Verona to Sirmione & Lake Garda: Boat Cruise & Spritz Tasting

Boat Cruise on Lake Garda with Sirmione's Castle and a Spritz at the End

You travel from Verona to Lake Garda by car, board a private boat cruise that passes the Scaliger Castle and Roman grottoes, then spend free time exploring Sirmione's streets and waterfront before returning for a spritz tasting in Verona. Transport, the boat, and the tasting are all included. You just need to decide how much time to spend wandering the town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour, explore Sirmione, spritz tasting

• Arrive in Garda
• Boat tour around peninsula
• View Scaliger Castle and lake
• See Grottoes of Catullus ruins
• Free time in Sirmione
• Explore streets and boutiques
• Relax at lakeside café
• Return to Verona
• Spritz tasting experience

The experience

The drive from Verona to Lake Garda takes about 30 minutes, and once you arrive in Garda, you board a private boat with a captain who knows the water. The boat moves out past the Scaliger Castle (a medieval fortress that rises straight from the peninsula), and you get views of it from angles you can't see from land. The Grottoes of Catullus, ancient Roman ruins carved into the rock, slip past on the starboard side, and the captain points out how the lake sits in a valley between mountains, which is why the light hits it differently than you'd expect. The cruise lasts a couple of hours, and there's time to just sit and watch the water change color as the sun moves.

After the boat returns, you have free time in Sirmione itself: the actual town, not just the castle view. The streets are narrow and lined with small shops, and you can walk down to the water's edge or find a café that overlooks the lake. Most people spend an hour or two here, enough to grab lunch if you want or just wander. The town is compact, so you won't feel rushed, and there's no schedule pushing you along once the boat tour ends.

The day wraps up back in Verona with a spritz tasting. A spritz is Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water: simple, but the proportions matter, and tasting it properly means understanding why it's become the drink you see everywhere in northern Italy. The tour leader, who speaks English or Spanish, walks you through what you're tasting and why it works. Then you're back in the air-conditioned vehicle heading toward Verona, and the whole thing takes about eight hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or meeting point pickup in Verona, air-conditioned transport to Lake Garda, a private boat cruise with a captain, free time to explore Sirmione's streets and lakeside, and a spritz tasting back in Verona before return transport. A professional English or Spanish-speaking tour leader accompanies the group, and audio headsets are provided for groups of seven or more.

Options for this experience

2 options

English Tour Option12:45

Spanish Tour Option12:45

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 12:45Last departure this season: 29 Oct

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by Veditalia

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the main Lake Garda experience without arranging a boat, transport, or figuring out where to taste a proper spritz. The fixed itinerary handles all three, and the free time in Sirmione means you're not locked to a schedule once you arrive.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long is the boat cruise?

The private boat tour lasts approximately two hours and covers the peninsula, Scaliger Castle, and the Grottoes of Catullus.

Is lunch included?

No. You have free time in Sirmione to eat at a restaurant or café of your choice, or you can bring your own food.

Can I do this tour if I have a spinal injury?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries. Contact the operator before booking if you have mobility concerns.

Is the spritz tasting alcoholic?

Yes. Spritz contains Prosecco and is only served to travelers 18 years old and above.

How far is Sirmione from Verona?

Sirmione is approximately 30 minutes from Verona by car.

What if I want to skip the spritz tasting?

The tasting is part of the tour package. Contact the operator if you have dietary or personal reasons to opt out.