Guides to Ischia
Ischia,
at its own pace.
Twenty editorial guides on Lacco Ameno, the island, seafood cooking and volcanic wines. Written for those who want to understand Ischia up close.
01 — The island
- 01
Lacco Ameno · Ischia
What to see in Lacco Ameno in one day
Ischia's smallest village is also its oldest: in the 8th century BC the Greeks founded Pithecusae here — the first colony in the West. A day is enough to understand it, if you walk slowly.
- 02
Icons of Ischia
Il Fungo of Lacco Ameno: history, how to get there, what to know
The green-tuff sea stack that rises from the water in front of Lacco Ameno is the most photographed natural landmark on Ischia. Its shape looks sculpted — in a sense, it was.
- 03
The Ischia coast
The best beaches of Ischia: a local's guide
Ischia has around 40 km of coastline and every stretch has its own character: dark-sand bays, pebble coves, thermal beaches where the water stays warm even in winter. These are the ones worth knowing.
- 04
Thermal Ischia
The thermal parks of Ischia: a complete guide
Ischia is the Mediterranean's largest thermal island. Volcanic activity around Monte Epomeo feeds dozens of hot springs, and six major parks have turned them into gardens with pools at varied temperatures.
- 05
Ischia's villages
Sant'Angelo d'Ischia: the island's most photographed fishing village
Sant'Angelo is a hamlet of Serrara Fontana, on Ischia's south coast. A handful of coloured houses clinging to a headland, a small harbour, a sand isthmus connecting the village to the Rock. No cars.
- 06
Museums of Ischia
Villa Arbusto and the Pithecusae Museum: Nestor's Cup
In Lacco Ameno, above the corso, Angelo Rizzoli's former villa now houses the archaeological museum of Pithecusae — the first Greek colony in the West. Its signature piece is Nestor's Cup.
- 07
Getting there
How to get to Ischia from Naples: ferries, hydrofoils, times
Ischia is reached by sea. Ferries (cars + passengers) and hydrofoils (passengers only) sail every day from Naples and Pozzuoli. Here's how to choose.
- 08
Getting around Ischia
Getting around Ischia without a car: buses, taxis, microtaxis
Ischia is small (46 km²) and well served: you can visit the whole island without bringing a car. In summer, it's actually the smarter choice.
- 09
Itineraries
Ischia in 3 days: a local's itinerary
Three days is the right measure to see Ischia without rushing: one day for thermal parks and sea, one for villages, one for nature and food.
- 10
Ischia at sunset
The best sunsets on Ischia: where to watch them
Ischia faces west — sunset is at home here. From Citara beach to the Serrara Fontana belvedere, these are the best places to watch it.
02 — Food and wine
- 01
Eating on Ischia
The best seafood restaurants on Ischia: a local's guide
Ischia lives off the catch. The restaurants that matter share one rule: fish is picked in the morning from the harbour boats — and the kitchen touches it as little as possible.
- 02
Wines of Ischia
The wines of Ischia: Biancolella, Forastera, Per'e Palummo
Ischia's vines grow out of volcanic stone, often on terraces, above the sea. They give wines that taste of sun, rock and salt — unmistakable.
- 03
Ischia's kitchen
What to eat on Ischia: 10 dishes to try
Ischia eats from the sea, but also from the land: rabbit, vegetables from terraced gardens, lemons. Here are the ten dishes worth orienting yourself around.
- 04
Island recipes
Spaghetti alle vongole: the Ischian tradition
A very simple dish — five ingredients — that reveals the quality of every one of them. This is how it's made on Ischia.
- 05
Island recipes
Pesce all'acqua pazza: origins and the fisherman's recipe
Acqua pazza was born on the fishing boats of the Bay of Naples: seawater, cherry tomatoes, a splash of oil. It is the most honest cooking fresh fish can receive.
- 06
Land cooking
Coniglio all'ischitana: why the island loves it
Ischia is celebrated for its seafood — but its most identity-carrying land dish is coniglio all'ischitana. Born in the terraced inland gardens, today a Slow Food presidium.
- 07
Pairings
Wine-and-fish pairing: a Mediterranean practical guide
Pairing wine with fish is not complicated. Three principles — cooking method, fat, salinity — and the choice simplifies itself.
03 — The experience
- 01
The island by night
Romantic dinner on Ischia: where to go, what to expect
Ischia is an island that slows down from sunset onwards. For a romantic dinner you don't need a spectacular restaurant — you need a table where time stretches.
- 02
Ischia off-season
Ischia in low season: why October–May is magical
The island in summer is one thing; the island in winter is another. Those who discover it out of season tend to keep coming back at that time.
- 03
Eating in Lacco Ameno
Restaurants near the Fungo in Lacco Ameno: dining a few steps from the sea
The Fungo sits a few metres from Corso Angelo Rizzoli. The surrounding stretch concentrates some of the island's most consistent seafood restaurants. Here's what to expect.