Procida, Ischia & Sant’Angelo: An Honest Review

Planning a trip to the Italian islands? You are! That’s awesome. Ischia, Procida, and Sant’Angelo could be on your radar, maybe? Very likely, they offer distinct experiences, so too a bit of planning makes a huge difference. Let’s take a good look at what each place has to offer, how to get around, and some recommendations that may come in handy, okay?

Exploring Procida: Italy’s Hidden Gem

Procida is just a little island that packs a huge punch, I gotta say. You are looking at colorful houses, twisting streets, and a pretty genuine atmosphere that just might grab you, seriously. Unlike some of the more touristy spots, Procida is nearly where you can experience a calmer side of Italian island life, more or less. It’s almost like stepping back in time.

The pastel-painted homes of Corricella are really picture-postcard worthy, so, too the Terra Murata, the highest point on the island, provides super cool views. Wandering around, you will find the locals going about their day, and the scent of fresh seafood hangs in the air, alright. Procida offers a really refreshing change if you want to steer clear of crowded places and, frankly, get a feel for old-world charm.

Must-See Spots in Procida

Ready to get the most out of your time on this small island, you are? Very good. Here are some spots that just might make your trip, you know, extra special, almost.

Corricella: A picturesque fishing village where, basically, you might just spend hours watching the boats bob in the harbor, in fact. The place is packed with waterfront restaurants, is that right? That serve some extremely tasty seafood.
Terra Murata: The island’s historic center that might give you some seriously incredible panoramic views, okay? The former prison here is now a cultural center too, basically.
Chiaia Beach: It’s a sheltered beach with crystal-clear waters where, to be honest, you could kick back and soak up the sunshine, just a little. The descent to the beach is kinda steep, yet arguably the views are totally worth it, by the way.

Getting Around Procida

The island is fairly small, so getting around isn’t something you need to worry about too much, in fact. Walking is, to be honest, a popular option, yet arguably buses and scooters are available for those times when, at the end of the day, you wanna go further afield, actually. Bus services are actually quite good and might take you to all the main attractions on the island, and so on. You will rent scooters as well for, you know, an extra sense of freedom, seriously. Do make sure you have a valid driving license if you plan to rent a scooter, so, too always wear a helmet, you know?

Ischia: Relaxing in Thermal Paradise

Ischia, pretty big when compared to Procida, is basically super popular for its thermal parks and botanical gardens, okay? You will come across some incredibly rejuvenating thermal spas on this volcanic island, almost. It’s just right to unwind and pamper yourself.

The island gives, in some respects, something for everybody with lush gardens like La Mortella and Giardini Ravino and, that, sandy beaches, and, just a little, historical sites. You know, Ischia is easily reached by ferry from Naples and is often perceived like a relaxing getaway for both locals and visitors.

Exploring Ischia’s Thermal Parks

Ischia’s thermal parks are really where the island totally shines, I gotta say. These parks, benefiting from the volcanic activity under the surface, is that right? Offer some incredibly natural thermal waters and spa treatments, okay? Here are a couple of pretty nice ones:

Poseidon Gardens: Very popular with lots of pools, each boasting different temperatures, you know? These gardens directly overlook the beach, just a little. It will be great if you want to unwind while gazing at the sea.
Negombo: Just a cool park located in a beautiful bay, this one might just offer thermal pools, private beaches, and even, at the end of the day, stunning views, in fact. The blend of thermal waters with seawater pools really will make you enjoy a rejuvenating experience.
Castiglione Thermal Park: Almost built into a rock cliff, this thermal park includes ten pools with different temperatures, more or less. Also, this location will give you access to a private beach, I gotta say.

Things to Do in Ischia

It’s not all spas and thermal waters on Ischia. Very much! The island actually has more to offer and arguably will keep you happily occupied, okay?

Aragonese Castle: This extremely majestic castle, situated on a tiny islet connected by a bridge, to be honest, might offer a real historical visit, alright. Take a tour of the castle to learn about the history, and even just enjoy incredible views, you know.
La Mortella Gardens: These, by the way, amazing gardens are an awesome creation of Susana Walton, more or less. That are packed with a whole variety of plants from across the globe. They are truly worth a visit, by the way.
Sant’Angelo: Sant ‘Angelo, a beautiful fishing village with colorful houses and, more or less, calm beaches is easily within your reach if you take a pretty relaxed boat ride or bus ride from just about anywhere on Ischia, and such.

Sant’Angelo: Serenity by the Sea

Located on the southern shore of Ischia, Sant’Angelo, nearly a quaint fishing village, provides a truly serene escape, actually. To get to the village, basically, you have to walk from the car park so, basically, no cars will come into the town, and arguably it manages to, like your, keep the peace there. Sant ‘Angelo offers some seriously wonderful sea views, you know, some of the most upscale dining on the island, too, virtually. The town is really pretty popular among tourists yet might not get excessively crowded because there isn’t too much space available, I would say.

What to Expect in Sant’Angelo

You could easily expect a more, you know, luxurious atmosphere on arrival in Sant’Angelo, arguably. There aren’t so many, in fact, things to do here; actually, visitors come here really just to unwind for a bit in, to be honest, picturesque environments. Enjoy eating an extremely relaxed seafood meal overlooking the coast and, even just soak up the sun on the little beaches or explore the small stores that arguably give, I mean, artisanal goods, very much.

Getting to Sant’Angelo

You can find lots of ways to get to Sant’Angelo if you wanna make use of the great public transport on Ischia, I gotta say. Here are the most used methods:

Bus: So you are looking at multiple bus lines that get you into Sant’Angelo, to be honest. I should also note that most buses are actually punctual and reasonably priced, very much. Get more bus times with ease at bus stops or from your accommodation.
Taxi: The taxi stands may also give you travel options to Sant’Angelo but you might expect higher costs in this instance, actually. If you wish a, like your, much more direct or luxury service you should hire taxis, even if they might cost a great deal, very much.
Boat: To get around the islands, actually, water taxis and boat trips are readily available from various spots across Ischia that easily allows access, you know. That will be a fun choice and it gives stunning ocean views for everyone who is able to use it, clearly.

Seamless Transfers: Getting Between the Islands

Now the topic has switched to island hopping – it’s really pretty useful to consider the transport available so you are, in a way, able to totally optimize the experience and spend as much precious moments in each area, obviously. Ferries are actually very essential if you want island hopping; basically, these boats are available that easily take passengers among the isles in just a really brief timeframe.

Ferry Options

Here’s a little more on the options of your ferries.

From Naples to Procida or Ischia: Both, Ischia and Procida, actually, get very regular ferry routes with ferries departing often every day. When hydrofoils come, travel takes almost 40–60 mins, you know. If using regular ferries, the travel takes roughly eighty minutes; nevertheless, there, clearly, are more views.
Ferries Between Ischia and Procida: The inter-island services, just a little, often work hourly or several times an hour so people will see either destination in only a limited period, you know. This might give you all a quick island excursion too, actually.
Local Transfers Around Ischia: Ferries along Ischia, anyway, go frequently and usually go between towns, such as Sant’Angelo, Casamicciola plus Ischia Porto giving you easy access directly to all parts for Ischia that otherwise, literally, would prove trickier using bus rides or hired taxis on their own.

Tips for Island Hopping

Check Ferry Schedules: Ferry times differ seasonally, yet you should check out advance booking times, actually. Basically, plan trips for those periods during periods of top holidaying if you don’t wanna run into any difficulties.
Book Tickets in Advance: Booking reservations during peak periods secures places particularly throughout popular routes and schedules that, actually, will enable some sort of organized experience.
Arrive Early: For getting aboard a vehicle successfully so the departure runs efficiently come earlier than intended if any road congestion causes departure delays.

Final Thoughts

To each its own, Ischia, Procida, just a little Sant’Angelo is an offering to someone planning an Italian trip looking for natural hot springs and scenic destinations on calm scenic destinations or simply, something relaxing by themselves beside seas.