Join A Secret Italy

Holiday on Lake Garda - Sirmione

Why is Sirmione Special?

Sirmione, Italy

Firstly, the location is unique: Sirmione is perched at the end of a long peninsula extending, fingerlike, into the southern lake.

Arriving by car, it reminds me of arriving in Venice, yet the town itself seems more like a Ligurian town—houses in every shade of yellow and red, brightly colored flowers everywhere, and little streets that just invite you to explore.

Where to Stay in Sirmione

Two hotels really stand out and both offer good value and great service. I would rate the Hotel Mavino as the better of the two.

The 28 room Hotel Mavino is right in the heart of the old town of Sirmione. Service can’t be faulted and the hotel rooms are well fitted with cable, mini bar, air con etc.

Next best choice, with a great pool and better lake views, but a ten minute walk from the old town is the Hotel Suisse (click here to read more).

What to See

The best of all is to just enjoy the atmosphere of this little town and the "island." Despite the town's small size, there are some significant sights. For photos, click here, while to read more, scroll down...

The Scaliger Castle

This 14th-century castle is very impressive and surprisingly beautiful. The castle dominates the entrance to the town, and if you arrive by land, you have to pass through the castle to enter the town.

The view from the top is magnificent, although the climb up the inside of the tower is quite steep with lots of narrow stairs and low ceilings too, which had my tall husband bumping his head often.

You'll have to pay to enter, but the view alone is worth it.


Scaliger Castle SirmioneView from the Castle Tower

The Grotto of Catallus

The remains of an ancient and massive Roman villa that was once the home of the poet Catullus.

A holiday on Lake Garda was all the rage during Roman times, and the rich Romans of Verona would often have a holiday home on the lake.

The Spas

Rich in sulfur, these spas have been world-renowned for centuries and are as popular as ever. 

Facilities at both of the spas, Virgilio and Catullo, are very modern, and specialists in all the disorders treated are always on hand.

For more on some of the better spas in the Veneto, visit our Venice Italy & Veneto Spas Guide.

The Churches

Santa Maria Maggiore's and San Pietro are the two most important churches. I find San Pietro the lovelier of the two.

Shopping

A ceramic shop in Sirmione, Italy

There are some really lovely little stores tucked away in the little lanes of the old town.

I always find something to buy, much to the frustration of my husband.

Prices are a bit high, but you do sometimes get lucky and find a bargain. I tend to find better bargains in September and October or in April/May when there are fewer tourists around.

There is  no one store that stands out for me; rather, wander around and make your own discoveries.

I'm sure you will find a few of those that I photographed for this page, like the ceramics store (there is always something I love there) and that dress shop with all the purple bougainvillea framing the entrance.

When to Visit Sirmione

What an absolutely exquisite little jewel Sirmione is. The only pity is that most of northern Italy and the rest of Europe already seem to know that. The result is crowds of people, which tend to spoil the place a little in July and August.

Try to visit in September or June if at all possible; if you can't make it in June or September, go anyway. Even with the crowds, Sirmione is too good to miss, and no holiday on Lake Garda should exclude a visit.

Don’t come by car during the summer unless your hotel has parking. Parking here is a real nightmare and very expensive too. Our suggestion is to catch the ferry from Desenzano – a far more sensible and pleasant option.

Where to Eat

Plenty of overpriced restaurants with horrible food are to be found in Sirmione; many come close to those of Venice when it comes to ripping off tourists, and some are enough to ruin any holiday on Lake Garda. If money is no object, then try La Rucola in Via Strentelle. Despite being very expensive, the food is excellent.

The Risorgimento Restaurant in Piazza Carducci is a more affordable option. For other restaurants around Garda, please try our restaurant guide.

Discover more great holiday on Lake Garda ideas try our Garda, Venice Italy & Veneto site search engine below.




You'll Enjoy These...

  • What a lovely place Sirmione is with so much to see. Narrow lanes lined with flower covered cottages lead down to the lake shore.

    The Dreamy Village of Sirmione

    What a lovely place Sirmione is with so much to see. Narrow lanes lined with flower covered cottages lead down to the lake shore.

  • One of the best Lake Garda restaurants, even though haunted. The Ristorante La Casa degli Spirit is perfect if you are looking to eat really well... in the company of a friendly10th century ghost.

    Haunted Lake Garda Restaurants

    One of the best Lake Garda restaurants, even though haunted. The Ristorante La Casa degli Spirit is perfect if you are looking to eat really well... in the company of a friendly10th century ghost.

  • Breathtaking Torbole sul Garda has prime position on Lake Garda. Surrounded by huge mountain peaks it is hard not to fall in love at first sight.

    Torbole sul Garda - Love at First Sight

    Breathtaking Torbole sul Garda has prime position on Lake Garda. Surrounded by huge mountain peaks it is hard not to fall in love at first sight.

  • Give the gift of love straight from Italy -  the land of amore. Have you experienced a summer in Italy? We've a way for you to bring that joy home with you...

    Summer in Italy... All Year Round

    Give the gift of love straight from Italy - the land of amore. Have you experienced a summer in Italy? We've a way for you to bring that joy home with you...

  • Soaring mountain spires, Alleghe Lake calming in cornflower blue and wooden houses welcoming you with impossibly overflowing window boxes and balconies of flowers.

    Alleghe Lake & Town - Stuff of Fairytales

    Soaring mountain spires, Alleghe Lake calming in cornflower blue and wooden houses welcoming you with impossibly overflowing window boxes and balconies of flowers.

  • After years living in Veneto & eating at many a restaurant in the Veneto we have compiled our selection of the best Veneto, Venice and Garda restaurant choices.

    The Best Lake Garda Restaurant?

    After years living in Veneto & eating at many a restaurant in the Veneto we have compiled our selection of the best Veneto, Venice and Garda restaurant choices.

  • Gardaland is one of the top theme parks in Europe. Our guide has everything you need to know about the park. From where to stay through to the best rides.

    Gardaland - Italy's Best Theme Park

    Gardaland is one of the top theme parks in Europe. Our guide has everything you need to know about the park. From where to stay through to the best rides.

  • Desenzano del Garda offers the best nightlife on Garda, great shopping, excellent restaurants and  good hotels.

    The Desenzano del Garda Travel Guide

    Desenzano del Garda offers the best nightlife on Garda, great shopping, excellent restaurants and good hotels.

  • Garda Town is on a magnificent bay surrounded by hills, located halfway up Lake Garda.  Visiting Lake Garda? Then this town should be one to consider.

    Garda Town - One of Garda's Loveliest Towns

    Garda Town is on a magnificent bay surrounded by hills, located halfway up Lake Garda. Visiting Lake Garda? Then this town should be one to consider.

  • Utterly charming is the only way to describe Malcesine, perhaps the best Lake Garda town.

    Is Malcesine the Best Lake Garda Town?

    Utterly charming is the only way to describe Malcesine, perhaps the best Lake Garda town.

  • Maria and family spend a lot of time in Lazise, on the shores of Lake Garda, and would like to share the beauty and secrets of the town with you...

    Enchanting Lazise

    Maria and family spend a lot of time in Lazise, on the shores of Lake Garda, and would like to share the beauty and secrets of the town with you...

  • When it comes to visiting Lake Garda it is often hard to decide where is best.  However, there are a handful of towns I can recommend and Peschiera is near top of the list.

    Discover Peschiera del Garda

    When it comes to visiting Lake Garda it is often hard to decide where is best. However, there are a handful of towns I can recommend and Peschiera is near top of the list.

  • Need a good Lake Garda hotel? Here is our carefully selected choice of the best hotels around Lake Garda

    The Good Lake Garda Hotel Guide - Personally Selected

    Need a good Lake Garda hotel? Here is our carefully selected choice of the best hotels around Lake Garda

  • Going to Lake Garda? Well you need to know when to go and the The Lake Garda Weather guide is the answer. Not only the weather but ALL the secrets shared...

    The Lake Garda Weather Guide

    Going to Lake Garda? Well you need to know when to go and the The Lake Garda Weather guide is the answer. Not only the weather but ALL the secrets shared...

  • Boat is the best way to get around Lake Garda. It can be the quickest way too but my advice is rather not to rush. Our Garda boat and travel guide is...

    Lake Garda Boat and Travel Guide

    Boat is the best way to get around Lake Garda. It can be the quickest way too but my advice is rather not to rush. Our Garda boat and travel guide is...

  • Discover the best beach on Lake Garda, ranging from sandy to shingle, we have them all and a lot of other stunning Italian beaches too.

    The Best Beach on Lake Garda

    Discover the best beach on Lake Garda, ranging from sandy to shingle, we have them all and a lot of other stunning Italian beaches too.

  • Need a romantic getaway? Looking for a family holiday? Whatever you want Lake Garda has something suited to you. Let me share its secrets...

    Lake Garda: Maps, Beaches, Restaurants and much more.

    Need a romantic getaway? Looking for a family holiday? Whatever you want Lake Garda has something suited to you. Let me share its secrets...

  • Magical Peschiera del Garda - one of the loveliest places to stay at on Lake Garda.  Long summer evenings, piazzas filled with families, laughter and...

    Peschiera del Garda & Lake Garda

    Magical Peschiera del Garda - one of the loveliest places to stay at on Lake Garda. Long summer evenings, piazzas filled with families, laughter and...

  • Visiting Lake Garda? Then our map of Lake Garda and our Lake Garda travel secrets guide will be more than useful.

    Map of Lake Garda, the Veneto, Venice Italy and Verona

    Visiting Lake Garda? Then our map of Lake Garda and our Lake Garda travel secrets guide will be more than useful.

  • The Lake Garda Holiday Guide is full of information on this spectacular lake. Everything you need is here. From where to stay through to the best towns, beaches.

    The Lake Garda Holiday Guide

    The Lake Garda Holiday Guide is full of information on this spectacular lake. Everything you need is here. From where to stay through to the best towns, beaches.

  • A collection of great photos and all the information you will ever need on planning a visit to Lake Garda and the Veneto.

    Incredible Photos of Lake Garda

    A collection of great photos and all the information you will ever need on planning a visit to Lake Garda and the Veneto.

Please Book with Us... Maria here, if you enjoy my site I'd love your support.

Simply book your next trip anywhere (not only to Italy) via the link below or with any of the hotel links on the website.

You'll get the best deal available and the income I receive helps me to remain independent and to keep bringing you more of beautiful Italy.

Click to Begin

More Travel Tips:

  1. Book your tickets to museums and other attractions in advance on Tiqets.com
  2. Book your accommodation. Booking.com and Agoda both help you to book accommodation in advance and check availability on the days of your travels
  3. Book your excursions. Wherever you go, make the most of your time! Excursions with professional guides will help you do this - choose a location and the best option for yourself on Viator or Getyourguide
  4. Book your car. At least a month before is best. Use Discover Car Hire.
  5. Cash Back on Flights: Great deals & money back with WayAway
  6. Get Insured with TravelInsurance.com

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.