Ischia

Listed among the author’s favourite guesthouse options for using Forio as an island base.

Hot spring water mixes with the sea in natural rocky pools at this free, uncommercial cove. Reach it by a steep staircase or water taxi from Sant’Angelo.

A dependable village-square stop for a drink or gelato and some people-watching.

A lovely roadside viewpoint overlooking the southern coast and Sant’Angelo, ideal for a pause while exploring inland.

Recommended for a luxurious island stay near Negombo, with its own thermal spa.

Excellent seafood and expansive sea views make this a tempting spot for a leisurely lunch, although prices are high.

Recommended as an apartment option in the author’s favourite town on the island.

One of the author’s suggested starting points when searching for a holiday rental in Forio.

Explore a sprawling sea fortress filled with chapels, gardens, cloisters and stone passageways. Allow up to three hours for the history and sweeping coastal views.

Step inside for a peaceful pause among softly lit Baroque arches and an icon rescued from the castle’s former cathedral.

Ancient stone basins and open-air tubs sit within a rocky ravine inland from Maronti. Its rustic, no-frills setting is the main appeal.

This whitewashed church above the sea is the author’s standout sunset spot. Step inside as well to see devotional offerings left by sailors and fishermen.

One of the author’s favourite beaches on Ischia, with a broad bay beside Poseidon’s thermal gardens.

A highly recommended alternative for lunch farther along the beach near the fumaroles.

The author enjoyed staying in this little apartment and found Forio an excellent base for exploring the island.

Highlighted as a holiday-rental alternative to Sant’Angelo’s hotels.

A relaxed all-day option for coffee and a cornetto, a leisurely brunch or evening cocktails.

A luxurious lighthouse hotel with just four rooms, recommended among the author’s favourite Forio stays.

A recommended accommodation option for travellers choosing Sant’Angelo as their island base.

Recommended for traditional coniglio all’ischitana and panoramic hillside views, although the author did not try the rabbit personally. Call ahead because the slow-cooked dish is usually prepared to order.

This mushroom-shaped offshore rock is an unusual photographic subject, especially when early-evening light warms the stone.

Wander this historic fishing quarter for weathered façades, narrow lanes and an appealing sense of everyday life. Give it time before heading across the causeway to the castle.

A recommended rental for visitors who prefer an apartment-style stay in Sant’Angelo.

Explore lush tropical planting, ponds and hidden architectural details in gardens created by Susana Walton. Higher paths reveal lovely coastal views, especially in late-afternoon light.

One of the author’s recommended holiday rentals for a stay in Sant’Angelo.

Passed along as a follower-recommended stop for a meal on the way up or down Mount Epomeo.

A relaxed waterfront town with a palm-lined promenade and attractive pedestrian streets. Its small lanes, cafés and faded palazzi invite aimless wandering.

Volcanically warmed sand and a pleasant cove make this a worthwhile walk from Maronti. The author found the fenced vents modest but enjoyed the surrounding beach.

Highly recommended for a beachside lunch of gnocchi alla sorrentina, vinegary anchovies and tomato bruschetta, accompanied by chilled local white wine.

Book the Lighthouse Dinner for an aperitif and multicourse menu on a private terrace with sweeping sea and sunset views. Reservations are essential.

A long sandy beach backed by scrubby hills, with calm clear water and plenty of room between the lidos. It is the author’s clear choice for a full beach day.

The author recommends this hotel for travellers seeking a particularly special stay around Forio.

One of the author’s top accommodation choices for a stay in picturesque Sant’Angelo.

A manageable but occasionally steep climb leads to the island’s highest point and panoramic views across Ischia and the Bay of Naples. Start early and bring water and proper shoes.

Set within Villa Arbusto, this small, well-curated museum houses Nestor’s Cup, bearing one of the oldest known examples of Greek writing in the West.

A quietly engaging maritime museum with photographs, salvaged wreck material and tools illustrating the island’s fishing history.

Thermal pools wind through leafy terraces overlooking San Montano Bay, alongside sculptures and a freshwater pool. The author particularly enjoyed the relaxed, local atmosphere late in the day.

A quieter alternative to the large thermal parks, with cool spring-water showers in peaceful gardens. Locals as well as travellers come here to linger.

Stop for the dense, smooth nocciola gelato, which the author considered unmissable.

A local wine producer offering tastings and cellar tours for visitors interested in Ischia’s volcanic-soil wines.

Over twenty thermal pools occupy landscaped terraces above Citara Bay, with direct beach access. Its orderly grounds and extensive facilities suit a full day of soaking and swimming.

Excellent seafood, a waterfront setting and castle views make this a particularly good choice for a long lunch.

A recommended alternative for lunch in the village, with equally impressive sea views.

This near-summit restaurant pairs extraordinary terrace views with traditional dishes such as rabbit, grilled vegetables and local cheese. Even a cold drink here makes a worthwhile hiking stop.

Included among the author’s preferred places to stay when basing yourself in Sant’Angelo.

This sheltered beach offers an easy sea-swimming break between sessions in Negombo’s thermal pools.

An elegant hilltop resort with panoramic bay views, a thermal spa and an infinity pool. The author highlights its sunsets and private beach section.

Pastel houses, car-free lanes and a small harbour make this one of the island’s prettiest villages. Visit early or after the last boats leave for a quieter atmosphere.

Dark sand, striped umbrellas and old-fashioned lidos give this beach a wonderfully nostalgic feel. Walk to the far end for fishing boats and a less polished shoreline scene.

An easily walkable sandy beach that is ideal for a swim without venturing far from Forio’s centre.

Suggested for wine tastings and cellar visits to explore the island’s local production in more depth.

This historic coastal defence tower now contains a small museum and art gallery, making it a worthwhile stop for history-minded visitors.

This atmospheric street is best explored on foot for its tiled courtyards, small churches and old doorways, particularly in late-day light.

A favourite boutique stay within botanical gardens, combining contemporary Mediterranean style with a peaceful setting away from town life.