The Golasecca Museum

Few people know it, but this area gave its name to an entire Iron Age civilization: the Golasecca culture, which lived among these rivers and lakes long before the Romans. The Civic Archaeological Museum of Sesto, housed in the town hall near the Ticino, holds one of its most important collections.

It's a short, surprising visit, perfect on a rainy day or as a cultural break between a swim and a walk. As with many museums, don't count on Monday: it's often the closing day.