It has a historical centre which is located on the Sirmio peninsula that divides the lower part of Lake Garda.

Starting from the 1st century BC, the area of the Garda, including what is now Sirmione, became a favourite resort for rich families coming from Verona, then the main Roman city in north-eastern Italy.

In the late Roman era (4th–5th centuries AD) the city became a fortified strongpoint defending the southern shore of the lake.

[3] Around the year 1000, Sirmione was probably a free comune, but fell into the hands of the Scaliger in the early 13th century.

So they row'd, and there we landed-"O venusta Sirmio" There to me through all the groves of olive in the summer glow, There beneath the Roman ruin where the purple flowers grow, Came that 'Ave atque Vale' of the Poet's hopeless woe, Tenderest of Roman poets nineteen-hundred years ago, 'Frater Ave atque Vale' - as we wandered to and fro Gazing at the Lydian laughter of the Garda Lake below