Isola Comacina

The only island on Lake Como is the wooded little isle of Comacina. In front of Ossuccia, it is also under that town's administration. The charming island is reached by ferry or water taxi for a few hours of peaceful views and walking along the forest paths. There are ruins scattered around, of ancient churches and buildings, showing a presence here for more than 1000 years. The chapel of San Giovanni Battisti is a white-washed church on a hill that was built in 1592. Next to it is the excavation that revealed a mosaic-tiled baptismal pool dating to the fifth century.

The picturesque scenery and placid atmosphere lured artists, and in the 1930s contemporary cottages were built as artists' lodgings, still in use. There is a noted restaurant that serves a fixed-price menus and attracts celebrities and gourmands, drawn to the unique location and regional fare.

The Isola Comacina is reachable by the ferry that travels the lake, water taxi, or a shuttle-boat from Ossuccia (tickets and maps available at the Antiquarium in Ossuccia).