot/almond, rosemary/orange…) and generous portions. 3€ for 2 flavours

![Pink and white ice cream held up in front of a colourful facade](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-30-3c5b26e8.webp)

![Filled piadina held up facing the sparkling lake](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-31-c6cd0b4f.webp)

![Pistachio ice cream held up in front of an avenue of palm trees](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/sirmione-et-le-lac-de-garde-32-0b672e89.webp)

## What we thought of Sirmione and the south of Lake Garda

We knew about Lake Garda's good reputation but we did not think we would love this region of Italy so much! And we had only explored a tiny part of it. The landscapes are really magnificent, especially in spring. We wanted to put down our bags for several days in Sirmione to explore the town in depth. And what a good idea! Sleeping there several nights lets you really take the pulse of the peninsula and enjoy the place in the early evening, as soon as the day-trip tourists have left. What is more, Sirmione is a good base for visiting the towns in the south of Lake Garda such as Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda. However, we are warning you. The peninsula is known for being expensive, and you feel it in the accommodation and the restaurants. That, for us, is Sirmione's downside.  
**If you decide to explore Lake Garda, take the time to stop a few days in Sirmione to enjoy the _dolce vita_. Choose your period carefully, avoiding July and August as much as possible to appreciate the peace of the place. Sirmione is a lovely stop in Lombardy, to be paired with [Brescia](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/en/blog/brescia-in-2-days-what-to-see-and-do/) for example.**

Need ideas for your weekends and holidays in Italy? Read [our articles](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/en/destinations/italy/) for inspiration!