Castello Aragonese d'Ischia

A very large castle and assorted buildings including churches perched on this rocky outcrop. It costs €12 for adults to get in and you can buy at the entrance. You have to walk up a climbing and turning walkway which is mainly cut into the rock to get to the top. Sturdy footwear is recommended as underfoot it’s uneven. There are 2 cafes at the top with small museums and toilets. They sell water as well at reasonable prices. You can do a self guided tour easily and everything is well marked including all the footpaths. We spent nearly 3 hours there but it was hot and there were plenty of rest stops. Stunning views over the bay of Naples and Ischia. The olive terrace on the far side was a lovely walk high above the sea.

The walk up was a great exercise if you are healthy and strong, wouldn’t recommend if you are not. Especially considering the heat if you are visiting Ischia during summer. It was a nice break from hanging out at the beach club. Was fun to have been there -mostly for the exercise after eating all that pasta and pizza - but not a must if you are visiting Ischia. Paid 12 euro per person to get in.

We had an amazing morning exploring the castle. The self guided tour is fairly easy to follow and informative. The midpoint cafe stop was very refreshing with reasonable prices and an amazing view. We spent over 3 hours in the castle but you could do it in half the time if you weren't stopping to admire the view every 5 minutes. You do need comfortable shoes and an ability to walk up quite a long way, there is a lift for those with mobility issues but there are still a lot of steps and slopes in the main tour as well.

If visiting Ischia, you must go here. Last entry 1.5 hours before dusk. It needs a couple of hours of your time but is so very worthwhile. Stunning views, incredible history, sympathetically blended with art and Ishian culture. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and recommend a visit followed by a meal in one of the nearby restaurants with views of the Castle!

It is around €10 to enter. Good options for tours etc but we went without a guide and found that we had enough info from the maps and brochures. Really interesting activity and day out. Terrace at the top is great in the hot weather for a cold drink!

Visiting the Castello Aragonese was one of the most beautiful and memorable museum experiences I’ve ever had—absolutely breathtaking from start to finish! The entire site is incredibly well curated, with a thoughtfully designed path that guides you past all the key historical and cultural highlights. For students it’s just €10 (and €12 for adults), which is more than fair for everything this place offers. The island is full of peaceful corners where you’ll want to slow down and just be—listening to birdsong, taking in the sea views, and enjoying the incredible atmosphere. I stopped at both bars on the island, and each has its own unique energy. Both are beautifully furnished and offer spectacular views—different, but equally magical. The Casa del Sole had a stunning art exhibition with powerful and beautifully curated works of contemporary art. Another highlight is the IoStudio shop, which features a great selection of high-quality, creative, and locally inspired products—perfect if you’re looking for something special to take home. Take your time when visiting—2 to 3 hours is ideal to explore, pause, and truly take it all in. A few fascinating facts about Castello Aragonese: • The fortress was originally built by the Greeks in 474 BC, and later transformed by Alfonso of Aragon in 1441, who connected the rocky islet to Ischia with a stone bridge. • At its peak, it housed over 2,000 people, including monks, nuns, nobles, and common families. It also had churches, gardens, and even a prison. • The castle played a major role in defending the island against pirate attacks for centuries. • Today, it’s privately owned and lovingly maintained—a rare place where history, nature, art, and peace come together in harmony. This is so much more than a castle—it’s a place that moves you. Absolutely unmissable when visiting Ischia!

It’s a beautiful place to visit. But make sure you are ready to walk for at least one hour, so make sure you have good walking shows and bottle of water. Amazing panaromic views

omg what a dream. truly beautiful and not busy at all. we stayed for around three hours and loved every minute of it. highly recommend walking around until you get to the cafe, sit at the cafe with a gorgeous view and share a sandwich and get a drink (really big portion and so good), continue walking to the top, and sit at the bar and get a glass of wine at the balcony. historic and beautiful. didn’t take long at all to get our tickets at the booth .