The quintessential Italian island of Ischia is a jewel in the Bay of Naples. An island of picture-perfect towns and villages, delightful beaches, hot thermal springs and oodles of sophistication, effortlessly combined with a dose of down-to-earth, Italian vivacity thrown in for good measure.
Tourist season in Ischia starts at Easter and lasts through to October. During July and August, the island is in full holiday swing and if you have cherry-picked Ischia as your 2022 summer holiday destination, here’s what you can expect to see and do on the island during August.
Hit the beach
Without a doubt, Ischia has the most gorgeous beaches (spiaggia) out of all of the islands which inhabit the Bay of Naples. Smooth stretches of sand, hidden coves, sauna grottos and shallow crystal clear waters perfect for bathing make Ischia an idyllic Italian beach destination.
During July and August, locals and visitors alike flock to Ischia’s beaches. Some of the more popular resort beaches can get busy with happy families and friends, enjoying their weekend beach outings.
If you prefer a more peaceful beach setting, head to the island’s smaller coves and lesser frequented beaches, many of which are only accessible by boat or walking.
Crescent-shaped Maronti Beach in Barano is one of the longest beaches on Ischia. Its golden sands are warmed by the thermal springs and the turquoise calm sea is idyllic for bathing.
Maronti Beach is popular with locals and tourists alike, however, we recommend booking a table for lunch at Le Fumarole Da Nicola where they have an exclusive single line of sunbeds for clients. Imagine your own exclusive oasis on this stunning stretch of beach?
Close to the town of Lacco Ameno, is Baia di San Montano (San Montano Bay). Backed by and run exclusively by Negombo Spa Park, San Montano is a family-friendly beach, where you can combine a day at the water spa with a few hours on this relaxing beach.
Teeny tiny Vecchia Cartaromana Beach can only be accessed by foot or boat, but it’s worth the 45 minute walk to spend a day on this charming beach where on arrival, you’re treated to the most incredible view of the Castello Aragonese.
A stay at our luxury Ischia villa Torre dell’Aquila gives you access to a private jetty where you can swim off into the cool, crystal waters or moor a small boat.
Bookmark our Ischia Beach Guide and ask us for our recommendations on Ischia’s best-hidden beaches when you book your stay at Torre dell’Aquila.
Explore Ischia by boat
As the island’s road system becomes saturated with tourist traffic, a great way to explore Ischia during the busy summer season is by hiring a taxi boat or a private yacht charter to take you around the island or over to Procida with its kaleidoscopic coloured houses and authentic way of life.
You can hire everything from a dinghy to a luxury yacht, and everything in between, such as speed boats or the island’s traditional Gozzo boats.
Some craft can be hired without a skipper, and without the need for a boat or sailing licence, however, the best way to explore Ischia by boat is to book a skipper.
Relax on the deck and appreciate a maritime perspective of Ischia’s dazzling scenery; your skipper will know where to anchor for a spot of lunch in a hidden bay and explore a picturesque village.
Boat charter and rental companies can be found in Ischia and Forio ports and if you are staying with us at Torre dell’Aquila our staff can recommend and book boat trips for you.
Escape the midday sun in a shady garden
One of the best spots to escape the beating August sun in Ischia is La Mortella Gardens
(Giardini La Mortella). A beautiful Mediterranean garden sanctuary lovingly designed by British composer, Sir William Walton and his Argentinian wife, Lady Susan Walton.
The once unrelenting rock landscape was transformed into two hectares of lush and relaxing gardens, with tropical greenhouses, water features, sculptures and perhaps, one of the highlights of the gardens, the giant lilies found in The Tropical House.
During a visit to La Mortella Gardens, you absolutely must take afternoon tea and cake in The Tea Room. The teas are from Fortnum and Mason and a slice of the celebrated Caprese cake is the perfect treat!
A moonlit dip in Ischia’s thermal springs
Since the Greek Occupation, the volcanic island of Ischia has been renowned for its thermal sulphuric springs and natural hot baths.
The curative thermal waters, fresh seawater salt baths and fango mud baths are blissful, rejuvenating experiences and an integral part of the Ischia experience.
There are free public thermal springs, such as Sorgeto Hot Springs close to Panza where the water keeps a consistently warm temperature; even during the evenings, perfect for a nighttime dip under the stars, and the Cavascura Natural Spring Grottos at Maronti Beach where the caves act as a natural sauna.
For a magical and luxurious spa day, the Hydrothermal Negombo Gardens at San Montano Bay is a truly divine experience. With its 33-metre seawater pool, Japanese labyrinth pool and private beach.
For a more traditional and restorative hot spring experience, the 2000-year-old Nitrodi Natural Springs in Barano is a good choice. Visitors come from all over the world to bathe in the therapeutic waters, said to cure a multitude of ailments.
For more inspiration on the best hot springs in Ischia, dive into our article, Soak up Ischia’s Natural Hot Springs
Ferragosto in Ischia
If you want to immerse yourself in Ischia’s flamboyant culture and traditions during your stay in August, there are two festivals that you can’t miss.
The Ferragosto is a national public holiday in Italy honouring the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It’s held every year on August 15th and is one of the most important days on the Italian calendar.
Here in Ischia, we also commemorate Midsummer’s Night on August 15th, so there is an incredible atmosphere on the island during these few days; when Italian tradition and religion meet the craziness of a Midsummer’s night.
Bonfires are held on the beach, midnight dips are taken in the hot springs, churches fling open their doors to honour the Assumption of Mary, and towns and villages throughout the island organise music, cultural and gastronomy events.
If you find yourself on Ischia on August 15th be prepared for madness and mayhem, as many Italians flock over from the mainland to enjoy the Ferragosto in Ischia. It’s an exhilarating few days!
La Festa di Sant’Alessandro
Over 3,000 years of history and tradition come together for La Festa di Sant’Alessandro. A street festival that takes place every year within the last week of August.
The spectacle takes place in Ischia Porto and finishes in the tiny village of Sant’Alessandro which lies just across the bay from Ischia’s main harbour.
Tangled cobbled streets of colourful houses wind their way up a hill overlooking the bay which descends down to the hideaway Inglesi Beach.
During La Festa di Sant’Alessandro, locals don exquisite, historical costumes which depict the various dynasties, civilisations, and cultures that have occupied and lived on Ischia over the centuries. The costumes are intricately made to the exact design of the era that they represent.
The procession starts from the square outside Castello Aragonese in Ischia Ponte and finishes at the church of Sant’Alessandro where a mass is held and a celebration takes place where wine and local dishes can be enjoyed.
The colourful and exuberant festival is a great way to learn about the different historical events and cultures that have shaped Ischia.
August in Ischia is fun and flamboyant, but whatever time of the year you visit Ischia, you’ll find a paradise island with the warmest welcome waiting for you. Step off the ferry to one of Italy’s best-kept secrets and know even before your holiday has started, that you’ll be back.
How to get to Ischia
Ischia lies 30 kilometres off the coast of Naples. Visitors can fly into Naples and then to arrive at the island, you can catch a ferry, hydrofoil or private boat.
We recommend using this page https://www.traghetti-ischia.info/en/ to book your boat passage across. Alilauro company has a frequent speed boat that takes you to Forío which is the closest harbour to Torre dell’Aquila
If you have booked a stay with us at Torre dell’Aquila and wish to book a private boat, let us know and we’ll organise this for you.