Top Beach Clubs & Thermal Spas in Ischia, Italy
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Ischia Your Ultimate Beach Guide
Ischia is a true hidden gem destination in Italy, it has unique characters of the emerald waters, black volcanic rocky and sandy beaches, the hot thermal spas and waters that makes Ischia a unique place to visit and explore and most importantly, to relax!
Also, Ischia, as an island, has so many diverse beaches to choose from, in this article I am offering Ischia Ultimate Beach Guide from a local who visited the Island 3 times in the past 3 years!
Ischia the Hidden Gem Destination
Ischia is the hidden gem island off shores Naples! Ignored by most people when visiting Naples, Amalfi Coast, and Capri Island. Ischia is the biggest island offshore Naples followed by Capri and then Procida.
Unlike Capri and Amalfi Coast, most beaches in Ischia are sandy and less rocky, making Ischia a haven for the ultimate beach experience.
How to Get to Ischia
Given that Ischia is an Island, getting to Ischia will include either renting a private boat from Naples Port or taking the slow (1:40 hour or fast ferry 1 hour).
Pro Tip: to elevate your Ischia experience and indulge in a luxury, renting a private boat transfer is recommended, I booked my transfers with Giosymar Ischia, they also offer day trips around the island and islands hopping to Capri, Procida and Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi.
Ischia by Air
Closest airport to Ischia is Naples International Airport, once landing, taking either a taxi or a car towards one of the following ports to ride a short ferry ride to the island:
- Pozzouli Port the ride takes around 1 – 1:30 hours each way (depending on if it stops by Procida Island).
- Porta di Massa the ride takes around 50 minutes.
- Naples Beverello the ride takes between 1 – 1:25 hours each way.
Ischia by Train
If you land at one of two Rome airports, you could hop the regional trains from Roma Termini station and take the 1-hour train to Naples. To get to the port and taking the ferry to Ischia, renting a car or taking a taxi can be a suitable option.
Pro Tip: Renting a car or a motor bike in Ischia is recommended if you want to explore the island, paid parking spots are wildly available otherwise Taxis are available too but at a pricy point. I usually rent my cars in Italy using Rentalcars.
How Many Days are Recommended to Stay in Ischia
Ischia is a bigger Island than Capri and offers so many things to do, places to see and dine at and Thermal Spas with unique experiences.
Perfect Days to Stay in Ischia
I usually stay – 5 days when I visit, and every time I felt it wasn’t enough!
My suggestion is if you want to have a complete relaxing beach holiday, aim for at least 6 days, or if you want a quick taste of the island, a 4-day stay is amazing to cover the main attractions!
Top Beach Clubs and Thermal Spas in Ischia
#1: Negombo Thermal Garden
Negombo Thermal Garden is a high-end Thermal Spa and a beach that offers beautiful views of the emerald waters of Ischia.
It offers a sheltered escape from the winds and enjoys a calm sea that is perfect for family to enjoy.
Why Negombo Thermal Garden
Negombo beach is a sandy beach with thermal park nestled in a lush garden with some caves and cold and hot pools blended with the surrounding nature.
It is the perfect beach to enjoy for the day, and the food offerings is so delicious and has a dedicated car parking area too.
Dining at Negombo Beach
Al FuGa restaurant at Negombo beach is a must try restaurant! Book in advance are usually fully booked and have limited seating options. I promise you; the food is outer of this world!
#2: Citara Beach
Citara Beach is a long stretch of sandy beach with many Lidos (Beach clubs) offering sunbeds rentals, no need to pre-book however during the peak season you would need to arrive before 9:00 am to secure parking spot and your best beach spot.
It is easy to access and located in Forio and has many attractions for day visits nearby.
Poseidon Giardini Terme – Poseidon Thermal Gardens
One of my favourite things to do at Citara Beach is spending the day at the famous Poseidon Thermal Gardens.
With 16 thermal pools scattered at different levels of this thermal forest that are emptied every single day and owning the longest sandy beach stretch on the island, Poseidon should be on your Ischia must do list!
Dining at Poseidon Terme
There are 3 food outlets available at the park, they all serve delicious meals using fresh ingredients cooked daily that are suitable for every dietary requirement.
Grotta Del Vino
My absolute favourite food outlet is Grotta Del vino, a cave carved inside the volcanic rocks offering premium wines and deli cheeses and meats selection from the region.
The views while wining and cheesing are simply…. Wow, top view of the sea and cliffside of the island, tops any relaxing experiences I had in my life!
Why Poseidon Thermal Gardens
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Poseidon Thermal Gardens
- They have 16 pools cleaned and emptied on daily basis
- This one for clean people fanatics like me! One of the cleanest parks and thermal spas I ever visited, all guests must wear a head cap covering their hair while using the water facilities and bathrooms are always cleaned!
- Body and face treatments can be booked for ultra relaxing experience
- Owns a big stretch of sandy beach reserved for the use of their guests
- Lots of food outlets that serve delicious meals including healthy meals, there is something for everyone. I must add, thermal parks in Ischia have the best foods unlike the usual thermal parks worldwide while it’s all junk tasteless meals!
#3: Giardino Eden Beach Club
For those who want to indulge in more of private and lush beach experience in Ischia, adding Giardino Eden Beach Club to your Ischia list is a must!
Relaxing in front of the emerald sea while having the full view of Argonese Castle is so beautiful.
Dining at Giardino Eden Beach Club
Sea Restaurant – Dinner by the Rocks
Eden Beach has its own scenic restaurant on the rocks of the beach, called Sea Restaurant, it is the perfect spot for lunch or a romantic dinner watching the sun setting behind the castle.
Why Giardino Eden
Giardino Eden is great for people who enjoy a touch of luxury and being served, I loved my experience at Giardino Eden:
- They hire private sunbeds and cabanas for ultra privacy
- The service is excellent and very attentive
- The food that was served by the beach and at the restaurant was so delicious and fresh
- Guests can enjoy using 4 thermal pools with beach access, one of them is a seawater pool
Pro Tip: Parcking at Giardino Eden, it is best advised to arrive before 10:00am during the high season to find nearby car parking spot.
#4: Maronti Beach
Maronti Beach is the longest beach in Ischia stretching 2km in length and it is sandy with clear sea waters. This beach can be accessed either by boat taxi from Santangelo or by car or by foot (steep windy road).
At Maronti beach, there are many beach clubs, no need to pre-book, the beach gives the vibe of the perfect Italian summer holiday with the view of many colourful beach umbrellas.
Pro Tip: The taxi boat usually cost 7 euros per passenger per way, and they can be rented from Sant’Angelo village.
Dining at Maronti Beach
There are over 20 restaurants at this beach, ranging from Pizzeria, private beach restaurants, seafood, it is almost hard to choose from.
If you ask me, most of these restaurants are great places to eat, the food in Ischia is excellent and, in my opinion, it should be the Gastronomical Island of Italy!
Top 3 Restaurants at Maronti Beach are:
#2: Taverna Peitro Paolo Detto Stalino
#3: Ristorante Pizzeria Paradise
#5: Fumarole Beach
Fumarole Beach is probably one of the most unique beaches in Italy and worldwide!
Fumarole which translates into piping hot holes, the Fumarole beach has hot vents in the sand that are due to volcanic activity that makes the sand at some pockets very hot!
Locals can be found cooking under these hot sands, while other relaxing their bodies inside those sands!
Lidos and Beach Clubs
There is empty free public beach access for those who want their freedom as well as lidos renting sunbeds and umbrellas and no prebooking is required.
Aphrodite Thermal Park
My top choice to spend the day at Fumarole beach is getting a day access at Aphrodite Thermal Park that has uninterrupted views of Sant’Angelo stretch and Fumarole beach.
Aphrodite has 8 thermal pools that water temperature ranges from 16 up to 32 degrees and split over multi-levels, like Poseidon, they empty the pools daily and ensure hygiene is at highest levels.
Aphrodite Spa and Treatment
I tried a package of a full body massage with clay face mask and oh dear! By the end of the treatment, all I wanted to do is just relaxing and do NOTHING!
It was one of the best spa treatments I had!
and memorable places I visited in Ischia, and it is very affordable for 30 euros for a day access.
Why Aphrodite Thermal Park
For many reasons, I would go back there, I absolutely enjoyed this thermal park so much because:
- The most affordable thermal park I visited
- Very clean and very hygienic
- Unmatched customer service and lifeguards
- Access to a long sandy stretch beach
- Almost 360 degrees views of Maronti, Sant’Angelo and Fumarole beaches
- The coziness and the design of the place aesthetic takes you to the luxury Roman era
Places to Eat at Fumarole Beach
Eating fresh food cooked under the hot sands is a MUST when you visit Fumarole beach, the traditional dish cooked under the heated sands is chicken with potatoes, however, restaurants do offer seafood and vegetables options cooked under the sands.
Best places to Eat at Fumarole Beach
- Ristorante Fumarole Da Nicola where you may spot some celebrities!
- Chalet Ferdinando a Mare where they offer the best quality of under sand cooking experience by the beach!
How to get to Fumarole beach
Now, getting to Fumarole Beach is not straight forward, people have 3 options regardless of having a car, Fumarole beach is not accessible by car/taxi.
In all options, you would need to either get a taxi to Sant’Angelo or park the car outside the village at one of the private parking lots, for full day parking starts from 10 euros.
Option 1:
Walking around 3 km through Sant’Angelo steep hills upwards and downwards narrow path.
Option 2:
Walking to Port Sant’Angelo and renting a boat taxi, costs from 7 euros per person per one way.
Option 3:
Renting a golf cart from Sant’Angelo, costs 7euros per person per one way.
Pro Tip: Trust me when I say you don’t want to walk all that steep distance under the blazing summer sun; don’t say I didn’t warn you!
#6: Baia di Sorgeto
After Fumarole beach, there is another unique beach that you need to add to your Ischia Beach list! Baia di Sorgeto!
Baia di Sorgeto is a pebble beach, it gets its uniqueness from the fact there is a hot water spring gushes into the sea water, making it the perfect place to relax your muscles in one of the natural pools by the beach!
How to Get to Baia di Sorgeto
To reach Baia di Sorgeto, you would need either to drive or take a taxi there, you can park your vehicle at one of the 2 restaurants with all day fee starting from 3 euros and then take the 200 easy steps downward the beach.
Pro Tip: getting a rocky beach sandal can elevate your experience at Sorgeto, best to pack them with you so you don’t slip and hurt yourself.
Dining at Baia di Sorgeto
If you want to relax the full day by the beach and book your own sunbed, La Sorgente offers from 15 euros per bed and an umbrella with comfortable facility and offering light snacks for the day.
However, if you are keen to indulge in a nice lunch with a view from top of the Baia or Sant’Angelo, Da Gisella is a great choice tucked between the lush trees. (You would have to climb the stairs up to dine!)
Or taking Boat Taxi to Sant’Angelo and Dine at one of its top restaurants
Sant’Angelo Top Places to Eat
Pro Tip: the location of getting the boat taxi at Sant’Angelo is at the port at Barccaioli -TaxiBoat in these coordinates. Cash and card payments are accepted.
Top Places to Stay in Ischia
Best for Ultimate Luxury Escape
Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal Spa is the the ultimate exclusive luxury escape on the island, includes amazing Spa and private beach with ultimate privacy guaranteed.
Best for Unique Stay & Chilling
Villa Ravino Secret Retreat is a unique accommodation mixed comfort, luxury and chill vibes. Villa Ravino is a structure built on top of a botanical cactus garden that was collected from the world.
Whether chilling by the scenic pool or sipping the signature cactus drink at the botanical garden, Villa Ravino guarantees an ultimate Ischian escape!
Best for Cosy, Clean & Best Sea Views
On my latest trip June 2025, I chose to stay at a small and cosy room that has a balcony looking over Sant’Angelo Bay and just 300 meters away from the famous Sorgeto Beach.
This room was the perfect base for my Ischian adventure, with free car parking and clean amenities mixed with homy feel by the owner Eleanora, it made my 4 days stay heavenly! Not only Eleanora looked after me when I fell ill, but she provided lots of valuable local information.
If staying on a budget without compromising the comfort is a concern for you, then staying at Villa Eleanora is your must stay!
Final Word
Ischia is full of magical and unique exceptional places to stay, to visit and to eat. Ischia a true hidden gem island that became quickly my favourite annual holiday pilgrimage destination!
