When I visited Italy, I had not heard of Ischia, but while I was in Naples and travelling through Southern Italy I wanted some beach time.  I had spent a few days exploring the Amalfi Coast, but wanted somewhere a bit quieter away from all the tourists.

I was recommended to visit Ischia Island Italy, there are many beautiful beaches to enjoy and there is a lot to do on the Island if you don’t want to spend all your time at a spa or on the beach.  It’s much cheaper than it’s nearby neighbour of Capri but still stunning and with so much stuff to do in Ischia.  If you are asking yourself is Ischia worth visiting then read below what to do in Ischia.  Here is what I think are the best things to do in Ischia.

Where is Ischia Italy located

Ischia is a volcanic island located in the Gulf of Naples, just 19 miles from the city of Naples in Italy.  It is the largest of the 3 islands (Procida, Capri & Ischia).

How big is Ischia

Ischia Islands Italy is the largest of the 3 islands, Procida, Capri & Ischia.  It is 46.3km squared and is about 10km by 7km and very mountainous.

How to get to Ischia from Naples

From the port in Naples there are several options, you can get the ferry from Naples to Ischia and the Naples to Ischia ferry price is around 15 Euro and it takes around 1 hour and a half.  Alternatively you can get the Hydrofoil Naples to Ischia and the price is around 21 Euro and it takes 1 hour.

Best time to visit Ischia Italy

If you are looking for hot weather then the best months to visit Ischia are July, August & September, when the weather is hot and dry in Southern Italy.

Winter though is considered though to be the best time to visit, as there are less crowds.  The temperature during the day is normally around 13 degrees with evening temperature around 5 degrees.

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Where to stay in Ischia Italy

There are lots of choices for places to stay in Ischia.  There is only 1 hostel if you are backpacking on the Island but there are also hotels & BnB’s ranging from around 30 Euro per person.

For more information on the Ring Hostel I stayed in, located in Forio.  Click here for more information on Ring Hostel.

Check out my Guide to the Top 10 Best Hotels in Ischia here.

The Top Things to do in Ischia Italy

Ischia is quite a large island, much bigger than its neighbour Capri but it has a great bus service that covers the whole island so it is easy to get around and see everything.  Alternatively you can rent a car or get a taxi.  There are so many things to do, Ischia is a great island and you will never get bored.  Here is my list of Ischia things to do:

1. Aragonese Castle – Castello Aragonese

When you arrive in Ischia port you might wonder what to do on Ischia but the first thing you can see is Castello Aragonese which dominates the view and looks amazing from the water.  Ischia Castle is a medieval castle built in 474 BC.  In 1441 the bridge was built to connect the castle with the mainland.  It has been lived in by many people over is 2,500 year history and at one point had 13 churches.

It’s about a 45mins/1hour walk from the port, but there is the option of catching the bus.  It costs 12 Euro to get in, but it’s well worth it, you could spend all day there. It is open 7 days a week from 9am to sunset.  Take a book and sit in the gardens, it’s a great place to relax if you have time.  You also get a map that guides you around the castle.

The Ischia film festival is held in the castle every year at the end of June till the beginning of July and attracts people from all around the world.

2. Mount Epomeo

Mount Epomeo is the highest mountain on the Island with the summit at 789 metres and from the summit you have 360 degree views of Ischia.  The way to the summit is quite difficult as there are some really steep places but it is well worth it. It should take around an hour and a half to get to the top.  The hike starts from the town of Fontana and it’s easy to get to by bus.

3. Visit Lacco Ameno

Located in the north west of Ischia, it is smallest town in Ischia but certainly is one of the prettiest on the Island.  It is located in a bay and has a beautiful sandy beach and is the perfect place to relax and have a swim.  There is also a harbour where you will small boats to luxury yachts and many beautiful restaurants with amazing food and views.

Close to the town centre you will find the thermal water park of Negombo with twelve different pools of different temperatures, some of which have been cut out of the rock with amazing views of the area.   You will also find four 5 star hotels in this town!!

4. Ischia Italy things to do, visit the Museums of Ischia

There are quite a few museums in Ischia, here is a list of the best:

• Museo del Mare (The Sea Museum) – A history of Ischia’s fishing industry and sea
• Museo Angelo Rizzoli/Villa Arbusto Museum – Ancient artefacts and memories of the italian film producer Angelo Rizzoli who once lived there.
• Casa Museo – Ancient Artefacts and artwork from the owner
• Santa Restituta Museum – Excavations from when the Greeks ruled Ischia.
• Il Torrione Museum – Fortified watchtower which now displays work of local artists, sculptors and photographers

5. What to do Ischia, Enjoy the Thermal parks and Gardens

Ischia is famous for it’s natural thermal parks and gardens on the island with a lot to choose from:

• Poseidon Thermal Garden in Forio which has 20 different pools.
• Aphrodite Thermal Gardens has 12 pools and is located close to Le Fumarole beach.
• Eden Tropical Thermal Park has10 pools and overlooks Sant’Angelo Bay,
• Castiglione has around 10 pools and is the nearest to Ischia port.
• Negombo is located in the beautiful bay of San Montano, with a beach and thermal pools and a lot of people say it’s the best thermal park ischia.
• Romantica Thermal Park is part of the Park Hotel Romantica Terme and has 13 different pools.
• O Vagnitiello Thermal Park is a hydrothermal park using the spring water from Bagnitiello Spring.
• Nitrodi Thermal Springs has waterfall showers and basins and panoramic sun terraces.
• Olympus Thermal Park is a small park just behind Maronti Beach

6. The Church of Soccorso in Forio d’Ischia

The Church of Soccorso is located in the town of Forio and is dedicated to Santa Maria.  The site has had a religious building on it since 1350 with the current building being built in 1864.  The outside of the church is a white stucco and the stairs up to the church are covered in Majorca tiles from the 1700’s.

7. Best Beaches in Ischia

Ischia has some beautiful sandy beaches.  Here is a list of the best Ischia Island beaches:

• Cava Grado Beach – This is quite a small beach near Sant’Angelo
• Maronti Beach – It is one of the biggest beaches on the Island and just around the corner from Sant’Angelo
• Le Fumarole Beach – One of the prettiest beaches and thought of as one of the best beaches Ischia, it is a short walk from Sant’Angelo and is famous for the hot vapours heating up the sand, where you can dig sand baths.
• Chiaia di Rose beach – This beach is in the centre of Sant’Angelo, quite small but the views from here are amazing.
• San Francesco Beach – A pretty white sand beach, perfect for snorkelling and lots of caves nearby to explore.
• San Montano Beach – One of the prettiest beaches and classed as the best beach on Ischia, half of it is free and the other half is part of the Ischia Negombo Thermal Baths.
• Citara Beach – One of the biggest beaches and one of the best beach Ischia, it is located near Forio and home to Poseidon Thermal Gardens.
• Inglesi Beach – A very small and quiet beach perfect for snorkelling.
• San Pietro Beach – One of the biggest beaches located near Ischia Porto and very popular for volleyball.
• La Mandra Beach – Very near Ischia Ponte, with great views of the castle.

8. Giardini la Mortella

The Giardini La Mortella is the former home and gardens of the late British composer William Walton, it is a private garden that is now open to the public.  It was originally created in the 1950’s and has evolved over time.  It covers 2 hectares and has over 3000 different rare and exotic plants.

It is open from 2 April to 30 October 2022 on Tuesdays, Thursday, Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 7pm and entry costs 12 Euro.

9. San’t Angelo

Sant’Angelo is on the south coast of the Island built next to a large rock in the sea, with a strip of land that goes out to the point with a little beach.  It’s a beautiful little town with no cars allowed.  There are lots of little boutique shops and some good restaurants.  If it’s a beach you want there are also several good beaches within walking distance.

Have you visited Ischia? What was your favourite thing to do there? Let me know if you think I have missed anywhere.

You might find these posts useful for planning your trip to Ischia:

• The Best Hotels in Ischia
• How to spend one day In Naples

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