Sirmione Castle - advice on castle and twon

Posted by leo.verrilli (Toronto, Canada) on 07/05/26 06:15 PM

Hello All,

Am staying in Verona this coming July and looking to make a day trip to Sirmione. My wife and would like to visit the castle and the surrounding town. I have a few questions for anyone who has visited here:
1) Is it worth the trip from Verona to visit ? I do not have a car, so will be doing trip either train or bus
2) DO you need to purchase tickets in advance?
3) Best time to visit the castle? I am reading that a tour of the castle is approx 30 mins and we would also like to visit the town itself, so would it be best to see the castle right at opening time in the morning or later afternoon.

Thank you for any help to offer
Leo

Posted by Lin C

Surrey, UK

07/05/26 06:26 PM

1034 posts

It's beautiful, but incredibly crowded. Personally, I would not bother.
If you want to visit the lake, get the train to Pescjiera or Desanzano, then take a trip on a lake steamer and see the sights from the water.

Posted by princess pupule

martinez, ca, usa

07/05/26 07:59 PM

3078 posts

hey hey leo.verrilli
you're the only one to decide if it's worth it. sirmione town is always crowded, especially high high summer season" and a place that so many people want to go to as noted in many forum posts here.
many tour buses, private taxis, personal cars, trains do this. if it's a must then do it.
either early morning (8:30am open) with crowds starting to arrive or later afternoon (last entry 7pm) fewer crowds and room to roam to enjoy the shops, restaurants, cafes. (gardavisit.it/ scaligero castle) buy your online ticket before going.
you and also go early to pescheira del garda train stop and take a boat/ferry ride around part of lake, then bus/taxi to sirmione.
we stayed in bardolino several years back for their annual wine festival in late september/early october. absolutely loved the lake with it's mountain and lake views. on way back to venice (we had a car) stopped for lunch at pescheira del garda. have a great time and enjoy yourselves
aloha

Posted by leo.verrilli OP

Toronto, Canada

07/06/26 12:31 PM

18 posts

Thanks , I know it will be crowded and I accept that but was the old town and castle nice to visit ?

Posted by acechrist

07/06/26 02:56 PM

186 posts

The castle is nothing special. The town itself is nice enough but very touristy as everyone points out. The best of lake Garda are the northern sections where the lake narrows and the mountains close in. Towns up there are nicer than Sirmione too.

I had a car when I visited, so I cannot comment on public transportation for reaching those parts.