Ischia tourist sights
The principal tourist attractions of Ischia are its beaches, sea and spa resorts. The green hilly landscape is attractive, as are the little fishing ports, and you can enjoy a pleasant holiday without seeking out more developed attractions. Time can be happily spent taking boat trips, seeing the island by bus or enjoying food and drink on panoramic terraces above the sea. However, there are some particular sights which are worth seeing if you’re staying in Ischia for a few days.
The Castello Aragonese at Ischia Ponte is the island’s grandest and most dramatic piece of history. A fortress on a high rocky islet, it dominates the surrounding area and offers splendid views. The castle is interesting to explore, and contains several sights of interest, a couple of cafes, and rather macabre museum. Read more on our Ischia Ponte and Castello Aragonese page.
Visitors interested in gardens will not want to miss La Mortella, the landscape garden created by the composer William Walton and his wife Susanna. Between Lacco Ameno and Forio, the garden lies at the foot of Monte Zaro, cut into an old stone quarry. The garden’s designer was Russell Page, and his aim was to create a landscape which would offer peace and beauty. There are over 800 plant varieties as well as features like a Thai sunhouse, a steel fountain, pools and cascades. The garden is open to the public between April and October, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The gardens also host occasional concerts.
Ischia was settled by Greek colonists in around the eighth century BC, who left behind a range of evidence recounting their presence. Archaeological finds are preserved in a museum at Lacco Ameno, the Museo Archeologico Pithecusae, where you can see items including ‘Nestor’s Cup’, a Greek goblet engraved with a poem. See our Lacco Ameno page.
To see the island’s busily volcanic nature, you should try to visit some of the fumaroles (steaming geysers) and natural hot springs – not just those diverted into swimming pools and spas. Among the sites worth seeing are the Fumarole on the Maronti beach, towards Sant’Angelo (you can walk or take a water taxi from the town).
Useful external links