Ischia
Capri's less vain neighbour in the Bay of Naples: thermal springs, a castle on its own islet and gardens that tumble to the sea.
- Best forCouples · Wellness & slow travel · Foodies
- In December15°C · 13 rainy days
- Ideal stay4–5 nights
- Approx. flying time~12h 55m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyEUREuro
- LanguageItalian
- Local time12:351h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / F / LBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+39
Why go
The largest island in the Bay of Naples is volcanic, green and far more lived-in than its glossier neighbour, with thermal water bubbling up all over it. Terraced spa gardens tumble down to the sea, a castle stands on its own islet reached by a causeway, and vineyards climb the slopes of an extinct volcano. Ordinary Neapolitan life continues alongside the tourism, which keeps prices and pretensions in check.
Four or five nights allows for thermal parks, a hike up the island's peak and enough beach time to justify it. Base yourself in a smaller southern village rather than the busy ferry ports if you want quiet. The season runs from spring to October, with September particularly good for warm sea and thinner crowds. It is an hour by ferry from Naples, so it also folds neatly into a wider trip along that coast.
- Ideal stay
- 4–5 nights
- The vibe
- Volcanic, green, unhurriedly Italian
From our guides
Elena Ferrante set her lovers' summers here for good reason. Soak together in the terraced pools at Negombo, eat rabbit all'ischitana in a hillside trattoria, and stay in Sant'Angelo — the pedestrianised fishing village on the south coast — rather than the busier ferry ports.
Featured in Ten island hideaways built for two
Things to do
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Castello Aragonese
A fortress stacked on a rock islet linked to the island by a causeway, with churches, terraces and a macabre nuns' crypt. Allow a couple of hours.
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Thermal gardens
Terraced parks of pools at different temperatures, set among gardens above the sea. They are the island's defining pleasure and best enjoyed slowly.
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Sant'Angelo
A pedestrianised fishing village on the south coast, with a rocky promontory, a small harbour and water taxis to nearby beaches. The prettiest base on the island.
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La Mortella gardens
Subtropical planting laid out around a composer's former home, with pools, terraces and concerts. Among the finest private gardens in Italy.
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Monte Epomeo
The island's volcanic summit at 789 metres, reached by a steep, loose path from Fontana. The reward is the whole bay, from Capri to Vesuvius.
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Sorgeto bay
Hot springs rise directly into a rocky cove, so you can sit where thermal water meets the sea. Reached by steps or a small boat; go in the evening.
Getting there
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Fly to
Napoli (NAP)
Nearest airport to Ischia, about 34km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Sant'Angelo
About 30 minutes by taxi or bus from Naples airport (NAP) to the ferry terminals at Molo Beverello or Calata Porta di Massa, then an hour by hydrofoil or 90 minutes by car ferry to Ischia Porto, and about 40 minutes on across the island to Sant'Angelo.
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On the ground
Getting around
Sant'Angelo itself is pedestrianised, so you leave the car above the village and walk down. Island buses circle the coast road, and small boats run from the harbour to the Maronti beaches and the thermal park at Negombo.
Public transport: Island buses are frequent, cheap and go almost everywhere, though the coast road is narrow and slow. Ferries to Naples, Pozzuoli and Capri run through the day.
Flights
Los Angeles Ischia, Italy
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Roughly 12h 55m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 13°C in January to 29°C in August. Driest in July; wettest in November, with rain on about 15 days.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
December15° · rain 13 daysCool and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Highlighted months are warm and mostly dry — June to August. Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Thermal spa hotels are the island's speciality, mostly family owned and often half board, alongside pensioni and apartments. Many close from November to March.
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Best base overall
Sant'Angelo
A pedestrianised fishing village on the south coast, with thermal beaches, water taxis and a tiny piazza that fills at aperitivo hour. Steep, car-free and a long way from the ferry ports.
Find stays in Sant'Angelo -
Best with children
Forio
The west coast, with sandy Citara beach, the big thermal gardens and a broad choice of family hotels. It is spread out and traffic on the coast road can be tiresome.
Find stays in Forio -
Best for couples
Ischia Ponte
The old quarter beneath the Aragonese castle, with a causeway, fishermen's houses and restaurants on the water. Prettier than the port and quieter, though nightlife is essentially dinner.
Find stays in Ischia Ponte -
Best value
Casamicciola Terme
A working spa town on the north coast with lower rates and good bus connections round the island. Parts of it are still recovering from landslide damage, so check locations.
Find stays in Casamicciola Terme
Worth knowing before you book: August is booked out by Neapolitans with long minimum stays. Check whether your hotel's thermal pools are included or charged separately, since assumptions get expensive.
Search everything else in Sant'Angelo by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Getting there
- Ferries and hydrofoils run from Naples and Pozzuoli, taking about an hour. The Pozzuoli route is shorter and cheaper if you are driving.
- Cars
- Roads are narrow, steep and busy, and non-residents face restrictions in high summer. Most visitors do better with buses, taxis and water taxis.
- Thermal water
- Some pools run very hot and are not recommended for pregnancy or heart conditions. Alternate temperatures and drink water between soaks.
- Eat this
- Rabbit cooked in the island's own style with tomato, garlic and herbs is the local dish, best in the hill villages rather than at the ports.
- Beaches
- Sand and shingle both feature, with some of the best swimming reached only on foot or by boat. Water shoes are useful on the volcanic stretches.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Procida
Italy · 7km away →
Ravello
Amalfi Coast, Italy · 57km away →
Amalfi Coast
Italy · 66km away →
Puglia
Italy · 227km away →
The Aeolian Islands: Lipari
Salina and Stromboli, Italy · 241km away →
Soaking the Cascate del Mulino
Saturnia, Italy · 295km away →Elsewhere in Italy
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Ischia?
For warm, mostly dry days, June to August. That means highs of 20–34°C with rain on six days a month or fewer. Daytime highs run from about 13°C in January to 29°C in August. Driest in July; wettest in November, with rain on about 15 days.
How long should I spend in Ischia?
Our suggestion: 4–5 nights.
How do I get to Ischia?
About 30 minutes by taxi or bus from Naples airport (NAP) to the ferry terminals at Molo Beverello or Calata Porta di Massa, then an hour by hydrofoil or 90 minutes by car ferry to Ischia Porto, and about 40 minutes on across the island to Sant'Angelo.
Do I need a car in Ischia?
No. Island buses are frequent, cheap and go almost everywhere, though the coast road is narrow and slow. Ferries to Naples, Pozzuoli and Capri run through the day.
What currency and language are used in Ischia?
Currency: Euro (EUR). Language: Italian. Plugs: type C and F and L.
Who is Ischia best for?
Best for couples, wellness & slow travel and foodies. In a phrase: volcanic, green, unhurriedly Italian.