Making the most of Ischia
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Small cruise ships dock at Ischia Porto, while larger vessels are likely to use Ischia Ponte close to Aragonese Castle.
From the port, the old main-town quarter of Ischia Ponte is a short walk away. A little stone bridge leads to impressive Castello Aragonese, dating from 1441 and reached by lift; walkers can instead take an old donkey track.
A printable map to bring with you.
Known as the "Green Island" for lush vegetation, Ischia is the largest island in the Bay of Naples. Its volcanic origin makes it world-unique for the remarkable range of thermal and radioactive springs.
Lido di Ischia is near the centre and has several sandy beaches broken by rocks and pine forest. The best-known is "Spiaggia dei Pescatori", extending from Ischia Porto to Ischia Ponte.
Fumarole Beach is said to be the island's best: long, wide, clean, not too busy and dark from its volcanic origin. Take a 30-minute footpath from Sant'Angelo or arrive in a couple of minutes by boat-taxi. Fumaroles are found here, where locals often cook dinner in the sand, and the beach is a popular evening hangout.
Ischia visitor information.
Getting around
From Ischia Port, buses leave every few minutes to travel around the island, including to neighbouring Forio. This pleasant little seaside town has open-air markets, street-side cafes and a historic castle to visit. You may also enjoy lunch at an outdoor cafe with views across the water.
Many boats at Ischia Port circle the island on a wonderful trip. They collect passengers at main ports including Casamicciola and Forio, then tie up at Sant Angelo to allow time to visit that port town. For this trip, come to Ischia Port around 9:00 am and find the lined-up boats. Advance tickets are available but unnecessary given the number ready to depart. The route goes completely around the island and returns to its starting point for an enjoyable day trip.
Food and shopping
Shopping on Ischia falls into local products and luxury accessories. The latter is not much different from other towns, with several famous-name boutiques filled with Italian and international fashions, mostly along Ischia Porto's fashionable Via Roma and Corso Vittorio Colonna. Handcrafted baskets, lamp shades, hats and other plaited-straw items continue an antique tradition passed through female generations. Terra cotta is another old island craft, and craft shops still sell…
Rabbit features in many local recipes. It lives wild in local woods full of mushrooms, berries and strawberry trees, and has also been bred for centuries in country pits and cages. Nearly every family and trattoria makes "Ischia-style rabbit" with garlic, wine, cherry tomatoes and aromatic herbs. Island goats and sheep provide milk for rare cheeses, while pigs provide meat for tasty sausages.
Buonopane, meaning good bread, lies between Barano and Serrara Fontana and has made bread for centuries. Baked only in wood ovens, it is kneaded with "crisc'to", a natural yeast from acid mother paste. Bread is still hand-kneaded, and ovens across the island bake it, creating lovely morning smells.
Money
Ischia uses the Euro.
Staying connected
Italian is the language.
Many cafes provide customers with free WiFi access.
For emergencies, call 112.
Opening Hours and
Italian shops and businesses usually open Monday to Saturday around 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm. Many close on Saturday afternoons and Monday mornings, while southern hours may start and finish an hour later. Northern businesses sometimes use 9am-5pm to support international dealings. Traditionally all but bars and restaurants close Sunday, though most towns have a morning pasticceria and Sunday trading is increasingly common in major cities and tourist areas.