Verona is one of the best bases to explore the many quaint towns that make up the banks of Lake Garda. From the city of love it is just a short train journey to the lake and, from there, you can visit pretty much any town on the shores. A day trip to Sirmione from Verona is one of the best ways to experience Lake Garda. This post goes through everything that you need to know for your adventure. Enjoy!
Day Trip to Sirmione from Verona | Discover Lake Garda
Getting to Sirmione from Verona
The easiest way to Sirmione is by train (from Porta Nuevo). It is ridiculously cheap compared to UK prices (you can get a one way for around £4.00) and the trains are much nicer. There is one change involved at the town of Peschiera del Garda, which is worth seeing by itself if you have the time. The journey will take around 40 minutes in total.
Tip: Make sure that you read ahead and plan which day to go. We got caught out in 2022 by not realising that it was an Italian bank holiday, meaning that many trains were not running.
If you have rented a car though, the journey is shorter by about 10 minutes. The roads are fairly decent, but in all honesty the trains are so cheap that this option does not make a lot of sense if you are staying in Verona.
Things to Do in Sirmione
1. Explore Scaliger Castle
The first stop you need to take is a trip to the iconic Scaliger Castle (Rocca Scaligera). This is an incredibly well-preserved castle that is just on the entrance of the town. Perhaps the most memorable part of any trip to Sirmione is a walk over the drawbridge. Once you get inside the castle, you can enjoy some panoramic views of Lake Garda. Tickets cost €6 per adult.
2. Discover the Grottoes of Catullus
Roman ruins are one of the top things to see in any Italian town or city, and Sirmione is no exception. If you walk to the northern tip of the peninsula, you’ll find Grotte di Catullo. These ruins were once a large villa, allegedly belonging to the poet Catullus. I like this option for two reasons. Firstly, the villa is incredibly interesting and secondly the views of the peninsula are some of the best around. Tickets cost Tickets cost €8 per adult.
3. Stroll Through the Old Town
No day trip to Sirmione from Verona would be complete without a stroll along the winding cobblestone streets of the old town. Here you can find the best that the town can offer. You can pick up gorgeous souvenirs, many of which are hand-crafted, and soak in the lively atmosphere. My favourite thing to do was to sample the incredible gelato and the local speciality of fresh lake fish.
4. Relax in the Thermal Baths
Interestingly, Sirmione is actually famous for the thermal waters near the town. The best spa nearby is Terme di Sirmione. This offers a range of treatments which all have varying costs, with the most basic spa packages costing around €55 per adult for around 5 hours. Whilst this may seem expensive, it is the perfect way to rejuvenate whilst enjoying views of Lake Garda.
5. Take a Boat Tour
Lastly, of course we have to mention going on to the Lake. Whilst you can rent smaller boats, I think that the best way to see the lake is through a boat tour. As you can imagine, plenty of operators work in this area, but Bertoldi Boats is the best one. Group tours are around €35 per adult for two hours. If you are feeling luxurious, or for a honeymoon, you can also pay around €400 per adult for a private tour of the lake.
Tips for Visiting Sirmione
- Start Early: Sirmione is one of the most popular destinations in Italy and it gets busy really quickly. Make sure that you leave Verona early so that you can avoid the rush.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: The cobblestone streets and Roman ruins in particular are sometimes quite difficult to navigate. Make sure that you take your time and wear comfy shoes to help you.
- Book Ahead: In high season, Sirmione can get incredibly busy and things get booked quickly. Make sure that you book a few months in advance to both save money and guarantee spaces.
Final Thoughts | Day Trip to Sirmione from Verona
Sirmione is one of my favourite towns in Italy and it makes a perfect day trip from Verona. I think that it is the perfect place to unwind and to soak in the Italian sun and enjoy the views of the beautiful lake. I hope that you found this post useful and, if you have any questions, just let me know.
