Things to do in Ischia are not hard to find. The island really does offer so much to see and do. Following our recent trip to the island, here is our top 20 list of things to do in Ischia.
The island of Ischia is the largest island in the Bay of Naples, sitting approximately 30 km from Naples on the mainland. It is easily reached from the city with journey times varying between 50 minutes if taking the hydrofoil from the Beverello Pier or up to 90 minutes if opting for the conventional ferry from the Calata Porta di Massa Quay. Ticket prices are approximately 20-25 euros each way. Ischia itself has three ports – Forio, Casamicciola Terme and Ischia Porto.
1. Visit the thermal springs and mudbaths
Ischia is a volcanic island and is home to over 100 thermal springs. These are naturally hot, heated by the volcanic activity on the island. There are numerous opportunities for visitors to bathe in these waters and reap their therapeutic benefits. You can choose from luxury spas or thermal baths such as the Negombo thermal baths and the Poseidon thermal park. Alternatively, for a cheaper option, head to the thermal springs that bubble up from the sea and indulge in the water for free at Le Fumarole beach. Here you can experience the heated steam jets that erupt out of the sand. Or visit the Terme di Cavascura where the Romans would once have bathed.
The most popular (and modern) of all these options are the thermal baths of Poseidon. The baths are located next to Ischia’s coast and the impressive complex boasts twenty different pools, each fed by geothermal springs. These pools vary in temperature. Also on site are saunas, hydromassage facilities and waterfalls.
The oldest and arguably most authentic spa on the island is that at Cavascura in Sant’ Angelo. This boasts both mud baths and steam caves. We really like it here but it is far more quirky than other spas.
2. Discover the charm of the village of Sant’ Angelo
We think Sant’ Angelo is Ischia’s prettiest town and, free from traffic, it’s also one of the island’s quietest towns too. Sitting on the island’s southern coast, it is actually a suburb of Serrara Fontana. It is divided into two sections – a higher part which is home to the Church of San Michele Arcangelo and characterised by charming, narrow lanes, and a lower part where you will discover the main square, beach, marina and La Torre. The latter is a tiny tufa stone islet connected to Sant’ Angelo by a narrow strip of land and iconic double sided beach. It’s this view of Sant’ Angelo that is arguably one of the most photographed scene anywhere on the island.
Sant’Angelo is divided into two parts: the higher part is home to the Church of San Michele Arcangelo and narrow lanes, and the lower part has the marina and boardwalk, main square, and “La Torre”, a tiny tufa stone islet attached to Sant’Angelo by a narrow stretch of land. The village of Sant’Angelo with its tufa rock islet known as “La Torre” is one of the most famous views on Ischia.
3. Enjoy a stroll around the gardens of La Mortella in Forio
The Mortella gardens were created by Lady Susanah Walton, the wife of British composer, Sir William Walton. The gardens are substantial covering an area of nearly 2.5 acres and are home to an incredible variety of subtropical and mediterranean plant species. Lady Susanah gave the landscape architect Russell Page a brief to design a garden that would incorporate the dramatic volcanic rocks of the existing landscape as well as making the most of the views towards the sea and he certainly achieved that. The gardens are filled with an abundance of vegetation, greenhouses, sculptures, fountains, pathways, waterfalls and terraces, not forgetting the marvellous views that the gardens boast over the Bay of Forio below. If you’re really lucky, you may be able to visit when a garden recital is taking place.
4. Head to the beach
Ischia can boast plenty of fantastic beaches for those days when you just want to relax and soak up the sun. At 3 km long, the largest beach on Ischia is I Maronti in Barano. There are both private beach clubs here and public beaches here along with cafes and bars.
Some of the other most well-known include Citara Beach near the Poseidon Thermal Park. This is family friendly with lifeguards on duty during peak Summer months. Think long, white stretches of sand, crystal clear waters and sun all day long. The sea here is perfect for snorkelling and there are waterfront restaurants where you can enjoy a spot of lunch. Alternatively, opt for La Fumarole beach. This is famous for its thermal waters and hot sands. Hot steam comes up from underground and, in fact, the underground temperature has been so hot that it has been known for locals to cook on the sand here! Not far from here is the beach at Olmitello where a natural spring comes out of the cliffs. The water coming from the spring is safe and clean enough to drink.
If you’re looking for things to do in Ischia away from the crowds, then San Montano Beach in Lacco Ameno is lovely. Or opt instead for the beach at Cavagrado where you will also find some of the warmest waters. It’s not a big beach but it’s set between two lava cliffs and there are natural springs that bubble up from underneath the sea here, adding warmth to the waters. As the beach isn’t the easiest to access and involves climbing down a long fight of steps, it tends to be pretty quiet.
5. Visit the Castello Aragonese
The Castello Aragonese is one of Ischia’s most famous attractions. It is situated on a small rocky, volcanic island which is linked to the mainland and to Ischia Ponte via a narrow bridge. The castle has successfully defended the island against numerous invasions over the years and has also served as a safe haven for those fleeing volcanic eruptions. These days, it is still privately owned but it is open to the public. You’ll need to set aside a few hours to do it justice. Some of its main attractions include the Cattedrale dell’ Assunta, the Casa del Sole Museum, the Convent of Santa Maria della Consolazione and the cemetery of the Poor Clares. The latter were an order of nuns. When a nun died, her body would have been left sat upright until it fully decomposed. Visitors can enter the room where the deceased nuns would have been seated! And of course, outside, enjoy the incredible views back over Ischia Porto and in the other direction over the Bay of Naples towards Capri.
6. Go shopping in Ischia Porto
Ischia is divided into six main towns known as comune – Casamicciola, Lacco Ameno, Serrara Fontana, Barano, Ischia Ponte and Ischia Porto. We think the latter is the best place to indulge in a spot of retail therapy. It’s the busiest town on the island, which isn’t surprising when you consider its also the island’s main port, with most visitors arriving here. Head to the pretty tree-lined Corso Vittoria Colonna where you’ll find a selection of independent shops, designer stores and boutiques.
7. Marvel at Il Fungo
Il Fungo is an aptly named mushroom-shaped rock that sits in the sea off the coast of Ischia at Lacco Ameno. The rock is approximately 10 metres tall and formed as a result of historic volcanic activity on the island.
8. Spend a day in Naples
Whilst most will have come from Naples to get to Ischia, we have found that many don’t stop to take in the sites that Naples offers and yet the city has so much to offer visitors. Check out our guide to the top 50 things to do in Naples to discover how to spend a day there. Or, use it as a base to climb Mount Vesuvius or to visit nearby Pompeii.
9. Visit the Chiesa del Soccorso in Forio
The Chiesa del Soccorso is a pretty, 14th century, white-washed Moorish / Byzantine church which sits perched on the cliffs above the Bay of Forio. So the legend goes, the wooden crucifix inside was discovered sailors in the 1400s, stranded in a storm. They took it to the church for safekeeping but, after the storm was over, whenever they tried to take the crucifix out of the church, the door kept disappearing. As a result, the crucifix stayed there and, ever since, it is believed that it has protected both the islanders and the sailors that pass by. Head to the church at sunset to enjoy a terrific sunset from this vantage point.
10. Watch the sun set on the west of the island
The sun sets on Ischia, particularly in the west of the island are some of the best in Italy. Whilst the Chiesa del Soccorso is one of the most popular spots to sit and watch the sun go down, there are plenty of other equally stunning settings, many of which will be quieter.
10. Hike to the top of Monte Epomeo
Monte Epomeo is an ancient volcano that sits at the heart of the island of Ischia. An hour or two hike will take you from the main square in Fontana to its summit, through chestnut woods, vineyards and beautiful countryside. The 360 degree views from the top are certainly worth the effort and you can enjoy a cold refreshing drink at the cafe at the summit. On a clear day, it’s possible to see the islands of Ventotene and Ponza in the distance across the Bay of Naples. Incidentally, if you don’t fancy walking to the top, there is the option of going by horse back instead. Or, for a shorter walk you can drive up the Via Militare and park closer to the summit. The walk from here should only take around 30 minutes.
12. Enjoy a day trip to Procida
Procida is a picturesque island just 20 minutes from Ischia. It’s well worth visiting. It was Italy’s Capital of Culture in 2022 and it’s easy to see why. Small in size, covering an area just under 2 square miles, it is characterised by pretty pastel-coloured houses, charming marinas and narrow streets, along with almost deserted beaches. You’ll arrive at Procida’s main port – Marina Grande – and from here it’s just a 15 minute walk to Marina Corricella on the other side of the island. This is Procida’s oldest fishing village. Also worth seeing is Marina Chiaiolella at the opposite end of the island and the medieval fortified stronghold of Terra Murata.
13. Visit Michelangelo’s Tower
Also known as Guevara’s Tower and so-named because this is the noble family that once owned it, this 15th century tower overlooks the Bay of Cartaromana next to Ischia Ponte. Originally built to defend the coastline from threats from pirates, it was then given to the Guevara family who owned it until the 1800s. It has earned the name Michelangelo’s Tower since the story goes that the famous artist once lived here. If the story is to be believed, he was in love with the poet Vittoria Colonna who was married to Marquis Francesco Ferrante d’Avalos of Spain who lived on the island during the time of the Spanish reign here. Some also claim that the frescoes in the tower can be attributed to Michelangelo but this has never been proven. The tower is open six days a week (it’s closed on Mondays) and entrance is free. These days it is often used to host art exhibitions. As well as visiting the tower on land, try and also catch a glimpse of the tower from the water when it looks particularly impressive.
14. Get out on the water
There are an abundance of things to do in Ischia on the water. The island is just as beautiful from the sea as it is on land. It’s worth jumping in a water taxi to explore Ischia’s beautiful coastline and to discover some of the grottoes and beaches that line its shore. Alternatively, hire a kayak and make your own way to discover these hidden caverns. Many of these caves have their own story. The Grotto del Mago, for example, is where an old giant sitting on a rock supposedly once helped fisherman and protected them from storms. Or head to the nearby Grotto Verde where the combination of the sun, water and cave often illuminate the skin in a green glow. Watch out for the unusually shaped rock formations. There is a rock that is shaped like the foot of the Giant Tifeo (the Piede di Tifeo) and another that looks like an elephant!
15. Soak up the culture in Ischia’s museums
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Ischia, then it is worth spending times in some of the island’s museums. These include the Santa Restituta Museum in the Villa Arbusto in Lacco Ameno. This contains an impressive collection of relics dating back from the Greek and early Christian settlements in Ischia. One of the most notable of these artefacts if the Coppa di Nestore, which is one of the earliest examples anywhere in the world of writing using the Greek alphabet.
Alternatively, head to the Museo del Mare in Ischia Ponte’s clock tower to learn about the island’s maritime history, or to the Museo Diocesan to discover artefacts relating to the religious history of the island.
16. Go wine tasting
Vines have been planted on the island of Ischia ever since Greek and Roman times. Many of these are planted on the slopes of Monte Epomeo or in the island’s hillier areas. There are a few vineyards where you can enjoy a tour and tasting. These include the Cenatiempo vineyard in Serrara Fontana, the Pietratorcia vineyard in Panza and the Casa d’Ambra vineyards which are located in both towns.
17. Visit the Pilastri Aqueduct
You could be forgiven for thinking that this aqueduct dated back to Roman times but, in fact, it is a much more recent construction dating to the late 17th century. It was built as a result of a water shortage on the island from the 16th century. The reason that it took so long to come to fruition was that taxes had to be imposed to fund it, taxes that proved very unpopular with the locals!
18. Go snorkelling
The crystal clear waters that surround Ischia are perfect for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts. For the best snorkelling spot, head to the bay of La Scannella. Here you will find caves and underwater rocks which are fascinating to explore.
19. Explore Lacco Ameno
Lacco Ameno is a small town in the north west of Ischia that sits at the foot of Monte Epomeo. Whilst small, it is very pretty, characterised by tree-lined streets, colourfully painted shops and churches including the Church of Santa Restituta, Ischia’s patron saint. The waterfront promenade is charming and has a great feel to it on a warm Summer evening.
20. Take a day trip to Capri
Capri is Ischia’s busier, more glitzy neighbour. It is an hour away from Ischia and very easy to do in a day. Capri is one of Italy’s chicest destinations. Narrow streets are lined with designer shops and perfume stores whilst its coastline is filled with exclusive beach clubs. Capri’s other main attraction is the Blue Grotto, an incredible natural cave filled with water that takes on an ethereal blue colour thanks to the sunlight. Other famous sites in Capri include the Faraglioni, three dramatic rock formations that rise out of the sea and the 2000 feet high Monte Solaro. Take the chair lift to the top to enjoy the terrific views. Also try and make the time to enjoy a stroll through the picturesque Gardens of Augustus.