Aragonese Castle

Great place for anyone interested in history. The climb is not easy, but worth once you are at the top. They did lock some areas behind doors, but there are still enough individual areas to see.

Absolutely gorgeous! We booked for Apertif. Walked around the castle afterwards on our way to dinner. The castle has rooms you can stay in, a restaurant, and a cocktail lounge. You must book via email on their website. Amazing place!

The Castello Aragonese is truly magical, with its historic buildings, beautiful gardens full of cacti, and stunning panoramic views of the sea and the city. The scenery is breathtaking, and you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit this enchanting place.”

So worth it! Well kept, easy to get around and the small pamphlet has lots of information. Beautiful views everywhere you look and worth stopping at the Café near the Olive Trees Garden both for the view and a granita.

Ok... the comments about being in shape to tackle this place especially when it's hot are not overexagerated! I would not bring little kids or anyone that can't handle a bit of a trek. However there are bathrooms and cafés at the midpoint and top. Prices are really fair so don't hesitate to stop for a beverage and enjoy the terrace views. It's an incredible and massive structure with a really long history. It also has a some amazing views so for us it was more than worth it. Warning... the Ischia bus system is amazing BUT if you bus it to the Castle, Bus 7 has no air conditioning and is packed full. Also the bus stop is right across from the taxis just before the causeway to the castle. It's not marked so it's a bit confusing where to wait for the bus.

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!

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.