Things to Do in Comacchio, in the Province of Ferrara
Trust us: Comacchio is one of the most beautiful small towns in Italy. Due to its canals, gorgeous architecture, and unique culture, Italians call it Little Venice. Fortunately, it receives fewer tourists than the one and only Venice.
We prepared this post with our 7 favorite things to do in this lovely town, one of the nicest places in Emilia Romagna. You will enjoy breath taking nature and superb architecture, while hanging out with warm locals. Comacchio is the best place to experience the real, non-touristy Italy!
Get Lost on the Streets of Comacchio
Our favorite thing to do in Comacchio is to walk about without a plan. Comacchio is so pretty, that every single street is worth your time. All you have to do is ditch your phone and walk without a plan.
The town’s epicenter is the square in front of the Torre dell’Orologio. Locals call it Piazza Vincenzino Folegatti. The tower itself was built in the 19th Century to replace the previous one from the 14th Century.
The incredible Loggia del Grano is behind the tower. The 16th Century masterpiece is a sight to behold.
Admire the Trepponti Bridge
The town sits on 13 tiny islands next to a lagoon. Thus the numerous bridges that connect the different neighborhoods. The Trepponti Bridge is the most famous one. The delicate structure connects 5 canals. It’s from 1638!
The Palazzo Bellini arena is next to the bridge. The Christmas Market takes place there. In summer, all types of shows and performances are staged in the arena. It’s the best place to mingle with the locals.
Don’t forget to check the historic Antica Pescheria. The 17th Century fish market was in use until very recently. From there, it’s a 1 minute walk to the Sbirri Bridge, the best place to take photos of the Trepponti Bridge, the Palazzo Bellini and the canals.
Visit a Museum or Two
We have to be honest: we are museum queens! In Comacchio, you have to visit the Museo Delta Antico, next to Sbirri Bridge. The building from 1771 used to be a hospital. Today, it hosts the most amazing Roman boat in the world! You can see its original cargo. The top floor of the museum displays local finds.
The other must-see museum is the Manifattura dei Marinati. It’s on the northern tip of the town. The 120 year old factory is now a museum dedicated to the history of fish processing.
We strongly recommend visiting the Casa Museo Remo Brindisi. You can bike there in 20 minutes or take bus 333 from central Comacchio. The stunning contemporary building is set in the middle of a lush pine forest. The collection inside will take your breath away.
Visit a Church of Two
As every historic town in Italy, Comacchio has several splendid churches. The grandest of them all is the Cathedral: Basilica Concattedrale di San Cassiano Martire. The temple built from 1659 to 1740 is on September XX square. Its marble altar will make your jaw drop.
However, our favorite temple in Comacchio is the Santuario Santa Maria in Aula Regia. To get there, walk along the incredible Loggiato dei Cappuccini. The 1300 feet (400 m) long arcade has 143 arches with marble columns.
Santa Maria church is famous for its terracotta Virgin. Local people visit to pray, so be respectful.
Have Lunch or Dinner by the Canal
Comacchio is famous for its sea food. They’ve been preparing fish for ages! Our favorite place to try local delicacies is the Ristorantino La Bottega Del Sale, directly on a canal in the center. You have to order the Cappellacci al Nero!
For an authentic aperitif or dinner, head to Sbirro Gastrotheque, close to the Sbirro bridge. You can eat indoors or on a tiny boat directly on the canal! The food is superb, the music original, and the service very local.
We always have coffee and Panini at Bar Ragno, behind the Torre dell’Orologio. You can sit indoors or under a lovely arch outside. It’s a local hangout with authentic espresso.
Visit Delta del Po and the Saline di Comacchio
Comacchio has much more than just superb architecture. The town is part of the incredible UNESCO listed Delta del Po Biosphere Reserve. That’s why you can see so many birds around the town, including very pink flamingos.
The closest place to enjoy nature is the Comacchio Valleys, the marsh and lagoon south of the town. You can bike around the area all the way to the Saline di Comacchio in 30 minutes. Locals walk there too. However, we suggest going in the afternoon to avoid the heat and to admire a killer sunset.
Hit the Beach
We always go biking for 30 minutes to Porto Garibaldi, the closest beach some 4 miles (7 km) from Comacchio. The town itself is very authentic. You will probably be the only foreigner in sight. The free area where you can take your own umbrella is to the north. The organized beach with lounges and tents is next to the Logonovo Canal.
You can also take bus 333 to the beaches south of the Logonovo Canal. It’s the same bus that takes you to the Casa Museo Remo Brindisi. The beach here is wider.
Where to Stay in Comacchio
Our favorite hotel in Comacchio is Al Ponticello. The historic building faces the main canal. We love talking to Sarah and Ricardo, the owners. They always give us local tips and arrange tours for us. They recently opened a mini bar in the hotel serving excellent aperitif.
We went to Comacchio with family once and stayed in quadruple room at the B&B Corte Dei Ducati, also in the center. It doesn’t face a canal, but has a lovely garden where we would chill in the afternoon.
If you want to stay by the beach, we recommend Hotel Ariston Imperial. The beachfront property has impeccable rooms. The best ones have a balcony. There’s free public parking nearby.
How to Get to Comacchio
The best way to reach Comacchio is driving there yourself. It took us 45 minutes to get there from Ferrara, the provincial capital. However, you can take a bus or train to Ostellato and then hop on a bus directly to Comacchio. Check the bus schedule from Ferrara here.
There’s a huge parking lot next to the Coop supermarket. It’s free and you can walk to the center in 5 minutes.
There are no direct buses from Ravenna.
Moving Around
The best and most fun way of moving around is walking. You can walk for hours admiring the town. It can get very hot in the summer, so don’t rush and take your time. Winters are mild so you can walk everywhere at all times.
As mentioned, biking around the lagoon and nearby marshes is a must. We always rent our bicycles at Noleggio Bici Comacchio. They have all types of bikes in great condition, including e-bikes. They speak perfect English and will recommend the best routes.
