Ischia is the largest of the islands in the Gulf of Naples, with forty-six square kilometers of pristine beaches and dramatic, mountainous coast. Like nearby Mount Vesuvius, Ischia is volcanic. The subterranean activity beneath the island leads to a unique coastline and thermal hot springs that have drawn in visitors since ancient times.
Never heard of it? Neither had I until I noticed it on the map while planning a week trip through southern Italy. I spent four days there and quickly fell under its allure, returning two weeks later to spend nearly a month on the island.
But why you might ask, is Ischia worth visiting? I’ll first tell you why Ischia may not be for you, but tag along as I explore the many wonders of this island.
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Why you might not like Ischia
1 . The island can get crowded.
While Ischia may be relatively unknown from an international perspective, the island remains a popular destination for people from the region. People flock to the island, especially in the month of August.
Crowds are the reality of Italy in the summer. They’re hard to avoid in one of the most popular countries for tourism on the planet. But as Ischia is a rather small island, the crowds are noticeable. They’re by no means stifling, but if you’re seeking a quiet, crowd-free dream summer destination, Ischia may not be for you.
2 . If summer isn’t for you, then neither is Ischia
As an island known for its sunshine and beaches, Ischia is, without a doubt, a seasonal destination meant for summertime. The island changes considerably in the winter, with many restaurants, accommodations, and attractions closing or reducing their operations. The beaches are too cold for swimming and sunbathing.
If you were to go in the off-season, expenses will likely be lower. Besides, the islanders will always be happy to welcome respectful visitors.
3 . Transportation in Ischia is rather hectic.
On a lesser scale than its neighboring Naples, Ischia comes with some chaotic traffic and transport. Pedestrians beware — sometimes while walking down the towns’ tight streets, you have to stand on doorsteps to let a car pass.
While the island’s bus system can be used to move across the island, the times of the set schedule are not always reliable. They come, just not when they say they will, which is frustrating, to say the least.
Why Ischia is worth visiting
1 . For a beautiful Italian island, Ischia is affordable.
Ischia is located near world-class destinations like Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Sorrento. These locations’ scenic vistas and worldwide fame make them considerably popular and fairly expensive.
Ischia is a great but no less beautiful alternative for these locations for its affordability on everything from hotel prices and restaurant meals to scooter rentals and private beach lounge chairs.
Ischia can be pricey if you choose its finest restaurants and bougie lodgings, but a well-planned trip to Ischia won’t break your budget.
2 . Compared to its neighbors, Ischia has better beaches.
Similarly, Ischia also features beaches that are sandier, more accessible, and even more public than beaches in nearby destinations. While many beaches have private sections, you can visit every beach on the island without paying a penny – I sure didn’t.
Some of the beaches in Ischia are quite extensive and almost all are smooth and sandy. Spiaggia dei Maronti, for example, stretches well over a kilometer along the island’s southern coast. Ischia is worth visiting for its stunning beaches alone.
3. The Ancient Greeks loved its natural hot springs, so you will too.
The pervasive influence of Ancient Greece on today’s culture indicates one thing — the Greeks had taste.
Greek explorers settled in Ischia, which they called Pithecusae, around 800 B.C.E. Sailors, warriors and others frequented the island for its natural thermal hot springs, which they honored for the spiritual and physical healing properties.
Romans developed those thermal cultural traditions and since then the thermal hot springs have been one of Ischia’s main attractions.
Natural thermal spots like Baia di Sorgeto and Le Fumarole dei Maronti are open to the public. Or you can pamper yourself at the many thermal parks where spa treatment, hydrotherapy, and ancient tradition are blended into a unique, rejuvenating experience.
4. The local beauty industry bottles up the healing waters for your use.
Thermal water, it turns out, truly does have healing properties. Loaded in minerals, the Ischian water is particularly beneficial for the skin and can help combat inflammation associated with various conditions.
Several lines of natural cosmetics can be found in Ischia, offering hydrating sprays, face masks, and anti-aging creams. If you’re interested in carrying the magic of Ischia with you when you leave, browse products at stores like Divine Cosmetics in Forio, Ischia SPAEH in Ischia Porto, and Ischia Beauty in Casamicciola.
5. The nightlife is outstanding
Once, when returning from the mainland on the late-night ferry, the craft stopped at the adjacent island of Procida, where well-dressed passengers flooded on. As the next ferry didn’t leave till the morning, I remember watching. But then it hit me — these passengers were island-hopping to Ischia for a night partying at the island’s clubs and bars.
The opportunities for feste are endless in Ischia. Ischia Porto boasts the highest density of beachside lounges and discotheques, but you can find parties all over the island, from bustling weekend nights at the portside bars of Forio to local festivals in Serrara Fontana.
6. Ischia is a nature lover’s paradise.
Verdant and vivacious, Ischia is an island-sized garden rising from the Mediterranean. The island is dominated by the 789-meter-tall Mount Epomeo, whose slopes are blanketed by unspoiled forests that you can traverse on hiking trails.
Additionally, Ischia’s rugged coastline, bejeweled with pastel villages, is awe-inspiring. Many of the beaches hidden along the coast are remote and undisturbed, with crystal clear waters and schools of glittering fish.
The island is also home to several renowned botanical gardens, like Giardini La Mortella, which hosts a collection of exotic plants, and Giardini Ravino, home to dozens of species of cacti and succulents from across the Mediterranean. It’s easy to find pockets of nature across this island and escape from the hustle and bustle of its small but lively port towns.
7. Ischia has a unique, isolated food scene.
Is it a bad pun if I have to tell you isola means island in Italian? Anyway, Ischia is known for its unique gastronomy. As an island, Ischia boasts lots of fresh seafood, but its most famous dishes are earthier.
The zingara ischitana is a particular sandwich ubiquitous across the island. With simple, fresh ingredients like prosciutto, tomato and fiordilatte cheese, a zingara makes for a perfect to-go lunch as you hop around the island.
The coniglio all’ischitana, a hearty rabbit stew eaten with various dishes, is an island trademark.
Since rabbits and pheasants are the island’s principal game, fagiano (pheasant) all’ischitana is another typical dish.
There’s no shortage of booze, either. Rucolino, an arugula-based digestif, is an island specialty. You’ll also notice terraced vineyards tucked between buildings and climbing up the mountain slopes, as Ischia has a thriving wine culture.
8. Culturally, it’s got a lot going on.
Niche museums, monumental castles, cultural festivals, and sunken legendary cities… Ischia flaunts its cultural heritage and has been the muse to many artists.
Stately museums explore the archaeological and marine heritage of the island. Meanwhile, the inspiring, millennia-old Aragonese Castle is home to so much history and also hosts the annual Ischia Film Festival. In the waters below the castle, you can snorkel through the ruins of an ancient Roman city.
Moreover, poets, authors, and cinematographers have immortalized Ischia in their art. The artistic allure of the island is clear, as it has served as the setting in Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels series (and accompanying TV series) and films like The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999).
Conclusion
At the end of the day, Ischia is simply itself. In a star-studded country, Ischia does not aspire to fame but by no means lacks it.
The locals are kind, welcoming, and passionate about their island home. The island has character, and so do each of its towns, such that you can find richness and curiosity in every fold of its rugged coast. And did I mention that you won’t run out of things to do in Ischia?
So, are you convinced that Ischia is worth visiting? The Greeks sure thought so and so did I. What more can I say? The only way to know is to pack your bags, head to the port, and strike off over the waves toward this precious island.
The bus service seems to get bad press BUT I LOVE it.One route totally circumferences the island AMAZING!!