If you’re planning a day trip from Verona, Lake Garda is always a good idea. As suggested in the article Lake Garda: the most romantic spots you can’t miss, Sirmione is one of the most evocative places to visit.

Reaching Sirmione from Verona is very simple: it will take about 45 minutes by car, alternatively you can easily reach it by public transport using the direct bus by Arriva company, line LN026 Verona-Sirmione. The stop is a few steps from our hotel.

What to see in Sirmione in one day?

The Scaligero Castle

The Scaligero Castle (Castello Scaligero) is a symbol of Sirmione. With its towers and battlements it welcomes all visitors who are entering the historic center. It is a fortification built for defensive purposes after the mid 14th century at the behest of the Veronese family Della Scala, from which it takes the name “Rocca Scaligera”.

During your visit to the Scaligero Castle you will see the courtyard, the walkways and the dock. The highlight of the visit is the tower, from which you can enjoy an excellent view over Lake Garda.

The Grottoes of Catullus

The Grottoes of Catullus (Grotte di Catullo) in Sirmione must certainly be included among the most fascinating Italian archaeological sites, not only for their inestimable historical value, but also for their panoramic position on the tip of the narrow peninsula.

However, the name could be misleading: it actually refers to the remains of a Roman villa dating back to the Augustan era (end of the 1st century BC – beginning of the 1st century AD). In the 15th century, it was discovered by chance by travelers who, seeing the ruins covered with vegetation, thought they were natural grottoes. It is hypothesized that the original building was owned by the Gens Valeria, an aristocratic family from Verona.

Since 1999 the area has also hosted the Archaeological Museum, which houses architectural elements, mosaics and important finds from the Grottoes of Catullus.

The historic center

In addition to its historical and archaeological attractions, Sirmione is also worth a visit for its charming and elegant historic center. The fact of being a narrow peninsula that enters the waters of the lake is a feature that makes the town even more fascinating.

Walking down its streets you will come across other historic buildings, such as the church of San Salvatore and Palazzo Callas. Sirmione is also the ideal place for an aperitif or a romantic dinner with a lake view.

And, speaking about romance, we could not but mention the famous “Kissing Monument” (Monumento al Bacio). Created in 2009 by Marciano in collaboration with Marco Cordini on the occasion of the Public Art Sirmione exhibition, it consists of a real invitation: “Kiss… Please”. The work is installed on a panoramic point of the historic center which directly overlooks the Spiaggia delle Muse.

A boat trip

Sirmione is the ideal place for a boat trip to discover the shores of the town, which present many noteworthy spots. There’s a wide offer of boat tours and you can choose among different options depending on the desired level of comfort and budget, but also on the preferred duration.