ISCHIA FAQ`S
Ischia (historically called Pitecusae) is the largest island in the bay of Naples. The island is a 6.2 miles from east to west and 4.3 miles north to south. It has a permanent population of approximately 58,000. Its therapeutic hot spring waters, and its attractive landscape and beaches bring over 6 million tourists (principally from the Italian mainland and Germany) to visit the island annually.
Expect to experience an authentic, no-frills vibe in Ischia. While the island is no doubt beautiful, the island doesn`t hide it`s humble areas. Due to the less expensive pricing there was a plethora of budget-friendly hotels and stores, however upscale accommodations and fancy shops were few and far between. It’s not somewhere you go if you`re looking for designer brands or to see celebrities.
Fly into Naples airport or take the train from Rome to Garibaldi train station. From there, you can take the Alibus or taxi to the main port in Naples. The Alibus costs about €5 a ticket and is scheduled to come about 3 times an hour.
The city of Naples, located about 18 miles away, is most commonly used to access Ischia. Alternatively, you can reach Ischia though the vibrant city of Pozzuoli (not really cheaper or faster from Naples), which is located some few miles north.
Ischia can be reached from these two cities using either ferries or hydrofoils which connect their respective ports.
Most people prefer Naples because of its advanced infrastructural facilities and availability of transport means by bus, trains, taxis or trams.
SNAV and Alilauro ferries leave from Naples, Sorrento and Pozzuoli. There are several docks in Ischia (Forio, Casamicciola and the main Ischia ferry terminal) so be sure to look up which one is nearest to your hotel. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the ticket booth at the port (expect a line).
If you are not in a hurry, you can take the ferry from Naples which will drop you at Ischia in about one and half hours. The hydrofoil is much faster and will only take about one hour to reach the port of your choice in Ischia.
The passenger ticket price ranges from about €9 to €15 while by car the cost is higher, about €50. In high season it might be difficult to find a parking space, especially on weekends. So you should to book the round trip. It is not uncommon that many tourists remain off the ferry because there are no more parking spaces available.
On the island there are two main harbors (Ischia Porto and Casamicciolo); in addition to these two, you can also find a port in Forio (where also some hydrofoils land), Lacco Ameno and Sant`Angelo, that are mainly equipped for sports crafts.
What are some tips I should know when traveling to Ischia?
When taking many of the ferries from Naples to Ischia, pay close attention when disembarking. Many people make the mistake of getting off the boat, and disembark at the island of Procida instead of Ischia. It is recommended that visitors ask the people working on the boat if the boat stops at Procida. Also, be sure to pay attention to which port you get off at, even if you are at the island of Ischia.
The ferry from Pozzuoli directly to Ischia Porto: Boats make stops at several ports. If you do not have a specific city in mind, the largest hub of activity and the largest port is called `Ischia Porto` (this port city is often called simply `Ischia`, although this can be confusing as it is also the name of the island as a whole). You can find transportation to other parts of the island, tourist information, and food here.
The bus routes on Ischia are run by the EAV company and connect most locations on the island. The main lines are the CS (Circolare Sinistra) and the CD (Circolare Destra) that circle the island clockwise and counterclockwise.
The bus terminal where all routes depart is in Ischia Porto, a small lot just a few steps from the ferry arrival pier. You can purchase tickets and request information here. You can also purchase tickets in a number of locations around the island, including newspaper stands and cigarette shops. Most hotels also sell bus tickets. Otherwise, buy your tickets on board for an extra fee.
The fare for a single journey (valid 90 minutes) is about €1.50. Tickets valid for longer durations (for example one or two-day tickets) are also available, usually only from the official ticket centers like in Ischia Porto bus station. All tickets must be validated on boarding the bus. Tickets are regularly checked.
Taxis are everywhere on Ischia, and there are also `Calessini`, or traditional tuk-tuks transformed into charming island taxis. You can hire one to take you around the entire island or to be used like a regular taxi.
As with many other tourist destinations, visitors should confirm the price to their destination with the taxi driver before getting into the taxi. With most taxis not running on a meter, this is the surest way to ensure that you are not overcharged.
Water taxis are also a great way to get around quickly between beaches. They leave from Ischia Ponte, Sant`Angelo, and Maronti and can drop you off at beaches that are only accessible via sea. They are often less expensive than a regular land taxi to get around the island`s coastline!
You can bring your car on Ischia all year round. The ferries are big and can accommodate vehicles! It`s convenient to have a car to explore the island, though there is heavy traffic in the summer.
Parking is also hard to find, and abundant only in quiet areas like Barano and Serrara Fontana. In the larger towns, you will need to park in pay lots (around EUR 2/hour).
Note: During high season, car access to the island is restricted and the number of car slots is limited; if you are planning to bring your car, check with the transport company and make your reservations well in advance.
Even though it is an island the cuisine of Ischia is not strictly based on seafood. The most representative dish of the island is the `Ischia Rabbit` and even vegetables and legumes are important. Ischia has an important mountain (Monte Epomeo) where many products of the land come from. The signature rabbit dish is always cooked in terracotta baking-pan with a clove of garlic, wine, little tomatoes, lard and local spices.
Obviously you`ll find seafood dishes: fried anchovies, polyps in casserole, tuna and swordfish on the grill. The seafood dishes are typically served as the first course with spaghetti, vermicelli and fresh pastas. The fish is fresh, caught daily. We highly recommend ordering the spaghetti alle vongole along the coast.
With a number of vineyards on the island, there is a good supply of white and red wines found here, such as Per` e Palammo, Biancolella, the Foresta Nera, Piedirosso and the Ischia. The typical liquor of the island is the Rucolino, prepared with the island`s wild rocket.
The best time to visit Ischia is typically from April to October, however, the weather in Ischia is always changing and visitors should expect both sunshine and rain - whatever the season. Summer, the main tourist season, combines long, hot days with lengthy evenings. Winter can be bitterly cold and wet, with short daylight hours.
I don`t speak Italian. Will many people speak English?While Italian is the native language on the island, most people working in the tourism industry speak at least one other language, with German and English being the most widely spoken second languages. It should also be noted that the island of Ischia also has its own dialect of Italian, which can make it difficult for visitors to understand at times. Because English is not widely spoken in Ischia, you may have to do a lot of improvising and using Google translate. We suggest you get a good English-Italian guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
What are the thermal springs like on the island?
Ischia`s thermal springs have been renowned since ancient times and have been tested by many Italian and foreign scientists, for their therapeutic features. The thermal waters are used in baths and thermal gardens, and they can be found in small springs on some beaches and streams that feature hot water gushing into the sea as well as steam spouts (fumaroles) with gases gushing from cracks in the soil. Fumaroles can also be observed on the slopes of the Mount Epomeo, particularly on cold days, or are located in small caves, called `stoves`, and idiomatically `sudatori` or `sudaturi” (from the Italian verb meaning `to perspire`) which are used as a kind of sauna in baths and thermal gardens.
Where are the areas of the island to go shopping?
In every village there are streets where you can go shopping for craftsman ships, agricultural local products. The boutiques that sell famous brand clothes mark the shopping route:
There are six different towns in Ischia each with their own individual character and charm: Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte, Forio, Casamicciola, Lacco Ameno, Serrara Fontana and Barano.
One of the many things that make Ischia such a great place to visit is the variety of events. Here you`ll find musical events and festivals to the handicrafts markets in the historical center and sports events. In spring and summer, the various villages organize several events: many of them religious festivals, which are an important part of the island`s tradition and cultural identity.
The currency used in Italy is the Euro, US dollars are not accepted.
Nights in Ischia are well spent outdoors, enjoying a bit of people-watching from the terraces of the many cafes strategically located on the beautiful seaside promenades and panoramic outlooks. The stylish cafes around the harbor in Ischia are perfect for an aperitivo.
In an emergency, call 113 or 112 (police) or 118 (medical first aid).
The hospital (tel. 081-5079111) is in Lacco Ameno, on Via Fundera, and the medical center (tel. 081-998989) is on Via Cava delle Pezze, Forio.
Springs and spouting steam can be considered as the manifest sign of Ischia`s volcanic origins and of the still persisting volcanic activity. The particular features of the subsoil, due to its structure and chemical composition affect the minerals content and the degree of dilution by sea and rain water. The most ancient springs are those of Casamicciola, consecrated to the god Apollo, those of Lacco Ameno consecrated to Hercules, those of Citara in Panza consecrated to Venus Citarea, and those of Barano consecrated to Nitrodi Nymps.
-In Ischia you can go to Via Roma, Corso Vittoria Colonna, or to Borgo di Ischia Ponte, a very nice place full of artisans, shops, restaurants and jewelers.
-In Casamicciola, the main streets for shopping are the Seafront and the adjoining Marina Square.
-In Lacco Ameno the seafront (nowadays called Corso Rizzolihas) has been very famous since the 1950s. It starts at Piazza Santa Restituta where the locals like to gather.
-In Forio there are a number of shops due to the size of the village. It is probably the best town on Ischia to get good deals, from the best Italian brands to the lower end. The shopping street is right in the center of town, but you`ll also want to visit the market stalls, where you can find bargains.
-In Serrara Fontana, do not miss Sant`Angelo, the coastal area of the town, for shopping.
-In Barano which is also the commercial center, is the square that faces the beautiful beach of Maronti.
There are many artisan shops, particularly in Ponte. You can have custom sandals handmade in half an hour for about €100. Ischia is also good for buying ceramics, an island craft that dates to Greek times. You`ll find many handmade and hand-painted pieces, known for their intricate patterns and bold use of color.
The island also has a number of small beauty producers that turn out wonderful items and fragrances. These products include natural skin care and cosmetic lines; thermal mud-based masks and soaps; and perfumes and eaux de toilettes, often with citrusy scents that reflect the island`s natural fragrances.
-Festa della Ndrezzata - April: Easter Monday - The Festa della Ndrezzata is held in the village of Buonopane, near Barano every Easter Monday. The Ndrezzata is a typical island dance. It is a kind of rhythmic, violent and picturesque fight where the dancers are dressed in traditional island costumes and fight each other with wooden swords.
-International Festival of Classic Music - May - October Forio: The first edition of the festival International of `Classic` music: a series of concerts that were held in the churches and the basilicas of Forio.
id-July: A cinema festival with premieres and retrospective themes dedicated to European films, especially Italian. Ischia, for example, has used as a location of Italian films since the 1950s.
-Vinischia - July: An event that is entirely dedicated to food and wine and Campania regional crafts. It has been organized each summer since 1999 at Torre Guevara at Ischia Ponte. Shows, concerts and dances are organized around the exhibitions and the food and wine tasting.
-Festa di Sant`Anna - 26 July; The Festa di Sant`Anna in Ischia Porto is held each year in the borough of Ischia. On that occasion, there is a sea parade of figurative boats from the island’s various boroughs and also from Procida, under the Castello Aragonese. The parade ends with a prize-giving ceremony and fireworks.
-Settembre sul Sagarato - August and September; This is a festival held every year since 1988 in the village of Piazzale Battistessa, opposite the Church of San Pietro. The festival lasts for two weeks and is filled with painting exhibitions, parades of traditional costumes, wine tasting, fagiolate (bean stew tasting), concerts and shows.
-Ischia White Night (La notte Bianca a Forio d` Ischia) 24 December; Museums, churches, shops and restaurants stay open while the Ischia Notte Bianca stages music, dance and theater events.
We recommend you carry cash on you at all times as some businesses don`t except credit cards, especially in the small towns along the cost. You can get by with just a credit card but be sure to carry euros for small purchases like water.
In Porto, the nighttime scene is fun with lots of restaurants, boutiques and shops that are open before and after dinner. In Porto you`ll also find the greatest concentration of disco bars and nightclubs.