Ischia Porto

Situated in the stunning setting of the Gulf of Naples, Ischia Porto is for many the first port of arrival and one of the island’s most enchanting destinations, thanks to its thermal waters, beautiful beaches and vibrant atmosphere. Ischia Porto is one of the hamlets of the municipality of Ischia and sits very close to Ischia Ponte, considered the oldest part of the town and home to the famous Aragonese Castle, built in the 15th century at the behest of Alfonso of Aragon.

The history of Ischia Porto is rich and fascinating, as it has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with archaeological remains bearing witness to the presence of various civilisations over the centuries, including the Greeks and Romans. Ischia Porto, in particular, thanks to its strategic location played a crucial role as a commercial port and has seen continuous development over time.

Today, Ischia is the main municipality on the island and the Ischia Porto hamlet is home to an important landing point that was established in the mid-19th century by King Ferdinand II of Bourbon and has since welcomed ferries and hydrofoils from the mainland. Over time, this hamlet has also become a lively hub with a rich offering of restaurants, shops and accommodation, plus there are many venues here that keep the area active in the evenings too.

Ischia Porto Beaches

Ischia Porto offers a long stretch of sandy shore bathed in crystal-clear waters, with numerous beach clubs offering all services as well as several thermal centres. Amongst the most famous and extensive beaches is the Spiaggia dei Pescatori (Fishermen’s Beach), a tongue of soft, golden sand well equipped with loungers, umbrellas, bars, restaurants and play areas for both adults and children. Once the exclusive preserve of the island’s fishermen, this beach is now highly appreciated not only for its characteristics but also for the magnificent view it offers of the Aragonese Castle and Procida.

Another very large beach is San Pietro, located close to the town centre and therefore perfect for those who wish to spend a day by the sea without venturing too far; its convenient location, however, also makes it a very busy beach, especially in July and August. This stretch of sand boasts both free beach areas and equipped zones with numerous beach clubs and restaurants, whilst the sea is always clear with gently sloping seabeds. Added to this is the fact that the reefs further out protect the shoreline from waves, making it a safe and therefore highly appreciated spot for families with children.

For those who prefer more secluded and tranquil coves, instead, you can head to the Spiaggia degli Inglesi (English Beach), which sits to the north near the village of Sant’Alessandro between the municipalities of Ischia and Casamicciola and can be reached on foot or by sea. This is a fine, soft sand beach not very extensive, with a single beach club offering all services and a restaurant, whilst the sea is calm, clear and crystalline with gently sloping seabeds.

Where to Stay in Ischia Porto

Ischia Porto, and Ischia more broadly, is a destination with a wide range of accommodation options enabling a holiday with all services within easy reach just steps from the beach. Ischia is particularly ideal for those who enjoy not just days of sea and relaxation but also vibrant nightlife, given the high number of venues and parties.

In Ischia Porto there are numerous hotels offering all modern comforts and services, with some properties also featuring thermal pools and wellness centres; there are also smaller, family-run hotels with good value for money. For those seeking greater independence, self-catering apartments are an excellent solution as they allow you to live more independently, enjoy greater privacy and prepare your own meals.

Recommended hotels in Ischia Porto

We offer a selection of hotels at Ischia Porto to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Ischia Porto, sorted by number of reviews.

Apartments and vacation homes in Ischia Porto

If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Ischia Porto. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Ischia Porto are in high demand.

What to See in Ischia

Ischia is the most extensive municipality on the island and boasts fifteen hamlets within its boundaries that stretch from the coast to the hills in the hinterland, thus offering a wide range of landscapes, attractions and points of interest. Amongst the hamlets present, the main ones are Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte, also known as the Celsa hamlet and considered the town’s historic centre where the oldest heart of the city is located.

Ischia is not just about sea and beaches but also offers many shops for shopping and several sites of great interest to explore, foremost among these the Aragonese Castle. Situated on a small island linked by a bridge to the Celsa hamlet on the island, the Aragonese Castle is one of Ischia’s symbols and has a truly ancient history dating back to classical Greece when it was known as Castrum Gironis, or “Castle of Girone”. The current structure, however, was given its form in the 15th century by the Aragonese, who created a grand complex comprising not only royal residences, but also a monastery, an abbey, several churches and a seminary.

On Ischia you can also visit numerous ancient churches, the Tower of Guevara dating from the 15th century and the Museum of the Sea, which tells the story of the island and its bond with the sea through a journey amongst numerous artefacts and reconstructions. Don’t miss a visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, originally built in the 14th century but later rebuilt in the 18th century and now housing works of great artistic merit inside.

Shopping enthusiasts will find numerous shops selling local products, boutiques of major luxury brands and many restaurants between Via Roma and Corso Vittoria Colonna. Finally, those wishing to engage in sporting activities can organise excursions along the scenic trails that wind through the hilly areas of San Michele, S. Antuono and Campagnano or enjoy water sports such as snorkelling and scuba diving.

Evening Activities in Ischia Porto

Ischia Porto is undoubtedly one of the liveliest destinations on the island as far as nightlife is concerned, as it hosts numerous venues, nightclubs, bistros and lounge bars that draw visitors from other parts of the island too. In particular, the area known as Riva Destra (or Rive Droite) of Ischia Harbour is where much of the action concentrates and where you can find venues with music and DJ sets well into the night such as Riva Club or Officina.

This is also the right area for a sunset aperitivo or a romantic dinner with sea views thanks to the numerous restaurants serving dishes based on fresh fish. Towards the town centre, instead, you’ll find the Valentino, a club considered for years an icon of Ischian summers, and many other fashionable bars and venues.

How to Reach Ischia Porto

Ischia Porto is not only one of the easiest destinations to reach from the mainland thanks to the presence of a port but also one of the best connected to other parts of the island. The port is served year-round by ferries and hydrofoils from Naples and Pozzuoli, which take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes and 1 hour respectively to reach Ischia.

During the summer tourist season, daily services intensify and there are also direct connections with other destinations such as Capri, Sorrento, Amalfi and Salerno. From Ischia Porto it’s easy to use the bus network to reach other destinations or take a convenient taxi to your final destination.