Capri, Ischia and Procida - The islands of the Campania Archipelago

Off the coast of Campania, in the Tyrrhenian Sea, there are 3 wonderful islands: Ischia, Capri and Procida which, together with Vivara and Nisida, are the major islands that form the Campania Archipelago. In addition to these 5, in fact, there are also other smaller islands, which are usually not even considered as belonging to this archipelago, but as it happens for Nisida, they are considered islets. Some of these islets are the islet of San Martino, that of Gaiola but also the islet of Megaride, where the Castel dell'Ovo in Naples is located or the islet of the Aragonese Castle of the same Ischia.

Ischia is the largest of the Campania islands and is also the most inhabited. As shown by many archaeological finds, Ischia has ancient origins, in fact, some finds found date back to the Neolithic. But it is with the Greeks that Ischia knows the development, in fact Pithekoussai was one of the first colonies of Magna Grecia. The Greek name seems to have many origins even if the most credited one is that according to which the name of the island, Pithekoussai, precisely referred to the fact that on the island there was a lot of resin used to produce the Pythos, that is the wine amphorae of which many archaeological finds have been found. Many archaeological finds found in Ischia can be seen by visiting the Archaeological Museum of Pithecusae which is located inside Villa Arbusto in Lacco Ameno. Here are preserved many finds, including the famous Nestor's Cup , a small cup on which there are the first evidences of Greek writing, dating back to the eighth century BC. C. The villa where the museum is located belonged to Angelo Rizzoli, the founder of the Rizzoli publishing house, who was a very important personality for the island of Ischia, as it is thanks to the important publisher and producer if Ischia knew tourism development in the early 1950s. Thanks to his magazines and numerous films shot on the island, in fact Rizzoli advertised the green island and important directors and actors, such as Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, stayed there. Furthermore, many hotel structures were built thanks to the financing of the Lombard businessman. But Ischia is not famous only for its history or for its sea. Being an island of volcanic origin and despite some areas formed later, the oldest parts of the island were formed about 150,000 years ago and here there would be springs of sulphurous water, which make it one of the largest spas in the world. 'Europe. Baia di Sorgeto is one of these. Reachable through hundreds of steps, or with the taxi boats that depart from the small harbor of Sant'Angelo in the summer, Sorgeto is a source of thermal water which, crossing with the waters of the sea, creates real free natural thermal pools, where can choose between hot, lukewarm or cold water. The thermal baths of Ischia were used since ancient times and the Greeks used the thermal baths to heal the body and spirit.

And the village of Sant'Angelo is one of the places of Ischia not to be missed. It is a beautiful seaside village which, thanks to its position, seems almost separate from the rest of the island. Sant'Angelo is full of houses and small boutiques and here, in our opinion, there is the most beautiful beach of Ischia, which is also the largest, the Maronti beach , reachable by sea with the boats that leave from the small port of Sant 'Angelo or by land, passing through Serrara Fontana and Barano. But taking a holiday in Ischia, you will not only find the sea. Ischia is full of wonderful landscapes, and so much vegetation that have earned it the nickname of Isola Verde. If you love nature and trekking, we recommend the climb to Mount Epomeo . Mount Epomeo, of more recent formation than the rest of the island, is a mountain that rises over 750 meters to which you can enjoy a wonderful view. Until a few years ago, the mule was used to get to the top, then replaced by the horse, but for those who are more trained we recommend going up on foot as you can make some stops at your leisure and admire the infinity that surrounds you. Once you reach the top, you will find a restaurant waiting for you where you can have a drink and even eat. To welcome you there will be the panorama which is the most beautiful thing. On clear days, from the top of the mountain you will also be able to see Ponza and Ventotene. To talk about the things you can do in Ischia, you lose count: you could walk along the Corso di Forio and arrive at the Church of Soccorso , which is located on a terrace overlooking the sea, or go to Lacco Ameno to see the famous mushroom , but also in Ischia Ponte to visit the Aragonese Castle . Ischia does not deserve a day trip, it deserves to be visited because, despite being an island, it hides many scenarios to discover.

Capri , the blue island that owes its nickname to the blue sea that surrounds it, because, unlike Ischia and Procida, Capri is of karst origin and this means that its coasts are rocky, therefore the absence of volcanic sand, makes the sea bluer. Capri is famous for being, always, the holiday destination of many characters of the international jet set, not surprisingly, Capri has always been the most chic of the islands of the Campania Archipelago. Capri was already famous in the times of the ancient Romans, as can be seen from the many references to the emperor Tiberius, who made it his favorite place to stay, abandoning Rome and establishing his home on the island for about 10 years. It was Tiberius who built Villa Jovis , his residence dedicated to the god Jupiter, from where the emperor administered the entire Roman Empire. Villa Jovis is not the only Roman villa in Capri but it is certainly the largest one and is in a wonderful position as it overlooks the side of the island from where you can also see Ischia and Procida. Unfortunately in the Bourbon era the villa suffered looting and what can be admired today are only the remains of the building. But Capri is known to everyone above all for its Piazzetta. Its official name is Piazza Umberto I , but the whole world knows it as the Piazzetta of Capri , symbol of Capri's nightlife, where, at the tables of the bars, you can find VIPs who mingle with ordinary people, going unnoticed. From the square, passing the funicular, you will find a terrace from which you can admire a breathtaking view: you will have in front of the blue sea and the whole Neapolitan coast, up to the Sorrento peninsula. In addition, the most famous streets of Capri depart from the square including the renowned Via Camerelle , the most famous of Capri, with the boutiques of the most important fashion brands. Walking along Via Camerelle, which at a certain point then releases into Via Tragara , you will arrive at another wonderful terrace, the one overlooking the Faraglioni. The Faraglioni are the symbol of Capri and, by booking one of our boat tours, you can see them up close, passing between the two Faraglioni Stella and Scopolo, which are the two faraglioni that are located at sea, the third faraglione, the one connected to the mainland it is called Saetta instead. In addition, with the boat tours you will go around the island and you can visit the Blue Grotto , the cavity in the rock in which you will have to enter through special boats with expert boatmen. You will have to lie down in the boat as the entrance to the cave is very low, but once you enter, you will understand the reason for its name.

If you arrive in Capri in spring or summer, you absolutely cannot miss a swim at the beach of Marina Piccola or at the beach of Faro di Punta Carena . They are the only two beaches on Capri equipped and it is worth going there to take a dip in the blue of their waters.
If instead you love nature, as well as Ischia, Capri also has its mountain, Monte Solaro and you can get there through the Anacapri chairlift, the other town on the island, where you can also take a walk along its course, full of shops. , restaurants and typical products shops. The view from Monte Solaro is wonderful. You can see the whole Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast, as well as the Gulf of Naples. In Anacapri there is also Villa San Michele , the villa where the Swedish doctor Axel Munthe lived, rebuilt on the remains of an ancient chapel dedicated to San Michele. Today this villa is a beautiful museum where the Roman finds found during the excavations for the construction of the villa are housed. The Church of San Michele is also worth a visit, also known as the Church of the Earthly Paradise, as the Earthly Paradise is painted on the majolica floor.

Procida is the smallest and wildest of the three major islands of the Campania Archipelago. When you arrive in Procida the first thing that will strike you, while you are still on the ferry, are the colored houses, all of different colors because each fisherman, returning from fishing, could recognize his home from the sea. Procida is in fact a small fishing village, not very touristy, at least until a few years ago and this has meant that, unlike Ischia and Capri, it could still remain unspoiled and not too crowded. Procida is linked by a bridge to the nearby Vivara islet, a nature reserve which can only be accessed by participating in the guided tours organized by the island's guides. When you arrive in Procida by ferry, you will disembark in the port of Marina Grande , where you will be welcomed by shops, bars and restaurants that are found in period buildings, such as the Palazzo Montefusco , dating back to the XII century and famous for its battlements. Leaving Marina Grande behind you, you will find yourself on Via Roma , "the Corso" of Procida, with its boutiques and craft shops. Here you can buy the famous sandals completely handmade. In the square in front of Palazzo Montefusco there are taxis and buses that go around the island and will allow you to get to any point of the island. One of the most beautiful points of Procida is Terra Murata , the highest part of the island, which the Procidans used to hide when there were the Saracens raids. Then there are the many beaches, such as that of the Postman, which is actually called Pozzo Vecchio , but since in 1994 Massimo Troisi shot some scenes of his famous film Il Postino, the beach has been renamed. There are, again, the beach of La Chiaia which can be accessed through over 180 steps and also the Chiaiolella which is instead the most famous and popular on the island. All the beaches of the island are characterized by black volcanic sand which makes the sea even bluer. You will certainly fall in love with it.

Despite being of the islands, in Ischia, Capri and Procida the nightlife is not lacking. Certainly much more active in the spring and summer months but there is really a lot to do. Definitely there will be aperitifs: those in the most famous square in the world, that of Capri, are also famous, but also those at the port of Forio and on the marina of Marina Grande di Procida. In addition, there is no lack of discos. In Capri there is the renowned Anema e Core the tavern of Guido Lembo, the kingdom of the island's nightlife, where, during the evenings, it is very easy to meet Hollywood stars and where to dance until dawn drawn by the rhythm of the fantastic Neapolitan music played by Guido Lembo and his band. In Ischia, on the other hand, there is the historian Valentino who has animated the Ischia nights for over 40 years. The events of July and August are often characterized by the presence of important Italian and international guests who will make you dance until dawn. In Procida, however, on the coast of Marina Grande you will find many bars that also make live music, but to let loose like in a disco, we suggest you go to Chiaiolella, where all the bathing establishments turn into discos on the beach in the evening. If instead, rather than dancing, you prefer the tranquility of a romantic couple's holiday, then we suggest a stay at the spa: in Ischia you are spoiled for choice, but the most popular thermal gardens are certainly the Poseidon and the Negombo. Or, you could take a walk to the Aragonese Castle or La Mortella Gardens.

Climate : the climate of the Campania islands is enviable, with sunny days from March to November, although we recommend you visit them during the summer months, so that you can also take advantage of the beaches. Obviously August will be the most crowded month, therefore, we advise you to make your holidays in June, July or, even better, in September.

Curiosity : But do you know that, with all its sulphurous waters, its natural thermal water springs and thermal gardens, Ischia is the largest spa in the world? And do you also know that a lot of films were shot in Procida? like Il Postino di Troisi, but also the Hollywood Il Talento by Mr. Ripley, with Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow. As for Capri instead, the curiosity we want to tell you is a beautiful legend that saw two lovers, he was called Vesuvius and she Capri. Unfortunately, a bit like Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the two families did not welcome their union so they decided to separate them. Capri was put on a ship to be taken away, but desperate for the separation from her lover, she dived into the sea (right where the island of the same name stands today) and drowned, becoming an island. Upon hearing the news, Vesuvius broke out of anger, turning into a mountain, which overlooked his beloved Capri and which, from time to time, when he cannot control his anger, spits lava and ash.

Tips : The first thing we recommend is not to go to the Campania islands in August because they are really overcrowded and you will also find very high prices for everything from hotels, restaurants and bathing establishments. We also advise you to take at least one boat tour because the islands hide wonderful places where you can take a dip in the blue sea, just think of the creek of the Procida cemetery where there is an enchanting sea, but also of the inlet of Roman map in Ischia or off the Punta Carena lighthouse in Capri.