Sirmione, Commune in Lombardy, Italy
Sirmione occupies the southern tip of Lake Garda and stretches along a narrow peninsula that reaches roughly 4 kilometers into the water. The old town sits behind a fortress wall, and narrow lanes run from the castle entrance to the tip of the promontory.
People lived on this peninsula in Roman times, and in later centuries a fortress was built to defend against intruders from the lake. In the Middle Ages the Scaligeri family expanded the castle and secured the entire southern approach.
The name appears in Roman sources and reflects the long settlement of this narrow strip of land. Today warm springs draw visitors to lakeside hotels and spas, where they can use water rich in sulfur for wellness treatments.
The town sits roughly half an hour by bus from Desenzano del Garda station, and connections run regularly to the entrance of the old town. In summer the approach can become very crowded, so an early morning visit is worth considering.
Three hot springs emerge from the lakebed beneath the surface, delivering water above 69 degrees Celsius (156 degrees Fahrenheit). These springs have been in use since ancient times, and visitors can experience the warm water in bathing facilities along the shore.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
