Castello Aragonese
Image copyright © Francesca Di Meglio. All rights reserved.

This comune is split in two parts. I live in the hustling and bustling center of Ischia and its capital, Ischia Porto. The other is Ischia Ponte, the oldest part of the island, which is full of restaurants, shops and most of all history.

Ischia Ponte
This should be our first stop on the tour because here you'll find the famous Castello Aragonese, whose base is the rocky, geologically formed "cupola di ristagno" or "dome of stagnation" where a bubble of magma consolidated after a phenomenal eruption. It added 113 mt. or 600 feet to its height. In the 15th century, it was an impregnable force against attacks.

Near the castle, you'll find the small beach Cartaromana, a lovely post for taking photos of Castello Aragonese. The beach features two pools of naturally hot water, and it's best to visit it in the morning when the sun is optimal.

Ischia Porto
The main hub of the island, Ischia Porto is one happening place. This is the spot where you'll most likely first get acquainted with the island because it is here that you will probably arrive with the aliscafo (hydrofoil) or boat (a slightly slower boat that carries vehicles and people). Here, you'll find designer stores including the very hip Caprese and Ermenegildo Zegna. Stop by La Dolce Sosta bar for a famous Baci - a ball of hazelnut or chocolate gelato dipped in chocolate that forms a thin shell and sits atop a sugar cone.

If you're the type of person who is always up for a party, then Ischia Porto is the place to be. Along the Riva Destra, you'll find everything from an American pub that serves the Ischitani versions of sandwiches like a Philly cheese steak to night clubs, where you can dance the night away. But the coolest people - including celebs like Sabrina Ferilli and Fabio Cannavaro - head to Valentino, the island's most famous discothèque.

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