Ischia: The Secret Italian Island That Belongs on Your Next Itinerary

If you feel like you have “done” Italy already, Ischia is the island that proves you have not. Tucked away in the Bay of Naples, it is lush, volcanic and wonderfully low-key, with that perfect mix of good food, warm hospitality and gentle sea views that Italy does so well. It is the kind of place that still feels like a discovery, even if you are a regular visitor to the country.

What makes Ischia so special is how easily it can slot into a wider Italian adventure. It is made for a few dreamy days at the end of a busy sightseeing trip, but it also works beautifully as a standalone escape when you simply want sunshine, sea air and long, lazy lunches.

Getting there is much smoother than you might expect. With early morning flights from London Heathrow to Naples, you can leave the UK early morning and be sitting down to a relaxed late lunch at your hotel on Ischia the very same day.

After you land, a private transfer takes you to the port, where the holiday mood really kicks in. From here, you can either glide across the Bay of Naples by private speedboat, arriving like a film star as the island’s green hills appear ahead, or hop on a scheduled ferry or hydrofoil and enjoy the views alongside the locals. Either way, by early afternoon you are checked in, unpacked and contemplating your first spritz with a sea view.

During my stay I checked into the glorious San Montano Resort & Spa, which quickly became one of my favourite island hideaways. Sitting high above the coastline, it has those wide, cinematic views over the sea and neighbouring islands that you never quite get tired of. As a proud member of Relais & Châteaux, it has all the things you would hope for: characterful rooms and suites with a Mediterranean feel, many with private terraces; gorgeous pools, including thermal pools that make the most of Ischia’s volcanic heritage; a calm, inviting spa; and restaurants that take food and wine seriously without feeling fussy. Days there had a blissful rhythm: a slow breakfast with a view, drifting between pools, a spa treatment in the afternoon, then dinner as the sky turns from gold to inky blue. The service was warm and personal, the kind that remembers how you take your coffee and makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit.

Ischia is wonderfully flexible as part of a bigger trip. You can treat it as a long weekend in the sun if you are craving a quick reset, or tag it on to the end of a few days in Rome, Florence, Venice or along the Amalfi Coast. It also pairs perfectly with Naples or Sorrento, giving you the buzz of the city and then the slower, softer pace of island life. The travel times are short enough that you never feel you are wasting a day in transit; the journey feels like part of the fun.

What really turns Ischia from “nice island break” into “hidden gem” is what lies beyond the pool. Venture inland and you will find vineyards clinging to volcanic slopes, producing fresh, characterful wines that are a joy to taste in the very place they are made. Visits are often relaxed and family-run, with simple, delicious food and big views over the island and the sea.

Wander through local markets and you quickly get a feel for daily life. Stalls are piled high with sun-ripened tomatoes, glossy aubergines, fragrant lemons and baskets of herbs, alongside the day’s catch from the surrounding waters. It is the perfect place to pick up picnic bits, chat with stallholders and soak up that irresistible Italian energy.

Down by the water, private beach clubs offer an effortlessly stylish way to spend the day. Think loungers on wooden decks, gentle music, clear water, and lunch brought to your sunbed. Some have a chic, adults-only feel, while others are more relaxed and family friendly, but all share that laid-back island atmosphere that makes it very hard to leave at the end of the day.

Ischia also has a surprisingly rich sense of history. The island has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, and there are older towns and historic corners that reward a little exploration. The island’s famous thermal waters and volcanic mud are not a modern invention either; they are part of a tradition that goes back centuries. Visiting a thermal spa here feels both indulgent and deeply rooted in local culture.

One place that really stayed with me was Giardini La Mortella, a spectacular garden created by Susana Walton, the wife of English composer Sir William Walton. Spread over different levels, it is filled with exotic plants, shaded paths, sparkling water features and viewpoints that suddenly open up to reveal vast sea views. It is peaceful yet dramatic, and wandering through it feels a bit like stepping into a dream. If you are going to pick just one outing from your sunbed, make it this.

What I love most about Ischia is that element of surprise. Many people have heard of Capri or the Amalfi Coast; Ischia, by contrast, often draws a blank look, which is half the appeal. It is quieter, more relaxed and just that little bit under the radar, so you can enjoy luxury and beautiful scenery without feeling like you are on a well-trodden tourist trail.

Easy flights from London, a smooth journey via Naples, wonderful places to stay like San Montano Resort & Spa, vineyards, markets, beach clubs, thermal spas and some of the most beautiful gardens you will see in Italy: Ischia really does have all the ingredients of a perfect island chapter. It just has not shouted about it yet.

If you would like to weave Ischia into your next Italian adventure, or build a trip around it from scratch, I would be delighted to help you design a tailor-made itinerary that shows you the very best of this special island.