Active Pursuits

Watersports are popular in Lugano; you can also bike or play golf and tennis.

Boating

You can rent rowboats and motorboats along the lakefront.

Sailing

Go to Circolo Velico, Lago di Lugano, Foce Cassarate (tel. 091/971-09-75), which charges 15F to 20F ($12-$16/£6.25-£8.30) per hour or 55F to 100F ($45-$82/£23-£43) for a half day, depending on the size of the boat.

Scuba

Try Lugano-Sub, Riva Paradiso 23 (tel. 091/994-37-40).

Swimming

The Lido (tel. 091/971-40-41) is a sandy stretch of beach along the lake. You can also relax on the lawn or eat at the cafeteria on the terrace. Admission to the Lido is 7F ($5.75/£3) for adults, 5F ($4.10/£2.15) for children 9 to 20, and 2F ($1.65/85p) for children 8 and under. Rental of a cabana costs another 20F ($16/£8.30), plus a 10F ($8.20/£4.25) deposit. The beach is open in the summer daily from 9am to 7:30pm.

In addition, many hotels have heated pools, some with salt water.

Waterskiing

The Club Nautico-Lugano, via Calloni 9 (tel. 091/649-61-39), between Lugano and Melide, charges 150F ($123/£64) per hour, instruction included.

Windsurfing

You can windsurf on the lake at Club Nautico-Lugano, via Calloni 9 (tel. 091/649-61-39), between Lugano and Melide. The cost is 17F ($14/£7.30) per hour.