Located on the Gulf of Naples, Ischia is an island that is severely underrated and often overlooked by tourists who come to the area and visit the island of Capri instead. While Capri and its surrounding areas are undeniably beautiful, Ischia gives visitors a less chaotic version of the southern Italian island life while still offering plenty of attractions and amenities. If you’re looking for a more authentic version of La Dolce Vita, then Ischia is the place you must visit.
Giardini La Mortella
Thermal Springs
Ischia was formed from volcanic eruptions, which is why it is home to many natural springs. Visitors come to enjoy its therapeutic and healing warm waters. There are also thermal parks that offer an array of luxuries spa experiences, including Negombo and Poseidon.
Ischia Thermal Springs
Aragonese Castle
A unique feature of Ischia is the ancient Aragonese castle, which you can see located on a small islet that’s connected to the island. You can access it by causeway and go inside to the museum that tells its rich history. The castle dates back to 474 BCE, when it was built by Hiero I of Syracuse. It was also featured in the 2019 film Men in Black: International.
Aragonese Castle
Delicious Cuisine
Of course, any trip to Italy means enjoying to wonderful local food, and since Ischia is an island, that naturally means plenty of fresh seafood. Another famous dish from here is Coniglio fossa all’ichitana nel coccio, the island’s signature rabbit dish. For those who prefer veggie options, you must try the eggplant parmigiana.
Delicious Cuisine
Enjoy The Beach
No trip to Ischia would be complete without enjoying its stunning beaches. You can visit many different shoes including Cartaromana near the center, Citara which features a thermal complex, San Francesco if you want to see fish, Cava dell’Isola for swimming and great nightlife, Chiaia for a quieter beach that’s great for the family, and Maronti, which is a long stretch of stunning bright blue beach.
Enjoy The Beach
Mountain Hike
If you prefer a more active vacation, you must head over to Monte Epomeo, which requires a bit of a challenging hike but with the incredible payoff of a panoramic view of the island. If you want to be active but aren’t quite up for a hike, you can take an hours-long stroll at Giardini La Mortella, a beautiful lush botanical garden featuring countless flowers and vegetation.
View From Monte Epomeo
