Walking in Sirmione

Walking Trails:
Easy walking throughout resort

Terrain:
Flat terrain, from cobbled streets to pebbly beaches, paved promenades and parks

Sirmione at a glance

  • Italian
  • Euro (EUR)
  • Manchester Int. (MAN), London Gatwick (LGW), Birmingham Int. (BHX), Bristol (BRS), Edinburgh (EDI), London Stansted (STN), East Midlands (EMA), Leeds Bradford (LBA), Newcastle (NCL), Belfast Int. (BFS)

Travel included to Sirmione

Depart on: Wednesday or Saturday

Arrive into: Verona airport

Transfer time: approx. 45 minutes by coach

Included on your holiday

  • On holiday support and tailored advice from our Destination Expert based in Lake Garda
  • Inghams Digital Resort Guide with things to do, walks and useful information on holiday
  • Flights from the UK, transfers and accommodation

Walking in Sirmione

Walks and hikes

Walking Trails:
Easy walking throughout resort
Terrain:
Flat terrain, from cobbled streets to pebbly beaches, paved promenades and parks

A walking holiday in Sirmione offers the perfect escape from the crowds, allowing you to leisurely explore the full 3km-long peninsula at your own pace. While most day-trippers focus on the historic centre, castle, and harbour, you can discover hidden gems by continuing beyond Scaligero Castle to the Roman ruins of Grotte di Catullo at the far tip of the peninsula. Along the way, enjoy a peaceful walk through silvery olive groves before reaching Jamaica Beach, where you can relax and take in the stunning surroundings. Beyond Sirmione, the area offers other scenic walks, including the picturesque lakeside promenades that wind through charming villages like Desenzano and Peschiera del Garda.

Our favourite self-guided walks in Sirmione

This enchanting walk begins at the southern gates of the Peschiera del Garda fortress, leading you along the charming city walls and through picturesque canals. As you continue, the path meanders beside the serene shores of the Mincio River, guiding you toward the fairytale town of Borghetto sul Mincio.

  • Grade: Moderate
  • Distance: 14.6km 
  • Walking time: 3 hours
Sirmione, Lake Garda, Scaligero Castle

As you leave the Scaliger Castle behind, the route takes you along the scenic lakeside promenade, where the shimmering waters of Lake Garda stretch out before you. The pathway is flanked by beautiful old villas, and lush gardens offering plenty of spots to pause and take in the stunning views.

  • Grade: Easy
  • Distance: 3.2km 
  • Walking time: 45 minutes
Grotte di Catullo, Sirmione, Lake Garda

This delightful walk takes you through the charming Sirmione peninsula, offering a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.

  • Grade: Easy
  • Distance: 2.5km 
  • Walking time: 50 minutes

Our accommodations in Sirmione

Discover Sirmione

  • Immerse yourself in history by exploring the ancient Grotte di Catullo and the iconic Scaligero Castle
  • Wander through Sirmione’s narrow, cobbled streets, where every corner tells a story of the town’s fascinating past
  • Treat yourself to a delicious gelato while enjoying picturesque lakeside views

Sirmione is a stunning peninsula on the southern shore of Lake Garda, and one of the most picturesque towns in the Italian Lakes. Scaligero Castle is the photogenic crown, but there are also medieval lanes, a beach, Roman ruins, olive groves, thermal spas and a glut of gelaterie to explore- and all on traffic-free streets. Beyond the historic centre, you can continue with summery lakeside walks along the promenade or board one of the many ferries that hop between the glimmering towns on Lake Garda’s shoreline.

Sirmione's surrounded by jewel-green waters and breathtaking lake views, with a moat marking the entrance to the pedestrian-friendly historic centre at the peninsula’s tip. Cross the bridge to reach Scaligero Castle, a 13th-century fortress built by the Della Scala family to defend their rule over Verona. Climb to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the terracotta-tiled streets below. On a clear day, you can also even see the towering mountains on Lake Garda’s northern shores.

The spa-loving Romans were the first people recorded to enjoy the waters of Sirmione. These days, weary wanderers can still soothe their legs with a soak in one of thermal baths. Sulphuric, iodine-rich water heats the lake-view pools of stylish spas to a balmy 36°C. For more in the way of relaxation, finish a day of walking along lakeside promenades with dinner of delicious local food and drink by the lake. While it attracts day-trippers by the hundreds, Sirmione is also a relaxed spot for a drink by the water on a lazy summer evening after the crowds depart.

If you want to get to know Lake Garda from then why not try out some watersports, which are a popular summer attraction. Sailing boats glide across the lake, while canoes and paddle boards are available for hire if you prefer paddle power.

Ferries and boat tours are a relaxed option for exploring the rest of the lake. They make a beeline for Bardolino (home of the famous red wine), Garda (for Venetian architecture and prom walks), and Riva del Garda and Limone (pretty gateways to mountainous footpaths). You can even get to Verona in less than an hour by bus.

Buses

All of our hotels in Sirmione are just a short walk from a bus stop. The buses are great if you’re looking to explore nearby towns such as Desenzano, which you can get to in approx. 20 minutes on the LN026 bus. Desenzano is where you’ll get many bus links to other parts of Southern Lake Garda, including Manerba. Head in the opposite direction and you can also be in central Peschiera in under 20 minutes.

Trains

If you want to go even further afield for the day, then hop on the bus to Peschiera train station (approx. 25 minutes from central Sirmione) and take a direct train to Milan (approx. 1 hour), Verona (approx. 15 minutes) or even Venice (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes)!

Travel to Sirmione

Travel by air

Flights to Verona depart on Wednesday or Saturday between 03 May-25 Oct 25 and 02 May-24 Oct 26

Fly from:

  • Manchester, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Stansted, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Belfast

Transfer times: 

  • Verona airport: approx. 45 mins by coach

Private transfers are available on request, for a supplement.

Things to do in Sirmione

The Verona Opera is definitely one for the bucket list! The season runs from mid-June to early-September and covers all the classics including Aida by Verdi or Turnadot by Puccini. Whichever performance you choose; you’ll have an incredible evening.

Sirmione, Lake Garda, Summer Holidays

Sirmione has a rich history so there’s lots to see and do. On the tip of the Sirmione peninsula is a Roman archaeological site known as the Grotte di Catullo, which, according to an unfounded belief, was once the ancient lakeside residence of the poet Gaius Valerius Catullus. The crowning jewel of Sirmione however, is Scaligero Castle which welcomes visitors to the historical town centre with its characteristic moat, swallowtail battlements and walls.

Sirmione’s been known for its healing thermal waters since the Roman times and there’s plenty of places to enjoy them on the tiny peninsula. Sirmione's thermal baths are about more than just wellness. It's not just about feeling good, it's about healing, and feeling better about oneself, and above all, health. The local thermal baths are filled with sulfate-containing water from an underwater spring, which promises relief for various diseases. Aquaria’s our go-to place when we need to relax- it has the biggest pools and over 10,000 square metres to chill out in.

from £79 per person

Venice is not to be missed! This excursion allows you to explore the city with a guide and at your own pace. You’ll arrive by coach and grab a water taxi to the centre. You’ll also have the option to add on a gondola ride (payable locally). There’s plenty of time to take in sights of the Basilica, Doge's Palace, St Mark's square and the Rialto bridge- this is the perfect introduction to one of Italy's most magical cities.

You may also have the option to join an optional lagoon trip, which is a lovely opportunity to experience the lagoon and its monuments and learn more about Venetian history from the water (optional extra, payable locally to the excursion guide). If you're not going on the lagoon trip you'll have an hour of free time to roam around Venice at your own pace.

Details: 

  • Departs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  • Available from all Lake Garda resorts.
  • Guests taking part in this excursion on Monday 2nd June 2025 will need to pay a €10 tourist tax to enter Venice in addition to the cost of the excursion (ask your Destination Expert for more details on how to pay).

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

from £59 per person

Start with a scenic drive through the exceptional South Tyrol, Val di Fiemme, Cavalese and Moena regions. You’ll then stop off at Passa Pordoi and take in the incredible views from this 2,000-metre-high vantage point. There’s some free time to explore the terrain at your own pace, either by taking one of the trekking paths or simply enjoying an Aperol at a rifugio and taking in the views. A stop off at the chocolate box town of Ortisei is included on the way back to your hotel as well as plenty of stops for photo opportunities in this awe inspiring landscape. Make sure you take some warmer clothes as temperatures really drop when you get up to the top!

Details: Departs on Mondays & Fridays. Available from all Lake Garda resorts. Guests may have the opportunity to go up in a cable car for an additional fee of approx. €23pp (payable locally). 

Departure days by resort: 

  • Bardolino, Garda, Sirmione- Fridays
  • Riva, Malcesine, Limone- Mondays and Fridays

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Malcesine, Lake Garda, Colourful Street in Malcesine Old Town
from £56 per person

Get ready to explore the best of Lake Garda on this excursion- there’s so much natural beauty and picturesque towns to discover. See the spectacular mountain scenery of the north and the sunny plains of the south. Travelling by both coach and ferry, the tour itinerary for this excursion varies depending on where you start but will usually follow the famous Gardesana road lined with fragrant olive and lemon trees to reach the likes of Malcesine, Sirmione, Salo and Limone. This is the ideal taster tour of the entire lake where you'll get to spend a short period of time in a variety of stunning towns.

This excursion won't run on the 15th August 25, due to a public bank holiday

Details:

  • Departs on Mondays & Fridays (resort dependant)
  • Available from Bardolino, Garda, Limone, Malcesine, Sirmione and Riva
  • You can book this excursion locally with your Destination Expert

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

It’s easy to get to other resorts on the lake too as ferries run all day from the central port. Hop over to the Gardone Riviera or Bardolino and discover the delicious wine made there. Alternatively, jump on the bus to Peschiera train station and hop on a train to Verona or Venice. They're both great cities to walk around- and they're not too big so it's easy to all the sights in one day!

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