Casamicciola Terme: why we think it is the best town to sleep in Ischia

When planning a vacation to Ischia, the choice of municipality to stay in can make the difference between a standard tourist experience and an unforgettable vacation. Among the island’s six municipalities-Ischia Porto, Casamicciola Terme, Lacco Ameno, Forio, Sant’Angelo and Barano-Casamicciola Terme emerges as the smartest and most advantageous choice for several strategic reasons.

Our experience of more than 70 years in Ischian hospitality, with Villa Sirena welcoming guests for generations, has taught us that geographic location, authenticity of experience and value for money are the determining factors for a perfect vacation. Casamicciola Terme excels in all these aspects, offering unique advantages that other towns on the island cannot guarantee.

The perfect strategic location

Casamicciola Terme boasts a unique geographical position in the Ischian archipelago: it is the only municipality that borders all the other municipalities on the island. This geographic feature makes it the ideal starting point for exploring every corner of Ischia without having to deal with long and expensive commutes.

From the center of Casamicciola, you can reach the most beautiful beaches of Forio in just 15 minutes, the thermal baths of Lacco Ameno in 10 minutes, the historic center of Ischia Porto in 12 minutes, and even the romantic Sant’Angelo in 25 minutes. This centrality translates into significant savings in time and money for transportation during your vacation.

The proximity to Mount Epomeo, the island’s highest peak, also offers privileged access to the most beautiful hiking trails, with paths starting directly from the village and winding through chestnut forests, terraced vineyards and breathtaking views of the Gulf of Naples.

The port of Casamicciola, which has been completely renovated in recent years, provides direct and frequent connections to Naples, Pozzuoli and the other islands in the Gulf, eliminating the need to depend solely on Ischia’s port traffic, which is often congested during the high season.

Italy’s oldest spa heritage

Casamicciola Terme can boast the distinction of being the oldest spa resort in Italy, with a tradition dating back to 1610 when the first charitable spa on the peninsula was founded. This historical legacy now translates into higher quality spa offerings and more affordable prices than in more commercially-oriented towns.

The density of thermal springs in the municipal area is the highest in all of Ischia: as many as fifteen different springs, each with specific therapeutic properties. From the famous Gurgitello spring, with its 85°C waters ideal for rheumatic conditions, to the historic La Rita Spring, used by Villa Sirena since 1700, to the Gold and Silver waters with their skin-soothing properties.

This natural thermal wealth allows guests access to authentic and traditional treatments, far from the over-commercialization that characterizes other spa destinations. Treatment prices are on average 20-30% cheaper than similar facilities in other municipalities, while maintaining higher quality standards.

Authenticity and family atmosphere

Unlike Ischia Porto, which is often chaotic and touristy, or Forio, which has become too commercial, Casamicciola maintains an authentic and family atmosphere that allows visitors to experience the true essence of the island. Here you can still stroll through narrow streets where you can smell the scents of home cooking, meet fishermen returning with the day’s catch and witness the traditional rhythms of life.

The local community is accustomed to quality rather than mass tourism, which translates into a warmer and more personalized welcome. Restaurants in the old town still serve recipes passed down through generations, using produce from the local garden and freshly caught fish, a gastronomic experience impossible to find in more touristy areas.

The town’s architecture, rebuilt after the 1883 earthquake following state-of-the-art earthquake-proof criteria for the time, has an elegant and harmonious character, with Art Nouveau palaces and Mediterranean-style cottages creating a refined but not contrived ambience.

Concrete economic advantages

Staying in Casamicciola offers significant economic advantages over other towns in Ischia. Hotel prices are on average 15-25% lower than similar establishments in Ischia Porto or Sant’Angelo, while maintaining high quality standards.

Public transportation from Casamicciola is more efficient and economical: the central location makes it possible to reach any destination on the island with a single bus ride, while from other municipalities changes and connections are often necessary, increasing time and cost.

For shopping, too, the center of Casamicciola offers craft stores and local stores with fairer prices than in tourist areas, where you often pay a premium for location.

Tranquility without isolation

One of the greatest advantages of Casamicciola is being able to offer tranquility and relaxation without the isolation that characterizes some of the more peripheral areas of the island. The town has a human scale that makes it easy to get around on foot, but at the same time offers all the necessary services: pharmacies, banks, supermarkets, post office and health services.

Nightlife is present but unobtrusive: elegant wine bars, restaurants with scenic terraces, and a few live music venues, perfect for those seeking entertainment without chaos. You will not find noisy discos or rowdy clubs, but rather places to enjoy an aperitif at sunset while admiring the Bay of Naples.

The municipality’s beaches – Marina, Bagnitiello and Perrone – offer variety for all tastes without ever being overcrowded, even in high season. This makes it possible to enjoy the sea in tranquility, with space to relax and quality services.

Optimal connections and mobility

Casamicciola’s transportation system is the most efficient on the island. The port welcomes ferries and hydrofoils with high frequency, reducing waiting times and dependence on port traffic from Ischia. During the summer, direct connections to Capri, Procida, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast depart right from Casamicciola.

The city bus network connects the center with all hamlets and main attractions every 15-20 minutes, a more frequent and reliable service than in other municipalities. For those who prefer to move around independently, scooter and car rentals are more convenient, and orientation in the municipal area is easier thanks to the rational urban layout.

The authentic gastronomic experience

Casamicciola’s culinary tradition is particularly rich and authentic. As the oldest municipality from a tourist point of view, it has developed its own school of gastronomy over time, combining the seafaring and rural traditions of the hinterland.

The town’s restaurants serve unique specialties such as rabbit all’ischitana cooked according to centuries-old recipes, Casamicciolese-style salt cod, stuffed squid, and traditional desserts made with lemons and local ricotta cheese. The food and wine offerings are more varied and authentic than the standardized offerings of more touristy areas.

Choosing Casamicciola Terme as a base for your vacation in Ischia means opting for tourist intelligence: maximizing the experience while minimizing costs, enjoying authenticity without sacrificing services, experiencing tranquility while maintaining centrality.

Our multi-generational experience in hospitality has taught us that the most satisfied guests are those who choose Casamicciola for the first time almost by chance, and then continue to return year after year, won over by an area that knows how to offer everything one looks for in a vacation in Ischia: authentic spas, unspoiled nature, crystal-clear sea, millenary culture and that genuine hospitality that only a small seaside village can guarantee.

It is no coincidence that many illustrious people of the past, from Garibaldi to Toscanini, chose Casamicciola as their Ischian refuge. Today, as then, this town represents the perfect balance between wellness, culture and relaxation, far from the flow of mass tourism but close to everything that makes Ischia one of the most beautiful destinations in the Mediterranean.