Stunning Italian island hits 30C in July and rivals Sicily and Sardinia

When people think about Italian island holidays, places like Sicily and Sardinia often get all the attention.

However, sitting in the Tyrrhenian Sea just an hour by ferry from Naples, this hidden gem is a volcanic island that is just as beautiful but far quieter, with July temperatures sitting at a warm 30C.

It is often called Italy’s spa island and is home to 103 natural thermal springs filled with mineral-rich water.

These springs have attracted people looking to relax and feel better for hundreds of years. Thanks to its volcanic past, many believe the waters can help with skin problems, sore joints and other aches.

Visitors can relax in seaside spas, explore the famous Poseidon thermal gardens, or enjoy a warm natural pool built into the hills. Wherever you go, Ischia offers a calm and relaxing experience that is hard to beat.

However, Ischia is not just about hot springs and spa days.

Before large numbers of tourists arrived, Ischia was mainly a farming island and was well known for making wine.

Vineyards still cover the hills, and small local cantinas serve fresh white wines made from Biancolella and Forastera grapes. These are often enjoyed with local seafood while looking out over the sea.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Ischia became popular in the film world and was used as a backdrop for many European movies.

It also became a stylish escape for famous stars such as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

Today, the island still holds onto that old-fashioned charm, with pastel-coloured towns, classic cafés and elegant seaside villas.

Although tourism is now the island’s main source of income, Ischia has managed to stay refreshingly untouched.

Visitors can enjoy sunny beaches without crowds, dramatic cliffs, green gardens and the impressive Aragonese Castle rising from the sea.

Discover more hidden gems with our interactive map!

Did you know we have a Hidden Gem Finder on our website? This handy little map shows over 12,000 hidden gems across the entire world with their exact co-ordinates available to view on Google Maps as well as an image/description for each one!

Click to view Hidden Gem Finder!