The town which gives its name to the lake. It did so in Roman times, when both were called Benacus (Torri di Benaco, 7 km north, where the car-ferry crosses to Maderno, preserves the old name). A walled stronghold under the striking headland of San Vigilio, Garda nestles peaceably among cypress and olive and Venetian villas whose gardens fall to the shore. From the Camaldoli hermitage above the town, an easy climb of about 300 m, you have wonderful views to the south and west. Beyond the hill, 3 km from Garda, is a large German military cemetery.