Sirmione and the Sirmione Thermal Baths

With its rather quirky and fascinating location, Sirmione is defined as the pearl of Lake Garda, and it's definitely pointless to insist or try to convince travelers otherwise. It is situated at the tip of the peninsula that extends 4 km into the waters of Benaco (another name for Lake Garda) in this extraordinary position.

When the peninsula of Sirmione narrows so much that it almost takes the shape of a finger, you are forced to leave your car and continue on foot. From this point on, the beauty of the completely pedestrian historic center unfolds before your eyes, the old fishing village with romantic and evocative glimpses, the Catullus Caves, Scaliger Castle, the churches of S. Maria Maggiore, and the small church of S. Anna. And then, of course, there are the thermal baths that attract thousands of people in search of wellness and relaxation, even if just for a few hours.

Sirmione has been inhabited since prehistoric times not only for the beauty of its landscape but also for its strategic location. The history of this peninsula begins in the second millennium B.C., during the Bronze Age. Remains of palafitte villages from this era have been found, which were abandoned around 1200 when the peninsula became a favored retreat for the wealthy Veronese families. The Roman era is certainly marked by the villa known as "Catullus Caves." In the late Empire and the early Middle Ages, Sirmione became an important strategic center, a role it maintained until the time of the Lombards when it became the most important center of the Fines sermionenses. With Charlemagne, it lost its autonomy, and in 1197 the peninsula passed to the Commune of Verona.

In the 13th century, Sirmione became one of the points in the Scaliger fortification system with the construction of the Castle; this role of control and defense continued until the 16th century, when it was replaced by Peschiera as the fortified center of the lower lake. The castle will remain a military garrison until the mid-19th century. After the Scaligers, in 1405 Sirmione voluntarily surrendered to Venice.

The Scaliger Castle in Sirmione dates back to around 1250 and is one of the best-preserved castles in Italy. Today, it is in perfect condition and fully accessible: two crenellated towers dominate the lake and the still-functioning dock that houses a Roman lapidarium. The castle of Sirmione is a striking fortress facing directly onto the lake, which is accessed via a drawbridge over the waters. The 146 steps lead to the battlements and allow you to admire the whole surrounding area. The castle entrance is also the only way to access the historic center of Sirmione: you can touch the history of this center and one of the few lake fortifications in Italy.

Built by Mastino I Della Scala, the Castle of Sirmione is also linked to many legends, including that of Ebengardo and his beloved Arice. According to legend, one night at the castle a knight sought hospitality: dazzled by Arice's beauty, he sneaked into her chamber. Arice, shocked, rejected him, and he stabbed her. Ebengardo, in turn, killed the rival, and since then, on stormy nights, the spirit wanders the castle searching for his beloved.

Opening Hours and Ticket Price

Tuesday to Saturday 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM Sunday 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM Ticket Price: Full: € 5.00. Reduced: € 2.50

Perched on a hill with breathtaking views of the lake, the Catullus Caves are a must-visit for anyone exploring Sirmione.

"The Caves," as this Roman Domus was called before the excavations in the 1400s, are actually well-preserved remains of a Roman villa built in the 1st century A.D., now considered the most important example of Roman Villa in Northern Italy.

The reference to the Veronese poet Catullus dates back to the 1400s, but in reality, there are no certain references: the villa was built after his death. The complex, just as more than a thousand years ago, dominates a peninsula in Lake Garda and extends for about 2 hectares: the original structure had three floors and long panoramic terraces that overlooked two sides of the lake.

There was an efficient thermal department, testament to Sirmione as an outstanding thermal destination known even in Roman times, and an underground cistern for collecting water. Today the villa is open to the public and features a large olive grove and a museum. Thanks to an intervention for recovery, the 1,500 olive trees of the villa today produce a fine oil, while the museum holds a series of archaeological finds discovered here and in other Roman villas around Lake Garda, along with detailed documentation of the history of the lake and its peoples from Prehistory to the Middle Ages.

Beyond attractions like the Thermal Baths, Scaliger Castle, and the Catullus Caves, the most beautiful thing to do in Sirmione is simply to stroll; whether wandering through the historic center getting lost among the alleys, views, and shops, or taking the lakeside promenade. This route allows you to leave behind the crowd of tourists that fill the historic center at any time of year and enjoy the scenery.

The walk leads to the Catullus Caves which are located atop a hill and can be reached either on foot, enjoying a walk of about 20 minutes, or you can hop on a tourist train that takes you up to the entrance of the villa for just 2 euros.

A water temperature consistently between 34 and 36 degrees divided among indoor and outdoor pools with lake views, hot tubs, sun loungers, saunas, steam rooms, and sensory showers: the Sirmione Thermal Baths are a true paradise for the body and spirit. The sulfurous thermal water of Sirmione has been appreciated for centuries, as it is rich in minerals beneficial for the skin and the body. Before arriving at the spas, the water of Sirmione makes a journey that lasts about 20 years. From when it rises in the Basin of Mount Baldo at 800 meters above sea level to when it descends up to 2,100 meters below sea level where it enriches with minerals and reaches a temperature of up to 69°. Once it arrives at the thermal baths, the temperature is adjusted for therapeutic and wellness purposes. Although made up of several complexes, the best way to enjoy the thermal baths is Aquaria, as we will discuss in the next paragraph.

Stepping into this paradise means "Forget the stress and take care of yourself". Here the sky blends with the lake, the lake blends with the water, a continuous play of lights and colors from dawn to dusk and from dusk to evening when the sun gently makes way. Everything mixes: the colors, the vapors, the sound of water, and the evening's tranquility; thus the thermal baths become a magical place, and immersing yourself in these waters will become a true "sensory journey" hard to forget. Aquaria Spa is nestled in a tranquil park overlooking the lake, where the absolute protagonist is water, the element essential to all treatments. Over 10,000 square meters of wellness by the lake with pools, hot tubs, aromatic sauna rooms, indoor saunas, an outdoor Finnish sauna with a lake view. Don't miss the multisensory relaxation areas including the Salt Room, the Music Room, and the Starry Sky Room. There are numerous treatments, massages, and rituals available, either individual or for couples for special occasions and moments. Therefore, you cannot leave Sirmione without spending a day in this wellness paradise, a unique place to regain your balance.

Visiting Information for Aquaria Spa

Opening Hours: 9 AM - 10 PM: Sunday - Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday 11 AM - 12 AM: Thursday 9 AM - 12 AM: Friday - Saturday *July - August | Every day 9 AM - 12 AM

Ticket Prices There are various options for admission.

All Day: € 79 Entry to the Thermal Baths & Sauna valid all day. Includes 1 meal of your choice with a soft drink, 1 body cream of your choice, 1 smartphone holder, 1 package of Sirmione Water, access to the gym, and a welcome kit. Subject to availability, excluding holidays and vacation periods.

Day Lux: € 43.00 Entry to the Thermal Baths & Sauna for 5 hours. Includes access to the gym and welcome kit. Valid every day, excluding the evening of December 31.

5-Hour Weekday: € 39 Entry to the Thermal Baths & Sauna for 5 hours. Includes access to the gym and welcome kit. Valid from Monday to Friday, excluding holidays and vacation periods. € 39.00 ** Short: € 15** Entry to the Thermal Baths & Sauna valid for 90 minutes. Valid from Monday to Friday, excluding holidays and vacation periods.

If you are looking for an unusual perspective to discover the beauty of Sirmione, a boat ride to admire it from the water is a must. There are various navigation services that allow you to try the experience of a "cruise". Whether by motorboat, boat, or ferry, there is something for everyone, and it is certainly one of the ten things not to miss in Sirmione to enjoy breathtaking views or the allure of a sunset. Typically, you depart from the boarding point at the port of Scaliger Castle, continue along the coast to view the Villa of Maria Callas, the summer residence of the famous singer, then arrive at the Thermal Baths and finally to the Catullus Caves, the first residence of the Latin poet. Prices starting at € 50.