Ischia Travel Guide: Aragonese Castle, Ferries from Naples and Pozzuoli, and Christmas Events

Ischia is an island in the Gulf of Naples, and Naples airport is the airport that serves it. It suits travelers who want a castle walk of almost 1.2 miles (2 km), a calendar of local feasts and a short crossing from the mainland.

Ischia can only be reached by sea. The last stretch of every trip is a ferry or hydrofoil of 45 to 60 minutes, so plan around departures between about 4:30 a.m. and 9:55 p.m.

At a glance

• Where: island in the Gulf of Naples, reached only by sea
• Airport: Naples
• Crossing: 45 to 60 minutes from Pozzuoli, about 60 minutes from Calata Porta di Massa
• Ferries and hydrofoils: departures from about 4:30 a.m. to about 9:55 p.m.
• Castle route: almost 1.2 miles (2 km), about an hour and a half
• Best season: May and June

Where is Ischia and what is it like?

Ischia sits in the Gulf of Naples, and Naples airport is the airport that serves it. The island has no road or rail link to the mainland. Everyone arrives by ferry or hydrofoil.

Ischia has the Castello Aragonese at Ischia Ponte.

What is there to do in Ischia?

Castello Aragonese d’Ischia and its visit route

The castle stands in the locality of Ischia Ponte, in the municipality of Ischia. The visit route runs almost 1.2 miles (2 km) and takes about an hour and a half. It covers the Terrace of the Immaculate Conception, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Convent of St. Mary of Consolation, the Nuns’ Cemetery, the Cathedral and its Crypt of nobles, the Bourbon prison and the remains of the temple of Sun.

The route also takes in the Church of St. Peter at Pantaniello, the millstone for wine-making and cellars, the Church of the Madonna Libera and the Steps of St. Christopher. You can reach the route by lift or on foot, and pets are welcome. Most of it is outdoors, so wear comfortable shoes. Two panoramic cafés and a shop with objects, books and souvenirs sit along the way.

Guided tours leave at fixed times, and individual or group tours can be booked. From June to September, every Wednesday at 9:00 p.m., the Artù theatre company stages a theatrical tour of the castle called “Fantasmi del Castello”. Book ahead for that evening if it is the reason for your visit.

Patron saint feasts and summer celebrations

Many of Ischia’s festivals fall between June and September. Saint John the Baptist was marked in Barano d’Ischia on June 25 from 9:00 p.m., with ‘u’Punton and a’ndrezzata.

The sea is part of the program. On July 23, fireworks were launched from the sea at the Porto di Casamicciola Terme for Saint Mary Magdalene. On August 26, Sant’Alessandro had the island travel back in time at Borgo di Sant’Alessandro.

Celebrations for Saint Michael the Archangel in Sant’Angelo d’Ischia are held every year on September 29 and 30. Saint Francis is honored October 1 to 4 at the Convento dei Frati Minori S. Antonio in Ischia. Evening events tend to run late, so check the last ferry before you commit to a night out.

Pumpkin days and Christmas in Casamicciola Terme

The season turns to autumn and then Christmas around October 31. La festa della zucca runs from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Antico Mercato Ischitano in Ischia. Zucca Fest takes place from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Piazza Marina, Casamicciola. The same day, a Christmas brunch runs in Piazza Marina from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. In Forio, a concert at Giardini La Mortella runs from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Christmas follows in the same square. Natale a Casamicciola 2026 has a SWITCH ON with live music on December 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and the village of Santa Claus opens in Piazza Marina from December 6. TIFEO, second edition, is on December 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Vico San Gaetano in Forio.

Most of the route is outdoors, so it suits a rainy day less. The festivals suit travelers who like to join local crowds.

Where to stay in Ischia

Ischia’s lodging mix covers hotels, campsites, agriturismo, bed and breakfasts, holiday homes and apartments, guest houses and tourist-hotel residences. All of them are subject to the tourist tax. A 4-star hotel with a thermal spa is located in Ischia Porto.

Ischia Ponte puts you next to the Castello Aragonese. Barano d’Ischia and Sant’Angelo also have their own feasts. Book early if your dates match a festival.

How do you get to Ischia and get around?

Naples airport serves Ischia. From Naples central station, Piazza Garibaldi, buses to the port leave every 10 minutes. Mergellina station is at the port of the same name and reachable on foot. Pozzuoli Solfatara station is about 2,950 feet (900 meters) from the port, reachable by bus. The port of Pozzuoli can be reached from the Naples train station and airport by taxi or public transport: Metro Line 2, State Railways or the Cumana.

Three ports have ferries and hydrofoils to the island. From Calata Porta di Massa Pier, Caremar and Medmar ferries sail, cars can be embarked and the trip lasts about 60 minutes. From Pozzuoli, Caremar, Medmar and Gestour connect to Ischia, and travel time runs from 45 to 60 minutes. Since February 4, 2008, ferry connections to the islands of the Gulf of Naples have been transferred to the ferry terminal in Porto di Massa.

Departures to and from Ischia start at about 4:30 a.m. and end at about 9:55 p.m. If you drive, take the Naples ring road towards Pozzuoli up to the intersection with Via Campana.

When should you go to Ischia?

May and June are the sweet spot. May brings highs of 77°F (25°C) with four rainy days, and June reaches 85°F (30°C) with two rainy days. The castle route is mostly outdoors, so these months suit it well, and the Wednesday night castle show runs from June.

July is hotter, with highs of 91°F (33°C) and lows of 73°F (23°C). It is the month for those who want heat and the sea celebrations of late July. Visitors who dislike hot afternoons will do better in May or early June.

Winter is cooler and wetter. January has highs of 58°F (15°C) and nine rainy days. It suits travelers coming for Christmas events rather than the outdoors.

What to know before visiting Ischia

According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov), U.S. citizens can stay in Italy for 90 days without a tourist or business visa.

• Passports must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area. A 6-month validity is recommended, with 2 blank pages for the entry stamp.
• You will need proof of sufficient funds and a return plane ticket.
• Italy sets a 10,000 euro currency limit on entry and on exit, or the equivalent.
• There are no vaccination requirements to enter Italy.
• Travelers visiting for business, tourism or study up to 90 days must fill out a “dichiarazione di presenza”.

Booking Ischia for November: what to know

The pumpkin days and the Christmas brunch fall on October 31, and Christmas in Casamicciola begins on December 5 with the village of Santa Claus opening on December 6. For a November stay, the events listed leave the middle of the month open.