Ischia's shore alternates between rugged cliffs and sandy stretches, to the delight of sunbathers and swimmers. The island's beautiful beaches are all the more special because they are a commodity almost completely lacking in the bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast. The town of Ischia has a beach -- or rather several small ones, with the best being the Spiaggia dei Pescatori, where local fishermen beach their boats, a short distance west of the Aragonese Castle. You can do way better, though. The island's most beautiful beach is Spiaggia dei Maronti, stretching for about 2km (1 1/4 miles) east of the village of Sant'Angelo, straight down the cliff from Barano d'Ischia (4km/2 1/2 miles south of Ischia Porto). These long stretches of sand are scenic but crowded in the summer. The Spiaggia di Cartaromana, down from the village of San Michele on the east coast of the island, is on a slightly more secluded cove. North of Forio is the Spiaggia di San Francesco, overlooked by the promontory of Monte Vico, while south of Forío is the scenic Spiaggia di Citara, which used to be the island's largest and most beautiful sandy beach. Though much diminished by erosion, it is still nice and is quite popular for the hot mineral springs that flow out to sea at its southern edge; these springs are the same ones that are used by the spa Giardini Poseidon. We also highly recommend renting a boat from one of the harbors and visiting those coves that are accessible only by sea.
If you are not into swimming or relaxation, you can visit the countryside, which is dotted with vineyards producing well-known -- and excellent -- D.O.C. wines. You could combine the sampling with some interesting hikes up the slopes of Mount Epomeo. We recommend you procure the diminutive brochure from the tourist office in Ischia, entitled Lizard Trails, which has descriptions and maps of the island's best trails.
Spas & Thermo-Mineral Treatments
What attracts most visitors to Ischia are the island's many spas, offering a variety of thermo-mineral health and beauty treatments. With over 56 different mineral springs on the island -- not to mention the hot mud, hot sands, and numerous steam holes -- Ischia is spa paradise. These natural resources, scattered across the island's slopes and beaches, have been harnessed by over 150 spa operators. The spas are perfect for day trips, as a number of the island's modern facilities operate as day parks, but most hotels have their own spas and will offer package stays including meals and basic spa services, such as the use of the thermo-mineral pools. Other establishments specialize in medical treatments, beauty care, and treatments to relieve stress. Even if you are not particularly interested in spa treatments, we highly recommend a visit to the outdoor spa parks, which afford a unique and relaxing experience.
Located between Ischia Porto and Casamicciola, Parco Termale Castiglione is a state-of-the-art facility offering thermo-mineral waters and mud treatments in a mix of indoor and open-air facilities. The scenic outdoor pools range in temperature from 82°F to 104°F (28°C-40°C). On the promontory of Monte Vico near Lacco Ameno, you'll find Parco Termale Negombo (tel. 081-986152; www.negombo.it), nestled on the island's most picturesque cove, Lido di San Montano. Here you can enjoy magnificent gardens, a secluded beach, and elegant thermal pools. South of Forío, on the pretty bay of Citara, is Parco Termale Giardini Poseidon, Via Giovanni Mazzella Citara, Forío d'Ischia (tel. 081-907122 or 081-907420), an open-air facility with 22 pools (both relaxing and curative), a large private beach, and several restaurants. Finally, to the east of Sant'Angelo, you'll find the Parco Termale Giardini Aphrodite-Apollon (tel. 081-999219), an indoor-outdoor facility with lovely grounds and pools that is part of the Park Hotel Miramare.
For a more traditional spa experience, we recommend the state-of-the-art Ischia Thermal Center, Via delle Terme 15, Ischia (tel. 081-984376; www.ischiathermalcenter.it), offering a wide range of health and beauty treatments. We also recommend the four historical spas of Casamicciola Terme -- Terme Manzi, Belliazzi, Elisabetta, and Lucibello -- opening onto the famous Piazza Bagni in the hamlet of Bagni. For an even more exclusive experience, head to the Terme della Regina Isabella, a hotel and thermal resort in Lacco Ameno. This is one of the most elegant spas on the island.
