The marvels of the volcanic island of Ischia first caught the attention of Greek sailors almost 3,000 years ago, drawn by mineral waters and therapeutic thermal springs.
Ischia is also known for its pristine spiagge (Italian for beaches), easily the best among the destinations clustered around Naples, like Capri, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast. From rocky coves to long stretches of sand and curiosities in between, Ischia offers a broad variety of beaches for your summer sojourn.
With this list of 15 of the best beaches in Ischia, you’ll find no shortage of spots to bask in the restorative waters of the island.
Table of Contents
Best beaches in Ischia
1. Spiaggia Cava dell’Isola
During my month in Ischia, Cava dell’Isola was my go-to beach. A 20-minute walk from the center of Forio Porto, Cava dell’Isola is a natural beach at the base of sharp cliffs.
The beach is public access, but you can rent an umbrella (ombrellone) and a lounge chair (lettino) for 10€ from the adjacent restaurant. The restaurant also offers table service and pizza da asporto for a beach picnic.
The beach is popular, so I recommend you go earlier rather than later, but there’s always space to kip up and enjoy the sunshine. Large waves roll in from the depths of the Mediterranean, but during low tide, you can swim out to some of the rock formations around the beach.
2. Spiaggia di Citara
Just around the cliffside from Cava dell’Isola, Spiaggia di Citara stretches in the shadow of a massive promontory, whose lighthouse flickers across the coast at night. Citara has public access and private lounges, so you choose to kick it on the sand or bask in seaside luxury.
There’s no view quite like the one you get when bobbing in the salty waves of Citara. It is the perfect spot for a long, relaxing beach day or an evening swim as the sun sinks toward the horizon.
3. Spiaggia San Pancrazio
If you hit the waves on a boat tour, make sure not to miss this beach — San Pancrazio is a boat-only beach on the rugged southeastern coast of the island. Its crystal clear waters that glitter emerald in the sunlight draw seabound visitors and the abandoned restaurant on the cliffside adds an alluring, mysterious touch.
San Pancrazio is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ischia and well worth the effort required to reach its pristine waters.
4. Spiaggia di Sant’Angelo
Spiaggia di Sant’Angelo sits on a tiny isthmus connecting the mainland of Ischia to a rocky promontory. It’s not the largest beach on the island, but it is considered one of the best beaches in Ischia. Continuous from the picturesque town of the same name, Sant’Angelo beach is a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike.
5. Spiaggia dei Pescatori
Similarly, Spiaggia dei Pescatori (Fishermen’s Beach) is another beach located in the heart of Ischia Porto. From the sand, you have a panoramic view of the Aragonese Castle, which crowns an islet and looms impressively over the coast.
Spread your towels out in the public section, or splurge on an umbrella and lounge chair. Fishermen’s Beach is a well-known spot among tourists and celebrities alike, such as Jude Law, who frequented the beach when preparing for his role in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999).
6. Spiaggia della Marina
One of Ischia’s port towns, Casamicciola is not particularly known for its beaches. But if you find yourself in the town longing for a beach surrounded by restaurants and shops, Spiaggia della Marina is your stretch of sand.
7. Spiaggia di San Montano
On the island’s northwestern corner, Spiaggia di San Montano is, in my opinion, the most beautiful beach in Ischia. The picturesque crescent beach curves between two forested hillsides and from the sand the shallow seabed slopes gently out to the mouth of the bay.
It’s a great beach in Ischia for families, given its amenities and shallow, calm waters, but anyone can enjoy San Montano. My advice — get there early. The public part of the beach is small and fills up quickly.
8. Spiaggia di San Pietro
A classic sandy shore located in Ischia Porto, the island’s biggest town, Spiaggia di San Pietro is an easy-access beach for those of you staying nearby. Close in proximity to the town’s hotels, shops, and restaurants, San Pietro is a great beach to hit just after dropping your bags at your accommodation.
9. Spiaggia dei Maronti
Over a kilometer long, Spiaggia dei Maronti provides plenty of space for sunbathers and swimmers to enjoy the southern coast of Ischia. Adjacent to Sant’Angelo, Maronti is well-connected with eateries and accommodation.
If you want a beach barbecue, look no further than Maronti Beach. Volcanic vents called fumaroles lie on one end of the beach and heat the sand and water enough to allow for cooking.
And people do! By wrapping food such as chicken, fish, potatoes, or eggs in aluminum foil and burying it under hot sand, entire feasts can be prepared on the beach.
10. Spiaggia di Varulo
Spiaggia di Varulo is another rocky cove with pristine water accessible only by boat. Its proximity to Lacco Ameno, a small town on Ischia’s northern coast, makes it easier to reach by your own means.
Find a kayak rental in Lacco Ameno and set out paddling to this quiet spot, where you can enjoy a beach still tranquil even in the high summer season.
11. Spiaggia della Chiaia
With wide sweeping stretches of sand backed up against a boardwalk field with dining options, Spiaggia della Chiaia is Forio Porto’s largest and most recognizable beach. It fills up with beachgoers from across the island and beyond during the summer, but its size means there’s never a shortage of space.
At Chiaia, the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. The beach transforms into a sort of sandy plaza, where people gather together to socialize and watch the fireworks that occur frequently throughout the summer.
12. Baia di Sorgeto
If the hot sand at Maronti impressed you, you’ll be awed by Baia di Sorgeto. This secluded stony bay, accessible by boat or a steep, twisting staircase, also features water heated by volcanic activity. Trust me when I say it can get hot, but the rolling tide carries cooler water to create a rejuvenating yet unforgettable swim.
The Mediterranean sun beats down on Ischia, making Sorgeto a less-than-refreshing place to spend the day. That’s why I recommend you visit the bay at night, where the glittering stars can accompany you as you relax in these otherworldly waters.
13. Spiaggia di Cartaromana
Tucked away in Ischia Porto, Spiaggia di Cartaromana is less accessible — and therefore less crowded — than some of the port town’s other spots. This quiet, sandy inlet offers unspoiled views of the Aragonese Castle, Mount Vesuvius, and other spots in the Gulf of Naples.
14. Spiaggia di San Francesco
Spiaggia di San Francesco is another of Ischia’s beaches known for its sprawling sandy stretches. A short walk from Forio Porto, it has easy access to Chiaia but an ambiance that strikes you as more natural than the bustling port beach nearby.
15. Spiaggia di Cava Grado
Calling all the strong swimmers — Cava Grado is a beach for adventurers. Nestled in a tiny inlet by Sant’Angelo, this beach has close access to massive rocks and natural caves that you can reach by freestyle, breaststroke, or anything in between.
From the aranciata stand on the cliff above the beach to the stunning marine life in its waters, Cava Grado is one of the best beaches in Ischia. To reach the natural cave, you swim west along the coast through ten-meter-deep, crystal-clear water. Discovering the cave and its ethereal waters was an experience I’ll never forget from my time in Ischia.
Caution: Reaching the cave requires swimming several hundred meters. Do not attempt if there are rough waves or if you are not a strong swimmer.
Final thoughts
Ischia may not be a larger island, but it boasts some mighty beaches. This list of the best beaches in Ischia will leave you under the island’s enticing spell. Bring your sunscreen, keep up to date on current and marine life warnings, and most importantly, enjoy the magical coast of Ischia.
And if you feel like exploring the rest of the country’s coastal gems, check out this list of stunning beach towns in Italy!
Thank you for the great recommendations! We spent most of the time at the Spiaggia di San Montano, close to our hotel but we did visit some of the additional locations above including Spiaggia di Sant’Angelo. We also visited the Negombo thermal park.
Ischia is an amazing destination and was the best part of our tour of Southern Italy. If I had to do it over again, I would have skipped Capri and spent more time in Ischia.