How to Spend 3 Days in Ischia, Italy
This post likely contains affiliate links. By booking through these links I may make a small commission (which I am very grateful for!) at no extra cost to you.
When it comes to beach destinations in Italy, most people think of Cinque Terre, Sicily, or the Amalfi Coast. However, you there is an Italian island, not too far from the Amalfi Coast and Capri, that makes for the perfect beach getaway: Ischia. It’s quiet compared to the more popular beach destinations, but still offers beautiful scenery, incredible food, and great beach options. Here’s how to spend 3 days in Ischia, Italy.
How to Get to Ischia
Ischia is an island off the coast of Naples and is only accessible by ferry. The most common route is Naples to Ischia, but you can also reach Ischia from Procida (another island), Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and a few other destinations along the Italian coastline. Keep in mind the most frequent route will be from Naples.
Another thing to note is that there are two types of ferries that run this route. The smaller ferries, hydrofoils, are passenger only. They are also enclosed boats, which means you only have the option of sitting inside. There are also larger ferry options that will transport cars and trucks as well as passengers. These ferries are a little bit slower but allow you to move around and sit outside. The larger ferries are also a better option for those who suffer from sea sickness and, during bad weather, are less likely to be cancelled than hydrofoils.
Prices are typically similar for both options, although it will depend on the time of day you go. It also tends to be cheaper to book early. Most tickets can be purchased online in advance (and should be purchased in advance, especially for busier seasons), but will need to be printed at the ticket office of the ferry provider before you board. You should make sure you are at the port to have your ticket an hour before your journey.
One final thing to note: if you are travelling with luggage (more than just a backpack) you will be charged an extra fee of a few euros.
For booking ferry tickets, I use FerryHopper.
Getting Around Ischia
Ischia is a big enough island that you will need to rely on some mode of transportation to get around. Car and scooter rentals are available (keep in mind you should have an international driver’s licence), or you can use public transit or even rely on group tour pick-ups.
The bus system is easy to use and connects the island pretty well, though it can be very busy. Buses start and end in the Ischia Port, so depending on your journey, you may need to make a transfer if you are not staying in this area.
Tickets should be purchased in advance either from the ticket office in Ischia Port or from tobacconists. You can buy from the driver as well if you have the correct change. When I visited, some of the buses had a tap to pay method, but not all of them.
Tickets can be booked as singles, day passes, or multi-day passes. If you need to transfer, you will need two separate tickets, so it makes more sense to get a day pass. Also, note that they do frequently check tickets, so make sure to validate yours, or you will be charged. If the machine doesn’t work, write down the time, date, and bus number manually- that is what is expected.
Where to Stay in Ischia
There are plenty of spots to stay in Ischia. Most people will stay in Ischia Port, Ischia Ponte, or Forio. Ischia Port is convenient for the ferries and buses; there are a lot of hotel options and restaurant choices, but it’s also the busiest with day trippers. See hotel options here.
Ischia Ponte isn’t too far away and is considered to be a little bit nicer. This is where you will find the Aragonese Castle. There are a couple of beach clubs in this area, and it’s easily connected to Ischia Port (you could even walk there). Find accomodation here.
Forio is on the other end of the island and is considered to be a good spot for the family and beach access. Check out options here.
There are plenty of other smaller towns in between, as well as some beautiful independent properties set away from the towns.
I stayed in a mother/daughter-run hotel called Villa to Ischia With Love. It’s small and very cute with a beautiful view overlooking the castle. They only have three rooms, which made it cozy and quiet. Downsides: it’s a 15-20 minute walk downhill (many stairs) to Ischia Ponte for restaurants. Breakfast is offered at the hotel a la carte, but prices are 2x (or more) what you could expect to pay elsewhere. There is a bus stop right outside, which is handy for day trips and island exploring. It was a beautiful spot, very relaxing, but not necessarily the most convenient. You can book it here.
If you like the idea of a quieter property away from the main towns, you can also consider
- Hotel Terme San Michele & Spa
- Tenuta C’est la Vie
- And if you really want to splash out, the most luxurious hotel on the island is the Mezzatore Hotel & Thermal Spa.
How to Spend 3 Days in Ischia
I’ll start by saying that 3 days in Ischia will go by pretty quickly. There is a lot to see and do on this island, and you could easily fill 5 days or even a week on Ischia. However, for many of us, Vacation time is limited, and this part of Italy has lots of great places, so 3 days on Ischia is a great option to combine a bit more relaxed time with a visit to Naples and maybe the Amalfi coast.
Here’s how I spent my 3 days in Ischia.
Day 1: Ischia Ponte
Arrive on the island and check into your hotel. As a half day, it’s a great day to check out Ischia Ponte and the Aragonese Castle. The castle looks straight out of a children’s fairy-tale book, but it isn’t a castle in the traditional sense of many other European Castles. Instead, your visit here will weave around the island, taking you to a mixture of gardens, art galleries, and even a torture chamber. There are two cafes on site, including a very picturesque one at the top offering beautiful views. Benches are scattered around some of the gardens and viewpoints as well, making it easy to take a break and relax.
The castle visit typically takes a couple of hours, from there you can explore Ischia Ponte town, which has lots of little boutiques and restaurants. Grab a pre-dinner cocktail and dinner.
When it comes to food, Ischia is known for rabbit stews and pastas so if you would like to try something local, that’s a good thing to look for on the menu. Also, as an island, the seafood is very good.
For places to eat, consider:
- Auras for seafood
- Kiwi Jam for cocktails and sandwiches
- Cala Cala for salads and bruschetta (when you are craving fresh veggies)
- Da Ciro – I had the rabbit gnocchi here to try, which was honestly pretty delicious
Day 2: Beaches & Small Towns
Take today to explore the island. If you are renting a car or scooter, you will have a little more freedom, but the bus works well too. I suggest heading to Sant Angelo, which is a tiny but very pretty town by the water. There are a few little boutique stores and then some restaurants with beautiful views overlooking the water. There is a small beach right by the marina, but better yet, hop on one of the taxi boats and have them take you across the bay to Spiaggia dei Maronti, which is considered to be one of the nicest beaches on the island. It’s a great place to spend the afternoon. You can bring your own towel and lie on the free parts of the beach, or there are plenty of beach restaurants and bars where you can rent a chair. The water here does get deep quite quickly, so keep that in mind if you are not a strong swimmer.
There is a bus stop here as well for those using public transit.
Day 3: Boat Trip Around the Island & Forio
One of my favourite things to do on islands is join a boat trip. Ischia has a few options, but I took one that left from Forio and included swim stops as well as lunch and snacks. It was a great way to spend the day and get some views of the island from the water. We had four swim stops, including one by a cool cave you could swim into, and another by natural thermal waters (it was sort of warm? But the sea was a bit rougher that day, so the water mixed a lot).
The food cooked and served on board was fantastic; we had bruschetta, mussels, seafood pasta, and strawberries. They served us wine and limoncello as well. I was so full I didn’t bother with dinner that evening! However, Forio is known to be the best sunset spot on the island so if the weather is nice it’s worth sticking around town a little long (assuming you aren’t staying in Forio) and getting a drink/dinner to watch the sunset.
If You Have More Time
As I said, there is quite a bit to do in Ischia.
It’s very well known for its thermal baths. I didn’t go to any while I was there because the weather was pretty warm, so I chose the (free) beaches instead, but I’ve heard amazing things about both Poseidon Thermal Park and Negombo.
Ischia also has plenty of wineries; there are a number of wine tours you can take to explore and do some tastings.
Of course, being in Italy, there are cooking class options like pasta cooking class or this market tour and cooking class.
You could also consider a day trip to Procida, the smaller neighbouring island known for its colourful houses. I chose to stay on the island for 3 nights, which was very relaxing, but if you don’t have time for that in your schedule, a day trip is a great option. You can do it DIY with a ferry or join an organized boat trip.
Final Tips for Ischia
Ischia is often marketed as the ‘lesser known’ island and a place where Italians come to visit. While technically, this is true, it doesn’t mean it’s not busy and quiet. Ischia is still quite popular with Italians and many Europeans and is becoming more popular with North Americans as well.
So, it is in your best interest to book and make arrangements in advance to avoid disappointment.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Don’t forget travel insurance!
Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance here. If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend SafetyWing. For Canadian readers, take a look at SoNomad.
Book your accommodation
I love and recommend booking.com for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save.
Book your tours
My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is GetYourGuide. They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers.
Get connected
If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I have used esims around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA- they are super easy and you don’t risk losing your home sim! There are two brands I have used and recommend so I suggest comparing both.
Airalo: download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase.
Sim Local: Another easy to use alternative with competitive pricing. Here’s my link with a promo code.
Truely: This one is easier in that it’s a one-time download instead of downloading an esim for each country. It also allows you to hotspot and tether- which not all esims do. Check out options here.
Not sure what to pack?
I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my travel essentials and camera gear if you are looking for some ideas.
Looking for a travel buddy?
Check out my group trips!