What to see in Forio, Ischia: beaches, sunsets and gardens

Sunset from the Church of Soccorso

It's the image Forio is known for: a white church perched over the sea, reachable on foot from the centre in a few minutes, with a terrace that looks straight west. It fills up at sunset, but a spot on the low wall is still worth the wait.
Practical tip: arrive half an hour early, not at the last minute. And if it's too crowded, the seafront just below offers the same light with half the people.

The beaches: Citara and Cava dell'Isola

The bay of Citara is the best-known beach, wide and well-equipped, with dark volcanic sand and water that stays shallow for a long stretch — convenient with children. It's also the bay overlooked by Giardini Poseidon.
Cava dell'Isola is the opposite: wilder, tucked between the rocks, historically the beach of the island's young crowd. You get there down a flight of steps, so it's not the right choice with pushchairs or mobility difficulties.

Giardini Poseidon

This is the island's largest thermal park, right at Citara: around twenty pools at different temperatures, carved into the hillside that slopes down to the sea, plus a private beach and a natural sauna in the rock. You need a full day to really do it justice.
You'll find all the details in our guide to Giardini Poseidon. Many of our hotels in Forio have a partnership for discounted entry: ask when you request your quote.

Giardini La Mortella

This is the botanical garden created by the wife of composer William Walton, and it's one of the island's most surprising sights: tropical plants, fountains, a Greek theatre overlooking the sea and, in season, chamber music concerts on Sunday mornings.
It's on the road up towards Panza, outside the centre. It's a half-day visit and pairs well with an afternoon at the beach.

The centre and the Torrione

Forio's centre is best explored on foot: white alleys, workshops, the sixteenth-century Torrione that once watched for raids from the sea and now houses a small museum. In the evening the main street comes alive without becoming as chaotic as Ischia Porto — one of the reasons many choose Forio for longer stays.

Where to stay in Forio

Forio is the area with the widest choice on the island: hilltop properties with panoramic pools and sunset views, and others closer to the beaches of Citara and Chiaia. Several offer a free shuttle to the centre and to the sea, which on a vertical island like Ischia matters more than it might seem.
If you're looking for a way to decide, check out the hotels with pools for the view and relaxation, or the hotels with thermal spas if you want hot spring water in the property itself. You'll find the full overview in the guide to Forio, Ischia.