Sirmione is the most elegant and exclusive resort on Lake Garda, and an extremely picturesque and historic town. It is located on a peninsula that cuts deep into the lake's waters, at the end of which, within its medieval walls, there is a tangle of atmospheric streets and squares.
Sirmione's leisure traditions date back to ancient Rome. Even then, villas of the rich aristocracy were standing here, and the thermal baths exploited the local hot springs. Today, the most important monument of this period are the Catullo Caves, an extensive archaeological site located at the very tip of the peninsula. Roman paintings can be seen in the remains of the building. Another attraction of this place is the rocky beach Jamaica lying below the ruins with a beautiful view of Lake Garda.
In the Middle Ages, the area on the Garda was the subject of competition between Verona and Venice. Sirmione changed hands many times and was offered to representatives of the powerful families of both republics. The main attraction of Sirmione from this period is the Scaligero Castle, the construction of which began in 1277 on the site of ancient Roman fortifications. Today, there is a small museum within its walls. The castle walls are also a good viewpoint on the surrounding area.
In front of the castle there is a small church of St. Anna with preserved Renaissance frescoes. Further, towards the tip of the peninsula, there is an atmospheric old town with narrow streets, small squares and stone buildings.
When coming to Sirmione, you should not miss its recreational attractions. There are hotels and guesthouses along the entire peninsula, some of which have small private beaches. There are also public beaches with the possibility of renting leisure equipment. Many tourists are also attracted by the local thermal baths, the largest complex of which is the Aquaria Thermal Spa.
