Ischia
Ischia is the big island next to the ever-so-famous Capri. I believe this island is Italy’s best kept secret. Which is good and bad. At of the time of this writing, Ischia is full of Neapolitans and old German tourists. Good, that there are not tons of Americans taking selfies and saying “Gratsieeee” way too loud, and bad, that they are Neapolitans and old Germans. But that is starting to change year by year and belive it or not, The Americans Are Coming!
Ischia is stunning. It’s the green island. Covered by high mountains of green forests filled with flowers and surrounded by sand beaches with pockets of natural hot springs. It’s really nature’s paradise. It is also really big, you should rent a car or a vespa unless you don’t mind to take the local bus.
Getting there:
There is a boat every hour from Naples all year. It is also possible in the summer to come by boat from Amalfi coast and Capri and Procida.
Where to stay:
You have a lot of options of where to stay. If you would like a big hotel look for one that has their own natural thermal spa. Otherwise look on airbnb.com or booking.com for a little room or apartment. These are the three areas that I suggest:
Ischia Ponte
This is my favorite part. It’s directly in front of the castle which is truly stunning. It’s built on top of a huge natural rock in the sea and is connected to the town by a long pedestrian stone bridge. The town is very old and really gives you that old Italy vibe we all come here to experience. You can lay out with the locals on the rocks around the bridge in front of the castle or to the left is an entire strip of beach that has a million, old cute, vintage style beach clubs. (Think Talented Mr. Ripley, also filmed here.)
Maronti/ Sant’ Angelo
On the south side of the island. This is also really pretty and more of an elegant feel. They have nice restaurants and posh hotels over here and Maronti beach has nicer sand. You can do a beautiful walk on a path that wraps up and down all over Sant’ Angelo. There is an amazing restaurant in the Sant’ Angelo square to the left of the peninsula. Best pasta I have ever eaten, Dal Pescatore.
Forio
Forio has the sunset. Also a cute town with a promenade. It’s really nice in the off-season but a packed hell of kids and old people come summer. From here you can walk to Cava beach, a small sand beach which has a cooler crowd of hip young guys and a fun beach bar restaurant. If you keep walking left there is Poseidon Terme the most beautiful natural spa thermal park. It’s on the sea and full of different temperature hot tubs. An outdoor water park for health and beauty, so cool.
What to do:
Sorgeto You can arrive here by long set of steps or by boat. It’s a free natural hot spring in the ocean that has a bar/ restaurant attached. If you are very adventurous go at night. Bring a bottle of wine and towel and climb down the steps. You will find yourself alone and naked in a hot pool of water in the ocean staring up at the moon and a blanket of stars. It’s magical, I surprised my boyfreind after dinner on his birtdhay when we first met. Very sexy.
Cartaromana Super cute very small beach just around the corner from Ischia Ponte. You can take a 5euro boat just a few minutes or walk up and down the hill. The restaurant here, Da Maria is amazing. Really great food right on the beach and also rents the beach chairs. Try the rabbit (which is famous in Ischia) with spaghetti. Also the fried calamari and bruschetta is to die for. For lunch in the summer always ask for “peach in the wine”. Trust me.
La Pace This is an old family restaurant built into the side of a cliff only accessable by boat. It’s amazing. The oven is literally built into the rock. It’s so rustic chic you will feel like the luckiest person on earth to have found it. You can take your own boat or yacht obviously or you can get a taxi boat from Ischia Ponte round trip for 80euros. It’s totally worth it. Spent the day on the sunbeds or just hours in the restaurant eating and drinking. Remember the peach in the wine story? This is the king of drunk peaches.
Il Nido del Falco translated to “the nest of the falcon” is only a few years old and just the next cliff over from La Pace. It’s a really cool bohemian family who made this masterpiece of a restaurant high up in the hill. It’s truly stunning, super cool, and a great new addition to Ischia. Kindof my new favorite spot. The food and the family are awesome too. The difference is the family who are happy to talk to you and are super friendly whereas La Pace attitude is more like, “You’re lucky to be here”. Both really unique, amazing spots on this earth.
Scannella This place is worth the journey to get here. It’s in a remote part on the south side of the island. A hotel, beach club, restaurant and thermal. It’s photogenically the best place on the island. I would suggest to go for the day to the beach club and have lunch. Like most of the others, it’s easiest to get there by boat if you have one, but this one you can drive or take a taxi to.
Club Scannella
Il Nido Del Falco
The first place I lived in Italy where all the stories began. Come visit before all your friends do.
With love from Ischia,
Lyla
Thank you very much for posting this post. It has benifited me and my dad hundreds and I doubtless browing by way your other posts as I enjoyed this publish very much. Thanks once more and proceed the great work!
This really is such a wonderful resource that youre offering and you give it away for free. I take pleasure in seeing sites that realize the worth of delivering a prime resource for no cost. I really loved reading your post. Thanks!
Thanks, I have been seeking for information about this topic for ages and yours is the best Ive discovered so far.
Starting a website kind of like this one forced me to do some research and I found your post to be quite helpful. My content is centered around the idea of knowledge, fun and sharing. I wish you fine luck with your web site in the future and you can be sure I’ll be following it.
There is obviously a lot to know about this. I feel you made various good points in features also.
[…] join us in one of my favorite places, just off the coast of Naples, and next to the Amalfi Coast, the island of ISCHIA! Ischia is known for its natural hot springs thanks to the island’s underground volcanic […]
1*347*342*0