Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, begins less than an hour west of Verona, and Sirmione is its most beautiful town. It sits on a long, narrow peninsula that pushes out into the water, with a moated medieval castle at the entrance to the old town, lanes of pastel houses and, at the very tip, the ruins of a vast Roman villa known as the Grotte di Catullo, after the poet Catullus who wrote about his home here. The lake has drawn visitors since Roman times, and on a clear day the views of the water and the mountains to the north are superb. Doing it by public transport takes planning, especially out of season, which is why a guided day trip is such an easy option: transport, a boat tour around the peninsula and a second lakeside village are all taken care of, and you are back in Verona for dinner.
How the day works: the tour we link to leaves central Verona at 09:00 and lasts about seven and a half hours, in a small group of up to 20 with a licensed English-speaking guide. You travel by minibus to Sirmione, take a boat around the peninsula past lakeside villas, the castle and the Roman ruins of the Grotte di Catullo, then walk through the historic centre with the guide before free time. In the afternoon a ferry takes you to Lazise, a walled lakeside village, for more free time before the drive back to Verona.
What is not included: lunch, hotel pick-up and the entrance ticket to the Grotte di Catullo. The guide waits in front of the theatre in central Verona with a yellow sign marked TOUR, so check the exact meeting point on your voucher. Tickets can be cancelled or rescheduled up to 24 hours ahead, which is useful if the forecast turns.
Visiting in autumn and winter: Lake Garda is quieter from November to March, many beach bars and some restaurants close, and boats run on reduced timetables, which makes an organised trip with its own boat even more convenient. The light on the lake can be beautiful on a clear winter day, but bring a warm layer for the boat. In summer the same trip can include a swim, and Sirmione’s lanes are much busier, so go early in the week if you can.
What to expect
The experience
A small-group guided day trip by minibus, with a boat tour around the Sirmione peninsula, a guided walk, free time and a ferry to Lazise.
Best time
A clear, calm day for the best views of the lake and mountains; spring and early autumn are ideal, and quiet winter days have their own charm.
How long
About seven and a half hours, leaving Verona at 09:00 and returning in the late afternoon.
Tips
Budget for lunch and the Grotte di Catullo ticket, which are not included, bring a warm layer for the boat and check the meeting point on your voucher.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want to add Lake Garda to a Verona stay without renting a car or juggling bus and ferry timetables.
- Families
- Children enjoy the boat ride and the castle with its moat; the day is long, so it suits school-age kids best.
- Couples
- The boat ride around the peninsula and a slow lunch by the water in Sirmione make this the most romantic day out from Verona.
- Pair with
- A relaxed evening back in Verona and dinner near Piazza delle Erbe, or the Valpolicella wine tour on another afternoon.
- Time needed
- A full day, so keep it for a day when the civic museums in Verona are closed, such as a Monday.
Good questions
How far is Lake Garda from Verona?+
The southern shore of Lake Garda is less than an hour from Verona by road. Sirmione, on the southern shore, is one of the closest and most popular towns.
Is lunch included on the Sirmione tour?+
No, lunch is not included, so you can choose where to eat during your free time. The Grotte di Catullo ticket is also extra.
Does the Lake Garda tour run in winter?+
The tour showed bookable dates in November, but winter dates can be fewer. Check availability for your day when you book.
What are the Grotte di Catullo?+
They are the ruins of a large Roman villa at the tip of the Sirmione peninsula, linked by tradition to the poet Catullus. The boat tour passes them from the water.
Is it a good idea to do Lake Garda on a Monday?+
Yes. The Arena and most civic museums in Verona are closed on Mondays, so it is a smart day to spend out of town.
