The Grottoes of Catullus (Italian Grotte di Catullo) are the remains of a large Roman villa at the northern tip of the Sirmione peninsula. The complex was built in the 1st century BC and used into the 1st century AD. It is considered one of the largest surviving Roman villas in northern Italy. Its link with the poet Catullus, who is said to have had a villa in Sirmione, is not certain. The overgrown rooms were later called “grottoes” because people took them for caves.
Our top pick: Sirmione: entry ticket to Grotte di Catullo and museum
What you will see
Walls, vaults and the remains of terraces stand among olive trees. A circular path leads across the site, with views over the lake and the mountains to the north. A small museum displays finds from the villa, including wall painting and mosaic fragments. The site is large, with steps and uneven ground.
Walking there
The route starts at the Scaliger castle and leads through the pedestrian zone of Sirmione. It then climbs gently through olive groves to the entrance, about 1 kilometre in total (roughly 20 to 30 minutes). Only residents and hotel guests may drive into the old town; day visitors park outside the gates.
Best time: go in the morning or late afternoon. At midday the sun beats down on the ruins. Opening hours, closing day and ticket prices change, so check them on the museum’s website before you go.
Tickets and boat trips
GetYourGuide lists an entry ticket including the museum, so far without many reviews. From the water you see the villa as a silhouette at the tip of the peninsula, which works well on a short cruise.
Sirmione: entry ticket to Grotte di Catullo and museum
Ticket for the archaeological site and museum. 4.8/5, but so far only a few reviews.
Sirmione: 25-minute narrated cruise around the peninsula
A commentated trip from the water. 4.7/5 from over 3,500 reviews.
Peschiera: 1 hour to the Sirmione peninsula
Boat tour from Peschiera. 4.7/5 from over 150 reviews.
Why book online
- Free cancellation on most tickets, usually up to 24 hours before
- Reserved time slot: no queue at the ticket desk
- Mobile ticket on your phone
- Reviews from verified travelers
Staying in Sirmione
If you stay nearby, you can visit the villa early in the day before the day visitors arrive.
Check hotel prices in Sirmione
Frequently asked questions
Did the poet Catullus really live in the Grottoes of Catullus?
That is not proven. The name dates from the Renaissance, because the Roman poet Catullus is said to have owned a villa in Sirmione. The surviving remains belong to a large Roman villa complex from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD.
How do you get to the Grottoes of Catullus?
On foot from Sirmione's old town, through the main street and then along the end of the peninsula, about 1 kilometre in roughly 20 to 30 minutes. A small tourist train runs in some seasons.
How long does a visit take?
About 1 to 1.5 hours, a little longer with the museum. There is little shade, so morning or late afternoon is best.
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