Looking for a seaside spot for perfect days on the beach with a certain je ne sais quoi for your next getaway in Italy? Then we might recommend a trip to Ischia while you enjoy a stay in one of our incredible villas in Campania. This mountainous volcanic island, positioned at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples and around 30km from Naples is wonderfully unique and utterly lovely. If you’re considering a holiday rental in Campania but want to see what the region has beyond the immensely well-loved Amalfi Coast, it is a true gem just waiting to be explored...
Easy Access
One of the best parts about planning a day-trip to Ischia is that it is easy to access. Simply hop on the ferry from Naples and you’ll be on the island in 50 minutes. Plus, on the way over, you’ll be able to enjoy the boat ride and the scenery – sounds like the perfect way to begin a day out!
Volcanic Waters
The volcanic nature of Ischia means that not only are there naturally-occurring thermal springs in which to relax and enjoy a perfect spa day but the seawater around the island is also warmed by the Earth’s power here. As you swim along the beaches of the island, you’ll encounter pleasantly warm currents which also make it a great spot for seaside trips during out of season getaways.
Bargain Spa Days With A Killer View
Speaking of thermal waters, a day at the Negombo Thermal Park allows you to really unwind and relax in a gorgeous setting for a total steal! Prices for access to the spa start at €30 for an afternoon entrance but there are also full, half-day, and group rate options. Set within one of the most scenic parts of this already lovely island, between Mount Vico and the promontory of Zaro, the park brings together an amazing botanical garden of plants from all over the world with thermal baths and other spa facilities. There are saunas, Turkish baths, swimming pools, a bar and restaurant, and an array of services and treatments including Hot Stone Therapy, Ayurvedic massage, aromatic massage, Pinda massage, facial treatments, physiotherapy, foot reflexology, shiatsu, pedicures, and more.
The other great option for a spa day on the island is the Poseidon Gardens Thermal Park overlooking Citara Bay in the town of Forio. Slightly more expensive with prices starting at €40 for an afternoon entrance, this thermal park has pretty and lush gardens, private terraces that can be rented, a restaurant, bar, and wine grotto, a boutique, a long list of aesthetic, therapeutic, and relaxing treatments to choose between, Pilates and water sports classes, and a very glamorous atmosphere.
Both thermal parks reopen for the year in April and offer wonderful spa experiences but there are also hotels with spas for those who prefer a more luxe experience as well as the likes of Sorgeto Bay, a free and natural thermal park that can be visited whenever you want - no reservation or plans necessary!
Picturesque Days On The Beach
Another thing about Ischia is that it has some of the most picturesque bays, beaches, and rocky outcrops with pretty parasols and lovely areas to sunbathe. If you want to enjoy relaxing by the water, refreshing dips in the Tyrrhenian, and just totally letting the rest of the world disappear for a while, you’ll find it difficult to discover a more charming place full of incredible options to choose between during a vacation in Italy.
Take It All In
As the natural beauty of the island abounds and it is almost entirely mountainous, it makes sense that there are some great hiking options on Ischia that are sure to interest many visitors. The hike from Serrara Fontana to the peak of Mount Epomeo offers sweeping views over the island, allowing you to really take it all in at once. For those looking to enjoy a hike without getting in over their heads, the Sant’Angelo to Maronti Beach walk is mostly easy going and takes just 45 minutes while offering pretty cliff views. Then there is the walk from Schiappone to Campagano via La Scarrupata which is massively rewarding and scenic but a good deal more challenging. There are also meadow walks, hikes through forests, plenty of other coastal trails, and the Sentieri Della Lucertola, which are a series of scenic paths around the island that offer a variety of trails to suit different levels of fitness and experience. So, if you like to hike or you just want to take in more of beautiful Ischia, there are plenty of options, even if you’re not up for a massive undertaking!
Sipping Away
If you want to treat yourself after getting out for a hike or you’re not interested in that sort of thing at all and simply want to enjoy la dolce far niente, you might also consider exploring another key part of Ischia... her wines! Mostly producing white wines but with some red as well, the wines of Ischia are another delight and another wonder worth diving into while spending time on this gorgeous island. Whether you’re packing a picnic to bring to the beach or sipping while savouring seaside views from a restaurant, Ischia is also sure to give you the perfect setting to best enjoy her wines.
Film In A Magical Setting
Lastly, if you arrive during late June or early July, you might just have an opportunity to catch a film in the truly magical setting of the Aragonese Castle during the Ischia Film Festival. Showing shorts, documentaries, and features, it is one more wonder on this impossibly charming island and one more great reason to visit for the day if you are staying in one of our gorgeous vacation rentals in Campania...
