Comacchio is a picturesque town set on a glassy lagoon. Nicknamed “Little Venice”, it features several small islands linked by canals and centuries-old bridges. Red-brick walkways and pastel-coloured buildings add to the postcard-perfect setting.
Things to do in Comacchio
Comacchio feels like a miniature Venice, minus the crowds. The historic centre is criss-crossed with canals framed by stone churches and palazzi. Stroll along sun-drenched promenades and cross Ponte dei Trepponti, an ancient bridge flanked by a pair of fortified towers. Cool off with a negroni at a waterside café and dine at traditional trattorias serving dishes from Emilia-Romagna. Grilled eel is a local specialty in Comacchio, but you’ll also see plenty of seafood risotto, prawns and calamari on menus.
Learn more about the town’s long history of eel fishing at Manifattura dei Marinati. The former fish factory is reimagined as a living history museum, where you can watch eels being roasted, marinated and packaged in colourful tins. Stock up on the famous export at the museum gift shop.
Admire artefacts salvaged from an ancient Roman shipwreck at Museo Delta Antico. The museum occupies a beautifully restored Neoclassical hospital and showcases a variety of relics, including ceramics, vases, jewellery and leather shoes. Also on display are archaeological finds from Spina, a nearby port city founded in the 6th century.
Day trip to Parco del Delta del Po and discover one of the largest wetland ecosystems in Europe. The UNESCO-protected park features two picturesque lagoons and is home to more than 300 bird species, including bright pink flamingoes. Explore trails on foot or rent a canoe and paddle along scenic waterways. Electric boat tours take you past traditional “casoni” fishing huts.
Getting around Comacchio
Comacchio is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The town is a 1.5-hour drive from Bologna and 45 minutes from Ferrara. Buses run between Comacchio and Ferrara in around 1.5 hours and Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is a one-hour drive away.