Lake Garda Sirmione boat and walking tour with guide

Boat first, then the medieval streets on foot

A two-hour guided tour of Sirmione on Lake Garda combining a boat cruise around the peninsula with a walking tour of the medieval town center. You cruise past the ancient Roman villa Grotte di Catullo and thermal springs, then follow your guide through the Scaliger Castle drawbridge into the village streets. A local English-speaking guide leads both parts; the boat tour and walking route are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat and walking tour in Sirmione

• Meet guide outside Sirmione walls
• Enjoy boat tour around peninsula
• See Grotte di Catullo ruins
• Stroll picturesque village streets
• Visit Maria Callas’ house
• Explore medieval center and castle
• Free time for shopping or gelato

The Experience

Your guide meets you outside Sirmione's walls and starts with the boat. You cruise around the peninsula to see the villas and Grotte di Catullo—the Roman ruins that sit on the water's edge—and spot the thermal springs that feed into the lake. The boat gives you the geography of the place before you walk it, so when you step onto land you already know how the town sits on the water and why the castle was built where it is.

After the boat tour, you walk through the medieval center on foot. Your guide takes you through the ancient drawbridge of Scaliger Castle and into the tiny streets of the village, pointing out Maria Callas' house and the details of the medieval buildings. You get free time at the end to shop or grab gelato at one of the gelateries in the center. The whole thing runs two hours from start to finish.

One thing to know: if weather turns bad and the boat cannot go out, your guide will offer an alternative for the group—the walking part stays the same, but the boat portion may shift or be replaced. Refunds are not guaranteed if you decline the alternative. Some parts of the medieval streets and castle areas may be difficult if you have mobility concerns, so check with the operator if you're unsure about access.

What’s included

• Local licensed tour guide in English.
• boat tour around the Sirmione peninsula with views of Grotte di Catullo and the thermal springs.
• guided walking tour through the medieval streets and past Scaliger Castle.
• free time in the town center afterward for shopping or gelato.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ways

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Sirmione for the first time and want to understand the layout and history before exploring on your own — the boat shows you the geography, and the walk shows you the medieval heart. Choose the option with Grotte di Catullo if you want the archaeological detail; the standard tour passes it from the water without entering the site itself.

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Top questions

What is Grotte di Catullo and where do I see it on this tour?

Grotte di Catullo is an ancient Roman villa and archaeological site on the Sirmione peninsula. You see it from the boat during the first part of the tour as you cruise around the water; the ruins sit right on the lake's edge, and your guide points out the remains of the villas and explains what you're looking at.

Do I walk inside Scaliger Castle or just see it from outside?

Scaliger Castle is the medieval fortress at the entrance to Sirmione's old town. You walk through its ancient drawbridge as your guide leads you into the village streets beyond it; the castle itself frames your entry into the medieval center rather than being a separate stop inside.

How long is the boat part and how long is the walking part?

The tour runs two hours total. The boat cruise around the peninsula takes the first portion, and the walking tour through the medieval streets and castle area takes the second. Your guide structures both parts back-to-back so you move straight from the boat to the walking route.

What happens if the weather is bad and the boat can't go out?

If weather makes the boat tour unsafe, your guide will offer the group an alternative plan—usually focusing on the walking tour of the medieval town and castle instead. You can accept the alternative or decline, but refunds are not guaranteed if you choose not to participate in what the guide offers.

Is there time to explore on my own or grab food during the tour?

Yes. After the guided portion ends, you have free time in the center of Sirmione to shop, explore on your own, or visit one of the gelaterias. This is unguided time, so you can spend as long as you like before heading out.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide leads the tour in English and is a local, licensed guide who knows the history and stories of Sirmione and Lake Garda.