The town of Sirmione, Lake Garda is on the northern tip of a tiny peninsula that juts out of the lake’s southern shores. Lake Garda is the largest of Italy’s northern lakes and is very close to Verona.

I had never heard of it until 2021 when I went to the area to hike in the Dolomites. At that time, I was doing an overnight in Verona and decided to hop on the train for the short ride to Peschiera del Garda. Peschiera sits at the southeastern tip of the lake and just a little closer to Verona.

Second time visiting Lake Garda

In 2022, I got to return to Verona and decided that perhaps I would not overnight there but, instead, somewhere on Lake Garda’s shore. I started researching alternatives to Peschiera and discovered Sirmione. I opted for making a stop in Verona along the way for lunch at a restaurant I discovered the prior year, and then spending the balance of the day enjoying Sirmione.

Sirmione has a little bit of everything!

To enter the heart of the town, you must cross a bridge and go through the main gate. Once you enter the gate into the old town, it is pedestrian – for the most part. There are oodles of places to eat, have some gelato or perhaps a beverage.

Sirmione is known for thermal baths, for being a beautiful “town”, for its resort-like R&R offerings, and its amazing old medieval castle.

There are also the ruins of a Roman villa on the tip of the peninsula itself! This town has it all.

A different way to appreciate Sirmione

We opted for a boat ride around the peninsula to appreciate the town from a different vantage point. The tour boats are usually located right outside of the gate to the town; easy to find. The boat ride was super fun as our captain/guide was quite a character. I recommend going right before the sun begins to lower for the best light for photos!

Our lodging right outside the town gate

We stayed outside of the town but almost as close to the gate as possible on the west side of the peninsula. It is a skinny peninsula with only one road. Our hotel was small and super nice. My room’s balcony faced the park in the direction of the town’s gate but if I just looked left, I had a view of the lake.

While Sirmione may be off the main path of most tourists visiting Italy, if you want to branch out and see a different Italy in a beautiful natural setting, Sirmione is it!