Ischia Apartments: A lush volcanic island in the beautiful Bay of Naples, Ischia has been revered as a seaside spa destination since ancient times. Today it ranks as one of Italy's top resort areas thanks to the mild climate, unspoilt natural offerings, and quaint towns of Ischia. Apartments here give you easy access to the coast and to the spas, and many have stunning sea views. All our Ischia apartments are fully equipped, and they're available for flexible, short-term rental.
Rising out of the Bay of Naples like a great ship on the horizon, the island of Ischia is a lush paradise surrounded by glistening azure waters. With nearly 40 kilometres of coastline, the shore is no doubt one of the island's main attractions, but Ischia also boasts a mountainous terrain, with steep peaks and rolling hills covered in rich vegetation and a wide variety of colourful flowers. The rocky Monte Epomeo, at 789 metres, is the highest peak of Ischia. An Apartment on the island will give you easy access to both the seaside and the hilly interior.
At 47 square kilometres Ischia is the largest island in the Bay of Naples; it's nearly five times the size of Capri, 33 kilometres away. The island has a pleasing mix of busy resort centres and quiet villages, and the interior is full of off-the-beaten-track spots ideal for a relaxing escape. Yet some of the most popular places for relaxation are the island's numerous thermal springs, where healing waters both help you unwind and help heal the body. Thermal baths, mud therapy, cave therapy and inhalation therapy are some of the ways you can take advantage of the beneficial mineral waters on Ischia.
Apartments on the island range from intimate flats to spacious family-friendly properties, but all are fully equipped and available for short-term rental. The apartments offered on www.selfcateringhols.com are located in or near picturesque villages like Buonopane and large resorts like Forio, so no matter what kind of holiday you're looking for you're sure to find something to suit.
In Buonopane, you can visit the ancient Nitrodi Spring, or try a hike on the trails that lead from town up to the mountainous interior of Ischia. An apartment in Buonopane is great for those looking for a base from which to explore the island.
In Forio you can visit numerous wineries (this is Ischia's wine country) and you'll be near fantastic beaches, like the famous Citara. Numerous thermal sources are in this area as well. Ferries and hydrofoils coming in from Naples and other destinations dock at the port of Forio, and an apartment here is convenient for those arriving by boat.
Other visit-worthy resorts and villages on Ischia include Lacco Ameno, where you can visit the ruins of an ancient Greek necropolis, and Casamicciola Terme, known for an abundance of thermal springs.
Ischia's Mediterranean climate means that summers are long, sunny and hot, with an average of 10 hours of sunlight a day. Winters are chilly, breezy and sometimes damp. Ischia can also be windy because of the strong breezes blowing in off the Mediterranean.
Average monthly high and low temperatures on Ischia are: Jan 11ºC/6ºC, Feb 12ºC/6ºC, Mar 15ºC/8ºC, Apr 18ºC/11ºC, May 22ºC/14ºC, Jun 27ºC/18ºC, Jul 29ºC/20ºC, Aug 29ºC/20ºC, Sep 26ºC/18ºC, Oct 21ºC/14ºC, Nov 17ºC/11ºC, Dec 13ºC/7ºC.
It's easy to reach Ischia from Naples or from elsewhere in Campania. Regular ferry and jetfoil services operate between the mainland and Ischia's three main ports; there is also service to and from other islands. Numerous daily ferries operate between Naples and Casamicciola, Fario and the town of Ischia.
Naples' Capodichino airport has direct flights on British Airways flights from London; travel time is about three hours. Alitalia also makes the flight, though you'll likely have a layover in Milan. Naples' two ports are both a 20-30 minute taxi ride from the airport.
Once on the island, carefree exploration is easiest if you hire a car or motorbike, though beware that driving and parking in Ischia's towns is complicated and can be a headache. There is a limited though generally reliable public transportation system. For short excursions, bicycles are popular.
Ischia is famous for its thermal spas, which have been used since the days of the Greeks and Romans. Relax in a thermal bath, or try one of the island's mineral-focused therapies using mud or inhalation techniques. Thermal showers and a wide variety of massages and other treatments are also available.
You can go sunbathing and swimming in the clean waters of the Bay of Naples more than half the year. Even in cool months it's possible to swim in warm waters thanks to the heating powers of underground thermal springs, so Ischia a great year-round destination. Other water sports, including scuba diving, sailing, and windsurfing, are popular too.
Inland, go hiking on the lush green hills of Ischia, or rent a bike and peddle your way across more than 80km of bike-friendly trails.
