Boat & Walking Tour of Sirmione on Lake Garda, Lake Garda

Enjoy a half-day walking and boat tour of Sirmione, a breathtaking medieval hamlet. A local guide will lead you along the cobblestone lanes and share interesting stories about the local culture of this peninsula town. Delve into the village’s history and step back in time by strolling through twisting passageways and perusing shops, locally known as botteghe. 

The tour starts with a scenic boat cruise around the peninsula, followed by a moderate walk to the medieval Scaligero Castle, built at the end of the 13th century by the Lords of Verona. At the impressive gateway to the old town of Sirmione, you'll pass under a little stone bridge and walk to the castle's square, Piazza Castello, next to Saint Anna Church. Visit the Church of Saint Maria Maggiore and admire its columned entrance, a Roman military stone originally manufactured to be part of the Gallica Road 2,000 years ago. Inside the church, you’ll view the Last Supper painting by the Veronese artist Brusasorci, which you can admire together with different altars and precious 18th century works of marble.

Continue slightly uphill toward the grand villas overlooking Sirmione. It was very common for wealthy families to construct their homes around the lakes, lured by the tranquility of the water and views of the mountains. Stop to admire the prestigious Villa Cortine and its 12 acres (5 hectares) of green space. From this point, you can enjoy the colors of the sea shifting from blue to emerald green and the Lido of Blondes (Blonde Beach). 

Before heading back, you’ll stop at the Grotte di Catullo. The cavern was once a large Roman mansion built for the poet Catullus. It’s the most important archeological area in the Lombardy region, with ruins and remains of an ancient and luxurious Roman villa on Lake Garda.

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