Ischia is the largest island in the Bay of Naples, and it’s known for its hot springs, thermal parks and green slopes rising towards Mount Epomeo. The island is bigger and more varied than Capri, and many visitors come to bathe in the warm water.
That’s why where you stay matters so much. Ischia Porto is practical with the ferries right outside the door, Forio has restaurants and sunsets, and Sant’Angelo is a car-free fishing village. Here are my recommendations for six areas and hotels in several price ranges.
Contents
The Best Areas on Ischia
- Ischia Porto - best area for first-time visitors
- Ischia Ponte - best area for couples and atmosphere
- Lacco Ameno - best area for luxury and thermal baths
- Forio - best area for restaurants and sunsets
- Citara - best area for the beach and thermal parks
- Sant’Angelo - best area for a car-free holiday
Below, I go through the six areas one by one with a map, practical facts and three hotels in each area, from luxury to budget, so you can find the base that suits your holiday on Ischia best.
1. Ischia Porto - best area for first-time visitors ⛴️
- 📍 Distance from the port: You’ll be staying by the island’s biggest port, where most ferries and hydrofoils from Naples arrive.
- 🚌 Transport: The island’s buses leave from the port and run round the coast, so it’s easy to get around the whole island from here without a car.
- ✈️ Time from Naples Airport: Allow around 2 hours in total with the Alibus to Molo Beverello and a hydrofoil to Ischia Porto.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £75 to £235 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Ischia Porto is a safe area. There’s a lot of traffic and plenty of scooters around the port, so take care when you’re walking along the road with your suitcase.
Ischia Porto is my first choice if you’re visiting Ischia for the first time and don’t want to spend time on transport. You step off the ferry and have your hotel, the buses and the taxis within walking distance, and in the evening the harbourfront is full of restaurants, bars and gelaterias.
The harbour itself is almost round, because it’s an old crater that was opened up to the sea in the 19th century. From the harbour, the main streets Via Roma and Corso Vittoria Colonna lead towards Ischia Ponte, with shops, cafés and pizzerias most of the way.
There are beaches close by too. Spiaggia di San Pietro is just east of the harbour, and on the other side of the harbour you’ll find the small Spiaggia degli Inglesi below the slope to the west.
See hotels in Ischia Porto here.
From Naples, the hydrofoils to Ischia Porto leave from Molo Beverello, and the car ferries sail from Calata Porta di Massa. The Alibus runs directly from the airport to both quays, and I’ve written a full guide to getting from Naples Airport to the city centre. If you’d like a night in the city before you sail, you can read about where to stay in Naples.
The downside is that Ischia Porto is busy and less idyllic than the rest of the island. There’s traffic in the streets for most of the day, and the beaches by the town are small and crowded in July and August. I’d choose Ischia Porto for a short break, or if you want to use the island’s buses to see it all.
Places to Stay in Ischia Porto
Le Querce Resort Sea Thermae & Spa - best luxury hotel with thermal pools
Le Querce sits on the slope west of the harbour and has both an indoor and an outdoor pool, a spa and hot springs. It had the highest guest rating of the hotels by the harbour in my search, and it’s around 120 metres to the small Spiaggia degli Inglesi. The hotel is built on a hillside with lots of steps, and some guests feel the rooms look a bit worn.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “One of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in.”
See photos and book Le Querce Resort Sea Thermae & Spa here.
Hotel Terme Oriente - Beach & SPA - best mid-range hotel close to the beach
Terme Oriente is on Via delle Terme, a few minutes’ walk from the harbour and around 200 metres from Spiaggia di San Pietro. You get a thermal pool, a spa and a restaurant at a mid-range price. Guests mention that the shower is small and that some of the rooms are a little old-fashioned.
One guest praises the location on Booking.com: “Lovely hotel. The location was excellent, just a short walk from the port, the beach, the bars and the restaurants.”
See photos and book Hotel Terme Oriente - Beach & SPA here.
La Brezza B&B Ischia - cheapest option close to the harbour
La Brezza is a small bed and breakfast on Via delle Terme and was the cheapest of my three picks in Ischia Porto when I searched. It’s around 400 metres to Spiaggia di San Pietro and a short walk to the restaurants by the harbour. There’s no pool, and some guests find the beds hard and feel the rooms could do with a refresh.
One guest singles out the host on Booking.com: “A very friendly welcome and help from the host.”
See photos and book La Brezza B&B Ischia here.
2. Ischia Ponte - best area for couples and atmosphere 🏰
- 📍 Distance from Ischia Porto: Around 2 kilometres to the east. You can walk along Corso Vittoria Colonna in about half an hour or take the bus.
- 🚌 Transport: Buses run frequently between Ischia Ponte and the harbour, so you’re quickly at the ferry when it’s time to move on.
- ✈️ Time from Naples Airport: Allow just over 2 hours with the Alibus, a hydrofoil to Ischia Porto and a short bus or taxi ride.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £90 to £360 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Ischia Ponte is quiet and safe. The streets are narrow and shared with scooters, so keep a close eye on the children.
Ischia Ponte is the old fishing village on the island’s east coast, and for me it’s the most atmospheric place to stay in the town of Ischia. The area takes its name from the long stone bridge that leads out to Castello Aragonese on a rocky islet just off the coast.
According to Italy’s official tourism website, the first fortifications on the rock were built by the Greeks, and today you can wander around the castle among church ruins, gardens and terraces with views over the bay. Entry to Castello Aragonese costs 15 euros (about £13), and the castle is open every day from 9am until sunset, apart from a period in winter when it closes for maintenance.
The main street, Via Luigi Mazzella, is full of small shops, cafés and restaurants, and right next to it is the small beach Spiaggia dei Pescatori, where the fishing boats are pulled up on the sand.
See hotels in Ischia Ponte here.
South of the bridge is the bay of Cartaromana, with rocks and clear water where you can swim with a view of the castle. In the evening, the atmosphere is calmer than by the harbour, and from the restaurants along the water you can watch the castle being lit up as it gets dark.
The downside is that Ischia Ponte is small, and many of the buildings are on narrow streets without parking. There aren’t many large hotels with a pool in the area itself either. I’d choose Ischia Ponte for couples who want atmosphere and good restaurants and don’t need to drive.
Places to Stay in Ischia Ponte
Miramare E Castello - best luxury hotel on the beach
Miramare E Castello is a five-star hotel on Spiaggia dei Pescatori with views towards the castle. You get an indoor pool, a spa and direct access to the beach, and it was the most expensive of my three picks in Ischia Ponte. Guests mention that the beds can be too hard and that it can be noisy.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is absolutely excellent. We loved having direct access to the beach with free sunbeds and umbrellas.”
See photos and book Miramare E Castello here.
Albergo Il Monastero - best hotel inside the castle
Il Monastero is inside Castello Aragonese and is for adults only. It has one of the highest guest ratings in the whole guide, and you’ll be staying in one of the most unusual hotels on the island. There are lots of steps up to the hotel, so it isn’t suitable for guests who have trouble walking, and there’s no pool.
One guest says on Booking.com: “A beautiful place with a fantastic location.”
See photos and book Albergo Il Monastero here.
B&B La Vigna - Ischia Ponte - cheapest option with free parking
La Vigna is a bed and breakfast on Via Luigi Mazzella, around 250 metres from the bridge to the castle, and was the cheapest of the three places when I searched. It has a very high guest rating, and there’s free parking, which is rare in Ischia Ponte. Only a few rooms have a sea view, and there’s no pool.
One guest praises the location on Booking.com: “The location is great, 100 metres from the centre.”
See photos and book B&B La Vigna - Ischia Ponte here.
3. Lacco Ameno - best area for luxury and thermal baths ♨️
- 📍 Distance from Ischia Porto: Around 6 kilometres to the west along the coast road on the north coast.
- ⛴️ Transport: The buses along the coast road run through the town, and hydrofoils sail directly to Naples from neighbouring Casamicciola.
- ✈️ Time from Naples Airport: Allow around 2 hours with the Alibus, a hydrofoil from Molo Beverello to Casamicciola and a short taxi ride.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £105 to £695 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Lacco Ameno is a quiet and safe town. The coast road through the town is busy, so use the pedestrian crossings.
Lacco Ameno is the smallest town on Ischia’s north coast, and it’s home to some of the island’s best-known luxury hotels. Out in the shallow water of the bay stands the rock Il Fungo, which got its name because it looks like a giant mushroom, and it’s the town’s landmark.
The town is built around Piazza Santa Restituta and the seafront street Corso Angelo Rizzoli, with cafés, shops and restaurants facing the sea. Right in front of the town is a sandy beach with sunbeds and umbrellas in season.
A little west of the town is the bay of San Montano with the thermal park Negombo. The park faces a wide arc of fine sand with shallow water a long way out, and between the gardens there are pools of thermal water. It’s only open in the summer season, so check the dates on the park’s website before you plan your day.
See hotels in Lacco Ameno here.
Lacco Ameno is a good base if you want to combine thermal baths, the beach and good hotels while staying close to both Forio and Casamicciola. From Casamicciola, SNAV sails to Molo Beverello in Naples in about 45 minutes, so getting there is easy even though you’re staying some way from Ischia Porto.
The downside is the price. The hotels by the water are some of the most expensive on the island, and there isn’t much going on in the evening. I’d choose Lacco Ameno for couples and adults who want to treat themselves to a spa and thermal baths and don’t need bars and nightlife.
Places to Stay in Lacco Ameno
Regina Isabella - Resort Spa Restaurant - best luxury hotel on Piazza Santa Restituta
Regina Isabella is a five-star hotel on Piazza Santa Restituta in the middle of Lacco Ameno, with three pools, including a thermal pool, and its own spa. It’s the most expensive hotel in the whole guide and had the highest guest rating in my search in the town. Guests mention that parts of the hotel could do with renovating and that there’s no free water in the rooms.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was excellent and gave easy access to the main street, and the view was spectacular.”
See photos and book Regina Isabella - Resort Spa Restaurant here.
Hotel Villa Angelica - Adults Only - best mid-range hotel for adults only
Villa Angelica is a small adults-only hotel around 170 metres from the beach by Il Fungo. There’s a partly covered thermal pool, a spa and free parking. Guests mention that the shower is small and that the pool can get a lot of shade.
One delighted guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is fantastic, and the hosts are very kind.”
See photos and book Hotel Villa Angelica - Adults Only here.
Hotel Terme Marina - cheapest option right by the beach
Terme Marina is on Corso Angelo Rizzoli, right across from the beach by Il Fungo, and was the cheapest of my three picks in Lacco Ameno when I searched. The hotel has a hot tub and a wellness area, but access to the wellness area costs extra. Guests mention that the shower is small and that the furniture is a little worn.
One guest singles out the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were incredibly friendly and always available.”
See photos and book Hotel Terme Marina here.
4. Forio - best area for restaurants and sunsets 🌅
- 📍 Distance from Ischia Porto: Around 10 kilometres along the coast road, on the opposite side of the island.
- ⛴️ Transport: Alilauro sails directly between Molo Beverello in Naples and Forio, and the buses run from here round the island in both directions.
- ✈️ Time from Naples Airport: Allow just over 2 hours with the Alibus and a direct hydrofoil to Forio, when a departure fits.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £75 to £300 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Forio is a safe town. In the evenings in high season the streets are crowded, so keep an eye on your bag.
Forio is the largest town on Ischia’s west coast and my pick if you want restaurants, bars and evening life without staying by the busy ferry port. The town faces the open sea to the west, so this is where you’ll see the sun set over the water.
The best place to watch the sunset is the white church Chiesa del Soccorso, which stands on a small headland at the western end of the town. From here, the narrow streets lead into the centre with wine bars, gelaterias and restaurants, and in the middle of the town stands the round defensive tower Torrione.
Just north of the town is the garden La Mortella, which the composer William Walton and his wife Susana created together with the landscape architect Russell Page. The garden is only open from spring to early November and only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, so plan your visit around that.
The beaches in the town itself are small, but Spiaggia della Chiaia is at the northern end of the town, and to the south you’ll quickly reach Citara. From the harbour, Alilauro sails directly to Naples, so you don’t have to cross the island when you arrive and leave. Forio is also a good starting point for hikes up Epomeo, the island’s highest mountain at 789 metres.
The downside is the distance to Ischia Porto, where most ferries arrive, and the bus there can take a long time in high season. On the other hand, you get a proper town with supermarkets, pharmacies and plenty of restaurants. I’d choose Forio for a week’s holiday where you want evening life and a short trip to the beaches in the west.
Places to Stay in Forio
Hotel Boutique Ideal - best luxury hotel with two pools
Hotel Boutique Ideal is a four-star hotel on Via Giovanni Mazzella, around a kilometre south of the centre on the road towards Citara. It’s less than 100 metres to the small beach Cava dell’Isola, and the hotel has both an outdoor pool and a heated indoor pool. It has one of the highest guest ratings in the guide, but some guests mention that the rooms can get warm at night.
One satisfied guest writes on Booking.com: “We loved our stay at Hotel Boutique Ideal.”
See photos and book Hotel Boutique Ideal here.
Hotel Terme Zi Carmela - best mid-range hotel with a thermal bath
Zi Carmela is around 400 metres from the centre of Forio and has both an indoor and an outdoor pool, a thermal bath and a spa. It’s around 450 metres to Spiaggia della Chiaia. Guests mention that there can be noise from the road and that there’s no water in the room.
One guest highlights the pools on Booking.com: “The pools aren’t very big, but they’re big enough for a short swim, and the thermal bath is lovely.”
See photos and book Hotel Terme Zi Carmela here.
Villa Mena - cheapest option with a pool and a view
Villa Mena is on the edge of Forio, around 500 metres from Spiaggia della Chiaia, and was the cheapest of my three picks in the town when I searched. You get a pool with a view and free parking. Some guests mention that the air conditioning didn’t work well and that the hotel can be hard to find.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The price was very reasonable, and the service was really good for a three-star hotel.”
See photos and book Villa Mena here.
5. Citara - best area for the beach and thermal parks 🏖️
- 📍 Distance from Forio: Around 2 kilometres south of the centre of Forio and around 12 kilometres from Ischia Porto.
- 🚌 Transport: The island’s buses pass Citara, so it’s easy to get to Forio and on round the island.
- ✈️ Time from Naples Airport: Allow around 2.5 hours with the Alibus, a hydrofoil to Forio and a short taxi ride from the harbour.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€. The three places below cost roughly £65 to £170 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Citara is a quiet resort. The bay is open to the sea, so check the waves before the children go in the water on windy days.
Citara is a wide bay south of Forio with a long sandy beach, green slopes and the headland Punta Imperatore at the end. It’s the place to be if you want the beach and one of the island’s biggest thermal parks close by, while paying less than in Lacco Ameno.
The biggest attraction is the thermal park Giardini Poseidon, which runs right down to the bay. The park has 20 pools with thermal water and seawater and a private sandy beach of around 500 metres. It’s open from spring to the end of October, and many people spend a whole day here.
Next to Poseidon’s beach there’s a smaller stretch of public beach where you can lie for free, but it fills up quickly in high season. The bay faces west, so you’ll also get the sunset over the sea from here.
The hotels in Citara are mostly on the slopes along Via Provinciale Panza above the beach, and many have their own pool or thermal pool. That makes the area popular with families and couples who want both a pool and a beach on the same holiday. Check the distance to the beach before you book, as it can be quite a walk downhill.
The downside is that there isn’t much town life in Citara itself. The restaurants and bars are in Forio, so in the evening you’ll need to walk a fair way or take a bus or taxi. I’d choose Citara for a beach holiday where the thermal baths are an important part of the plan.
Places to Stay in Citara
Sorriso Thermae Resort & Spa - best four-star hotel with thermal pools
Sorriso is a four-star resort on the slope above Citara with several thermal pools, a spa and a gym. It was the most expensive of my three picks in Citara, and the pools look out over the sea. According to Booking.com, it’s around 1.2 kilometres to the beach, and guests mention that some rooms are a little dated and that the breakfast could be better.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A beautiful resort with a fantastic location.”
See photos and book Sorriso Thermae Resort & Spa here.
Hotel Capizzo - best mid-range hotel with views over the bay
Capizzo is on Via Provinciale Panza, around 500 metres from the beach, and has a heated infinity pool with views over the bay and free parking. It has a high guest rating and suits couples well. Guests feel the rooms could do with updating, and some are disappointed with the access to the beach.
Here’s what one guest says on Booking.com: “Excellent hotel. A beautiful location on Ischia with a magnificent view over the bay.”
See photos and book Hotel Capizzo here.
Aparthotel Villa Marinù - cheapest option with pools and a playground
Villa Marinù is an aparthotel around 900 metres from Citara and was the cheapest place in the whole guide when I searched. You get both an indoor and an outdoor pool, free parking and a playground, so it suits families well. Some guests feel the beds aren’t good and that the rooms need maintenance.
One guest writes briefly on Booking.com: “The hotel was good value for money.”
See photos and book Aparthotel Villa Marinù here.
6. Sant’Angelo - best area for a car-free holiday ⛵
- 📍 Distance from Ischia Porto: Sant’Angelo is on the south coast and is the area in this guide that’s furthest from the harbour in Ischia Porto.
- 🚶 Transport: The village itself is car-free, so you walk the last stretch from the bus stop and the car park above the village. From the harbour, small water taxis run to the beaches along the coast.
- ✈️ Time from Naples Airport: Allow around 3 hours with the Alibus, a hydrofoil to Ischia Porto and a bus or taxi across the island.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £105 to £530 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Sant’Angelo is very quiet. The streets are steep with lots of steps, so wear good shoes and pack light if you’ll be carrying your own luggage.
Sant’Angelo is a former fishing village on Ischia’s south coast and, in my opinion, the most idyllic place on the island. According to Italy’s official tourism website, the village is free of car traffic, and it’s connected to a small rocky islet by a narrow isthmus.
The houses in white and bright colours are packed closely against the cliff, and by the small harbour there are restaurants, cafés and shops with tables right down to the water. In the evening, once the day visitors have gone home, it becomes completely quiet.
Sant’Angelo is also known for its hot springs. The Cavascura spring has been used since Roman times, and east of the village begins Maronti, the island’s longest beach, with dark volcanic sand.
See hotels in Sant’Angelo here.
You can walk to Maronti along the coast or take one of the small water taxis from the harbour. Many of the hotels are on the slopes above the village or right on Maronti, so check how many steps there are before you book, especially if you’re travelling with big suitcases.
The downside is that Sant’Angelo is a long way from the ferries, and you’ll have to walk the last stretch with your luggage, because cars aren’t allowed in the village. The choice of restaurants is also smaller than in Forio. I’d choose Sant’Angelo for couples who want peace and quiet, sea views and hot springs and don’t need town life.
Places to Stay in Sant’Angelo
Miramare Sea Resort & Spa - best luxury hotel by the water
Miramare Sea Resort is a five-star, adults-only hotel right down by the water in Sant’Angelo with its own bathing platform and spa. It was the most expensive of my three picks in the village and suits a honeymoon or a special occasion. Some guests mention that the service can be slow.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Rooms with a breathtaking view, a fantastic bathing platform and lovely staff.”
See photos and book Miramare Sea Resort & Spa here.
Hotel Casa Rosa Sea & Spa - best mid-range hotel right by Maronti
Casa Rosa is a family-run hotel with direct access to the western end of Maronti and both an outdoor and an indoor pool and a spa. It has a high guest rating, and guests praise the hospitality. On the other hand, some feel the breakfast is weak and the furniture old-fashioned.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A beautiful family-run hotel with fantastic hospitality!”
See photos and book Hotel Casa Rosa Sea & Spa here.
Hotel Residence S.Angelo - cheapest option with a thermal pool
Residence S.Angelo is on the road down towards Sant’Angelo, around 500 metres from the beach, and was the cheapest of the three places when I searched. You get an outdoor thermal pool, a small indoor hot tub and one of the highest guest ratings in the whole guide. Some guests mention that the decor and facilities are a little worn.
One guest singles out the hosts on Booking.com: “The friendliest father and son, who treated us like family.”
See photos and book Hotel Residence S.Angelo here.
Where should you avoid staying on Ischia?
I wouldn’t stay in the small hill villages in the interior of the island, such as Fontana, Serrara and Buonopane, if you don’t have a car. Accommodation there is often cheap, but the roads are steep and winding, and it’s a long way to both the beach and the restaurants.
Casamicciola Terme has ferries to Naples and several thermal hotels, but parts of the town are still marked by rebuilding after earthquakes and landslides. It can be a fine choice for a short trip, but check the location carefully before you book.
Be careful with hotels along the main road between the towns, too. The map can make them look close to the beach, but many are uphill with traffic right outside the door, and then you’ll depend on the bus every day.
If you’re visiting Ischia for the first time, I’d stay in Ischia Porto, where the ferries and buses are right on hand, or in Ischia Ponte if you want more atmosphere. Lacco Ameno suits a luxury holiday with thermal baths, Forio is for restaurants and sunsets, Citara for the beach and thermal parks, and Sant’Angelo for a quiet holiday without cars.
Ischia also combines well with the rest of the Bay of Naples. Alilauro has routes from Ischia to Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi, so if you’d like to continue your trip, you can read about where to stay in Sorrento and where to stay on the Amalfi Coast. You’ll find inspiration for day trips in my guide to things to do on the Amalfi Coast.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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