Sirmione ☀ Sirmione, hotels, photo, map, reviews, how to get there. City in Italy. One day on Lake Garda (Italy). The picturesque resort towns of Desenzano and Sirmione. Which area of ​​Sirmione to choose for holidays

Sirmione is the most famous resort on Lake Garda. This is a small town located on a long and elongated peninsula in the south of the lake. Here stands a beautiful ancient fortress Scaligers, there are the grottoes of Catullus - ancient Roman ruins and a magnificent spa hotel.

Tourists come here for a relaxing holiday in spa resorts. And they've been going for quite some time. These thermal springs have been in demand since the times of Ancient Rome, back in the 1st century BC.

The entrance to the old part of the city is located at the walls of the Scaliger castle - you can get there only through a 4-meter a stone bridge(previously, a wooden folding bridge was located at the same place, which was lowered and raised by order of the owners of the castle in order to let the welcome guests through and stop the unwanted ones). By the way, traveling by car is not prohibited here, and when they still try to drive through the crowd of tourists, they have to squeeze into the walls of the bridge, because there is simply no other way to get to the territory of ancient Sirmione. And why are they not allowed to enter here? Wealthy tourists could be brought up to 5 * hotels on golf carts chtoli. We were there at the end of April (the very beginning of the season), and yet we had to really knock on this bridge. What's going on here at the height of the season, I'm afraid to even imagine)

Entering the gates of Sirmione, you immediately find yourself in a fairy tale: the Scaliger fortress rises to the right, and ahead - ancient city, the streets of which will lead you to the ancient Roman excavations - the grottoes of Catullus. And at the entrance to Old city there is such a nice tent with giant lemons.

How to get to Sirmione

Pretty expensive, right? That's why I draw the attention of all budget travelers that on the right tip of the peninsula, about 20 minutes walk from the castle, there is a completely free source where you can swim. True, it is rather difficult to call it swimming - it is quite shallow there, and there are a lot of people there. But if you are not ready to spend money on thermal baths, but still want to plunge, then take a walk here.

Grottoes of Catullus

The Grottoes of Catullus are the remains of one of the largest Roman villas in Northern Italy. It's funny, the name "Grottos of Catullus" is completely untrue: these ruins are not a grotto, but the remains of a luxurious villa at the very end of the Sirmione peninsula, and they are not directly related to the famous poet. Catullus never lived in this villa, although his family had an estate nearby. This is confirmed by the fact that the villa was built around 150 AD, when Gaius Valerius Catullus lived from about 87 to 54 years. BC. The official website of the Grottoes says that the mention of Catullus in the name of the place is associated with his works and the beauty of the villa, calling these places the most precious among all the islands of the seas and lakes.

Today, the excavation complex consists of two attractions: a museum (Il Museo archeologico di Sirmione) and a villa (La villa romana). The museum presents some of the archaeological treasures found in this villa: fragments of frescoes and mosaics, jewelry, coins and other household items of the ancient Romans.

Villa surrounded by olive groves total area about two hectares. During a walk, tourists discover not only beauty ancient building but also an extraordinary view of the lake.

Cost of visiting— 6 euros

Schedule:

• on weekdays from 8:30 to 19:30 (except for the archeological excavation area in winter, then you can walk around the villa until 17:00);
• on Sundays and holidays in winter - 8:30-14:00;
• on Sundays and holidays in the summer - 9:30-18:30.
• Attention! Entrance possible 30 minutes before closing.
• On Mondays, the Grottoes are closed, as well as on January 1, May 1 and December 25.

And the last! There is a note on the website of the Grottoes: due to lack of staff, the museum may be closed without prior notice and without any refund of the cost of the entrance ticket!

For additional and up-to-date information, please visit the official website - www.grottedicatullo.beniculturali.it. By the way, you need to study the site on Italian- the English version is extremely scarce and has only a work schedule and a small two-sentence information note.

And in conclusion, I want to say that Sirmione - perfect place for basing during a holiday on Lake Garda. From here it is quite easy to get to the western and east coast lakes to see other cities. And here, unlike all other cities on Lake Garda, Russian speakers meet every 5 minutes, which also speaks of the popularity of Sirmione among our tourists.

So I got to one of the most vivid impressions from the October trip to Italy - Lake Garda.
The largest lake in Italy, located at the foot of the Alps and is a favorite vacation spot for Italians. How can I understand them!

Despite the fact that the trip was in the second half of October, I fully felt the resort mood and had a great time.

The next day, after walking around and seeing almost all of its sights, I went to the railway station. I bought it for the train in advance, it remains only to find my way at the station and not miss the train.

How to get to Lake Garda from Verona?

Lake Garda can be reached by train, bus, car or guided tour. The distance from Verona is only 44 km.

By train you will only reach two resort towns: Desenzano del Garda and Peschiera del Garda. Travel time is 20-30 minutes. A ticket to Desenzano costs from 4.25 euros.

bus route runs along east coast lakes. Of course, the trip will be more scenic, but it will take longer. The bus stops at Peschiera, then goes to Lazice, Garda, Malcesine, until Riva del Garda. I didn’t deal with buses, but I know that two routes No. 162 and 163 follow the east coast. from travel distance.

Taxi ride, from Verona to Sirmione, will cost about 5500 rubles (depending on the current exchange rate). .

excursion tour from Verona this is one of the most comfortable options to see Garda. It's also cheaper than a taxi ride. Prices range from 4000 to 5000 rubles. Includes bus and boat rides. When choosing a tour, pay attention to the duration and language of communication. Most likely a guide will be offered on English language. But if we consider this trip as a transfer and an opportunity to practice English, then why not?))

While planning a trip, I was overtaken by the pangs of choice. On the one hand, I really wanted to see the town of Sirmione on the peninsula (it was painfully good in the photographs), on the other hand, I was attracted by the more northern Malcesine. The Alps are already starting in the vicinity of the city. You can climb to the top of the mountain by funicular and be stunned by the beauty that opens from a bird's eye view.

In the end, due to time constraints, I still chose Sirmione. It would take me about three hours to get to Malcesine by bus.

Walk through Desenzano del Garda

First I went to the embankment. The first thing that caught my eye was a large number of yachts. The masts swayed slightly in the wind and made a melodic ringing.

The town seemed quiet and deserted to me. Perhaps Desenzano has not woken up yet, or maybe tourist season ended and the city began to live its calm, measured life.

I walked a little along the embankment, watched the local old men and ducks. The old men were vigorously discussing something, and the ducks seemed to be just enjoying life.

A slender forest of masts blocked the view of the lake and I really wanted to walk along the pier past the lighthouse and look at the lake. Guard without additional elements.

In the background of the photo you can already see the foothills of the Alps. However, the photo cannot convey all the beauty. Alas.

My main goal today is the town of Sirmione on the peninsula. The most interesting way to get to it is by water. From the reviews, I knew that in the summer, transport runs along the water surface of Garda quite regularly. But in autumn…..

For about half an hour, I pored over the schedule of boats and dealt with prices. And I was also embarrassed by the fact that there was not a soul on the pier. It turned out that the next flight would be only an hour later. What to spend an hour on? Stay in a cozy cafe and drink a cup of aromatic coffee with croissants or climb the mountain to the castle and take in the surroundings? Well, I think you guessed it)

I didn’t waste time looking at the castle itself, but I wandered around. Like all similar buildings of the late Middle Ages, Desenzano Castle looks very severe. High walls with battlements, towers, thick walls. His function was the most simple - to protect local population. There was no beauty to speak of.

But from the terrace in front of the castle offers a magnificent view of the city, lake and mountains.

How to get to Sirmione from Desenzano?

At the Desenzano pier there is a timetable for the movement of boats and a tariff scale. The ticket price will depend on the distance. The figure shows the cities on the lake. Garda, which can be reached by water.

This is the timetable for water transport. Unfortunately, the bright sun did not leave me a chance to take a decent photo, but the general meaning is clear. The graph shows the time of departure from Desenzano and the time of arrival at the end point. The graph below reflects the reverse event.

And this is the tariff scale, according to which you can navigate the cost of travel. Due to the glare in the photo, the fare on the Desenzano - Sirmione route is not visible. In fact, fare "2", the ticket price is 4 euros. But you can ride to Malcisine for 10.90 euros.

upd. 15.02.2018

Thanks to Svetlana (see comments) we have a fresh boat schedule in a readable form.

When buying a ticket at the box office, they clarified with me - I will go one way or I will also return by boat. The fact is that a round-trip trip will cost less - 6 euros. I chose one way only.

Well, goodbye, quiet Desenzano. The city left me with a slight taste of understatement. I didn't have time to try it.

To Sirmione, travel time is 20-30 minutes. At first I sat on upper deck and caught warm, sunny rays. But on open water rose strong wind and had to go down.
As you can see, there are not many people.

Pier in Sirmione

As soon as the boat began to approach the peninsula and I saw the powerful towers of the Scaliger castle, I realized that it was " the same place". You know, sometimes you get that feeling... it seems to be the first time you are in a city, a cafe, on the embankment, but no matter where, you immediately understand that this is 100% mine.

Ducks and swans "graze" right next to the pier.

Small area in front of the pier. The weather is just wonderful. Sunny, warm...

Meanwhile, in the "village of Gadyukino" ...... minus 13 and snow showers. I don't even believe it.

Walk around Sirmione. Lots of photos and very little text.

Back in the days of the Roman Republic, there was a resort in Sirmione. Many famous families maintained their own villas on the peninsula. What is interesting about Sirmione? In addition to a good location, beaches and a wonderful climate, the town has a picturesque Scaliger fortress with access to the lake, the ancient ruins of the Grottoes of Catullus and thermal springs. In my opinion, it is quite enough to devote enough time to the resort town.

First of all, I went to the impregnable military citadel - the castle of Sirmione or the castle of the Scaligers. Yes Yes. It was built by the very Scaligers who ruled Verona.

Before going inside, let's go around it on the left. A narrow path leads to the lake. And why do I want to call it permanent sea?

The moats around the castle seem to separate it from the mainland and divide the peninsula into two parts.

Swans clean their feathers right on the shore. Cute picture.

The walls of the fortress come close to the water. I will explain the reasons for such an interesting design a little later.

The entrance ticket costs 4 euros. Inside there is a small exposition of various ancient antiquities, but I was more interested in beautiful views.
In the photo you can see the drawbridge that connects the citadel to the mainland.

It is from here that pleasure boats depart on Lake Garda. The water excursion is short, only 25 minutes, but the views from the water are gorgeous!

And here is the explanation of the architectural solution. The castle has its own harbor, which is perfectly visible from the tower.

Photos from the highest point of the tower. Before us is the continuation of the peninsula. Somewhere out there, behind the greenery, hides the most extreme point Sirmione - Grottoes of Catullus.

And this is a long part of the peninsula, adjacent to the mainland. The sun treacherously peers into the camera lens.

Nice picture with a quiet harbor for yachts and boats.

One more look at the lake….. and it's time to move on. And you don't want to. From above you can see all the surroundings and, believe me, there is something to see there.

In order to show all the power and beauty of the Scaliger castle, I am attaching a photo from the Internet, from a bird's eye view.
Great view, isn't it?

From the main gate of the castle, my path lies to the very greenery that I saw from the tower. On the map, this place is marked as the grottoes of Catullus. I have no idea what it is, but it's very interesting. Fantasy suggests that these are some kind of grottoes, caves and other natural beauties.

Along the way, the eye now and then catches some interesting details. The camera works to the fullest.

Absolutely crazy gift shop. What is not here. It's impossible to break away.

I completely forgot where I was going. Strikingly lush flowering in October.

Plaque on the wall of the house. I wonder what it means?

Baths CATULLO in Sirmione

Sirmione is home to the most famous baths on Lake Garda. You need to allocate a whole day or at least half a day to visit them. My busy itinerary did not involve thermal procedures at all.
She ticked the “need to return” checkbox in her endless virtual notebook.

I entered the complex with idle interest. The cost of visiting seemed very high to me. However, all the information is on the website - http://www.termedisirmione.com.

Of course, these are not the only baths on the lake. If you set a goal, then you need to plan the route in such a way as to have time to swim and relax.

Grottoes of Catullus

From the main entrance to the baths, Catullus can be reached by electric car for 1 euro. I only found out about this opportunity when I came back.

Despite the fact that by this time I had managed to decently get tired and “beat off” my legs, I don’t regret the missed opportunity at all. And now I'll tell you why.

During the walk to the grotto of Catullus, I decided to deviate from the route and go down to the lake, or rather to the beach. How nice it must be in summer.

A wooden pier is generally some kind of infinity in its purest form. A magical photo, one of my favorites. I unceremoniously sat down on the pier and decided to rest a bit. My privacy was disturbed only by pleasure boats, which occasionally passed by.

IN the purest water bunch of small fish.

As it turned out, the grottoes of Catullus are not at all natural caves, A huge complex archaeological excavations. Oh yeah! I love places like this. Apparently, unfulfilled childhood dreams of becoming an archaeologist make themselves felt.

That's how powerful this miracle looks.

The entrance ticket costs 6 euros. In addition to visiting the excavations themselves, you can visit the museum.

Many sources use a different name - the Villa of Catullus. Strictly speaking, it was not a villa at all, but a huge sanatorium for the Roman nobility.

Let's take a walk through the ancient ruins that remember the times before our era.
A wonderful wall made of flat stones.

Now it is no longer clear what it was ... .. A window overlooking Lake Garda or access to the terrace.

Remains of the arch.

Jerusalem (in the Garden of Gethsemane) grow olive trees that are about 2000 years old. At least that's what the legend says.

It was under this olive that I was knocked down. 🙂 I was so tired that I decided to take off my shoes and lie down on a bench. Apparently I was so pissed off in the sun that I took it and dozed off.

I slept for only a few minutes, but I felt much better. The most interesting thing is that I didn’t give a damn about decency and what the tourists walking in the olive garden thought. In general, I noticed that when I travel, I seem to change a little, I become a different person. Especially if I'm traveling alone. Not an indecent person, but something simpler ... without stupid conventions.

And once again, I took the liberty of taking a photo from the Internet to show the beauty of the peninsula and the scale of the ancient Roman ruins from a bird's eye view.

At the end of the walk, I either had lunch or dinner of lasagna in a small cafe on the lake. I don’t know why, but in Italy it is customary to serve chips with a glass of wine. Strange.

I returned to Verona by bus number 26. The stop is located right on the square behind the Scaliger castle. There is also a timetable. Tickets are purchased at the kiosk next to the bus stop.

I really enjoyed the day spent on Lake Garda. I was driving back, though rather tired, but in a great mood and on the rise. The idea firmly stuck in my head to drive a car along the lake with a stop at all the coastal cities. After all, each resort town has its own character and unique spirit.

Finally, I am publishing a couple of selfies from Sirmione, so that readers do not think that I was spying photos on the Internet and inventing a walk around the city. These are my attempts while waiting for the bus)).

Worried about getting lost? Agree on individual excursion from Milan to Sirmione. I think that a local resident will tell you much more about this wonderful place.

Remaining questions about independent trip? I will be glad to answer them in the comments.

Sirmione is a small resort town located on the shores of Lake Garda. If you look at the map of Italy, you can see that Sirmione is located in the north of Italy.

Sirmione on the map of Italy

The city gained wide popularity among tourists due to the presence of unique thermal (hot) springs in it.

Also attracts travelers beautiful beach on the shores of Lake Garda. And lovers of unique medieval buildings come here to admire beautiful fortress built in the 13th century.

The city has become a popular holiday destination since the time of the Roman Empire. It was at that time that the wealthy and wealthy residents of Verona were actively buying a small Villa and several acres of land in Sirmione in order to relax with their children and friends.

Main Attractions

The main tourist attractions of Sirmione are:

Thermae

I would like to pay special attention to another "highlight" of the city of Sirmione - the baths. There are many different health-improving establishments with medicinal waters in the city. All of them use natural thermal water enriched with mineral salts, sulfur, bromine and iodine.

According to the reviews of people who have visited the thermal springs of Sirmione, the most suitable for the treatment of rhinitis, various gynecological and respiratory diseases are the sulfurous waters of the Boiola spring.

It should be noted that the treatment centers in this small town located both separately and at hotels.
In addition to treatment, those who come to rest at the Baths di Sirmione are invited to attend various weight loss courses, health improvement, rejuvenation programs, as well as special programs for cleansing and restoring the body. The most popular wellness center in Sirmione is Aquaria.

All Sirmione baths use natural thermal water enriched with sulphur, bromine and iodine

Beaches

Those who like to bask in the sun, sunbathe, can have a great time on the beaches of Sirmione.

The beaches here are pebble-sand, lime and vegetable.

The seating areas are well equipped. There are paid and free beaches.

Weather

The resort is located in the subtropical climate zone. It is characterized by a large amount of precipitation throughout the year.

The weather in Sirmione is moderately warm.

The average air temperature in the coldest month of the year, February, is +3°C, and in the warmest month, July, +26°C. Despite the weather conditions, every tourist can come for thermal water treatment at any time of the year.

How to get to Sirmione

The resort of Sirmione is located at a distance of 44 kilometers from the city of Verona.
On the route Verona - Sirmione runs bus.
You can also get from Verona to Sirmione by car or train. Closest to resort railway station is located 10 kilometers. Trains arrive from Milan, Brescia, Verona and Venice. From the railway station to the city itself can be reached by car or bus.

You can move around the city on foot or on a small tourist train, which will take any person from the Scaliger fortress to the thermal waters. The fare on this train is 1.5 euros.

Where to stay for vacation

Throughout Sirmione there are a large number of hotels with different pricing policies. Clean, tidy and beautiful rooms will not leave a bad impression.
The most popular and prestigious in the city is Grand Hotel Terme. This is a great 5 star hotel in the city center.

5-star hotel located in the historic center of Sirmione, provides open pool, spa and sun terrace

It is a 10 minute walk from most of the city's attractions. There is a lake not far from the hotel. The rooms are clean and beautiful with every possible comfort.

Also popular among tourists are hotels:

• "Hotel Continental";
• "Hotel Sirmione";
• "Hotel Eden" and others.

Cuisine and restaurants

Sirmione has many different restaurants where you can experience Italian cuisine.

Anyone can order Neapolitan pizza, marinated fish, seafood, salads and other dishes.

The following restaurants are especially popular among tourists:

• La Speranzina;
• Il Porticciolo;
• Caruso and others.

You can take a virtual walk around the city of Sirmione by watching the video:

Sirmione is an excellent Italian resort town where you can enjoy the wonderful nature, touch the monuments of medieval Italy and have a good rest on the thermal waters and improve your health.

Sirmione is a bright and unusual resort town of Lake Garda, famous for its picturesqueness, an abundance of upscale hotels, a healing thermal spring and a variety of attractions. We have already talked about hotels and thermal baths in previous articles, it was decided to devote today's material to the sights of the popular medical resort Italian lake-giant.

Sirmione (Italy): resort attractions

1. Castello Scaligero. Perhaps the most famous and recognizable landmark of Sirmione is the Scaliger Castle (Rocca Scaliger, Castello Scaligero). This object is a powerful fortress, which is surrounded by the waters of Garda. Castello was built as one of the parts defensive structures designed to protect Verona from invading troops from Milan. The Scaliger Castle was erected for almost 50 years: from the second half of the 12th century to the beginning of the 13th century. Then the majestic building became the property of the Venetian Republic. The doges used it to control the inhabitants of Sirmione and the surrounding communes. Some time later, another fortress was erected in the neighboring village of Peschiera, because of which Rocca Scaliger was unfairly forgotten and converted into a warehouse. New life attractions began at the beginning of the 20th century, when the castle became the property of the state. The fortress can only be entered by suspension bridge. Castello has preserved in its original form the courtyard, two crenellated towers, three guard towers at the corners of the fortress, and two entrances. The internal interiors of the castle have undergone a lot of changes - their original appearance could not be preserved. Today this place allows you to feel the greatness of Italy's past, visit a fascinating museum natural history and enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Garda and its surroundings.
2. The harbor of Castello Scaligero. A very remarkable part of the Scaliger castle is its harbor. It was built in the 13th century and served as a defensive structure for the fleet of the Skala family (owners of the fortress). The harbor consisted of battlements rising from the surface of the water, and three massive observation towers, in which prisoners were often kept. Today, the described landmark has been preserved in excellent condition. It can be admired from the adjacent suspension bridge.
3. Grotto of Catullus. The most famous ancient landmark of Sirmione is the so-called Grotto of Catullus. It is located on the very edge of the resort peninsula. The name of this object actually has nothing to do with reality. The grotto of Catullus is not a grotto at all, in addition, the famous ancient Roman poet Catullus did not live here (in the so-called grotto). The real picture of events is as follows: the ancient landmark is the ruins of an ancient villa, which was built during the reign of the Roman Empire. The romantic name "grotto" is associated with the fallen walls of this villa, and its link to Catullus suggests that the great poet once had a "country plot" in Sirmione. The ancient Villa Romana is a building dating back to 150 AD. (by the way, Catullus died almost 100 years earlier, in 54 AD). ancient building It was built in the shape of a rectangle, had 3 floors and occupied an area equal to 2 hectares. Many historians believe that such a luxurious estate belonged to a noble family of patricians. In the past, the object contained baths, 2 large halls, a stable, a covered gallery, a front hall decorated with 60 columns, etc. In ours, next to the grotto of Catullus, there is a small museum. Also, everyone can see the ruins themselves, walk among the ruins and study ancient archaeological finds (frescoes, coins, carved ornaments, jewelry and various jewelry, stucco, etc.). In addition, not far from the described attraction is the Lido delle Bonde beach, on the territory of which you can have a great rest and “starve a worm” at any time. outdoor cafe or a restaurant.
4. Church of San Pietro in Mavino. This Historical building located on Manara Square in Sirmione. Garda and its environs are literally strewn with ancient churches, but this object is considered one of the most ancient in the entire water area. The Church of San Pietro in Mavino was erected by the Longobards (first century AD). In the XIV century the building was rebuilt and changed. The bell tower of the religious institution was built in 1070, and the frescoes located inside the church were created during the 12th-16th centuries. In 1320 the church underwent the first reconstruction. Later, at the beginning of the 19th century, the attraction got a new roof. According to some sources, the name of the church means " high place with vineyards. Inside the building there is only one nave in the shape of an irregular rectangle. Also here you can see the central apse, which contains two more small apses. Near the church is the grotto of Catullus described above.
5. Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Initially, on the site of the current landmark, there was a Longobard basilica, called San Martino in Castro. Today this object is located in the very center of Sirmione. The church of Santa Maria Maggiore was built in the 15th century in the late Gothic style. The attraction is a temple with one nave, which is divided by three arcades. Main entrance equipped with a covered gallery, consisting of 5 arches. In the past, this detail was part of the local cemetery. Inside the church there are 5 altars, an elegant apse, wooden choirs, etc. It is decorated with terracotta figurines, impressive frescoes and paintings. In the church apse, you can admire the statue of the Madonna delle Neve, created in the 15th century, and the modern wooden statue called the Madonna di Throne. Also, the relics of the church include a crucifix of the 16th century (according to some historians, it was created by Brusasorchi) and the painting "The Last Supper", which was written by an unknown master from the Venetian school. By the way, the milestone of the church, located to the right of the facade, is an ancient component of the object. Many believe that it has stood on this spot since the time of the Longobard church. Near Santa Maria Maggiore there is a bell tower erected from the tower of the Scaliger castle. The famous Sirmione Castello is located next to the described attraction.
6. Church of St. Anna. This object can be attributed to the additional buildings of the Scaliger castle. Church of St. Anna was erected in the XIV century at the very entrance to the Castello Scaligero (near the bridge). Appearance the basilica is modest and unremarkable. The inside of the building is decorated with ancient frescoes dating back to the 14th-17th centuries. The altar of the church contains a stone on which there is an image of the Madonna, decorated with a frame with the heraldic sign of the Scala family.
7. Castle Square. This object is historical center commune of Sirmione. The name of the Castle Square has changed over the course of eight centuries. The current name of the attraction is closely related (guess what?) With the castle of the Scaliger family. Town Square was created in the form of an irregular triangle, the basis of which are the walls of the fortress. opposite side form adjacent rows of 3 and 4-storey buildings, and the top of the Sirmione piazza is a small passage leading to the boat pier. Externally, the Castle Square looks majestic and modern at the same time: here travelers and guests of the town observe the famous medieval fortress, which, as it were, merges with the bright yellow facades of the current buildings. Behind modern buildings there is a great variety of cozy Italian restaurants and cafes. By the way, it is on this square that one of the most famous hotels in Sirmione is located - Hotel Sirmione, which we talked about.
8. Sculpture "Kiss". Of course, one cannot imagine Italy, Lake Garda, Sirmione and others settlements without symbolic monuments and monuments. The metal sculpture "The Kiss" is located on the Castle Square, and is the creation of a modern master. It symbolizes the beauty of human love and relationships. The named object is a small monument depicting two faces touching each other tenderly. Despite the name, the sculpture does not show the audience the kiss itself, only a hint of it can be seen here. Some locals It is believed that The Kiss depicts Aristotle Onassis (a millionaire from Greece) and Maria Callas (an opera singer from Greece), who met in Sirmione. Tourists have a certain tradition: everyone who touches this attraction makes a wish, and in the future expects it to come true as soon as possible.
9. Sculpture "Man and Woman". Another well-known city attraction is located near Castello Scaligero, in a cozy square with benches and picturesque views. “Man and Woman” is a bronze sculpture depicting a woman and a man walking along her. The unusual and strange work of the creator of this extraordinary masterpiece has its own meaning: only with the help of women can men improve, move towards their goal and achieve the desired results.
10. Embankment of the resort. by the most the best place to make an unobtrusive promenade in Sirmione is its 3-kilometer promenade. Along the way, you will meet city sights (Scaliger Castle, harbor, St. Anna Church, etc.), shops, souvenir shops, cafeterias, pastry shops and restaurants. Also, a leisurely walk along the lake will be brightened up by picturesque views and friendly locals.

The amazing, ancient and romantic town of Sirmione, the sights of which were discussed above, is worth a visit to every inhabitant of our planet. It has its own unique and attractive atmosphere, enveloping from head to toe and not wanting to part with its visitors until the inevitable departure. Treat yourself to a trip to Sirmione and spend Italian resort a first-class and eventful vacation with benefits for the soul and health.

Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) - largest lake Italy and popular resort. Around it are many resort towns, one of the most popular among them is Sirmione and its constituent villages (Colombare and Lugana). Why did I choose this city for my holiday on Lake Garda? It combines everything you need to have a nice rest: excellent beach, transport accessibility, interesting sights.

How to get there

I've been lucky in this regard and railway station I was met by the hostess of the apartment we booked in her car. It is not uncommon for apartment owners to extend this courtesy to their guests, so arrange this in advance.
Let me say a few more words about railway transport Italy is far from the best thing in the country. According to my observations, buses are more comfortable and travel with greater regularity. Yes, the trains are late, and they do it quite strongly. Our train from Milan, with a total travel time of less than two hours, was 40 minutes late. At the same time, all late announcements were made in Italian, and we only had to guess what was happening. The carriages themselves also do not look the best, they are all covered in graffiti. In general, the Italian train, unlike the French one, did not leave the best impressions.

Which area of ​​Sirmione to choose for holidays

Sirmione

The city of Sirmione itself is located on a narrow cape that juts out into Lake Garda for 4 kilometers. This place was chosen for rest by the ancient Romans, since already in those days they knew about the healing properties of the local thermal springs. The ancient Roman poet Catullus had his villa here. On its territory are archaeological excavations, part of the ruins is open for visits (admission is paid).


At the entrance to Sirmione is located medieval castle 12th century, built by Verona ruling family Scaligerov. The castle houses a museum. Next begins pedestrian zone. In summer, resort life is seething in the town: there are many cafes and restaurants, live music sounds. In the evening, concerts of classical and jazz music are held on the central square.
The official beach of Sirmione is small, pebbly, it is always crowded with people. The beach is located almost at the foot of the Scaliger castle. The cost of renting sunbeds and umbrellas here is higher than in other places. But if you go further along a narrow path (sometimes ankle-deep in water), you will get to wild beach. That's where the real pleasure is! The beach has been washed into the rock by the waves of the lake that have washed over it for centuries. It is not sandy or pebbly, but stone. The bottom is made of stone slabs different heights. The water is clean and clear as a tear. In summer, it warms up and becomes like fresh milk. It is almost impossible to sunbathe on the shore, because it is difficult to find a place to leave things. But this can be done in water, from which you simply do not want to leave. In general, the beach is great!

Here in Sirmione there is a large thermal complex of Catullo with a recreation center AQUARIA. Thermal water contains sulfur, sodium, bromine, iodine and other trace elements. It is useful for the nervous system, improves metabolism, helps with allergies, helps lower blood pressure, and is an analgesic. The complex is open daily from 10.00 to 22.00, on Thursdays and Saturdays - until midnight. The cost of visiting varies from 15 euros for 1.5 hours to 53 euros for the whole day. Many hotels provide their guests with discounts for visiting the thermal complex.

But in Sirmione you can enjoy the thermal waters and absolutely free. A little before reaching the city beach, you will see a small depression right in the lake, lined with stones along the edges. In the water, as a rule, people sit or lie. In this place thermal waters come to the surface. The water is very warm and even hot, it smells of hydrogen sulfide.

Colombare

This is part of the commune of Sirmione, located not on the cape, but at its base. In fact, this is the modern part of Sirmione. In Colombara, as well as in the old town, there is a tourist office. There are supermarkets here. The beach of Colombare is rocky, the entrance to Lake Garda is by stairs. There are many cafes, restaurants and shops in Colombara. There are bike rentals.

Lugana di Sirmione

This is another village that is part of the commune of Sirmione. This is the one I chose for my vacation. Lugano has a great beach. Umbrellas and sun loungers, however, are paid, but it is not necessary to use them. You can sunbathe on the grass under the trees. The entrance to the lake is pebbly, but further in the water is sand.
There are two large supermarkets in the village. Between Lugano and Colombare there is another large thermal complex of Virgilio. True, it is not intended for relaxation, but for treatment. There are programs for the treatment of ENT organs, rheumatism, unique methods for the treatment of deafness are used.
Free wifi can be found at the local library during opening hours. There is a special room for working on a computer. The library also functions as a tourist office: here you can take maps of the area and get information.
Lugano has a small park with children's and sports grounds.

All villages of the commune of Sirmione are connected by a single transport network. Buses run according to a schedule, the fare is 1 euro. But we did not use them, since everything is close enough here.


Once a week, a small mobile market comes to the villages. He visits Lugano on Thursdays. Arriving at the beach, we saw a cluster of cars and people near it. They mainly sell clothes and textiles. Prices start from 5 euros. Looking at this assortment, there is a passion to choose and buy something beautiful for yourself. The sellers are mostly of some Asian nationality, which suggests that the items are of the same origin, although many say that they are made in Italy. The fitting conditions are the wildest - behind impromptu fabric screens or at the entrance to the trailer, which brings back memories of the early 90s. However, I couldn't resist and after several fittings I became the proud owner of beautiful holey jeans, a Made in Turkey T-shirt with a cat for 5 euros and a scarf with an Eiffel Tower print. Here it is - simple female happiness! Here in the market they sell fresh fish, which is immediately fried and also sold. Local wines, cheeses and other products are also offered. At one o'clock in the afternoon, suddenly, trade was turned off and they left, as if nothing had happened, until the next week.