Where to Stay, Dine and Visit

Taking a trip to the island of Ischia? Read our Ischia travel guide to find the best places to stay, dine, and visit. 

Located just off Naples, Ischia is the more subtle, lesser-known sister island to the famous Capri. A place for relaxation and wellness, Ischia is famous for its mineral-rich thermal waters that can be found across the island, as well as its nutrient-dense mud. Understandably, these attractions are a huge draw for visitors who want to try out the various detox and well-being treatments available.

A tranquil island boasting a laid-back and low-key nature, Ischia is also abundant in history. Occupying its own island and linked to Ischia by a stone bridge, the medieval Aragonese Castle strikes a stunning silhouette. Close by, the 18th-century Palazzo dell’Orologio houses the Sea Museum, devoted to Ischia’s fishing tradition. Fast-forward to today, and the island has become a discrete holiday spot favoured by Hollywood’s greats from Elizabeth Taylor to Gwyneth Paltrow, Hillary Swank, and Matt Damon, a reputation it has occupied since the 60s.

Ischia Travel Guide: Best Hotels, Attractions and Dining Venues  

The best time to visit  

For warmth but without the crowds, visit from early April to mid-June, and September to mid-October. It’s worth noting that The Santa Restituta Festival, which honours the patron saint of the diocese of Ischia, is celebrated on May 16th, 17th, and 18th in Lacco Ameno, when the island boasts perfect weather for exploring and sunbathing.  

How to reach Ischia   

Fly into Naples International Airport and take a taxi or bus to the port. From there, catch one of the regular ferries or hydrofoils to Ischia, a trip that can take 50 minutes. Most hotels offer a free shuttle from there, but it is advisable to check beforehand. For the fastest way, buy tickets online, download the QR code to your phone, and show it upon boarding.  

Where to stay  

Regina Isabella

Meet the very elegant Regina Isabelle, known as the grand dame hotel on Ischia. Known for its architecture, design, and golden-era glamour, it’s easy to see why the hotel was a favorite of Elizabeth Taylor and her fellow stylish set. A hotel with a rich history, it was built in the 1950s under the instruction of famed publisher and film producer, Angelo Rizzoli, who had an affinity with this island.   

Considered a landmark on the island, this 5-star hotel offers 128-rooms located in the heart of Lacco Ameno, set on a serene bay complete with its very own private, secluded beach. With three bars and three restaurants, the Michelin Star Indaco Restaurant, the terrace DolceVita Restaurant for breakfast and dinner, and the casual-yet-sophisticated poolside Sporting Restaurant, this establishment is a must-visit for foodies. All the eateries are overseen by Michelin-star Executive Chef Pasquale Palamaro, a proud Ischian who incorporates organic produce from the island.   

Find out more here.

Excelsior Belvedere Hotel & Spa  

In the 1960s, a 19th-century villa once owned by Lord James Nimmo was transformed by Count Micangeli into a luxury hotel. Since its founding, the Excelsior Belvedere Hotel & Spa has styled itself as an elegant getaway for luxury seekers. East of the port, the hotel is located near the Spiaggia dei Pescatori beach and is just a short walk from the main shopping area of Corso Vittoria Colonna. For a sumptuous stay, check into the Grand Suite, the hotel’s most exclusive lodge that comes complete with two panoramic terraces, channeling the ambience of the aristocratic mansion. 

Find out more here.

San Montano Resort & Spa  

San Montano Resort & Spa is perched on top of a hill, offering sweeping views overlooking the Bay of San Montano and out to the Gulf of Naples. The family-owned, fourth-generation establishment is surrounded by three hectares of parkland, citrus groves, and thermal pools for a dose of wellness. For an aperitivo, order the signature San Montano Spritz made from homegrown and locally sourced ingredients, and watch the sun go down over the bay.   

Find out more here.

Attractions and Things to Do  

Thermal Springs

Ischia is a volcanic island famous for its thermal waters. Travel south to visit public hot springs, such as the Bay of Sorgeto (close to the Bay of Sant’Angelo) which is accessible by steps or boat taxi from Sorgeto. There’s also the Negombo Thermal Gardens, situated at the Bay of San Montano in Lacco Ameno, with 12 different types of pools at varying temperatures from 18°-36°.   

Find out more here.

Mud Treatments

Going hand in hand with the hypermineral waters of Ischia, the island’s nutrient-rich muds, beloved for their detoxing and anti-inflammatory properties, are used in detoxification treatments at the Regina Isabella Spa. The mud is collected from natural quarries on the island and left to steep for six months in the thermal water to absorb all the minerals. The result? Bioactive thermal mud. 

Find out more here.

Walking Trails  

There are trails and hikes to suit all on Ischia, whether you’re after a gentle stroll or more of a brisk hike. For more of an easy ramble, try the 45-minute Sant’Angelo to Maronti Beach route which traces the coast to display the beaches and cliff tops. For something a bit more challenging with steeper sections, hike up Mount Epomeo, a journey of three kilometres that takes about an hour each way. 

Find out more here.

Taxi Tours  

For a quick and easy way to explore the island, take a taxi tour with an experienced guide who’ll show you everything. Expect to see sights including the giant mushroom-shaped rock that sits in the bay — a relic that fell from Mount Epomeo thousands of years ago, restaurants in the mountains, and the beaches of Forio and Sant’Angelo.  

Book Salvatore Matarese via WhatsApp: +39 3405272831

Where to Eat & Drink  

Indaco Restaurant  

Indulge in some fine dining at the Michelin-star Indaco Restaurant. The restaurant is spearheaded by Chef Pasquale Palamaro who was born in Ischia and has designed a menu that pays tribute to the flavours and spirit of his homeland. There is an emphasis on seafood with elements sourced from the island, as well as the hotel’s own garden.

The placement of the restaurant is also beyond idyllic — tracing the small bay, it takes its name from the indigo colour of the water at night. To begin with, guests are seated outside on the wide jetty and then move to the dining room which has floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing for a romantic view. As Chef Pasquale Palamaro says, “Ancient stories of sailors and fishermen, multi-coloured fishing boats that furrow the island’s sea that becomes indigo at dusk: our mission is to narrate the soul of Ischia through food making.”  

Find out more here.

Wine tasting and vineyard tours  

Ischia produces its own award-winning wine and has two white grape varieties, Biancolella and Forastera. For wine tours and tastings, head to Serrara Fontanana and Panza, and explore the vineyards of Cenatiempo, Pietratorcia, and Casa D’Ambra.  

Find out more here.

The Fumaroles of Sant’Angelo  

Located South of the island is the Fumaroles of Sant’Angelo, a famous source of thermal energy that produces hot sand and vapours which are used to cook food. Spot the locals cooking and join in the picnics on the beach.  

Find out more here.   

Sunset Lounge  

For a lounge with sweeping views, the Sunset Lounge & Piano Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy an Italian spritz experience. Try the San Montano spritz (limoncello, mint leaves, Franciacorta sparkling wine) and the Ischia spritz (cherry tomatos “piennolo” liqueur, rosemary, Franciacorta sparkling wine), concocted by Ambrogio De Siano.  

Find out more here.  

Where to Shop  

Across the scenic towns of Ischia, you’ll find small and local designer boutiques that sit alongside artisan shops, from cool crochet dresses to white kaftans, lemon-print accessories, and hot red coral jewellery which is beloved on the island. A host of shops including Stella di Mare Boutique and Ritz Luxury Boutique in Lacco Ameno sell everything, from cute bags by The Jacksons to Italian brands such as Missoni and Fendi. One of the main shopping streets on the island is Corso Vittoria Colonna, which goes on for 1.5 kilometres with options for clothing, accessories, and souvenirs.

Arts & Culture Destinations  

The Villa Arbusto Museum  

Villa Arbusto Museum in Lacco Ameno is surrounded by orange trees, tropical plants, and locally made ceramics. The inside is a showcase of ancient artefacts that date back to the 8th century; visitors can also expect to see trinkets of Angelo Rizzoli who lived there.   

Find out more here.   

Festivals  

Ischia may be small, but it hosts a flurry of events and festivals that encompass food, art, music, religion and theatre. The Festa di San Michele in Sant’Angelo is a huge draw for locals and tourists alike. The three-day celebration is held in May, where the village and shoreline are both lit up with candles and lights with fireworks throughout. The Ischia Film Festival is also incredibly popular and held annually at the infamous landmark, Castello Aragonese d’Ischia.  

Find out more here.

(Main and featured images: Studio Voyager/Pexels)