BEST PLACE TO STAY ON ISCHIA ISLAND 🌴
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The first factor you should consider is your travel style and itinerary. If you are planning on going out at night and are looking for a lively atmosphere, i suggest the town of Ischia Porto or Forio. If you are looking forward to settling in and relaxing during your stay, opt for Sant'Angelo or Lacco Ameno.
ISCHIA PORTO (The beating heart of Ischia) - ISCHIA PONTE (At the foot of the Castello Aragonese) - CASAMICCIOLA TERME (Ischia, Where thermal waters reign) - FORIO D'ISCHIA (the largest town on the island) - LACCO AMENO (Ischia - the smallest town on Ischia ) - SANT'ANGELO AND SERRARA FONTANA (Ischia ,From the mountains to the sea ) - BARANO (Ischia , the greenest town on the Green Island )
ISCHIA PORTO (The beating heart of Ischia)
Ischia is the largest of the six towns on the island of Ischia, and is divided into two smaller villages: Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte, separated by a length of road a couple of kilometers long. Ischia Porto is, as its name suggests, where the Ischia port is located and the island's hub for private yachts and public ferries and hydrofoils from Naples (Napoli), Capri, Procida, Sorrento, Positano on the Amalfi Coast and other ports on the coast of Campania. This is the busiest town on the island, and where most restaurants, cafès, bars, shops, and tourist services are located...especially along the main Corso Vittoria Colonna.
HOW TO GET TO ISCHIA PORTO
Ischia's main port is connected all year round with Napes (Napoli) and Pozzuoli via regular ferries and hydrofoils that run daily. During the tourist season from the beginning of May through September, there are also direct ferry links with Capri, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Salerno.
The ferry trip by hydrofoil or high-speed ferry from Naples to Ischia Porto takes about an hour, while regular ferries take about 90 minutes.
There are also ports in the towns of Forio and Casamicciola Terme on Ischia, while Lacco Ameno and Sant’Angelo are home to small marinas for private boats.
SIGHTS IN ISCHIA PORTO
Ischia Porto is recommended for those who are looking for lively nightlife and a place to take a walk, dine, or have a cocktail in the evening. It's a good base if you only have a short time on the island and want to use public transportation to visit sights like the Castello Aragonese (Aragonese Castle), La Mortella gardens, Mount Epomeo, Casamicciola Terme, Barano (home to the famous I Maronti beach), Forio, Lacco Ameno, and Sant'Angelo, as the main bus terminal where routes for towns and destinations across the island depart is located here. By boarding the bus here at the beginning of the line, you'll be more likely to find a seat.
WALKING AROUND ISCHIA PORTO
Ischia's youth gather at la Rive Droite, or the port's right bank, for a cocktail come sundown. Along the pier, there are a number of bars and clubs where you can stop for a drink or aperitivo.
Continue to Via Roma and Corso Colonna, which closes to traffic in the evening, lined with shops and boutiques that stay open until late so you can browse for artisan wares and souvenirs after dinner. There are also a number of cafès and bars with al fresco tables streetside and live music along this stretch of road.
The few nightclubs on Ischia are also located along this stretch, including Valentino Club. After dancing the night away, the traditional calls for breakfast at bar Calise, where the croissant is an island icon.
MY TIP : Three things to do in Ischia Porto
- Have a cocktails at Riva Destra
- Shop on Via Roma
- Spend the night dancing and have breakfast at Bar Calise
BEACHES IN ISCHIA PORTO
Ischia Porto is most famous for its shops, bars, and restaurants, but there are also a number of sandy beaches with beach clubs and crystalline water, despite the proximity to the port.
Spiaggia del Lido: behind Via Roma, this is the closest beach to the port and has sand and shallow water. Restaurants and beach clubs line the waterfront.
Spiaggia dei Pescatore: halfway between Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte.
Spiaggia degli Inglesi: near the charming village of Sant’Alessando toward Casamicciola.
Spiaggia di San Pietro: popular with the locals and stretching from the port almost to Ischia Ponte.
SHOULD I STAY IN ISCHIA PORTO ?
The municipality of Ischia, and in particular Ischia Porto, is a great place to stay if you're looking for a lively town with great nightlife where you can take an evening stroll, dine out, or simply stop for a drink after sunset. This is also the easiest base for getting around by bus to explore destinations across the island; the bus terminal is located here for a number of local routes and you can easily find a seat on the bus. You can also reach the Aragonese Castle and other top sights on Ischia easily, as well as spas and thermal hot springs. There are a wide variety of hotels here, as well, suitable for any travel budget.
ISCHIA PONTE (At the foot of the Castello Aragonese)
There are six towns on the island of Ischia, and the largest is the town of Ischia, which is divided into two areas: Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte. Ischia Ponte is where the famous Castello Aragonese is located, one of the most iconic symbols of the island.
HOW TO GET TO ISCHIA PONTE
Ferries and hydrofoils run daily between the island of Ischia and the mainland port cities of Naples (Napoli) and Pozzuoli all year round. In spring and summer (from the beginning of May to the end of September) there are also direct ferries from a number of other locations in Campania like Capri, Procida, Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano, and Salerno.
The nearest port to Ischia Ponte is Ischia Porto, located just a couple of kilometers away. If you are up for walking, you can reach Ischia Ponte on foot, walking the length of Corso Vittorio Colonna and then continuing on along Via Seminario and Via Luigi Mazzella. It will take about 30 minutes, but you can break it up with a cool drink in one of the bars along the route or shopping in the many boutiques and souvenir shops.
MY TIP : If you booked a hotel or other accommodation in Ischia Ponte, be sure to book your ferry to Ischia Porto. There are other ferry ports on the island near Forio and Casamicciola Terme, located much farther away. The ports in Lacco Ameno and Sant’Angelo are just marinas for private boats).
You can also reach Ischia Ponte by bus; take bus 7 that departs from Piazza Trieste in Ischia Porto and takes about 10 minutes to reach Ischia Ponte.
If you prefer to take a taxi, you'll find taxis waiting at the stand just opposite the ferry port. Fares are between EUR 12 and 15 one way.
Otherwise, you can reach Ischia Ponte by car if you've embarked your vehicle on the ferry to Ischia (all non-residents of the region of Campania can bring their cars all year round). I don't recommend this option in the summer as traffic can be heavy and parking difficult to find.
SIGHTS IN ISCHIA PONTE
Ischia Ponte is one of the most historic and best-preserved villages on Ischia island, a former fishermen's village set at the foot of the island's noble castle. At the time it was called “the village of Celsa” as it was home to a number of mulberry tree plantations (called "gelso" in Italian).
The original architecture of the village is largely intact, made up of narrow lanes crowded with historic homes. There is a mix of humble island residences and baroque aristocratic palaces like the Palazzo dell’Orologiaio, today home to a small but interesting marine museum, the Museo del Mare.
THE ARAGONESE CASTLE
The Castello Aragonese is a citadel with churches, convents, prisons, terraces, and historic residences encircled by a defensive wall, and is set on an islet off the coast of Ischia but connected to the mainland by a bridge built in the 1300s.
Open daily all year
Hours: 9AM to sunset
Tickets: EUR 10 for adults; EUR 6 for children 10 to 14; free for children under 10
Book a guided tour by contacting segreteria@castelloaragonese.it
The path to visit the castle is about 2 kilometers and takes about 1.5 hours
There are a number of flights of stairs, so the castle is not accessible to wheelchair users
This medieval castle is the most famous symbol of Ischia, an island within the island. The first settlement can be dated to the 5th century BC, and the village was later enlarged and fortified by the Romans. In the 1400s, Alfonso d’Aragona built the castle in its present form and used it as a fortress during wartime and as a residence during peace. The end of the Aragon reign and the waves of plague in the 1600s brought gradual abandonment of the castle, which was used as a prison during the Bourbon reign. After the unification of Italy, the castle was abandoned until 1912, when is was purchased at auction by the Mattera family, who began restoring the complex. It is still owned by the same family today.
The castle offers beautiful views inland to the peak of Mount Epomeo and out over the Bay of Naples to Mount Vesuvius on the mainland, plus the Baia di Cartaromana, the small bay set just below the castle that is home to two towers: Michelangelo Tower and Guevara Tower. It is also the centerpiece to the Festa di Sant'Anna each July, the most important local celebration.
THREE THINGS TO DO IN ISCHIA PONTE
1) Visit the Castello Aragonese
2) Take a dip at the Scogli di Sant’Anna
3) Stroll through the historic center
BEACHES AT ISCHIA PONTE
- Cartaromana Beach: just steps from the Castello Aragonese, this small bay is known for its pretty Sant’Anna coastal formations There are a number of thermal springs that come up through the seafloor and heat the water.
- Spiaggia del Pescatori: a pretty sandy beach between Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte
CASAMICCIOLA TERME (Ischia, Where thermal waters reign)
This small town on the northern shore of the island of Ischia is famous for its abundance of thermal springs, so much so that "thermal" is part of its name.
HOW TO GET TO CASAMICCIOLA TERME
There are three ports on the Italian island of Ischia, and one is located right in the town of Casamicciola. Book a ferry or hydrofoil from Naples (Napoli) or Pozzuoli that docks directly at this port if you have booked lodgings in or near Casamicciola.
Otherwise, you can take a ferry to Ischia Porto, the main ferry port on the island, and then continue on to Casamicciola Terme via bus number 1 or 2 or by taxi (the taxi stand is located just opposite the ferry dock).
You can also embark your own vehicle on Ischia all year long, as long as you aren't a resident in the region of Campania. Just keep in mind that traffic can be heavy and parking expensive and limited in the busy summer months.
SIGHTS IN CASAMICCIOLA TERME
Given its rich thermal springs, Casamicciola is one of the top tourist destinations on the island. A number of the most important thermal spas are located here, including Pio Monte della Misericordia that once treated Naples' poor. Some of these historic thermal baths and their adjacent grand hotels were destroyed in the devastating earthquake in 1883. One of the few hotels that remain standing from before the quake is Terme Manzi Hotel & Spa, founded in 1860. After the earthquake, the town was rebuilt at a lower elevation on the Mediterranean seafront, and you can admire the Art Nouveau architecture from the beginning of the 20th century that lines Piazza Bagni and the waterfront promenade.
THE PARCO TERMALE DEL CASTIGLIONE
If you want to "take the waters" in Casamicciola, the best place to head is the “Parco Termale Oasi Castiglione”, or Castiglione Thermal Park. This large spa estate has ten swimming pools at a variety of temperatures, wellness treatments, a seafront, and two restaurants. Entrance is EUR 28.
Address : Via Castiglione, 62, 80074 Casamicciola Terme NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/aBgZWiy
Website : https://www.termecastiglione.it/
THREE THINGS TO DO IN CASAMICCIOLA
1) Stroll on the promenade
2) Relax in the Parco Termale del Castiglione
3) Sample the food at “Focolare”, a restaurant in the hills
Behind Casamicciola, the Bosco della Maddalena is a pleasant pine wood where you can walk uphill to Creatio. There are a number of steam vents and small volcanic cones that open up from the thick vegetation on the forest floor.
BEACHES IN CASAMICCIOLA
Spiaggia della Marina: located along the Gulf of Naples waterfront between Casamicciola and Lacco Ameno, this beach is perfect for families with children with shallow water and fine sand.
Bagnitiello: a rocky beach with thermal springs located near the Parco Termale del Castiglione.
STAYING IN CASAMICCIOLA TERME
Casamicciola is a lively town during the day, with a bustline promenade, restaurants, and beaches. After sunset, however, the town quiets down considerably and almost all cafés and clubs close by midnight. For this reason, the town is family friendly and a great place to relax. It has sandy beaches and mostly attracts visitors with children or those who are simply looking for a peaceful spot to recharge. There are also great hot springs and thermal water spas in the area.
RESTAURANTS IN CASAMICCIOLA TERME
If you are visiting this area, stop at the “ Il Focolare” farm restaurant run by the D’Ambra family, where you can sample local specialties like the famous "coniglio all'ischitana" rabbit dish. Ask to see the wine cellar carved from the tufo stone cliff!
Address : Via Cretajo, 3, 80070 Fiaiano NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/as8T9FV
Tripadvisorlink : https://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g580212-d1473761-Reviews-or20-Trattoria_Il_Focolare-Casamicciola_Terme_Isola_d_Ischia_Province_of_Naples_C.html
FORIO D'ISCHIA (the largest town on the island)
Forio di Ischia is the largest and most populated of the six main towns on the Italian island of Ischia and is set on the western coast. There are almost 18,000 residents and the port has direct ferry connections to Naples (Napoli).
Forio is a favorite among visitors to the island both for the beauty of its beaches (including the famous Baia di Citara) and for its charming historic center with noble palazzi, art shops, and small artisan boutiques. Considered the cultural heart of the island, Forio Ischia is full of artisan and art workshops, and there are a number of cultural events held here each summer.
HOW TO GET TO FORIO D'ISCHIA
Forio has a harbor where ferries from Naples' Beverello port dock all year round. This ferry is the easiest way to reach Forio d'Ischia, of course, but you can also take a ferry from locations like Capri, Positano, or Amalfi to one of the other ports on the island (Ischia Porto or Casamicciola) and then reach Forio by land from there.
If you arrive via Ischia Porto or Casamicciola Terme, you can take either the bus route to the right or left to Forio and other locations on the island of Ischia, including Ischia Ponte (home to the Aragonese Castle), Lacco Ameno, Sant'Angelo, etc.
You can also arrive at the Forio port via ferry with your own car (residents of Campania can't embark vehicles in spring or summer). Keep in mind that the island has heavy traffic and limited parking in high season, so you may want to leave your car on the mainland.
SIGHTS IN FORIO
One of the main sights in Forio is La Mortella Gardens, a “garden museum” created by the English Walton family and opened to the public in 1990. There are more than 3000 species of plants on the estate, some exotic and rare, and a number of fountains and ponds. Concerts are often held on the grounds in summer.
Forio is known for its sunsets over the sea, best seen from the terrace in front of the Chiesa del Soccorso. If you're lucky, you can even spot the rare “green ray” as the sun dips below the horizon.
Another top attraction in Forio is the famous Giardini Poseidon, one of the most popular thermal parks on Ischia. You can spend an entire day here relaxing in the thermal water pools, springs, and on the Citara beach.
Poseidon
Address : Via Giovanni Mazzella, 87, 80075 Forio NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/jsQSTV8
Website : https://www.giardiniposeidonterme.com/
The Bay of Sorgeto, located in the nearby hamlet of Panza, has hot springs that bubble up directly under the seafloor, so you can soak in a mix of hot spring water and cool sea water here for free, one of the most unique experiences on the island.
One of the must-sees in Forio is the clutch of Saracen watchtowers built along the coastline centuries ago. The most famous is the Torrione, but there are others that have stood over the Bay of Naples throughout history, though they were not enough to stop the Dragut raids.
Forio is also home to a number of historic churches, including the Chiesa del Soccorso, Santa Maria di Visitapoveri, and the Papal Basilica of San Vito Martire, known by locals simply as the Church of San Vito.
Three things to do in Forio
1) Visit La Mortella Gardens
2) Relax at the Parco Termale Giardini Poseidon spa
3)Admire the sunset from the Chiesa del Soccorso
GIARDINI DELLA MORTELLA
Address : Via Francesco Calise Operaio Foriano, 45, 80075 Forio NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/ufqKJ4v
Website : https://www.lamortella.org/
HOURS , TICKETS AND PRICES
Open: from April to October Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun 9 to 7PM. Also open Easter Monday, 1 May, and 1 November.
Tickets: EUR 12 for adults; EUR 10 for children 12 to 18 and adults over 70; EUR 7 children 6 to 11i; free for children under 5.
THE BEACHES AT FORIO
Forio has large sandy beaches that are sunny until dusk.
Spiaggia di Citara: considered the most beautiful beach on the island, and home to the Giardini di Poseidon.
Cava dell'Isola: a free public beach popular with kids.
San Francesco: a large beach with beach clubs, bars, and restaurants.
SHOULD I STAY IN FORIO ?
Together with Ischia Porto, Forio is one of the most vibrant and busy towns on the island, with beautiful beaches that are easy to access, tourist attractions, and ample dining and imbibing opportunities.
THIS TOWN IS IDEAL FOR :
- Families with children of all ages, from tots to teens
- Couples looking for an active holiday with days at the beach, excursions, hot springs, and walks
DINING IN FORIO
LA CANTINOLA DI ZIO JACK : an excellent farm restaurant outside of town that offers shuttle service (call to request). Try the pasta e patate con provola!
Address : Via Santa Maria al Monte, 22, 80075 Forio NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/SRiiuTq
Tripadvisor link : https://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g187784-d12598104-Reviews-La_Cantinola_di_Zio_Jack-Isola_d_Ischia_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html?m=19905
UMBERTO A MARE: the perfect spot for a romantic dinner on the seaside beneath the Chiesa del Soccorso.
Address : d'Ischia, Via del Soccorso, 8, 80075 Forio NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/Upqv4kf
Tripadvisorlink : https://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g580210-d1572102-Reviews-Ristorante_Umberto_a_Mare-Forio_Isola_d_Ischia_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html?m=19905
LACCO AMENO (Ischia - the smallest town on Ischia )
Lacco Ameno is located between Casamicciola and Forio d'Ischia, and is the smallest town on the island of Ischia. That said, this tiny spot is the birthplace of Ischia's modern luxury tourism.
In the 1950s, Italian publisher Angelo Rizzoli fell in love with Lacco Ameno, and made the 18th-century Villa Arbusto his island residence. He immediately understood the area's potential for tourism, and built Ischia's first luxury hotel here, the Regina Isabella. This resort with a private beach, pool, restaurant, and spa was the model for future spa grand hotels in other areas of the island, and soon the international jet set began to discover the charms of Ischia, for decades overshadowed by the neighboring hot spot of Capri.
HOW TO GET TO LACCO AMENO
You can reach the town of Lacco Ameno 'in just a few minutes by bus or taxi from both the port in Ischia and the port in Casamicciola, the two main ports on the island where ferries from Naples (Napoli), Pozzuoli, and Procida all dock. During the summer months, ferries from Capri, Sorrento, Positano, and other locations on the Amalfi Coast also dock here.
The bus routes that run between Lacco Ameno and the Ischia and Casamicciola Terme ports circulate the island to the left and right. You can also reach other towns on the island by bus from Lacco Ameno, including Ischia Porto, Ischia Ponte (home of the Aragonese Castle), Barano, Sant'Angelo, and Forio and its La Mortella gardens.
You can also embark your own vehicle to reach Lacco Ameno all year round (except for residents of the region of Campania), but I do not recommend bringing your car to the island in the summer due to the heavy traffic and lack of parking.
SIGHTS IN LACCO AMENO
On the main square of Lacco Ameno, you can visit the Church of Santa Restituta, patron saint of the island. The waterfront promenade is also lovely, and on summer nights is bustling with shops, restaurants, and cafès playing live music.
VILLA ARBUSTO AND THE COPPA DI NESTORE
Villa Arbusto was built in the 18th century and purchased in 1952 by the publisher Angelo Rizzoli. Today the villa houses a museum with a collection of archaeological finds dating from the neolithic to Roman times that were unearthed in this area. The most important is the “Coppa di Nestore”, one of the most ancient existing examples of writing using the Greek alphabet, dating from the eighth century BC when Ischia was known as Pithecusae.
MUSEO ARCHEOLOGICO DI PITHECUSAE (VILLA ARBUSTO)
Address : Corso Angelo Rizzoli, Via Circonvallazione, 210, 80076 Lacco Ameno NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/xsRFzVB
Website : https://www.pithecusae.it/
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 to 1:30
Closed Monday
Tickets: EUR 5
"IL FUNGO DI LACCO AMENO or "THE MUSHROOM OF LACCO AMENO"
Just offshore, a tufa stone formation rises 10 meters above the water, created by the volcanic activity of Mount Epomeo (Monte Epomeo) and cooled by the sea in a unique mushroom shape.
THREE THINGS TO DO IN LACCO AMENO
1) Soak in the hot springs at the Parco Termale del Negombo
2) Take an evening stroll along Corso Angelo Rizzoli
3) Swim in the breathtaking Bay of San Montano
Negombo
Address : Baia di, Via S. Montano, 80076 Lacco Ameno NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/3SnT3Z4
Website : https://negombo.it/
THE BEACHES IN LACCO AMENO
Bay of San Montano: a half-moon-shaped bay lined by fine sand, part of which is included in the Negombo Gardens, a thermal park.
Spiaggia delle Monache or Varulo: accessible only via sea, and located behind the marina in Lacco Ameno.
SHOULD I STAY IN LACCO AMENO ?
Lacco Ameno is a quiet, laid-back town with a wide variety of lodgings but not much nightlife.
THIS TOWN IS IDEAL FOR :
- Couples looking for a quiet getaway who also want to be able to take an evening walk in town.
- Those who want a high level of service while on vacation
SANT'ANGELO AND SERRARA FONTANA (Ischia ,From the mountains to the sea )
Sant’Angelo is perhaps the most famous and picturesque village on the island of Ischia, though it is not its own town but instead a suburb of Serrara Fontana on the southern coast of Ischia. This town is unique in that it doesn't have a true center but is a grouping of a number of villages like Serrara, Fontana, and a smattering of other hamlets along this stretch of coastline.
HOW TO GET TO SANT'ANGELO
Sant'Angelo d'Ischia and Serrara Fontana are located relatively far from the ports on Ischia (Ischia Porto, Casamicciola Terme, and Forio), where ferries from Naples (Napoli), Capri, and other locations on the mainland arrive. You can travel by taxi; the trip takes about 30 minutes and the set fare is around EUR 40, plus a night supplement of EUR 3 if arriving in the evening.
To save a bit of money, you can opt to take a public bus, which will get you there from the port in about 45 minutes. You can reach Sant'Angelo with the "Circolare Destra", "Circolare Sinistra", or Line 1 routes, and you will get off at the final stop, Cava Grado.
another option, which is a great way to get around Ischia in general, is to rent a scooter at the port and zip directly to your hotel in Sant'Angelo. You can also use it to explore the rest of the island during your stay, visiting towns like Barano d'Ischia, Ischia Ponte, and Lacco Ameno, plus sights like La Mortella Gardens and the island's beaches and hot spring thermal parks with their thermal water pools.
If you are bringing a vehicle on Ischia (visitors can embark vehicles to Ischia all year round, but Campania residents can only bring vehicles in the winter), keep in mind that the center of Sant'Angelo is closed to traffic.
SIGHTS IN SANT'ANGELO AND SERRARA FONTANA
The village of Sant’Angelo with its tufa rock islet known as “La Torre” is one of the most famous views on Ischia. This area has always been a bit isolated from the rest of the island, and the main industry here has always been fishing rather than agriculture, which covers most of Ischia. The tourism here is a bit different as well, with nicer hotels and a more relaxed atmosphere, mostly thanks to the center of Sant’Angelo that is completely pedestrian and closed to traffic.
THREE THINGS TO DO IN SERRARA FONTANA
1) Explore the village of Sant’Angelo
2) Admire the view from the overlooks in Serrara
3) Try "coniglio all’ischitana" at the Bracconiere restaurant
Sant’Angelo is divided into two parts: the higher part is home to the Church of San Michele Arcangelo and narrow lanes, and the lower part has the marina and boardwalk, main square, and “La Torre”, a tiny tufa stone islet attached to Sant’Angelo by a narrow stretch of land.
THE SERRARA FONTANA SCENIC OVERLOOK
There are beautiful views from this side of the island, especially from the Piazza di Serrara scenic overlook, a large terrace facing the sea where you can relax over a coffee or drink far from the tourist crowds.
MOUNT EPOMEO
From the square in Fontana, you can take the shortest path to reach the peak of Mount Epomeo, the ancient volcano at the center of Ischia. It takes about an hour to hike through the chestnut woods and wild countryside to reach the top, where there are a few ruins of ancient cliff constructions like the Eremo di San Nicola. The views are stunning, stretching from the Bay of Naples to the islands of Ventotene and Ponza on clear days.
SADDLE UP !
Another way to reach the peak of Mount Epomeo is on horseback. You can contact the “Epomeo in Sella” association for a guided excursion on horseback along the slopes of the mountain for a unique way to explore. Information and reservations: info@epomeoinsella.it
THE BEACHES OF SERRARA FONTANA
Cavagrado: a tiny, quiet beach near the village of Succhivo
Sant'Angelo: the town's beach is particularly suitable for families with small children, as the waters are shallow and there is a breakwater for waves.
Fumarole: at the far end of the Maronti beach near Sant'Angelo, there is a beach known for its fumarole, or hot air vents that come up through the sand.
SHOULD I STAY IN SANT'ANGELO ?
Sant’Angelo is the quietest village on Ischia, completely closed to vehicle traffic and far from the crowds and chaos on other parts of the island.
CHOOSE A HOTEL HERE IF YOU ARE :
- A couple looking for a romantic and relaxing retreat
- A family with young children who wants to stroll through town without worrying about traffic
DINING IN SERRARA FONTANA SANT'ANGELO
Il Bracconiere: famous for its traditional coniglio all'Ischitana, the island's classic rabbit dish!
Address : Via Falanga, 42, 80081 Serrara Fontana NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/JCRxQbU
Tripadvisorlink : https://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g580215-d1760776-Reviews-Bracconiere-Serrara_Fontana_Isola_d_Ischia_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html?m=19905
BARANO (Ischia , the greenest town on the Green Island )
Barano is a municipality (or "comune" in Italian) on the southwestern coast of the island of Ischia that stretches over an expanse of hilly countryside backing the large Maronti beach. Over the centuries, landslides have created a series of canyons that offer breathtaking scenic overlooks and lead to thermal springs like Cavascura, Olmitiello, and Nitrodi. The first inhabitants of this area of the island were ancient Greeks, who settled here from 770 BC.
HOW TO GET TO BARANO D'ISCHIA
You can easily reach Barano from the two major ports on Ischia: Ischia Porto and Casamicciola Terme. Ferries from Naples (Napoli), Capri, and other mainland ports dock here. The fastest way to travel between the port and Barano d'Ischia is by taxi; fares begin at about EUR 10 and it takes about ten minutes to reach the town.
You can also take the bus to Barano, either the "circolare destra" or "circolare sinistra" route. Buses leave every 10 or 15 minutes and stop at other island towns like Forio, Ischia Ponte, and Lacco Ameno.
If you are bringing your car to the island, remember that you can embark vehicles all year round on Ischia (though only non-residents of the region of Campania can bring vehicles from April to September). In the high season summer months, especially July and August, traffic can be snarled and parking hard to find, however.
SIGHTS IN BARANO
Maronti Beach
The center of town is located inland, but the town and area surrounding Barano are known primarily for its large Maronti beach, which stretches over three kilometers of sand and is home to a number of beach clubs and free public beaches. You can enjoy water sports, dine in a number of cafès and restaurants, or take in the thermal springs just behind the beach; Ischia is famous for its hot springs and there are a number of thermal parks on the island.
The Pine Grove at Fiaiano
One of the largest wooded parks on Ischia is located at Barano: the Pineta di Fiaiano, or Fiaiano Pine Grove, which covers eight hectares of Mediterranean woodland and overlooks a view stretching from the Castello Aragonese to Procida, Vivara, and the Flegrea Coastline. The Indiana Park is located inside this wooded area, a treetop adventure park with climbing ropes and panes, rope bridges, and itineraries for children and adults.
Take bus 6 from Ischia Porto.
THE FOUNTAIN OF NYMPHS AT NITRODI
The Nitrodi spring that runs from Olmitiello to the Maronti beach has been known for its therapeutic benefits since the third century BC, as shown by the number of votive inscriptions depicting Apollo and nymphs found here and now displayed in Naples' National Archaeological Museum.
There are thermal showers and basins where the waters run in their natural state, with no treatments or additives. Yoga, meditation, and stretching classes are held here, and you can also book massages, private baths, or other treatments in the adjacent spa.
If you are interested in art and history, pop in to visit the Chiesa di San Giorgio in the Testaccio district and the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, built in the 13th century and home of a belltower and statue of the "Addolorata". Located in the hamlet of Buonopane, this church is especially known on the island because each year the "'ndrezzata" is performed in the sacristy, a traditional island dance that dates back centuries.
THREE THINGS TO DO IN BARANO
1) Spend a day at Maronti beach
2) Have lunch along the coast at Sgarrupata
3) Relax in the thermal baths of Nitrodi.
BEACHES IN BARANO
Though its old town is set inland, Barano today is famous for its large and well-equipped I Maronti beach: the kilometers of sandy coastline that has both beach clubs and free public areas where visitors can practice water sports, relax at the beachfront cafés and restaurants, or unwind at the thermal baths just behind the beach.
Cavascura: thermal baths dating from Roman times where you can rejuvenate with therapeutic muds, baths, natural saunas, and massages. You can easily reach the baths by taxi boat from Sant’Angelo (EUR 3) or on foot from the Maronti beach (around 15 minutes). To get to the baths, you need to walk through the canyon carved from the rock for a few hundred meters.
Olmitiello: a thermal spring that runs directly out of the tufa rock cliffs that is known to be therapeutic for skin conditions. You can reach the spring by following the stream that runs through the center of the Maronti beach upstream through the hills.
You can reach the Maronti beach via bus routes 5, 10, or 11.
LA SGARRUPATA
The Barano coast descends steeply to the sea and is home to a number of the most beautiful hidden spots on Ischia, including the Sgarrupata beach, a stretch of pebble-and-boulder coastline with crystalline waters that is difficult to reach by land and is home to the excellent La Pace fish and seafood restaurant. The path to the beach starts at the Chiesa della Madonna di Montevergine in Schiappone, but is only recommended for those who are physically fit and do not suffer from heights. Otherwise, take a water taxi from Sant’Angelo.
SHOULD I STAY IN BARANO ?
Barano d'Ischia is ideal for those who want to explore the island's beaches and countryside, as it's set just a bit off the beaten path and is not as crowded as other towns on the island. You need to have a car or scooter to get around the island if you book a hotel or holiday home here, however.
BOOK A BARANO D'ISCHIA HOTEL IF :
- you are traveling with young children (opt for lodgings near the Maronti beach!)
- you are a hiking buff
DINING IN BARANO
La Pace: an excellent seafood restaurant on the Sgarrupata beach, far from the crowds and with stunning sea views.
Address : Via Chiummano, 80072 Barano d'Ischia NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/iGEkXZ3
My last TIPS
