Ischia for family

Arrival in Forio d'Ischia

The journey to Ischia begins exactly like this: with the wind in your hair, the sun reflecting on the sea, and excitement growing with every wave!

Come aboard the ferry, bags full of swimsuits and snacks, wide eyes and little noses pressed against the windows. The Gulf of Naples opens up before you, with Vesuvius seemingly winking from afar and the green profile of the island slowly drawing nearer.

Between a "Look! A fish!" and a "There! A jellyfish!", it's time to spark a little magic in your children. No matter their age, when you add a bit of mystery and magic to such beauty, everything becomes more exciting. You can invent a name for your ship together, or pretend to be a family of explorers on a secret mission to a mysterious island!

Finding the right moment to capture your fun with the kids can be challenging, so parents can give them a travel mission, such as spotting at least three different blue things, and seize the moment to take the first family adventure selfie with the sea in the background. The first stop is Forio, a quiet port, where the island welcomes you with the scent of the sea and lemons.

A small technical recommendation: Ischia has two ports on opposite sides of the island, so pay attention to your destination. Also, some companies offer family discounts, so don't forget to ask.

Now, enough talk and keep your eyes open!

Exploring Ischia

“In the Enchanted Garden” of La Mortella

Once there, hop on bus number 197 towards an enchanted place: the La Mortella Gardens.

Stepping inside is like entering another world. The children ran from one path to another, shouting: “Come see this tree with the giant roots!” and “There are real turtles swimming among the water lilies!”

The easy, shaded paths reveal something new around every corner: a plant with funny flowers, a fountain that seemed to whisper, a terrace with a view that left us all silent (even the little ones, which is saying something!).

After a small snack under the palm trees, we returned to Forio to catch another bus. The destination? A real castle!

At Aragonese Castle
"The Guardian of the Sea”

It's time to keep moving!

Without delay, hop back on the local bus to cross the island, a journey of about thirty minutes to reach the opposite side.

As you approach Ischia Ponte, the castle seems to float on the sea. This is the perfect moment to tell the children something exciting...

“See that castle up there? It's been there for centuries, protecting the island from everything. They say that at night its walls speak with the wind, and at sunset, the shadows of ancient knights still guard the towers. But today... it's all ours! Are you ready to explore dungeons, secret gardens, and mysterious corridors? If you listen carefully, you might hear the voice of an old king… asking you to become the island's new guardians!”

The children will be thrilled now, eager to climb to the very top. The path is comfortable, and there's even a panoramic elevator (super convenient if you have a stroller). But to truly feel the castle beneath your feet and savor every second, you can take the stairs. You'll feel like you're inside a story, with towers, secret gardens, and windows overlooking the deepest blue you've ever seen.

Now, for a delicious lunch break nearby, with a giant pizza and a chocolate dessert that the kids will surely devour in two minutes flat. And then, off you go again!

Pineta Mirtina
The Explorers' Wood 

From the castle, a leisurely twenty-minute walk past charming shops and, of course, an essential stop for gelato, leads you to a spot straight out of an adventure book: Pineta Mirtina.

Here, kids can play hide-and-seek among the trees, collect pinecones, and listen to the wind whispering through the branches. To add a touch of magic, you can tell them the legend of the Giant Epomeo, who sleeps beneath the island. Watch as their eyes widen, searching for him among the rustling leaves.