Where is Ischia in Italy? Everything you need to know about travelling to the island in Bay of Naples

On Monday night at 9pm, an earthquake rocked the Italian island of Ischia, killing at least two people and injuring 40 others. The earthquake registered at a magnitude of between 4 and 4.3.

Ischia is a popular travel destination both for Italian and European tourists and has enjoyed many illustrious guests from Giussepe Garibaldi to Truman Capote. Recently, it was thrust into the limelight as the summer getaway for the characters in Elena Ferrante’s Neopolitan novels.

Here’s everything you need to know about travelling to the Tyrrhenian island.

Where is it?

Ischia is a volcanic island 20 miles off the coast of Naples in Italy. It is the largest and most developed of the islands in the Bay of Naples and its neighbours include Capri and Procida - which you might recognise as the setting for 1999 film, The Talented Mr Ripley.

Ischia is almost all mountainous and benefits from hot springs and mineral rich thermal waters, as well as miles of beautiful coastline. The highest point of the island is Monte Epomeo, which is a volcanic horst (a raised elongated block of the earth’s crust lying between two faults) standing at 788m. The last eruption on Ischia was in 1302.

When was the last earthquake in Italy?

In January earlier this year, several strong earthquakes were felt in central Italy in the Lazio, Abruzzo and Marche regions. In 2016, there were a series of earthquakes in central Italy, including one in August that claimed 300 lives.

How safe is it to travel there?

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is yet to update its advice, but it does warn about the general threat of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions throughout Italy.

“Many parts of Italy lie on a major seismic fault line. Minor tremors and earthquakes are a regular occurrence."

The Ischia earthquake follows reports of wild fires across Italy, which caused some areas to be evacuated. The FCO says: “Fires remain a risk throughout the summer. Forest fires are highly dangerous and unpredictable; check with local authorities if you’re considering travelling to affected areas.”

What to do there?

Ischia is often overlooked for its glitzier neighbour Capri. But the mysterious island has many charms - not to mention fewer crowds.

As mentioned above, Ischia is famous for its old thermal baths, whose healing powers were celebrated by the likes of Pliny and Virgil.

Green-fingered visitors should head to Forio to visit the La Mortella Gardens (pictured above). La Mortella (open from April 1 to October 1) is a spectacular subtropical and Mediterranean garden designed in 1958 by Lady Susanna Walton, the wide of English composer Sir William Walton. The gardens became public in 1983 and they now host musical events as well.

When it comes to exploring beaches and little coves, visitors to Ischia are spoilt for choice. Make sure you stop in at one of the many fishing villages around the island, including Sant'Angelo, which was immortalised in a poem by WH Auden.

Where should you stay?

If you are thinking about travelling to Ischia, and want to recreate the bygone glamour of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, stay at L'Albergo delle Regina Isabella. Hollywood's iconic golden couple stayed at this five star hotel on the island's north western side while filming at a cove nearby for Cleopatra. For a more low-key stay, try the family-run Casa Garibaldi, which is a 20 minute walk from Sant'Angelo. Breakfast is served on the tiled terrace overlooking the harbour.