THE CLIMATE
A local climatologist, C. Mennella, has described Ischia as “Italy’s climatic jewel”.T he island has a typically marine climate with temperatures that are more stable than those of the mainland. Thanks to the sea Ischia enjoys warmer winters and cooler summers than nearby Naples.
The average temperature throughout the year is 17 degrees centigrade, with the lowest temperatures in January (down to 7 degrees) and the highest ones in August (up to 40 degrees). On the island there is always a soft breeze from the sea or the continent, rainfalls are usually short but heavy. Especially in summer the famous “Scirocco” storm blows for a few days, bringing extremely warm air and red sand from the African deserts. Because of Ischia’s morphology and vegetation the island has various “micro-climates”. It often happens that rain is falling on the west coast while the sun shines in the east. These different weather-conditions and resulting temperatures throughout the island are very important for agriculture.

BEACHES
Ischia’s shoreline has many different aspects - impressing cliffs, but also long beaches and hidden bays, some of them with underwater hot springs. Following the most important beaches (in an anti-clockwise direction): ISCHIA PONTE: Cartaromana (east of the Castle): sandy - Fishermen’s’ beach (west of the Castle): sandy. ISCHIA PORTO: Lido (between the port and Ischia Ponte): sandy -English beach (west of the port): sand and rocks. CASAMICCIOLA TERME: Bagnitielli (private beach): between Casamicciola and Ischia: sand – Marina: (near the port): sand. LACCO AMENO: between Casamicciola and centre of Lacco Ameno: various small sandy or rocky beaches. Bay of San Montano (west of Lacco Ameno): sand and rocks FORIO: San Francesco and Chiaia-Beach (between the centre and the “Punta Caruso”): sand – Citara: (south of the centre to the “Punta Imperatore”) – sandy. Bay of Sorgeto (Panza): small rocky bay, where a hot spring sources directly in the sea.
SERRARA FONTANA: Cava Grado (before Sant’Angelo): small sandy inlet with thermal sea water; Sant’Angelo: small sandy and rocky beach between the centre and “la Roja”. BARANO: Maronti (east of Sant’Angelo), the largest beach of the island. Parts of the beach are very hot and used for curative sand-bathes. Steaming geysers (fumaroles) can be found at the west end. Dark sand and shingle.

TYPICAL PRODUCTS
The island has a peasant tradition. Almost every family has at least a small vineyard or acre. The Greeks had brought the first grapes to Ischia. Many families produce small quantities of wine for their own use, but the following vintners have made Ischitan wine famous: PIETRATORCIA: Vigne di Chignole, Vigne del Cuotto, Tifeo Bianco and Rosso, Dessert wine Passito; D’AMBRA: Biancolella, Forastera; PERRAZZO: Ischia Bianco, Bianco superior e Rosso.

The Greeks also introduced pottery to the island. Today there are numerous well-known potteries in Ischia: Mennella at Casamicciola (the factory can be visited), Taki – Calise at Forio, Cianciarelli at Barano, Coppa and Mattera produce a wide range of products between tradition and modern art.

Typical also the various liqueurs: most famous the lemon-liqueur, the “Limoncello”, more traditional the “Nocillo”, a walnut-liqueur which is still prepared in many homes. In the last years many other fruit-liqueurs (melon, oranges, strawberry etc) and the herbal liqueur “Rucolino” have been created.

Thermal water and mud has been used to create an exclusive range of product for the beauty, like facial masks, sun-protections, and body creams, sold as “Ischia Thermae”. They can be found in most perfumeries. The factory is in Forio, near the port, and can be visited.

But Ischia is also home and inspiration to many artists such as Mario Mazzella, Macri, Coppa, Gabriel Mattera and others.

NIGHT LIFE
Ischitan nights can be glamorous, romantic, entertaining…. The young (or young at heart) will be attracted by the discos, mainly to be found in Ischia, but also in Forio, f.e. “Jane” on the left bank of Ischia’s port, “Valentino” in Piazzetta dei Pini, “Mambo” near Forio’s market and “Zi Carmela” near the port of Forio. A special touch: the open-air disco “El Castillo” directly below the Castello Aragonese. “Ciaomare” in Via Roma offers the only “real” dance-floor with music from samba to waltz but also disco. Quaysides in all the towns are full of restaurants and taverns; most famous: the “Rive droite” (right bank) of the port of Ischia. The town centres offer lovely places, too. Meeting points for the fashionable Ischitan youth is the Cafe’ Calise in the Piazza degli Eroi, but also the Piazzetta dei Pini in central Via Roma with the trendy American Bar Ecstasy; in Forio Bar La Lucciola near the port. For a romantic evening choose the historical centre of Ischia Ponte or the exquisite square of Sant’Angelo where you should book places in any restaurant beforehand.

TRANSPORT
Ferries (for car transport): from Casamicciola and Ischia to Naples Beverello and Pozzuoli several times a day.

Hydrofoils (only passengers): from Ischia, Casamicciola and Forio (in summer) to Procida, Naples Beverello or Mergellina several times a day; from Ischia (only in summer) to Capri, Sorrento and the Amalfitan Coast once a day.

Public busses “SEPSA”: connect all the municipalities; different types of tickets available. Bus terminal: Ischia Porto, in Piazza Trieste e Trento (at the port).

TAXIS and MICROTAXIS (3 wheeled) can be found in all central areas. Ask the driver to switch the meter on if you do not wish to “discuss” the fare.

CAR AND SCOOTER RENT: Various hire agencies offer cars, scooters and bicycle for reasonable prices. Any rented vehicle must not be taken off the island. Seat belts and crash helmets obligatory.

ISCHIA.

CAPRI.

NAPLES.

PROCIDA.

AMALFI COAST.

OFFERS AND LAST MINUTE.

HOTEL LIST.

HOTEL SEARCH.

PRIVATE APARTMENTS.

RESIDENCE.

TRANSFER.

RENT CARS.

EXCURSIONS.

BEAUTY TREATMENTS.