Ischia has a DOC wine tradition with native grape varieties including Biancolella, Forastera, and Per'e Palummo (Piedirosso). The whites are fresh and fruity, well-suited to fish dishes; the reds are fuller-bodied. Among the better-known labels are Vigna del Lume and Frassitelli. Wines are available at wine shops in Ischia Porto, specialty grocery stores, and directly from some island wineries. The Tuesday morning market at Ischia Porto is another opportunity to find local products at producer prices.

Yes, the main market takes place every Tuesday morning in Ischia Porto and is a regular stop for those looking for fresh local produce, crafts, and souvenirs at direct prices. In Forio, the market runs Monday through Saturday morning with a similar offering. Markets feature fruit, vegetables, cheeses, spices, ceramics, woven raffia accessories, and clothing. They offer a more authentic setting where it is easier to interact with local producers than at the tourist shops near the port.

Woven straw and raffia accessories are a traditional craft of the island, rooted in the customs of Ischia's fishing families, who historically braided straw to make baskets, bags, and hats. Over time, straw was replaced by raffia, a more pliable fiber derived from palm trees. Raffia bags, hats, and baskets make practical beach souvenirs with a genuine connection to local culture. The best-stocked craft shops are in Lacco Ameno and Casamicciola.

Yes, Ischia produces a line of natural cosmetics based on thermal water, drawing on the mineral properties of the island's springs. Thermal-based creams, oils, and body products are available at specialty stores and within some thermal park facilities. They are products directly tied to the island's thermal identity and make a more original souvenir compared to food-based gifts. Some thermal parks and hotels have their own product lines sold on-site.

The busiest shopping area is central Ischia Porto, along Via Roma and the port streets, with grocery stores, wine shops, clothing, and crafts. Forio has boutiques, food specialty stores, and Serpico: a longstanding shop packed with artisan products and local rarities. Sant'Angelo, though small, has some of the island's most carefully curated boutiques, with handmade jewelry and quality clothing. Lacco Ameno offers ceramics shops and gourmet food stores in a quieter setting.

Yes, among the most distinctive handmade jewelry from Ischia are pieces crafted from red coral, worked by local artisans. Mediterranean red coral is a material historically tied to the Campanian maritime tradition and is used to create necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Beyond coral, you will find jewelry with local stones and gold and silver work inspired by the island's flora and fauna motifs. The most carefully crafted artisan jewelry shops are in Sant'Angelo and Lacco Ameno.

Beyond rucolino and spices, local honey, island-produced extra virgin olive oil, fig jam (figs grow abundantly on the island), and dark chocolate-covered orange and lemon peels are all worth bringing home. Some agritourism farms sell their products directly on-site. For condiment lovers, arugula sauce (salsa alla rucola) is another local specialty hard to find outside the island. All these products are available at grocery stores near the port and at the markets.

No, most shops follow a seasonal schedule running roughly from April through October. In winter, only grocery stores, pharmacies, and a handful of essential services stay open, mainly in Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte. Boutiques, craft workshops, and souvenir shops are almost all closed. Anyone visiting off-season with shopping in mind should check ahead.