Travel Eye on Ischia (Italy)

Write a review or view peoples experiences in Ischia.	Hotels in Ischia	Flights	Car Hire/Rental

Want to contribute to the writings of this travel guide? If so, Click here

Overview:

Ischia is an island of volcanic origins in Italy's Campania region, at the northern end of the Bay of Naples. The island is easily reached by ferries and hydrofoils from Naples, and every summer Italian families flock to Ischia's beaches in their thousands.

As well as sandy beaches and blue sea, the island also boasts natural thermal springs, and the spa complexes around these are another major holiday attraction. The hot springs and the island's natural beauty make Ischia a popular destination for German tourists in particular, and many signs and notices around the island use German as a second language.

Ischia covers 47 square kilometres, with around 37km of coastline. The island's resident population is 55,000 and it is divided into six comuni , or administrative areas: Ischia, Barano, Forio, Serrara Fontana, Casamicciola Terme and Lacco Ameno. The island's highest point is the summit of Monte Epomeo, which is 789m above sea level.

The are attracts mainly middlemarket families and couples wanting less crowded beaches and less pretentious surroundings than Capri. The island's more distant location (and consequently more expensive ferry crossings) means it does not suffer as much as Capri from hordes of day-trippers.

The accommodation here is a broad blend of small- to medium-sized hotels and converted villas, several providing their own leisure facilities with thermal treatments. Several hotels have taken advantage of the temperate climate to create extensive gardens with exotic plants, especially remarkable types of cacti.

Locality:

Ischia is on the edge of the Tyrrhenian Sea, guarding the west approach to the Bay of Naples, about a third of the way up the boot of Italy. (it is 6½ mls off the mainland coast. 17 mls NW of the island of Capri. 156 mls SE of Rome. 19 mls by ferry or hydrofoil from Naples and its airport). It is a mountainous but verdant island of extinct volcanoes, with a rugged coastline broken by numerous sandy bays; the highest point is just under 2,500 ft.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

The principal tourist attractions of Ischia are its beaches, sea and spa resorts. The green hilly landscape is attractive, as are the little fishing ports, and you can enjoy a pleasant holiday without seeking out more developed attractions.

Time can be happily spent taking boat trips, seeing the island by bus or enjoying food and drink on panoramic terraces above the sea. However, there are some particular sights which are worth seeing if you're staying in Ischia for a few days.

The Castello Aragonese at Ischia Ponte is the island's grandest and most dramatic piece of history. A fortress on a high rocky islet, it dominates the surrounding area and offers splendid views. The castle is interesting to explore, and contains several sights of interest, a couple of cafes, and rather macabre museum.

Visitors interested in gardens will not want to miss La Mortella , the landscape garden created by the composer William Walton and his wife Susanna. Between Lacco Ameno and Forio, the garden lies at the foot of Monte Zaro, cut into an old stone quarry. The garden's designer was Russell Page, and his aim was to create a landscape which would offer peace and beauty.

There is plenty of informal, small restaurants serving traditional pasta, abundant locally caught fish and seafood and a variety of pizzas, including the genuine "Neapolitan", originally created in the region. The local white and red wines are drinkable or try the popular lemon liqueur "Limoncello".