Sirmione at a glance
Sirmione is a small town on a thin strip of land that runs into the southern part of Lake Garda. It belongs to Lombardy and lies about 14 kilometres from Peschiera del Garda and about 9 kilometres from Desenzano del Garda. You enter the old town across a bridge beside the Scaliger Castle, and the lanes beyond are closed to most cars.
Most visitors come for three things: the castle, the Roman ruins known as the Grottoes of Catullus, and a walk along the water. The prices and times below apply in October 2026.
Sirmione Castle (Rocca Scaligera)
The best-known building on the lake, standing in the water at the town entrance.
Opening hours
The castle is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 to 19:15 and closed on Mondays. The last entry is at 18:30. It is also closed on 1 January and 25 December.
Tickets
A full ticket costs €10. Citizens of the EU aged 18 to 25 pay €2. Booking ahead is optional, and you can pay by cash or card at the entrance. The ticket includes the keep, known in Italian as the mastio.
Good to know
Dogs are not allowed inside. Only the ground-level courtyards are accessible without steps. The castle address is Piazza Castello 34, right where the old town begins.
Our pick: Sirmione from the water
A short loop around the peninsula.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Boat trips and tours around Sirmione
Lake cruises, tastings and day trips that start at or near Sirmione, with live prices and availability.
Grottoes of Catullus and the Roman villa
At the very tip of the peninsula you find the ruins of a large Roman villa above the water, together with a small archaeological museum. The name Grottoes is a historical label. What you see are the remains of walls and arches on a headland, with views across the lake.
Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 to 19:30, Sunday from 10:00 to 19:30 and Monday from 9:00 to 13:00. The last entry is 40 minutes before closing, and the site is closed on 1 January and 25 December. Winter hours may be shorter, so confirm the times at the ticket office or by phone on +39 030 916157.
The entrance is at Piazzale Orti Manara 4, and the path is gravel with some slopes, which makes it hard going with a pushchair or wheelchair. Dogs may enter the outdoor area on a lead. Bring a card as well as cash. In summer a small paid electric train runs from Piazza Piatti to the entrance, and otherwise you walk from the old town.
Three sites, one ticket
The €20 combined ticket covers the castle, the Grottoes and the Roman villa in Desenzano. It is valid for seven days.
| Site | Adult ticket 2026 | Opening hours | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scaliger Castle, Sirmione | €10 | Tue to Sun 8:30 to 19:15 | Mondays |
| Grottoes of Catullus, Sirmione | €10 | Tue to Sat 8:30 to 19:30, Sun 10:00 to 19:30, Mon 9:00 to 13:00 | – |
| Roman villa, Desenzano | €6 | Tue to Sat 9:00 to 19:30, Sun 14:10 to 19:30 | Mondays |
| All three, combined | €20 | Valid for 7 days | – |
The castle and the Grottoes cost €20 when bought separately, so the combined ticket effectively adds the villa in Desenzano for free. The villa is a 15-minute walk from Desenzano station. Read more on the Desenzano del Garda page.
Getting to Sirmione and parking
Cars are restricted in the old town, so plan your arrival before you set off.
By car
Access to the old town is limited to registered number plates. On 31 pedestrian days in 2026, all vehicles were banned from 14:00 to 19:00. The summer rules ran until 13 October. For winter rules, ask the local police at ztl@sirmionebs.it or on 030 9909190.
Parking
The main car park is Piazzale Monte Baldo, which has a live space counter on the SirmioPark system. Hotel guests in the centre can use a private service called Grifo Parking in Piazzale Europa, with an electric shuttle for luggage. In summer a shuttle bus connects the car parks in Colombare with the castle.
By train and bus
Desenzano del Garda is the nearest main station, on the Milan to Venice line. A bus run by SIA (Arriva) goes from the station to Sirmione. From Verona, the Verona to Lake Garda guide explains the train and airport options.
By boat
Sirmione has a pier on the lake ferry network, and passenger boats run until 1 November 2026. A one-day ticket for the whole lake costs €39.50. Details are on the Lake Garda ferries page.
Beyond the castle
Isola del Garda, the island near Salò, can be reached by a guided boat transfer from Sirmione. The adult price from Sirmione is €46 including the boat, the guided visit, a welcome drink and an olive oil tasting. Visits run from April to the end of October, never on Saturdays or Mondays, and booking is compulsory.
Gardaland is only about 17 kilometres or 22 minutes by car from Sirmione, which makes it an easy second day trip. See the Gardaland guide for tickets and times.
Nearby bases are Peschiera and Desenzano, and the things to do guide lists more ideas around the lake.
Sirmione: frequently asked questions
How much does Sirmione Castle cost in 2026?
An adult ticket is €10 and the reduced ticket for EU citizens aged 18 to 25 is €2. The €20 combined ticket also covers the Grottoes of Catullus and the Roman villa in Desenzano for seven days.
Is Sirmione Castle open on Mondays?
No. The castle is closed on Mondays, but the Grottoes of Catullus are open on Monday mornings from 9:00 to 13:00.
Can I drive into Sirmione?
Only vehicles with a pre-registered number plate may enter the restricted zone. Most visitors park outside the old town and walk. Piazzale Monte Baldo is the main car park.
How long should I spend in Sirmione?
Half a day covers the castle and the old town. Add the Grottoes of Catullus and a lakeside walk and it becomes a full day.
Is the Grottoes of Catullus site suitable for wheelchairs?
Access is limited because of gravel paths and slopes. The castle is only partly accessible, with level access to the ground-floor courtyards.
Can I reach Sirmione without a car?
Yes. Take a train to Desenzano del Garda and continue by bus, or arrive by ferry. Sirmione is also linked to Peschiera and Riva by passenger boat until 1 November 2026.