Hotels in Ischia

Ischia Hotels

Tiptoe across hot golden sands to immerse yourself in crystal-clear sparkly seas, feeling the warm Mediterranean soothe your sun-kissed skin. With secret coves, stretches of sunbed-laden sand and some of the best thermal spas in Europe, Ischia is the perfect place to relax, for days on end. With a touch of La Dolce Vita, this idyllic island’s mix of laid-back fishing villages and delightful retro resorts – think pastel-coloured parasols, sunbeds and pedalos – are refreshingly undeveloped and bursting with Italian charm.

Things to see

The languid dreaminess of Ischia’s soft sandy beaches are hard to resist. From ever-popular sunbed-clad Citara Beach – close to the Poseideon Thermal Gardens where warm spring waters stream into pristine pools – to the hidden sandy cove of Cartaromana Beach, tucked neatly between rocky tree-laden cliff-sides with delightful views towards Castello Aragonese. Arguably Ischia’s star attraction, this mediaeval citadel casts itself loftily skyward, atop a craggy slice of rock that juts out from the azure Mediterranean. Stroll across the footbridge from Ischia Ponte to look inside the historic castle, now home to a rather gory museum. Away from the towns, spas and beaches, Ischias’s verdant inland’s a lush world of vineyards, mountainous forests and exotic flora and fauna – lose yourself in the tropical paradise of Giardini la Mortella, which was a labour of love for Susana Walton, wife of English composer Sir William Walton, who made their home on the island.

Hotels in Ischia

Ischia’s a master in relaxation. Check in to one of the island’s luxury spa hotels brimming with Mediterranean views, luscious tropical gardens, direct beachfront access, and soothing thermal pools. Lay back on a pool-side sunbed soaking up the spectacular roof-top setting – cocktail in one hand, book in the other – before heading for a sumptuous in-room bubble bath, or full-body massage. For something more intimate, try a boutique guesthouse, where you’ll find romantic shabby chic decor, pretty-as-a-picture window boxes filled with flowers, and personal nothing’s-too-much service. If you’re in need of a cheaper hotel in Ischia, try a small family-run B&B.

Where to stay

Plenty of towns and villages nestle around Ischia’s coast. Many visitors stay along the busier north coast area, either in the island’s capital of Ischia Porto – offering lively bars, historic spa hotels and designer boutiques – or Ischia Ponte, with less bustle and more nostalgia – think Vespa scooters, men leaning in doorways, winding alleys where cats lay splayed out in the sun, authentic tavernas and simple shops stocked with colourful fruit and veg. On the south coast, car-free Sant’Angelo’s pastel-hued buildings, cobbled alleys and quaint bistro-filled piazza brim with romantic ambiance alongside the retro resort charm, thanks to its pedalo-filled beach.

How to get to Ischia

Flights land at Naples from major UK airports and other European cities. Grab a bus or taxi from outside the airport to the ferry port, where you can catch the regular service to Ischia – taking approximately 1.5 hours – or the quicker 40-minute hydrofoil. Both of these arrive at Ischia Porto, the island’s main commercial hub. Buses circle the island from the main bus station, stopping at all coastal towns and villages. Car and moped rentals are available on the island – make like the Italians and jump on a scooter to save parking hassles.