Ischia

Late spring and early autumn are the best times. The sea is warm enough for swimming from June to October, and the thermal parks are pleasant. July and August are hot and busy, with the highest prices. Some hotels and beach clubs close in winter, and the wettest months are autumn and winter.

Plan around the Feast of Sant'Anna on 26 July at Ischia Ponte, when decorated boats parade and the Castello Aragonese is lit with fireworks.

• Castello Aragonese stands on a rock connected to the island by a stone causeway. The first fortress here is ancient. The walk up has sea views over the bay.
• Giardini La Mortella is a hillside garden near Forio. The composer William Walton made his home here, and his wife Susana Walton created the garden. It is shady and quiet, a good break from the beach.
• Monte Epomeo is the highest point on the island, at about 790 m. Walk up for views over the whole bay. Wear proper shoes and bring water.
• Santa Maria del Soccorso is a white church on a headland in Forio. It is a favourite place to watch the sunset.
• Il Torrione is the old defence tower beside the sea in Forio.
• Giardini Poseidon Terme is the island's best-known thermal park, near the Citara beach. It has many pools of different temperatures.
• Negombo is a thermal park with pools in a garden, near San Montano bay.
• Sorgente Sorgeto is a small bay where hot water flows into the sea. You reach it on foot by a long set of steps. Go early, as it gets crowded.

• Thermal soak: Spend an afternoon in a thermal park, or float in the hot springs at Sorgente Sorgeto. A spa visit is the main ritual of an Ischia trip.
• Sunset in Forio: Watch the sun go down from the headland at Santa Maria del Soccorso, then have an aperitivo in the town.
• Boat trip around the island: A boat day shows coves that are hard to reach by land.

Ferries link Ischia with the Naples area, so these places are easy day trips.

• Procida is the nearest island, about 20 minutes by boat. It has pastel-coloured fishing harbours and a quiet pace.
• Pozzuoli is about 1 hour by ferry. It has a Roman amphitheatre and sits in a volcanic area known for steam vents.
• Naples is about 50 minutes by hydrofoil and up to 1 hour 45 minutes by ferry. Go for the historic centre, the National Archaeological Museum and pizza.
• Pompei is reached by ferry to Naples, then a local train. Plan a long day for the Roman ruins.
• Capri has direct boats in season. In winter, go via Naples. Plan a full day.

The island has six towns. The main base for most visitors is the town of Ischia, with the main port and the old castle quarter.

• Along the north coast, Casamicciola Terme and Lacco Ameno are the main spa towns.
• On the west coast, Forio is known for sunsets and beaches.
• In the south, the villages of Barano d'Ischia and Serrara Fontana lead to Maronti beach and Sant'Angelo.

For other trips in the bay, see Procida, Capri and Naples.

Ischia has no airport and no bridge. All visitors arrive by sea.

• By air: The nearest airport is Naples Capodichino (NAP). Take a taxi or bus to the port in Naples, then a boat to Ischia.
• By boat from Naples: Hydrofoils leave from Molo Beverello and take about 50 minutes. Slower ferries leave from Calata Porta di Massa and take up to 1 hour 45 minutes. Both can carry you to Ischia Porto or Casamicciola Terme.
• By boat from Pozzuoli: Ferries and hydrofoils take about 1 hour to Ischia Porto. Metro line 2 and the Cumana train from Naples both serve Pozzuoli town.
• Island ports: Ischia Porto, Casamicciola Terme and Forio. Choose the one closest to your hotel, since island buses are slow.

• Buses: EAV buses cover the island. Two circular lines, CD and CS, run in opposite directions around the island from the Ischia Porto bus station. Other lines go to Sant'Angelo and Maronti beach. Buy tickets before boarding at bars, tobacconists and newsagents, and validate it if a machine is on the bus. Tickets bought from the driver cost more. Ticket outlets are listed on the EAV website.
• Taxis: Taxis wait at the ports and in the main towns. Agree the price before a long ride.
• Scooters: Many visitors rent a scooter or a small car. Roads are narrow and steep, and traffic is heavy in summer.
• On foot: Towns are walkable. Distances between them are long, and many places are on hills.

• Is a car worth it? Not for most stays. Buses and taxis reach the main places. A car or scooter helps only if you stay far from a bus line. Roads are narrow, and summer traffic is slow.
• Cars on the island: Only slow car ferries carry vehicles, not hydrofoils. In summer, vehicles registered to Campania residents are restricted from entering the island, with some exceptions. The rules change every year, so check before you book. Cars from other regions may enter.
• Parking: Parking is limited in town centres and near the beaches, and it is usually paid. Hotels outside the centres often have their own parking.
• Restrictions: Some town centres limit traffic. Ask your hotel before you drive in.

Ischia food is simple and local. Try coniglio all'ischitana, rabbit cooked slowly with tomatoes, garlic, white wine and herbs. Fresh fish and spaghetti with clams are also common. Local white wines are made mostly from Biancolella and Forastera grapes.

For a good meal, walk the harbour at Ischia Ponte, the seafront in Forio, or the fishing village of Sant'Angelo. Restaurants in the hills often serve rabbit and home-style dishes. In summer, book dinner ahead.

Ischia is generally safe for visitors. As anywhere, keep valuables out of sight on crowded boats, buses and beaches.

• Thermal water: Some springs are very hot. Test the temperature before you step in. Follow the posted rules at each spa.
• Heat and hiking: Summer is hot. Start hikes early and carry water.
• Landslides: The island is volcanic and has hilly terrain. Small earthquakes happen on the island. Heavy rain can cause landslides on steep slopes. Follow local alerts and avoid closed paths in bad weather.
• Boats: Sea conditions can cancel crossings in winter. Keep a flexible return plan.

Greek settlers from the Aegean founded a trading town here in the 8th century BCE, called Pithecusae. It was one of the first Greek colonies in the western Mediterranean. Finds from the site are in the Museo Archeologico di Pithecusae in Lacco Ameno.

The island's rock fortress, now the Castello Aragonese, was first built in antiquity. In the 15th century, Alfonso V of Aragon linked it to the island with the stone causeway used today.

In 1883, a strong earthquake destroyed Casamicciola Terme and damaged other towns on the island. The towns were rebuilt. Today, tourism and thermal spas drive the local economy.

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