Historic site · Sirmione
Grotte di Catullo
The remains of the largest Roman villa in northern Italy, on the tip of the Sirmione peninsula, set in a centuries-old olive grove with the lake on three sides. The name is traditional: the villa is later than the poet Catullus. A small museum holds the finds.
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sailko · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
Open all year, closed on Mondays. From the centre of Sirmione it is about a 15-minute walk or a ride on the tourist train; cars must be left outside the traffic-free old town. The visit takes about an hour and a half. Just before the entrance is Jamaica Beach, with its flat rock slabs at the water's edge.
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: Terme di Sirmione, Castello Scaligero di Sirmione, Gardaland
Common questions
Are the Grotte di Catullo actually caves?
No, the name is traditional: they are the remains of a large Roman villa. "Grotte" (caves) refers to the ruined rooms, not natural cavities.
How long does the visit take?
About an hour and a half, including the small museum with the finds from the site.
How do you get there from the centre of Sirmione?
On foot in about 15 minutes along the peninsula, or with the tourist train; cars must be left outside the old town.
Updated Saturday, September 5