Europe > Italy > Campania > Ischia
Ischia is the largest island in the Bay of Naples and the most populous. It is primarily known for its thermal spas — hot springs that emerge everywhere on the island, from dedicated spa parks to the sand of Maronti Beach — but it also has good beaches, an extinct volcano to climb, and a history that predates Rome.
The island was colonised by Greeks from Euboea in the 8th century BC as Pithecusae, the first Greek colony in the western Mediterranean. Later came the Romans, who built villas here and exploited the thermal waters. Today the six communes (Ischia, Casamicciola Terme, Lacco Ameno, Forio, Serrara Fontana, and Barano) together have a resident population of about 50,000, which multiplies several times over in summer.
Forio on the western coast is the most attractive town architecturally — its historic centre of churches and towers is largely intact, and the botanical gardens of La Mortella are nearby. Casamicciola is the oldest thermal town, quieter than Ischia Porto and with good access to Monte Epomeo (789m), the island's peak.
The island is most enjoyable in May–June or September–October. In July and August it is popular with Italian families and prices are high. Getting there from Naples takes about 90 minutes by ferry or 60 minutes by hydrofoil.