It's a Sunday in early April and, thanks to the spring air, we decide to treat ourselves to a trip out of town: the warm air and the sun filtering through the white clouds promise a special day. We are looking for a place where we can immerse ourselves in nature and be enchanted by its colors and scents. So we decide to visit one of the most beautiful parks in Italy: the Sigurtà Garden Park in Valeggio sul Mincio.
With a vastness of over 60 hectares, the Sigurtà Garden Park extends like a natural work of art, offering visitors a unique experience among enchanted gardens, serene lakes and panoramic routes. In this article, we will explore together the fascinating places of this magical place and discover its extraordinary dimensions, inviting you to experience an unforgettable adventure among its wonderful gardens.
Map
Once you have entered the entrance to the Sigurtà Garden Park, you will be given a detailed map showing the extent of the park and the various attractions present within it. With enthusiasm we enter this labyrinth of nature, ready to discover every hidden corner and every wonder that the park has to offer us.
Our advice is to follow the numbered route on the map so as not to miss anything the park has to offer!
What see
Every step inside the Sigurtà Garden Park is a fascinating discovery. Through the Green Labyrinth, we have fun finding our way out while immersing ourselves in the lush greenery that surrounds us. Lake Carpe welcomes us with its relaxing quiet, offering us the opportunity to contemplate nature in all its splendor. And then there are the thematic gardens, the panoramic paths and the rare botanical species that give us unique and unforgettable emotions.
Below is a list of attractions not to be missed:
- Hermitage with the 4 lakes: the hermitage is a very suggestive corner of the Park, at its foot a staircase leads to four small lakes inhabited by frogs.
- Sundial: The sundial is an ancient astronomical structure. This instrument allowed time to be measured using the position of the sun relative to the meridian line. It represents a historical and cultural element of the park, adding a touch of charm and mystery to its landscape.
- Great Turf: The Great Turf is a vast expanse of green grass. This open space offers an oasis of tranquility and relaxation, inviting visitors to lie down on the grass and enjoy the warmth of the sun or to organize picnics with family or friends.
- Flower ponds: The flower lakes are one of our absolute favorite attractions. Characterized by bodies of water surrounded by a variety of flowers and aquatic plants, crossed by a small bridge and with a majestic tree in the centre. During flowering, the lakes transform into true natural works of art, with bright colors and delicate scents that enchant the senses of visitors.
- Viale delle Rose: the Viale delle Rose is a tree-lined avenue that hosts a magnificent collection of roses of various species and colors. Along the way, visitors can admire the beauty and diversity of these splendid blooms, enjoying their enveloping scents and vibrant colors.
- Castelletto: the Castelletto is a small structure that adds a touch of charm and romance to the landscape. With its towers and ancient walls, the Castelletto represents a picturesque point of interest that invites you to travel with your imagination through time and space.
- The farm and the Deer Valley: the farm and the Deer Valley are two attractions that allow visitors to come into contact with rural life and wild nature. Here you can meet deer, goats, donkeys and other farm animals.
- Water Gardens: The Water Gardens are another wonder of the Park, characterized by fountains, ponds and waterfalls that add freshness and vitality to the surrounding landscape. Visitors can stroll through the beautiful water gardens and enjoy the spectacle of the waters dancing and sparkling in the sun.
- Maze: The maze is a fun and adventurous attraction that offers visitors the chance to test their orientation skills and explore a tangled path of green hedges. It is a perfect place to play and have fun with family or friends, letting yourself be carried away by the emotion of discovery.
- Great Oak: the Great Oak is a centuries-old tree that stands majestically within the Park, representing a symbol of strength, resistance and beauty.
- Stone of Youth: The Stone of Youth is a legendary stone, known for its supposedly miraculous properties that promise eternal youth to anyone who touches it. Although the stone's magical power remains a mystery, its fascinating history adds a touch of magic and allure to the park, inviting visitors to dream and believe in the impossible.
The best time to visit the park
The best time to visit Sigurtà Park is spring, between March and April, but each season has its own unique characteristics:
- in Spring it is possible to admire the blooms of crocuses, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, peonies and roses;
- in summer it is possible to admire the blooms of water lilies, lotus flowers, hydrangeas, dahlias, hemerocallis and tagetes;
- in Autumn it is possible to admire the blooms of aster, canna indica, annual plants and enjoy the foliage of the Japanese maples and ginkgo biloba trees.
How to visit the Park and visiting time
For us the best way to discover the park is on foot, get lost among the paths, immerse yourself in nature and breathe in the intense scents of the flowers. To do a complete tour consider at least 4 hours but if you want to have a picnic, several stops or lie down and sunbathe between one stage and another, it's better to take the whole day.
Alternatively, here are some alternative ways to visit the park:
- Electric Bicycle: Inside the park it is possible to rent electric bicycles and cycle along the tree-lined avenues one after the other. The cost is €6.50 per hour. You can access the park with your bicycle at no additional cost.
- Golf-cart: On board the electric golf-cart you can discover the many points of interest thanks to the GPS guide with which each vehicle is equipped which allows you to receive information on the places visited along the itinerary (the guide is available in Italian, English , German and French). The cost is €20 per hour.
- Train: The panoramic train travels along the itinerary of enchantments, discovering the most evocative places in the garden but without stopping. The departure takes place near the Iris bar and the visit time is approximately 1 hour and can accommodate up to a maximum of 15 people. The cost is €7 per person.
- Shuttle: The tour aboard the electric shuttle allows you to learn about the history and curiosities of the park thanks to a guide who accompanies the entire tour. The departure takes place near the Iris bar and the visit time is 35 minutes. The cost is €5 per person.
How to get
To reach the Sigurtà Garden Park there are different ways depending on the starting point and availability:
By public transport:
- Peschiera del Garda railway station and APAM bus line 46;
- Verona station and 160 ATV bus.
By bike:
The Park is 2 km from the Mantua-Peschiera del Garda cycle path. Furthermore, if you go by bike you can also use it inside the Park without surcharge.
In the car:
- A4 Milan-Venice motorway, Peschiera del Garda exit, 8 km towards Valeggio sul Mincio.
- A22 Brennero-Modena motorway: from Modena exit Nogarole Rocca then signs for Valeggio sul Mincio. From Brennero, exit Affi, highway (SS 450) to Peschiera del Garda, then signs for Valeggio sul Mincio.
Where to eat
The park has 5 refreshment points located in different places within the park, different areas with benches or tables on the avenues, for a break with snacks, sandwiches, focaccias, pizzas, ice creams and coffee. It is also possible to have a picnic with a packed lunch by spreading a towel on the Large Lawn.
Where to park
Sigurtà Park has 4 car parks, not all close to the entrances but free. The parking spaces found in Valeggio, however, are parking spaces (60 minutes or 120 minutes maximum) and some require a fee. We found parking in the nearby supermarket, where we comfortably left our car for the entire duration of the visit.
Opening times, tickets and useful advice
The Sigurtà Garden Park is open every day from 8 March to 10 November 2024, continuously from 9.00 to 19.00 (last entry at 18.00). In the months of March, October and November the opening hours are from 9.00 to 18.00 (last entry at 17.00).
The cost of the ticket:
Adults | € 18 |
Boys (5-14 years) | € 10 |
Children (0-4 years) | Free |
Over 65 | € 14 |
Disabled people 100% (with certification) | Free |
Companion | € 14 |
Adult season ticket | € 80 |
Seasonal subscription for kids | € 50 |
Entrance tickets can be purchased online or directly at the park entrance, and there are different rates for adults, children and groups. For updated prices we still recommend visiting the official website of the park.
Last Updated on 1 September 2024