Ischia is "the most beautiful island in the world." It has nothing to envy to other dream destinations like the Maldives, Bali, Milos, the Fiji Islands, or the Galapagos. This was declared by the readers of Travel & Leisure, who crowned it as the top destination in The World’s Best Awards for its attractions, natural beauty, beaches, food, and the warmth of its people. Located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, just an hour by ferry from Naples, Ischia has also attracted the attention of travelers after being featured in Elena Ferrante’s novel My Brilliant Friend, which HBO adapted into a series. The island earned the top spot thanks to its picturesque villages, thermal springs, and unspoiled beaches, among which the fumaroles of Maronti stand out, where volcanic activity allows you to cook under the sand—a phenomenon that the New York Times had previously celebrated. Now, according to reputable magazines like CN Travelers and specialized sites like Trivago, Ischia is among the "10 islands to visit at least once in a lifetime." What to see on the island? Visit the Aragonese Castle, spend a day at the Poseidon Thermal Park with 21 pools, both thermal and marine, Knaipp paths (15°C-40°C), swim in the green-blue sea, hike up Mount Epomeo for a 360-degree view of the island, try the traditional Ischian cuisine, visit the fishermen’s village of Sant'Angelo and Ischia Ponte, take a taxi boat to Sorgeto, famous worldwide for its hot springs, a natural thermal park that is free to visit year-round, explore one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, La Mortella, home to thousands of Mediterranean and tropical plants, stroll along the Casamicciola Terme seafront and enjoy its stunning piazza, visit a local winery for a tasting, dine under the moonlight on a beach, and plan excursions to nearby Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and Procida.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change