Perhaps it is because it is located where the road for the lake of Lugano starts out, or because it has a more recent development, Menaggio is considered the "metropolis" of the central part of the lake. In particular in summer, the city centre fills with tourists, making it the ideal place for youths and for those wishing to have an "active" holiday. Sports-lovers will find first-class facilities: water sports are organised at the tourist port and there's also a free-climbing gym, horse-riding, tennis, basket-ball and volley-ball.

A wonderful view awaits golfers at the panoramic 18-hole course and those who enjoy trekking will find a network of clearly signposted paths covering a range of abilities.

But Menaggio also offers a variety of urban and natural sights of great interest.
The historical centre, with its typical arcade houses, the lakeside promenade with villas, hotels from the belle Époque and large parks. There is also an important artistic heritage, including the baroque parish church of S.Stefano, built on a Romanesque plan, as well as the ruins of the medieval castle and the 17th century churches of S.Rocco and S.Carlo. The latter boasts a bell tower in a Spanish style. One architectural curiosity is the leaning bell tower of S.Bartolomeo e Michele (12th century) in the village of Nobiallo, one of the many surprises in store for visitors to this ring of tiny mountain hamlets.