Ischia is easily accessible by ferry from Naples, Procida, Sorrento, and Capri. In the summer months, ferries run several times daily between the islands.
From Naples, there are two options:. The ferry ride from Procida is a short 30 minutes and we arrive to beautiful views of the busy marina in Ischia Porto. Unlike Procida, Ischia definitely draws its share of tourists though to a lesser extent than nearby Capri. The island has a variety of beach resort areas offering typical Mediterranean resort accommodations.
Sandra raved about the fabulous Miramare Castello , a 5-star hotel with sweeping views of the Aragonese Castle and Sorrento Bay. But sadly, it was booked up solid during our stay. For our brief stay, we chose a hotel in Ischia Porto, central to the ferry terminal. We booked the Casthotels Bristol Terme based on a combination of price and location.
The room is quite sterile with a rather uncomfortable bed. On a positive note, the AC works well a big plus on this sweltering summer day and the location is perfect — just a short walk from the ferry, the beach, and plenty of shops and restaurants. And the price is definitely right. Spectacular castle views for the same rate we paid for zero view.
Lesson learned! We drop our bags in the room and head out to explore. From Ischia Porto, we meander along the cobbled main street lined with shops and restaurants until we arrive at the beaches of Ischia Ponte.
Originally built by a tyrant from Sicily, Hiero I, the fortress changed hands between Neopolitan and Roman forces for many years.
In the middle ages, the Aragonese royal family created much of the structure as it stands today including the stone bridge that connects it to the island.
With Mt. The garrison, however, fled from the island after an eruption of Mount Epomeo, and the island was eventually taken over by the Neapolitans. In the following years, the island was subjected to frequent invasions by the barbarians, the Heruli, the Ostrogoths, and the Eastern Roman Empire. The island was returned to Naples in by the Byzantines.
Alfonso V of Aragon constructed a stone bridge to connect the Aragonese Castle with the mainland. In the next few years, the island once again suffered heavily due to the ongoing wars between the Angevin and the Durazzo dynasties. The island witnessed a devastative earthquake in , where the entire Casamicciola Terne and Lacco Ameno villages were destroyed.
For many, Ischia island is still relatively unknown, but it is definitely a top destination in Italy. The island is an explosion of colors, perfumes and breathtaking views where you can experience a magnificent Italian holiday drinking good wine and eating delicious Italian dishes.
Ischia is a volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples discovered by the Greeks and loved by the Romans for its miraculous thermal waters due to that it is also known as the island of eternal youth.
Even though Ischia Italy is a small island, it can be overwhelming for first-time visitors to figure out how to spend their days. The headland is a huge tuff rock, where access is not allowed. The entire village is a pedestrian area so it is possible to walk around enjoy the place and go shopping at its very nice Italian boutiques.
It is something that should not be missed! The Aragonese Castle is simply magnificent to see and visit. It was the first fortress on the island. The castle was built by Gerone in BC and transformed it into the castle of King Alfonso of Aragon, and later into a prison for political criminals. Nowadays, the castle is a private property that tourists can visit, and is equipped with a lift and a nice bar with a stunning sea view. It is the location of important theatrical events and one of the locations of the Ischia Film Festival.
The castle has also been the location of several Italian and international films. On the top of the castle is a very nice bar with a spectacular view on Vivara and Procida islands. I tasted an Ischitan glass of wine which was simply delicious. For those who are interested in historical aspects, there is a museum of weapons and instruments of torture from the 14th century.
If you are looking for something romantic to do, the Church of Soccorso is the perfect place to admire the sunset. Forio is located in the western part of the island and the Church of Soccorso its symbol. It is small but charming and is located on a promontory overlooking the sea. I also suggest visiting the Torrione.
It was a sighting tower and is not far from the church. The Torrione played a great role for centuries helping the population to prevent the pirates. Forio has also a great nightlife with restaurants, disco, bars, and live music pubs.
My favorite wine bar is Tira Tardi , and the owner Gianni will be able to suggest you the perfect drink to try! Lacco Ameno is a town situated northwest of Ischia island.
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