Isola Comacina

The Comacina Island is the unique island of Lake Como, near Tremezzina. Sights include seven churches built by the ancient Byzantines, secluded corners and the open views. An aura of mystery lingers on the history of the island, its inhabitants, the churches and the buildings which were once there in great numbers and were destroyed by the soldiers of Como army.

Isola Comacina

Get in

By car and by ferry

Take the Motorway A9, exit Como Nord, follow the road SS340 Regina heading to Menaggio and stop at Sala Comacina. Once you have parked, go down the stairs leading to the pier where a boat will take you to the island in a matter of minutes.

By public boat

The standard Lake Como ferry services stop here during the day www.navigazionelaghi.it.

Eat

• Locanda dell'Isola Comacina. The fixed-menu meal includes a choreographed show, with dancing peppermills, splashes of olive oil, and the host's "fire ceremony," in which he deploys brandy, sugar, coffee, and matches while offering a well-worn history of the island. The rigmarole is meant to exorcise a curse put on the isola by a 12th-century bishop of Como. Closed Tuesdays; open all week from June to September. 
• There is also a small cafe which is open during the day for snacks and coffee.