Comacchio and Ferrara: A Journey Through Nature, Art, and the Renaissance

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This year, travel storytellers from across Europediscovered Comacchio, its lagoon, and the Este court of Ferrara. Here's whatthey found and what awaits you too.

There's a moment during a boat crossing in theValli di Comacchio when the engine cuts out and only silence remains. Themirror-still water stretches before you, pink flamingos take flight, and in thedistance the traditional fishing huts come into view. In that silence, youunderstand why this territory, one of Italy's largest saltwater wetlands and aUNESCO heritage site, deserves to be discovered slowly.

In recent weeks, some of Europe's most discerningtravel writers - journalists and tourism professionals from France, Germany,Austria, the Netherlands, and Poland - explored Comacchio and Ferrara onseveral occasions, experiencing first-hand this corner of Emilia-Romagna wherethe lagoon meets the Renaissance. Their itinerary offers a taste of what you,too, can experience.

Sail, Cycle, Breathe: Slow Living in the Valli diComacchio

The best way to connect with the Valli is toglide across the water. Whether aboard a silent electric boat or, for those whoprefer a more hands-on approach, a Canadian canoe, the experience is the same:the noise of the world stays on shore. You reach the traditional fishing huts,where a fire lit for the occasion and an aperitivo of local produce tell thestory of the fishermen who once lived here, through tales and anecdotes onlythose who know these places intimately can share.

At sunset, the spectacle intensifies: in thequieter reaches of the lagoon, colonies of pink flamingos are a common sight,while the warm light transforms the atmosphere and the guides' stories blendwith the calls of the waterfowl that inhabit this precious ecosystem.

Those who prefer dry land can explore the Valliby bicycle, pedalling along embankments that skirt the historic Comacchio SaltPans, for centuries the engine of the local economy, now a landscape of rarebeauty, or following the scenic Argine degli Angeli, where white herons restundisturbed.

Comacchio: A Town of Timeless Charm

A single stroll among the bridges and canals ofthe old town is enough to understand why Comacchio lingers in the hearts of allwho pass through. The famous Trepponti, symbol of the town, the Ponte degliSbirri, the Loggia del Grano, and the Clock Tower tell a centuries-old story ofbalance between people and water.

For those who wish to delve deeper, the MuseoDelta Antico holds treasures from the ancient Etruscan city of Spina and tracesthe evolution of the entire delta region, while the Manifattura dei Marinatiopens its doors to local culinary tradition: here, laggon fish has beenprepared according to age-old methods for generations, a craft you can stillwatch and taste.

Ferrara: Where the Renaissance Travels by Bicycle

A short distance away, Ferrara opens an entirelydifferent yet equally captivating chapter. City of the Este court and a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site, it is best explored the way locals have always known it:by bike. Cycling along the majestic historic Walls that still encircle thecentre, a green ring offering views impossible to glimpse any other way, youbreathe in an atmosphere suspended in time.

Between rides, two stops are unmissable: PalazzoSchifanoia, home to the extraordinary fresco cycle of the Salone dei Mesi, andthe elegant Palazzina Marfisa d'Este, the residence linked to the charismaticMarfisa, granddaughter of the famous Lucrezia Borgia.

And then there's the food. Seated comfortably atthe table, traditional dishes take you on a journey through local flavours:from cappellacci di zucca to salama da sugo, all the way to the celebratedtorta tenerina.

An Invitation, Not Just a Story

What our international visitors experienced inrecent weeks is not reserved for the few: it is exactly what awaits anyone whochooses to slow down among the alleyways of Comacchio and the streets ofFerrara. Silent waters, centuries of history, authentic flavours, and a landthat never stops surprising, one canal, one fresco, one fishing hut at a time.

Ready to discover it for yourself? Explore allthe experiences, itineraries, and tips for planning your trip on VisitComacchio.