Sirmione
Sirmione is a narrow peninsula on Lake Garda with a moated castle, Roman villa ruins and thermal spas.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Sirmione is a comune in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, on the southern shore of Lake Garda, close to the Veneto border. A narrow peninsula about 4 km long runs into the lake, and the historic centre sits on it. The Scaligero Castle guards the entrance. It is a fortress with a moat and two drawbridges, built as a port fortress for the Scaliger fleet of Verona, and its keep rises about 47 metres.
The Grottoes of Catullo, a Roman villa at the tip of the peninsula built between the late 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, are the main Roman site. The poet Catullus is traditionally linked to it, though that link is not certain. Tourism is the main economic activity, drawn by the Roman remains, the castle and the thermal spring. The sulphurous, brominated water is served by two spas, Catullo and Virgilio. A day trip covers the castle and the ruins. An overnight stay gives you time to walk the peninsula at a slower pace. The local urban bus runs only in spring and summer.
Sirmione in five
- Arrive early or stay the nightThe lanes fill from late morning in summer, and parking is limited. A night puts you on the peninsula when day trippers leave, with quiet lakeside walks at dusk.
- Visit the Scaligero Castle and the Grotte di CatulloThe castle sits at the entrance, and the ruins of a Roman villa lie at the tip of the peninsula. Check the official sites for hours and tickets, which vary by season and weekday.
- Leave the car outside the old townThe historic center is restricted and parking is paid and fills early in summer. Use a car park near the entrance or take a bus from the mainland, and ask your hotel about access.
- Take the bus or boat from Peschiera or DesenzanoTrains stop at Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano, and local buses and lake boats cover the last stretch. Check the day's schedule, since boats run less often off-season.Lake Garda
- Book spa time or a lake cruise ahead in summerThermal spas and boat tours sell out on weekends from June to September. Compare cancellation terms if the weather is unsettled.
Need to know
- Airport
- Verona (VRN), about 30 km; Bergamo and Milan are farther
- Getting there
- Train to Desenzano or Peschiera, then bus or boat; Verona about 1 hour
- Getting around
- On foot; lake boats link Garda towns
- Best base
- The old town for evenings; Colombare or Lugana for easier parking
- Time needed
- Half a day to 2 nights
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear7 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low2°Cold, spa seasonJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, spa season
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Early springMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Early spring
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°ReopeningAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Reopening
- MayRain17 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Warm, quietMayRain
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 157 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Warm, lake daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 116 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, lake days
- JulyRain13 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low20°Hot, crowdedJulyRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, crowded
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low20°Hot, crowdedAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, crowded
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low16°Warm, calmSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, calm
- OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Mild, closingOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 125 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, closing
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Rain, closedNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, closed
- DecemberClear8 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Cold, lightsDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Sirmione, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Sirmione
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 71%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Sirmione
11:01 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°13°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue15°13°20%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Wed15°11°25%Wednesday: Rain. High 15°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Thu15°7°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri13°5°28%Friday: Rain. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Sat12°7°32%Saturday: Rain. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 32%.
- Sun14°6°27%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 27%.
Updated 10:36 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–SepArena di Verona FestivalVerona, a day trip
- SepFestivaletteraturaMantua, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Veronaabout 1 hour by train via PeschieraRoman arena, Juliet's balcony and Piazza Erbe.Read the guide
- Lake Garda north shoreabout 1 to 1.5 hours by boat or busRiva del Garda and mountain scenery at the northern tip.Read the guide
- Bresciaabout 20 to 30 min by train from DesenzanoA city with Roman ruins and a hilltop castle.Read the guide
Before you go to Sirmione
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Sirmione, checked
- Italy is in the Schengen area. Most non-EU visitors may stay up to 90 days in any 180, so check entry rules on the Foreign Ministry site before you book.Source
- Declare cash above the EU limit when entering or leaving the EU. Check the current rules with the Italian customs agency (ADM).
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Driving into the historic centre of Sirmione is restricted. Check access rules with the Sirmione municipality before you drive in.
- Tipping is not required. A cover charge (coperto) or service fee may already be on your restaurant bill, so check it first.
Plan around Sirmione
Compare Sirmione, Desenzano, Riva and Garda
Read the guideLake Garda in 3 daysA route that includes the south shore
Read the guideGarda vs Como vs MaggioreWhich lake suits your trip
Read the guideVeronaRoman arena city, about 1 hour away
Read the guideBresciaA quieter city with Roman remains
Read the guideAll of ItalyRegions, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideSirmione FAQ
Is Sirmione worth visiting?
Yes for the castle, the setting and the lake views, but it is crowded in summer. Go early or stay the night, and skip it on peak weekends if you dislike queues.
Can you visit Sirmione as a day trip from Verona?
Yes. Take a train to Peschiera del Garda, then a local bus or boat, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours each way. Start early to beat the crowds.
How do you get to Sirmione without a car?
By train to Desenzano or Peschiera, then a bus or boat to the peninsula. Boats are scenic but slower; check the timetable for the last return.
Is Sirmione expensive?
Rooms in the old town cost more than in Desenzano or Peschiera, and restaurants near the castle charge a premium. Stay on the mainland to save money and visit in the morning.
How long do you need in Sirmione?
Half a day covers the castle, the lanes and a walk to the Grotte di Catullo. Stay a night if you want the spa or an evening without the crowds.