Historic site · Sirmione
Castello Scaligero di Sirmione
The 13th-century castle that blocks the entrance to the Sirmione peninsula, one of the best preserved in Italy, ringed by water on every side and with a rare fortified dock that sheltered the Scaliger fleet. You can climb the towers and walk the wall-walks, with views over the village rooftops and the lake.
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Wikimedia Commons · Wikimedia Commons
Open all year, closed on Mondays. It sits right at the entrance to the pedestrian old town, so the car must be left in the car parks before the peninsula. The visit takes about 45 minutes. In summer a ticket with tower access booked ahead is worth it: the staircase is narrow and entry is capped.
Lake Garda 2-Hour Speedboat Tour of the South of the Lake
Affiliate linkA 2-hour speedboat tour across the southern basin of Lake Garda, departing from Sirmione.
25-Minute Boat Cruise around the Peninsula
Affiliate linkA quick sightseeing cruise around Sirmione's peninsula, passing Maria Callas' villa, the Grotte di Catullo Roman ruins, and the town's sulfur thermal springs. Departs right from the harbor by Sirmione Castle.
Sirmione: Tour and Tasting of Lugana Wines
Affiliate linkA guided tour and tasting of Lugana wines, the white wine of the southern shore of Lake Garda, in Sirmione.
Where to eat
Two of the top-rated restaurants on TheFork. We review this selection every three months.
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Weekly market
Weekly market
Other attractions nearby: Grotte di Catullo, Terme di Sirmione, Gardaland
Common questions
Can you climb the castle towers?
Yes, with the ticket that includes access to the towers and the wall-walks, which look over the old town and the lake.
How long does the visit take?
About 45 minutes, a bit more if you take your time climbing the towers.
Why is the castle surrounded by water on every side?
It has a rare fortified inner dock that once sheltered the Scaliger fleet, as well as the moat separating it from the rest of the peninsula.
Updated Saturday, September 5