With its many sandy beaches and beautiful coves, and known as “the green island” thanks to its luxuriant vegetation, Ischia, the largest of the Phlegrean Islands in the Gulf of Naples, is divided into six communities, Ischia, Casamicciola, Terme, Lacco Ameno, Forio, Serrara Fontana and Barano.

Its volcanic nature makes Ischia one of Europe’s leading thermal spa centres. A small crater-formed lake formed that welcomes the visitor on arrival is the Port of Ischia. The rest of the town extends back three kilometres from the thermal springs.

The visitor can walk this distance along the magnificent “Pineta”, which was constructed on the lava left after an eruption and is now lined with appealing little houses. Other routes are along the “Via Roma” and the “Via Vittoria Colonna”, the latter with an interesting Museum exhibiting the island’s most ancient treasures.

Another option is the coastal walk along the “Passeggiata Colombo”, which takes one to Ischia Ponte, a fishing village joined by a bridge to the small round island of the Aragonese Castle. This is a kind of floating fortress that represents the island’s medieval history in a nutshell. Along with several watchtowers that line the coast, the fortress is the symbol of the inhabitants’ long and heroic struggle against Saracen attacks. After passing beyond the bulwark constituted by the walls, and traversing a passage cut through the rock, one can visit the Cathedral, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the abandoned Convent of the Clarisse Order, the nuns’ cemetery and the turreted castle to enjoy the wonderful view from its terrace.

The Lacco Ameno is a spa of thermal springs set in an inlet at the foot of Mount Epomeo. Just off this beautiful beach, “Fungo” a small water-eroded, rocky island rises from the sea.

In the main square of the town is the Sanctuary of Saint Restituta, the island’s patron saint. Saint Restituta was a Christian martyr who was burned on a boat that was later miraculously found on a road next to the village on 17 May 304 AD. This date is commemorated every year in Lacco Ameno with festivities that culminate with a night-time fireworks display. Ischia is known for its handcraft studios, while also among its main attractions are its traditional festivals, most of them religious, which bring the people to the squares or coast to enjoy the processions, fireworks displays, dancing and music.