The island of Ischia, renowned for its extraordinary natural beauty and mild climate, is also known for its thermal waters, which make it one of Europe’s most appreciated destinations for wellness tourism. This millennia-old tradition dates back to ancient Roman times, when these thermal springs were exploited for their therapeutic and rejuvenating properties. Today, the island is famous for its waters that flow from the depths of Ischia’s underwater volcano and are rich in precious minerals, beneficial for skin health, respiratory care and muscle relaxation. Over time, the island has developed a comprehensive thermal offering with modern facilities and thermal parks nestled in greenery that offer wellness treatments with spectacular views of the sea and Ischian hills.
Among the various thermal centres on the island, the Giardini Poseidon Thermal Park stands out as an excellent example and one of Europe’s most extensive and renowned thermal parks. Located in the stunning Citara Bay in Forio d’Ischia, the Poseidon park spreads across a vast green area where thermal pools and wellness trails blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature.
Poseidon boasts over 20 pools, each with temperatures ranging from 28 to 40 degrees, enriched with natural minerals that benefit both body and mind. Here, guests can also immerse themselves in hydromassage pools, Kneipp pathways and saunas carved into the rock with unparalleled sea views. The park also features relaxation areas, manicured gardens and direct access to a private beach, offering a complete experience that combines thermal wellness with the pleasure of Ischia’s sun and sea.
The exceptional beneficial and healing properties of Ischia’s thermal waters have been known and appreciated for over 2,000 years, and the most renowned area for springs has always been the Citara Bay, in the municipality of Forio. It was here in 1959 that the Giardini Poseidon Terme park was founded, the oldest and most extensive on the island, set in a landscape of rare natural beauty. The visionary behind Giardini Poseidon was German humanist physician Gernot Walde who, through his far-sighted vision, developed a concept of modern thermal park during the 1960s. Walde moved beyond the traditional view of thermal baths as purely therapeutic spaces, emphasising instead the regenerative qualities and wellbeing that these waters could provide.
In the 1970s, Bavarian industrialist Ludwig Kuttner took over the park and continued its expansion with the help of architect Zollinger, who redesigned the park’s spaces for a perfect blend of nature and wellness. In 1982, another Bavarian, Anton Staudinger, acquired Giardini Poseidon, and since then the complex has been managed by his family, who have repeatedly invested in renovation campaigns to further enhance and modernise the park. With a constant eye towards sustainability and the environment, Poseidon thermal park is not only a place of care and wellbeing but also an example of respect and preservation of the natural world.
Giardini Poseidon Thermal Park spans a series of panoramic terraces that offer visitors not only relaxing pathways but also avenues surrounded by lush vegetation. Within it, you’ll find several thermal pools, hydromassage basins, saunas and Kneipp trails. The natural pools have temperatures ranging from 28°C to 40°C, allowing visitors not only to enjoy the benefits of thermal waters in every season but also to relax muscles, ease joint pain and improve circulation.
The natural sauna carved into the rock releases heat directly from the thermal springs and provides a complete purification experience. To stimulate circulation, there are several Kneipp pathways that alternate between hot and cold water pools. After following the thermal route, you can rest in the relaxation zone, which includes sunbeds and parasols as well as a full catering service.
Children up to 11 years of age are not permitted in the thermal area, but the complex offers several children’s pools and a spacious equipped private beach washed by the crystal-clear waters of Citara Bay. To this is added a SPA with a massage centre where you can choose from a wide selection of facial and body treatments as well as numerous aesthetic and physiotherapy treatments.
Giardini Poseidon Thermal Park is generally open daily from April to October from 9:00am to 7:00pm, though in October closing may be brought forward to 6:00pm.
The daily entrance fee varies depending on the season: low season in April, May and October; high season in June, July and September; peak season in August. You can purchase a full-day or afternoon-only ticket.
Children up to three years old enter free, whilst children aged 4 to 11 receive a 50% discount.
Weekly and daily passes are also available for those wishing to visit the park on multiple consecutive days.
Giardini Poseidon Thermal Park can be easily reached by both car and public transport. Those travelling by car can drive along the PS270, first following signs for Forio d’Ischia and then for Giardini Poseidon; near the facility you’ll find a large guarded car park with a charge for cars and scooters.
Those using public transport from Ischia Porto can take line 2, which serves areas including Casamicciola Terme, Lacco Ameno, Forio and finally Citara Bay; the Citara-Giardini Poseidon stop is the final one on the route and is located approximately 100 metres from the park entrance.
The Parco Termale Giardini Poseidon is nestled in the stunning Citara Bay, within the municipality of Forio d'Ischia.
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