Sirmione Holidays

Sirmione's squeezed onto a narrow strip of land that juts out into the southern edge of Lake Garda in northern Italy. The ancient town knows how to please its visitors – pretty beaches, a bustling café scene and thermal springs are the winning combo. For the best views, climb the 146 steps of the town's 13th-century castle.

Rocca Scaligera castle straddles the narrow part of the peninsula and guards the entrance to old Sirmione – think turrets and a moat. Even older is the 1st-century Roman villa, Grotte di Catullo – or what's left of it. Wander around the broken walls and crumbling arches with ancient olive groves at your back.

Sirmione boasts Lake Garda's only hot springs, and visitors have been coming here to dip their toes in the rejuvenating waters since Roman times. Spend an afternoon in the thermal springs that rise up from the lake at one of many wellness centres and pools around town.

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Sirmione:

• Lakeside promenade
• Lake bathing
• Boat trips
• Local ferries
• Cycle routes
• Castle
• Roman ruins
• Thermal spa
• Markets