Italian Guide: Ischia

Kicking off my Italian Guide series

Italian summer has officially started, and by popular demand, I'm spilling all my insider secrets. For those who don’t know, I am 100% Italian. Italian was my first language, and although I was born and raised in the United States, I have spent nearly every summer in Italy since birth. I even started flying to Sicily alone at the age of 11 to spend the summer with my father's family. Being the only granddaughter meant I was totally spoiled all summer, and I absolutely hated coming back home in September.

Over the past three years, I've been lucky enough to spend even more time in Italy, and explore new parts of the country.

I'm kicking off this series with a highly requested guide: Ischia.

Ischia, an island off the coast of Naples, is renowned for its thermal hot springs and beautiful beaches.

Even though the island was featured in the 1999 movie The Talented Mr. Ripley, I’ve had more people ask me about Ischia in the last few years than ever before. I suspect it’s because the owners of Il Pellicano opened Mezzatorre in Ischia in 2019 and it’s all over IG.

Before I get into my guide, two notes.

How To Get There

Most people fly into the Naples airport and then take the ferry from the port of Naples. A few things

1. There are two ports in Ischia: the Ischia Porto (the main port) and the Casamicciola Porto. I found that most of my friends default go to the Ischia port, because of its obvious name, but sometimes the Casamicciola port makes more sense and is closer to your hotel. The ports are not super far apart but it’s worth figuring out which one is better for you.

2. Sometimes when you leave from the port of Naples, even if you bought your ticket online, you have to print the tickets in person. So double check before you get there and allow for extra time if you need to print your ticket.

How to Get Around

I suggest a motorino. You can easily rent one when you get off the ferry. We have a guy who brings us the motorino at the ferry and then meets us there again when we leave. DM me on instagram for his WhatsApp info.

Where To Stay

Mezzatorre

As mentioned above, Mezzatorre is owned by Il Pellicano group. It’s a beautiful hotel, filled with Americans (if you live in NYC or LA, you’ll probably run into people you know) and very romantic/ more secluded. Delicious food. Gorgeous spa.

Regina Isabella

Another spa hotel but it’s less secluded– you walk out of the hotel and there are stores and restaurants. They have their own private little beach. The food is great. Courtney Love was a guest at the same time as us last year and after a quick google search, I learned she loves Ischia and this hotel. Highly recommend the spa treatments.

Punta Chiarito

This hotel isn’t nearly as luxe as the top two (it’s 4 stars vs 5 stars) and I have yet to see anyone post this hotel on Instagram. We discovered it by accident a few years ago. It’s on the Forio side of the island, close to Baia di Sorgeto (which I’ve included below). It has a gorgeous view from the terrace as seen above.

What To Do

Scanella

This beach club is one of my favorite places on the island. When I say beach club, I don’t mean “club club”–I mean, swim and lay out all day. The restaurant on the top is great for lunch. I suggest you call ahead and book an umbrella and beach chairs before you go.

Monte Epomeo

This is a short but steep hike. Pretty views and there’s a restaurant at the top.

Baia di Sorgeto

These are natural thermal hot springs. Depending on where you’re sitting, the water can be very hot or cold and it’s a game of figuring out the best spot for you. It gets really busy so I normally avoid it unless it’s early in the season or we’re stopping by with the boat. Very unique experience. Sometimes you’ll see people boiling potatoes there to show off how hot some parts are.

Giardini Poseidon Terme

This is a “thermal park” with over 20 baths. I had the most life changing Ayurvedic massage there but you don’t have to book a treatment– you can buy a day pass and easily spend all day there. There’s a sauna at the top too, as well as two places to eat.

What To Eat

Cornetto Ischitano

You’ll find these all over the island. It’s a cornetto made with a mix of puff pastry and brioche dough so it’s lighter than a normal cornetto.

Giardino Eden Ischia

I haven’t been here in a few years so I am using a picture from their Instagram. Very beautiful location.

Terra e Sapori

Cute date night spot. Another place I’ve never seen on social and seems to be locals only. Low key.

Thanks for reading!

Comment below on what area of Italy you’d like to see next!