One Day in Sirmione: The Perfect Day Trip Guide for 2026
Sirmione is sometimes referred to as “The Pearl of Lake Garda”, and while that may sound like something a tourism board has come up with to boost visitors, once you’re actually there, you’ll realise they weren’t exaggerating. If you’re planning a trip to Lake Garda, or you’re on a day trip from another city, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know to spend one day in Sirmione.
If you’ve followed my guide on how to get to Lake Garda without a car, you likely arrived here by ferry or a slightly confusing bus ride. Either way, if you’ve made it, you’re in for a great day.
The Town Behind the Turrets
Sirmione is a 4km long peninsula that juts into the southern end of Lake Garda. It’s technically in Italy’s Lombardy region, but it’s a short distance from Veneto, with Verona as its closest major city.
Back in the 1st century BCE, the area was a resort for rich families from Verona – basically an ancient Maldives. Then around the 13th century, the Scaligeri, Verona’s ruling family, came along and built the castle that still stands there today.
The castle is right at the entrance to the historical centre of the town, and to enter, you need to walk through the castle gates. It’s one of the best preserved castles in Italy, and honestly walking over the drawbridge feels like you’re walking into the set of a film.
I first visited Sirmione in 2023, and I have my friend Paddy to thank for the recommendation, but as it turns out, Ezra Pound beat him to it by about a century. In 1920, Ezra Pound wrote to James Joyce and said “The place is worth the trip by train. You have the guarantee of Catullus and mine”.
Well, Ezra can add my guarantee to the list too. Since that first visit, I’ve been back a couple of times, even staying for a few days. But, as I mentioned earlier, it is a great place even just for a day trip. If I only had one day in Sirmione, then this post is how I’d spend it.
How to Spend One Day in Sirmione
To start with, I’d recommend reading my post on how to get to Lake Garda without a car – I cover the best routes from Milan or Verona, which are the cities many tourists are likely to be coming from. If you’re travelling from another part of Italy, the advice may still apply, as you’ll likely be passing through either city on your way.
Morning
First piece of advice:
Get to Sirmione early, especially if you’ve visiting in peak summer months. The town is such a gem on the lake that it is incredibly popular with visitors, and can get very busy. Bus and ferry services can finish as early as 5pm some months, so starting early means you’ve got enough time for a full Sirmione itinerary.
Scaliger Castle
When you first enter the old town of Sirmione, you’re passing over the drawbridge of Scaliger Castle. It makes sense, then, for this to be the first stop on your tour of the town.
Inside the castle, you can walk up the 146 steps to get to the patrol walkways, giving you a view of the lake and the town.
The castle opens at 8:30am, closed on Mondays.
A ticket at the time of writing costs €8 for a single entry, or for €18 you can purchase the Garda Integrated Ticket, which will also grant you access to the Grotte di Catullo at the end of the town, and, if you have time on your way back this evening, the Roman Villa in Desenzano! You can purchase tickets here.
Grotte di Catullo
If you’re into history, Grotte di Catullo is going to be your next stop. The ruins of this Roman villa are at the tip of the peninsula, so you’re going to walk through the town to get there.
The town itself is charming, with small streets to wander down and shops to peer into. Don’t get tempted to pause – even though you’ve only got one day in Sirmione, you’ll have plenty of time for a wander and a browse later on!
The “grottoes” are so called because when they were rediscovered in the 15th century, they were so overgrown that they were mistaken for natural caves. It’s actually the ruins of a Roman vila, and from what we can see of the layout and the colonnade, it was one of the grandest in the area.
Like the castle, it’s open from 8:30am, so I recommend you go right after the castle and keep the history momentum going. If you bought the Garda Integrated Ticket that I mentioned earlier, that will get you access. Otherwise, it’s €10 and you can buy tickets here.
The Scenic Walk Back into Town
Once you’ve explored the Grotte di Catullo, it’s time to take the scenic walk back into town, especially as you’re probably ready for lunch by now. Surrounding the Grotte di Catullo is a huge olive grove, and there are over 1,500 olive trees on Sirmione’s peninsula.
Sirmione actually produces its own Garda DOP Olive Oil. The olive oil here is famous for being light and fruity because of the lake’s microclimate, making it completely different to the heavy, peppery oils that places like Southern Italy are famous for. Both are delicious, but the local oil is a great souvenir to pick up from one of the shops in the town.
Continuing on your walk, swing by the Church of San Pietro in Mavino. It’s Sirmione’s oldest church, built in the 8th century. It’s surrounded by olive trees, sitting on the highest point of the peninsula. It’s a lovely spot to stop and breathe for a moment, away from the crowds.
Afternoon
Lunchtime
After enjoying a slow, scenic walk back into town, you’re probably hungry and ready for some lunch.
Sirmione is a bit of a victim of its own beauty, you’ll see a lot of “tourist menus” with faded pictures of pizza and peeling laminate.
In a country that is world-renowned for its food, it’s a crime to let your one day in Sirmione be spent on a sub par lunch. The main square of the town is Piazza Giosue Carducci, and it’s a lovely place, but it’s also where you’ll find the most touristy restaurants. Take a wander a couple of streets away, meander down some side streets, and you’ll find the prices drop and the food feels more like good, quality soul food.
Lunch in Italy should be a slow affair. Find somewhere you’re happy to sit and rest for an hour or more, taking your time over a plate of pasta, a freshly made pizza, and maybe even a spritz if you’re feeling up to it.
If you’re not hungry enough for a full lunch yet, look for a bar or enoteca (wine bar). Enoteca delle Antiche Mura is a cute one. They’ll usually serve a tagliere – basically a charcuterie/snack board of local foods. It’s much lighter, and means you can save room for gelato later.
If you want to keep moving, find a bakery or sandwich shop like Piadineria Sirmione (has vegan options) and take your food on a walk to find a lakeside view.
On Restaurant Recommendations:
I’m always a little torn on recommending restaurants on this blog. I’ve written about some that I’ve loved, like Saido in Tokyo, but I’m aware that as a vegan, what I look for in a restaurant may be different to what you’re looking for. I usually separate out my vegan recommendations into separate posts for my plant based pals.
I also think that one of the joys of travelling is stumbling across that little hole in the wall place and discovering a new favourite for yourself. For what it’s worth, I’ve had a great meal in Ristorante San Lorenzo in Sirmione and I’d gladly go back.
Sit, Relax, and Enjoy
On a solo trip to Italy once, I was sitting in a restaurant, waiting for the bill. I am not a chill person by nature. I feel guilty if I sit still for too long and I’ve always got a to-do list on the go. The waiter must have sensed my tension because instead of bringing me the bill, he told me “no, no, you must sit, relax, and enjoy”. I did not want to sit, relax and enjoy. I had places to go, things to see!
It happened twice more on that same trip, and I complained to my husband about it over a phone call. “Well, maybe you do need to sit, relax, and enjoy” he said, “I mean, isn’t that why you went to Italy in the first place?”
Well, I can’t say that I’ll ever be an expert at la dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing), but I’ve definitely grown to appreciate how the Italians take joy in the simple relaxation and being present.
Even if you only have one day in Sirmione, I hope you take your time over your lunch to take in your surroundings, taste the local olive oil, hear the wind in the trees, see the light on the water.
You’ve got plenty of time today to see the rest of the town, so make the time to sit, relax, and enjoy (and I hope you’re better at it than me).
Jamaica Beach, Sirmione
After you’ve taken the time to sit, relax, and enjoy over lunch, the next stop is Jamaica Beach. This is back at the end of the Sirmione peninsula, close to the Grotte you spent time in earlier. If this sounds like a lot of wandering back and forth, don’t worry – Sirmione is small, so anywhere I’m recommending to you in this post is a short walk away.
Jamaica Beach is an interesting spot. If you’re expecting soft, golden sand where you can build a sandcastle or bury your siblings, you’re in the wrong place. Instead, you’ll find large, smooth, white rocks at the lake’s edge. When the sun hits the water, it turns a brilliant, translucent turquoise colour.
It’s tucked away down a dirt road near the Grotte di Catullo, and bordered by dunes and vegetation, making it feel secret and private.
The beach is open during the day, usually closing around 9pm during the high season. You’ll find a bar where you can buy drinks and food, as well as pay to use the sunloungers if you want to camp out for the rest of the afternoon.
Me personally, I made my husband stand next to my bag while I took off my shoes and socks to go paddle.
Villa Callas
On your walk back from the beach towards the town centre, keep an eye out for a grand, bright yellow building. This is Villa Callas.
The legendary opera singer Maria Callas lived here during the 1950s. She’s said to have spent some of her happiest years in Sirmione. The villa today is private, although it occasionally opens for events.
If you take a boat cruise later (and we’ll get to that!), you’ll be able to get a good view of it from the water too.
Gelato Stop
Sure, maybe you ate a big lunch and you’re not hungry yet, but there’s always room for gelato, right? Back around the heart of the town, you’ll see quite a few gelato shops. There are a lot of overpriced, unsatisfying gelateria in Sirmione, so you need to be smart about where you go. The trick is to look for the shops where the gelato is covered with metal lids, or it’s flat in the containers.
If the gelato is piled high in fluffy, neon-coloured hills and topped with fruit, it might look pretty for a picture but it’s mostly puffed up with vegetable fats and air. Real gelato is denser and usually kept in flat metal tins.
Tips for choosing a gelateria:
- Look for gelato kept in flat metal tins, or under lids.
- If there’s no price list clearly visible, walk away.
- On Google maps, check the reviews. It might sound obvious, but there are quite a few in Sirmione with low starred reviews. As I was writing this post, I even saw a bunch listed with the words “(TOURIST TRAP)” after the name, like in the screenshot below. I know I won’t be going there!
Right now, Gelateria Mancini and Cremeria Bulian have the highest rated reviews.
Evening
By now, the evening should be setting in and your one day in Sirmione is drawing to a close. If you’re staying elsewhere tonight, you’ve probably already got your travel plans back sorted, but before you go, there’s one more thing I’ll recommend to you.
Sunset Cruise
A sunset cruise is honestly the best recommendation I have for one day in Sirmione. When I stayed in the town a couple of years ago, my husband and I did one on our last night in the town, and it’s still the highlight of that part of the trip for me.
There are a bunch of companies that run boat tours from the front of the town (back towards the entrance to the castle that you walked into earlier). Most of them run a sunset cruise, often with prosecco included. They’ll take you out on the water for a different view of the peninsula as the sun sets, music playing, wine in hand.
It’s so, so much fun, although you do need to pick your boat wisely. Go for a smaller boat rather than a bigger one, you want to feel close to the water and like you’re out on a luxury cruise, rather than a passenger ferry.
This is the company we booked with, and I really recommend it.
If you’re a little bit nervous with boats, or you want a shorter cruise, I also found this 25 minute one, which is very reasonably priced.
There’s something so soothing about being out on the water, and I think it’s the perfect way to round off what has hopefully been a great day trip to Sirmione.
Onward
If you’re leaving Sirmione after the boat cruise, make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get back to Desenzano or Peschiera to get your train onward. I’ve written a separate post on how to get to Lake Garda from Verona or Milan, to help you plan your transport.
Alternatively, if you’re planning on staying in Sirmione for a night or two, then a post-cruise aperitivo is what I’d do before a great dinner.
If you’re looking for places to stay:
- I stayed in Mueble Adriana in Sirmione, a vegan B&B with a seriously good breakfast.
- Or, if you’re looking to go full Maria Callas glamour, Grand Hotel Terme is one of Sirmione’s most luxurious hotels, with a pool that overlooks the lake.
What to Bring for One Day in Sirmione
- Reusable water bottle: It gets hot during the summer, bring an insulated water bottle that will keep your drinks cold. I’m forever loyal to this one from Chilly’s.
- Snacks: There are plenty of restaurants and snack bars around Sirmione, but I like having some nuts or a protein bar in my bag, just in case. You’ll thank yourself if you’re stuck with a delayed train and an empty belly.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat: If you’re travelling in summer, it gets hot. Protect your skin!
- Cash: Most places will take card, but it’s always handy to have a little cash on you just in case. You don’t need to bring a fortune, I usually keep about €20 on me.
- Smartphone: I know, I know, it’s a given. But keep yours fully charged and on you. You’ll need to make use of transport apps for buses and ferries, if that’s how your travelling. I’ve linked apps in the section “Tips and Helpful Links” below.
- Battery bank: Trust me, the last thing you want is to get stranded without any phone battery when you’re trying to get back to your hotel. I use this one, it’s basic but cheap. Although if my husband was writing this, he’d tell you to buy something like this one instead.
If you’re visiting Jamaica Beach
- Towel: I like this one from the Little Bodhi, it dries quickly and folds up small. It’s my travel go-to.
- Bathing suit: Swimsuits are essential if you’re planning on going for a dip.
- Hairbrush: I always forget this, but always wish I’d remembered to bring mine after going for a swim. I like the Tangle Teezer for travelling as it’s quite compact.
- Sandals or water shoes: The stones on Jamaica Beach are largely flat and smooth, but there’s still a chance of slipping or stumbling across rockier parts. Water-safe sandals like Tevas are a good shout to protect your feet!
Tips and Helpful Links
Tips
- Should you buy the Garda Integrated Ticket?
- Only if you’re planning on visiting the Roman Villa on your way back to Desenzano, and you have the time. Otherwise, the cost of the ticket is the same price as paying single entry to the castle and the Grotte di Catullo.
- Discounted tickets: If you are an EU citizen aged 18-25, you’ll get a reduced ticket for about €2 to museums. Under 18s are free.
- Apps for Buses and Ferries
- For ferry tickets and timetables, download the Dreamlake app.
- For bus tickets in and around Verona, including to the lake, you want the ATV app.
- For bus tickets on the west side of the lake, including Sirmione, it’s Arriva MyPay
- If you don’t have data roaming abroad, I recommend an e-sim.
Tours and Links
- Tickets to Scaliger Castle, with option to purchase Garda Integrated Ticket
- The boat cruise my husband and I took in Sirmione.
- The Vegan B&B I stayed in in Sirmione.
I hope you have a brilliant day exploring the castle and the ruins. Just remember to sit, relax, and enjoy that spritz for me! If you found this helpful, check out my other Italy posts here.
