Ischia Porto

Ischia Porto, simply called `Ischia` by the locals, is the main town on the island. The town is divided into two area, Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte. Each of the two towns are collectively known as `Ischia` but as they each have important landmarks, accommodations, restaurants and shopping area, it is easier to split them into two.

Ischia Porto is located in the North-East section of the island where the main port is. This is where the ferry and hydrofoils come in/out of the island to the mainland or other neighboring islands such as Procida or Capri.

Ischia Porto offers luxury hotels, an active main street filled with designer clothes shops known as Corso Vittoria Colonna and also a lively nightlife. This area also offers excellent cuisine with many bars and restaurant options.

Ischia Ponte

Ischia Ponte is home to one of Ischia`s most iconic and captivating sights, Castello Aragonese, which for many is the symbol of Ischia. As you wonder through the streets to the remarkable sights of the medieval castle it is easy to see why the town has been so fiercely defended throughout its history.

Ischia Ponte is also home to the Rocks of Santa Anna, the Tower of Michelangelo, Cartaromana Beach and also the five star hotel, Miramare e Castello.

Casamicciola

Casamicciola is positioned along the northern coast of the island between Lacco Ameno and Ischia Porto and is home to the smaller villages of Perrone, Castiglione, Piazza Bagni, La Rita, La Sentinella and Piazza Maio. Hydrofoils and ferries make their way back and forth to mainland Italy in Naples from Casamicciola`s beautiful port which is also a marina and home to a number of alluring yachts.

Casamicciola is best known for its thermal spas such as Castiglione Thermal Park and O Vagnitiello Thermal Park but also for its charming set of shops and cafes and also restaurants from which you can enjoy watching the world go by while enjoying traditional Ischian cuisine. The luxury five star Terme Manzi Hotel and Spa also is situated in Casamicciola with its own thermal pools, Turkish bath and sensory showers.

Lacco Ameno

The smallest town of Ischia`s main towns is Lacco Ameno, but also considered the most beautiful. It is situated towards the north-west corner of the island where it`s position enjoys spectacular seaside scenery as well as two beautiful beaches, the most popular being San Montano. This beach offers a natural enclosure, with two hills creating a little bay with shallow waters, great for a refreshing swim. Alongside the San Montano Beach is the main attraction of the town, Negombo Thermal Gardens.

Negombo Thermal water park offers twelve pools of varying temperatures, including natural saunas which have been cut out of the rocks overlooking the bay to create a serene atmosphere where visitors can admire the views while in the healing waters.

The beach of San Montano and Negombo are about a five minute walk from the center of town which offers a maze of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars, as well as another beach, Il Fungo Beach. The town also offers an attractive marina which brings in a range of small fishing boats as well as mega-yachts. This is a great area to enjoy a meal at one of the harbor side restaurants.

Each year in July, this town comes alive with glitz and glam as the island is host to the Ischia Global Film and Music Fest, one of two film festivals that takes place on the island each year, the other being the Ischia Film Festival. During the festival the town hosts VIP parties all over the island and free film screenings are held in the town`s main square, Piazza Santa Restituta.

Forio

Forio is the second largest town on the island that sits along the western coast. The commune of Forio also includes the `frazion` (smaller town/village) of Panza.

Forio is a beautiful town with shops, a cinema, restaurants, bars and cafes and also the famous church, Chiesa del Saccorso which one of is the prettiest sights in Ischia. You will also find the Torrione Museum, an ancient look-out tower that was built to keep enemy forces at bay. The gardesn of La Mortella and Ravino are also based in Forio and provide a relaxing spot with their beautiful flora and fauna and amazing views from above Forio.

In the small town of Panza in Forio, you will also find Sorgeto Bay which if famous for its natural hot thermal pools. Hydrofoils are available from the port of Forio that take visitors to/from the mainland which also makes a stop at Ischia Porto.

Sant`Angelo

Sant`Angelo is a more touristy area where the German president Angela Merkel would spend her vacations. It is appreciated by the rich and VIPs who visit the island as well. It is connected by a single bus, usually very crowded, and the trip from Ischia Porto takes about one hour. The area boasts white and colorful homes, narrow streets, little shops and some great restaurants and bars. Compared to the rest of the island it is stunning and offers a low-key vibe with no motor vehichles. From the small harbor there are boats that take visitors to Maronit Beach.

Sant`Angelo is where you will find the Parco Termale Tropical, a beautiful thermal spa with different hot and cold pools and a steam bath. It is also where the Aphrodite-Apollon Thermal Park is found.

Barano

Barano is one of the six boroughs or communes of the island, located on the south western part of Ischia, with Serrara Fontana to the west and Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte to the east. It`s most visited attraction is the Maronti Beach with its golden sand and crystal clear waters. Barano is also home to the natural springs of Nitrodi that offers healing waters as well as beautiful natural caves and saunas of Cavascura.

With a mixture of beaches and mountain passes, Barano is a beautiful area to explore Ischia`s wildlife and some stunning views. Interesting walking routes include Monte Cotto which starts from the village of Testaccio, the village that lies half way down the road to the beach from the main road.

Apart from the comune of Barano there is also Barano Village and other small villages such as Piedimonte, Buonopane and Fiaiano.