Sirmione and Lake Garda

“La Perla del Garda”, “The pearl of Lake Garda”, is how Sirmione is often called, a village of everlasting charm, gently nestled on the shores of lake Garda.

One day is enough to discover it, to let yourself be conquered by its unique atmosphere among cobbled alleys, the castle, the spas and even some pretty little beaches where you can relax. Sirmione must be visited on foot, slowly, taking the time to experience it in all its charming details.

Enter the historic center by crossing the walls of the Scaliger Castle, one of the best preserved of all Italy. With its towers, merlons and large arched portal, it welcomes the visitor in grand style.

The castle can only be visited from outside but it is absolutely worth it to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Garda panorama from above.

Sirmione’s magic does not consist so much in the individual elements, but rather in their composition, in that harmonious whole of different figures that find meaning only if you look at them as a whole. Symmetries and contrasts, geometries and contours: everything has its place, in a perfect glimpse that seems painted with a brush.

The historic center seems to have come out of a book of fairy tales between artisan ice cream parlours, boutiques and art galleries – such as the old house of Maria Callas which, to date, hosts various temporary exhibitions.

The entire perimeter of the village is also dotted with walkways and promenades, perfect for enjoying the beauty of the lakefront, perhaps towards sunset when the lights get warmer and the water sparkles on the horizon. Here, among reeds and bays populated by swans and ducks, there are also some small bathing beaches.

Also worth seeing are the Grotte di Catullo which are not caves at all! In fact, these are the ruins of an ancient Roman villa which, at the time of their discovery, were so covered in vegetation that they looked like caves. Everything is very well preserved and can be visited independently, following the brochure given at the entrance or by purchasing the audio guide.

To those who have a bit more time, the Terme di Sirmione are amazing to visit with a beautiful lake view and a boat trip to the nearby islands.

About twenty minutes of crossing there is also the Isola dei Conigli, whose only inhabitants are precisely groups of nice rodents and the private Isola del Garda, on which stands a large villa in Venetian Gothic style.

A tour of Sirmione and Lake Garda would typically include the following:

A visit to the Sirmione Castle, a 13th-century castle that dominates the town.
A walk through the Piazza del Duomo, the town’s main square, which is home to the 13th-century Duomo di San Pietro(Cathedral of Saint Peter).
A visit to the Grotti di Catullo, the ruins of a Roman villa that dates back to the 1st century BC.
A swim in the Terme di Sirmione, a series of thermal baths that have been used for centuries for their healing properties.
A boat trip on Lake Garda, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and villages.

In addition to these main attractions, there are many other things to see and do in Sirmione and Lake Garda. Here are a few suggestions:

Visit the Museo Archeologico di Sirmione, which houses a collection of artifacts from the Roman era.
Take a walk along the Sirmione Promenade, which offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Visit the Jardin Botanico, a botanical garden that is home to a variety of plants from all over the world.
Go shopping in the town’s many boutiques and souvenir shops.
Enjoy a meal at one of the town’s many restaurants, which offer a variety of Italian cuisine.

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