What to see in Sirmione: an itinerary through history, spas and views of Lake Garda
June 1, 2025
🚲 Why Choose the Mincio Cycle Path
The Mincio cycle path is one of the most beautiful and accessible bike routes in Northern Italy. It connects Peschiera del Garda to Mantua over approximately 45 km, following the peaceful River Mincio past medieval villages, bridges, mills, and cultivated fields. It’s perfect for anyone seeking a day of nature, exercise, and scenic beauty without technical challenges.
Thanks to its flat, fully paved layout, it’s suitable for everyone: families with children, experienced cycle tourists, couples looking for a romantic ride, and even walkers and hikers. Along the route you’ll find rest areas, panoramic viewpoints, traditional trattorias, and postcard-worthy scenes that make the experience even more enjoyable.
Want to combine bike and boat? You can start in Peschiera, explore the cycle path, then return to the harbor for a Lake Garda tour with Navicharters—for a truly complete and relaxing day.
🗺️ The Route: From Peschiera to Mantua
The ideal starting point is Peschiera del Garda, a lively town with excellent connections, perfect as your base for this cycling adventure. From the center, follow the signs to the River Mincio to access the path. Immediately, you’ll find yourself immersed in lush riverside scenery, with tree-lined sections, reeds, small bridges, and surprisingly rich wildlife.
Key Stages:
- Peschiera del Garda: starting point, offers bike rental, cafés, and parking.
- Salionze and Monzambano: the first kilometers through cultivated fields and ancient bridges.
- Borghetto sul Mincio: one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, with water mills and the Visconti Bridge.
- Valeggio sul Mincio: just a short ride from Borghetto, famous for tortellini and Parco Sigurtà.
- Pozzolo and Soave: a quieter rural section, perfect for slowing the pace.
- Mantua: the arrival in the Gonzaga city, with its palaces, lakes, and an art-filled historic center.
The entire route is flat and well signposted, with very few road crossings. You can do it as a round trip in one day, or many choose to cycle one way and return by train or shuttle.
📌 Distance: about 44 km
📌 Difficulty: easy
📌 Average time: 3–4 hours (one way, leisurely pace)
🏰 Highlights Along the Path: Borghetto and Valeggio
One thing that makes the Mincio cycle path unique is the opportunity to pass through some of Italy’s prettiest villages. In particular, Borghetto sul Mincio is a must-visit for lovers of postcard-perfect scenery.
📍 Borghetto sul Mincio
About 15 km from Peschiera, you reach this tiny riverside village, famous for its working water mills and the scenic Visconti Bridge, a fortified dam from the 14th century. Stone houses on the waterfront, tiny bridges, and traditional osterias create a charming atmosphere.
💡 Stop for a coffee, a quick lunch, or a stroll through the narrow streets. You’ll feel transported back in time, and it’s one of the most photographed spots on the path.
🔗 Borghetto sul Mincio – Wikipedia
🍝 Valeggio sul Mincio
Just a few minutes past Borghetto, rising slightly from the cycle path, you reach Valeggio, renowned for its handmade tortellini. It’s the ideal spot for lunch in one of the traditional trattorias like Amici Miei Tipicoteca or at a countryside agriturismo.
Also don’t miss the Gardens of Parco Sigurtà, one of Europe’s most beautiful gardens, perfect for a walk or bike ride (you can bring your own bike into the park).
🔗 Parco Sigurtà – Official Site
🌿 Nature, Landscapes, and Relaxation
The Mincio cycle path is much more than a bike route: it’s a journey through nature. The trail runs alongside the river and is scattered with green vistas, cultivated fields, wetlands, and shaded stretches. Ideal for those seeking tranquility and a connection with the environment, far from traffic and noise.
🐦 What to Expect Along the Way:
- Herons, swans, ducks, and other riverbank bird species
- Vineyards, olive groves, and typical morainic farmland
- Equipped picnic and rest areas
- Shaded spots for refreshing breaks
- Rural chapels, restored mills, and historic farmhouses
Spring and early autumn are the best times to enjoy mild temperatures and vibrant colors, though summer mornings and late afternoons also offer enchanting views.
💡 Many visitors also choose to walk segments, in short stages, or take it slow: one day cycling, another exploring villages, another relaxing by the lake.
🧭 Practical Tips: When to Go, What to Bring, Where to Rent
Whether you’re an experienced cycle tourist or a first-timer, the Mincio path is perfect to start with. Here are some handy tips for planning your day.
📅 When to Go
The best seasons are:
- Spring (April–June): mild climate, lush nature
- Early Autumn (September–October): colorful landscapes, fewer crowds
Summer is also fine, but start early or late in the day to avoid the heat.
🎒 What to Bring
- Water bottle and energy snacks
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Light windbreaker for spring/autumn
- Bike lock
- Power bank for your phone (for photos!)
- Swimsuit, if you plan to relax by the lake afterward
🚲 Where to Rent a Bike
In Peschiera del Garda you’ll find several bike rental services, including e-bikes. A few options:
- Garda Bike Shop
- Bici Rent Peschiera
- Velolake – Hotel delivery available
Most rentals also offer helmets, child seats, and on-road assistance.
✅ In Summary: the Perfect Path for Everyone
The Mincio cycle path is more than just a bike route—it’s a journey of beauty, simplicity, and nature. Perfect for everyone, whether you’re vacationing on Lake Garda or seeking a refreshing, accessible experience.
Start your day in Peschiera, explore historic villages like Borghetto and Valeggio, pedal through greenery, and finish… return to the harbor for a Navicharters boat tour to see the lake from a new perspective.
📌 Whether by bike or on foot, with family or solo, this itinerary will surprise you.
