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Sirmione is one of the easiest trips to organise during a holiday in Peschiera del Garda. You can get there by boat, by bus or by car, and in half a day children get to see a real castle surrounded by water, the ruins of a Roman villa above the lake and a beach with turquoise water. Here is how to travel, what to see and what time to set off to avoid the hottest and busiest hours.
There are three ways to reach Sirmione from Peschiera, each with its own advantages depending on the age of your children and how much you are carrying with you.
Scaliger Castle is the only way into the old town of Sirmione: surrounded by water on every side, it is crossed over what was once a drawbridge. For children it is almost always the most exciting part of the visit. You can walk along the patrol walkways and, for anyone who feels up to it, climb the main tower up a staircase of more than a hundred steps: hard work, but rewarded by a complete view over the town and the lake.
The castle is open every day except Monday (check the current seasonal opening hours on the website of the Direzione Regionale Musei Lombardia), and entry is free for under-18s. A relaxed visit takes about three quarters of an hour, or an hour if you also go up to the top of the tower.
From the old town, the Grotte di Catullo are about a quarter of an hour away on foot, crossing the whole peninsula along its one main street. The site preserves the remains of a large Roman villa overlooking the lake, surrounded by an ancient olive grove. For older children it can be a good way to see the Roman history they study at school first-hand, while younger ones will mostly enjoy the view and the space to run among the olive trees.
The site is closed on Tuesdays, while on the other days it stays open for most of the day, with hours that vary between summer and winter. It is an almost entirely open area with very little shade, so in the hottest months it is better to bring hats, sun cream and plenty of water for the children. In summer there is also a small tourist train linking the centre with the archaeological site, handy if you would rather save the walk.
Right next to the Grotte di Catullo is Jamaica Beach, one of the best-known beaches in Sirmione thanks to the colour of the water, whose Caribbean tones gave it its name. Access to the beach is free, while sunbeds can be hired. It is the ideal place to end the visit with a swim before heading back to Peschiera.
Getting to Sirmione from Peschiera del Garda with children
There are three ways to reach Sirmione from Peschiera, each with its own advantages depending on the age of your children and how much you are carrying with you.
- By boat: the public service run by Navigazione Laghi connects Peschiera and Sirmione with regular sailings, and departures are more frequent in summer than in low season. The crossing usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on how many intermediate stops are included, and it is probably the most enjoyable option for children, who can stay out on deck and watch the lake go by. Timetables change several times during the year, so it is always worth checking the current one on the official website before you set off.
- By bus: a direct line connects Peschiera and Sirmione in about ten minutes, with departures roughly every hour. It is a practical solution if you are travelling without a car, although it is worth checking the arrival and departure stops in advance.
- By car: the distance is just over ten kilometres, which takes around twenty minutes. In summer it is best to leave the car in the car parks near Colombare, at the entrance to the peninsula, because traffic is restricted in the old town of Sirmione and the spaces closest to the castle fill up quickly at weekends.
Scaliger Castle, the first stop that wins children over
Scaliger Castle is the only way into the old town of Sirmione: surrounded by water on every side, it is crossed over what was once a drawbridge. For children it is almost always the most exciting part of the visit. You can walk along the patrol walkways and, for anyone who feels up to it, climb the main tower up a staircase of more than a hundred steps: hard work, but rewarded by a complete view over the town and the lake.
The castle is open every day except Monday (check the current seasonal opening hours on the website of the Direzione Regionale Musei Lombardia), and entry is free for under-18s. A relaxed visit takes about three quarters of an hour, or an hour if you also go up to the top of the tower.
The Grotte di Catullo, Roman ruins among centuries-old olive trees
From the old town, the Grotte di Catullo are about a quarter of an hour away on foot, crossing the whole peninsula along its one main street. The site preserves the remains of a large Roman villa overlooking the lake, surrounded by an ancient olive grove. For older children it can be a good way to see the Roman history they study at school first-hand, while younger ones will mostly enjoy the view and the space to run among the olive trees.
The site is closed on Tuesdays, while on the other days it stays open for most of the day, with hours that vary between summer and winter. It is an almost entirely open area with very little shade, so in the hottest months it is better to bring hats, sun cream and plenty of water for the children. In summer there is also a small tourist train linking the centre with the archaeological site, handy if you would rather save the walk.
Jamaica Beach, the break children are waiting for
Right next to the Grotte di Catullo is Jamaica Beach, one of the best-known beaches in Sirmione thanks to the colour of the water, whose Caribbean tones gave it its name. Access to the beach is free, while sunbeds can be hired. It is the ideal place to end the visit with a swim before heading back to Peschiera.
A half-day itinerary and practical information
For families setting off from Peschiera, a typical half day can be organised like this:- Morning arrival in Sirmione by boat, bus or car
- Visit to Scaliger Castle
- A walk through the old town towards the Grotte di Catullo
- The Grotte di Catullo and the olive grove
- A break at Jamaica Beach, with a packed lunch or a meal in one of the places by the lake
- Return to Peschiera in the afternoon
When to go to avoid the crowds and the heat
In July and August, Sirmione can get very busy in the middle of the day. Arriving early in the morning or in the late afternoon means enjoying the castle and the Grotte di Catullo with fewer people around and temperatures that are easier on children. If you are staying in the area for several days, you can also give Sirmione a cooler afternoon, perhaps pairing it with another half-day trip. Sirmione goes well with other lake experiences within easy reach of Peschiera, such as a mini cruise or a day at one of the family-friendly beaches closer to the village, so that days out alternate with quieter ones. Getting back to Peschiera del Garda in the late afternoon still leaves time for a few relaxed hours before dinner: families staying at Del Garda Village & Camping can fit in several outings like this one and balance them with days spent entirely on site. Take a look at the accommodation available for your family holiday in Peschiera del Garda.