Intro
Often overshadowed by its more popular neighbor Capri, Ischia is relative hidden gem of the Amalfi Coast. Only a quick one-hour ferry ride from Naples, this island is the perfect getaway after swimming through the crowds of Sorrento, Amalfi, and Capri. The small island has plenty of great restaurants, varying beaches, natural thermal water pools and hot springs, a fun nightlife, and relaxing island vibes. Make sure to pay a visit, and try to do, see, and taste as much as you can while you’re there.
I spent a full week here staying with my girlfriend and her family who live on the island, so the recommendations on this list are approved by people who have lived there for (years) years. So, with a special thanks to my amazing local tour guides, here is a list of my essential things to do while in Ischia.
- Explore a Historical Castle with Sweeping Views
El Castello is a picturesque focal point of the island and has a fascinating history behind it. A visit to the castle is a museum and a cool tourist attraction all in one. Wandering the grounds, you can learn about the castle’s origin as a base of defense for several European kingdoms and see how it was back then, with preserved defense towers, vineyards, burial sites, and a prison. Since it is also high up (with many of accompanying stairs for a nice workout), you are rewarded with panoramic views of the entire east coast of the island.
- Have the Typical Cornetto and Cafe for Breakfast
If you’ve spent some time in Italy, you may have noticed that big, sit-down breakfasts are almost nonexistent. Instead, it is much more common to walk up to the local bar and order a small pastry and coffee to give you just enough energy to make it to lunch. The most typical of these pastries is the cornetto, which is similar to a croissant but filled with some type of jam or creamy spread (pistacchio is a must-try). This is the perfect match for a delicious cup of Napolitano cafe, and the perfect way to start the day. Keep in mind that the most typical way to take coffee is plain espresso, so if you ask just ask for cafe, this is what you’ll be handed.
- Try Pasta allo Scoglio, or Any Other Seafood Pasta
It’s well-known that when you’re in Italy, you try pasta. So when you’re on an Italian island, you of course have to try the seafood pasta. If you were to only get one of these, it has to be Pasta allo Scoglio which includes varying types of seafood sitting sitting on top a bed of pasta. The version I tried had mussels, clams, and prawns! If possible, you should try to be explore as many different pastas as you can since there are so many amazing different kinds to try.
The best restaurant I ate at was Aenaria Beach, a cute, traditional restaurant on a beach on the east coast of the island. Their Pasta con Fiore di Zucca, Ravioli di Mare, (more pastas) were easily some of the best pastas I’d ever eaten in my life.
Disclaimer: I have to disclose the obvious that this opinion may be biased due to the fact that the restaurant is owned by my girlfriend’s family, but the recommendations are legitimate. I got to try many different dishes on the menu, which is rare while traveling, and I was amazed by all of them, and especially the ones I mentioned. If you don’t trust me, try it and find out.
- Discover All Kinds of Beaches
Going to the beach is obvious, I mean come on, it’s an island. But it’s surprising just how many different beaches there are on such a small island. You can find the typical long golden beaches to relax on a sunbed or venture out and find cove beaches in between towering rocks or hard to reach beaches with small shores and big waves. You should try to see and enjoy as many as you can. To get you started, my personal favorites were
- Soak in Natural Thermal Waters at Parco Termale Castiglione (or Terme di Poseidon)
Relaxation is everything at the thermal park, where you can wade through countless pools of natural thermal water from the volcanic island. These pools are designed for relaxation and have varying temperatures, massage jets, smooth round stones to walk on and massage your feet, and there is even a natural sauna. You could spend an entire day relieving your stress and relaxing your body every way imaginable, all while taking in some pretty amazing views.
- Grab a Pizza and Watch the Sunset
All sunsets are great, but purely magical watching the sun disapear over the ocean while you’re sitting on the sand eating some of the best pizza of your life. Napolitano pizza is traditionally the best in the world, and since Ischia is in the province of Napoli, you can get it here. Don’t try to order a pepperoni because they don’t have it, and instead take a shot in the dark or ask for a recommendation. I tried a pizza (called the Capricciosa) that had olives, artichoke, prosciutto, mushroom and salami and it was the best pizza I’d ever eaten (I’m not Italian so take that as you will, but it was seriously amazing). Take it asporto (take away) to a beach anywhere on the western side of the island for the full sunset experience.
Hint: The locally claimed best pizza on the island can be found at []
- Spend a Night Out with the Away in Forio
- Enjoy a Cocktail From a Table on the Sand at Rena
Rena is a restaurant that specializes in Asian-inspired seafood, but they are more famous for their delicious cocktails and unique ambiance. There are many beachfront restuarants in Ischia, but Rena takes it a step further with seat cushions and low tables directly on the sand. Take your shoes off, recline, and pick one of the locally-renound best on cocktails the island.
Note: On Sunday nights, Rena hosts a huge party that attracts a lot of young people and is much more of a club-on-a-beach vibe than a cocktail bar vibe.
- Try the Limoncello, or Any Other Lemon-y Treat
Lemons are a staple of crop of Ischia, and you’ll notice them growing all over the island. Due to this, the limoncello is one of a kind, and there are countless other lemon-base drinks, snacks, or candies to indulge in. Some unique favorites are the limoncello spritz, a cocktail made with limoncello, granita di limone, an iced slushee drink made with lemon juice, and various types of lemon candies you can find in shops all around the island.
- Appease Your Sweet Tooth with All the Local Desserts
If you’re a foodie, you’ll love Italy in general. Andf you have a sweet tooth, you’re going to feel like a kid in a candy store here. All around the island you will find bars, restaurants, and gelaterias serving all types of traditional Italian delicacies, none of which you should skip out on. The best of the best include tiramisu, café di nonno (a coffee-flavored iced slushee), iced coffee (not what you’re thinking of, this is a fresh café mixed into your choice of gelato and produces a sort of coffee milkshake), and of course, gelato. Gelato is ice cream that is fresh-made, and it comes in all different flavors. The most common are pistacchio, nociola (hazelnut), cioccolato (chocolate), limone (lemon), and café (coffee – I really hope you like coffee). If you ask Italians their favorites, you’re going to get a lot of different answers, so try as many as you can and don’t be afraid to get 2 or 3 flavors in the same cup.
Conclusion
If you’ve found this article, that means you’re thinking of including a visit to the small of island of Ischia into your trip. The list above showcases just how much this island has to offer. The first time I visited Italy, I didn’t even know Ischia existed, but now it is one of my favorite places in the country. And it is certainly a refreshing change of pace to the more popular Italian destinations I mentioned before. I hope you make the decision to include it in your trip and find out for yourself. Buon viaggio!
