Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lake Garda lies north of the A4 Milan-Venice autostrada, and just west of the A22
Modena-Trento route. A single-lane road circles the lake shore and is heavy with traffic in
summer. Local tourist offices can advise on car hire.
TRAIN
Desenzano del Garda and Peschiera del Garda are on the Milan-Venice train line.
Sirmione
POP 7420
Sitting on an impossibly narrow peninsula on the southern shore, Sirmione is Garda's
most picturesque village. Throughout the centuries it has attracted the likes of Roman poet
Catullus and Maria Callas, and today thousands follow in their footsteps.
The tourist office ( 030 91 61 14; Viale Marconi 8; 9am-12.30pm & 3-6pm Mon-Fri,
9am-12.30pm Sat ) adjoins the bus station. Motorised vehicles are banned beyond this point,
except for those with a hotel booking.
Sights & Activities
To get even the slightest glimpse of Sirmione's legendary natural beauty, come out of sea-
son (April or October) or in the evening when most day trippers have departed. Then you
can snap the Rocca Scaligera without dozens of gelati-licking visitors in the foreground
and stroll around the 4km peninsula along the panoramic pathway.
From the jetty near the castle, boat trips around the lake can be arranged.
Rocca Scaligera
(Castello Scaligero; adult/reduced €4/2; 8.30am-7pm Tue-Sun) Expanding their influence north-
wards, the Scala family built this enormous square-cut castle right at the entrance to the
island. It guards the only footbridge into Sirmione, looming over it with impressive
crenellated turrets and towers. There's not a lot inside, but the climb to the top (146 steps
to the top of the tower) affords beautiful views over Sirmione's rooftops and the enclosed
harbour.
CASTLE
Grotte di Catullo
( 030 91 61 57; adult/reduced €4/2; 8.30am-8pm Tue-Sat, 9.30am-6.30pm Sun Mar-Oct,
8.30am-2pm Tue-Sun Nov-Mar) Occupying 2 hectares at Sirmione's northern tip, this ruined,
HISTORIC SITE
Search WWH ::




Custom Search