If you’re looking for a spa experience beyond the basic thermal-water pool in your hotel, spend a day in one of Ischia’s grand thermal parks. These sprawling complexes are one of Ischia’s main attractions and the reason most visitors choose to stay on the island - along with easy access to the nearby islands of Capri and Procida for day trips, of course.
A thermal park is a large complex comprising a variety of indoor and outdoor pools at different temperatures, saunas, relaxation areas, Kneipp baths, hot tubs, massage rooms, and other wellness treatments such as thermal mud and inhalations. Ischia’s thermal parks also often include a private beach where patrons can sunbathe and relax on sunbeds and take a dip in the sea. Consider that thermal parks like Poseidon or Negombo have more than 20 pools with temperatures ranging up to 40°C (100°F). Patrons are provided a map upon entry to help navigate the sprawling area, not unlike an amusement park, but dedicated to relaxation!
Day and Multi-Day Passes
A day pass for a thermal park on Ischia allows you to spend a whole day relaxing in the pools, saunas, and beach, while massages and beauty treatments must be booked and paid for separately. You can also opt for a multi-day pass or pay a reduced admission for half a day only. There are reduced rates for children, who are allowed in the swimming pools and on the beaches, but not spa areas like saunas and steam baths. Rules regarding access for children depend on the individual thermal park, so always check before your visit.
Ischia’s thermal parks are open from mid-April to mid-October. There is no need to book, but on summer weekends you may encounter crowds.
When to Visit Ischia
Here is an overview of the four top thermal parks on Ischia:
1. Negombo
Negombo is located in the Bay of San Montano near Lacco Ameno. This huge thermal park offers a private beach and thermal waters at different temperatures, waterfalls, and volcanic caves for relaxing. Other highlights include thermal massaging shower heads, a Turkish bath, hydromassage with seawater, and a Kneipp bath with thermal water at 18°C and 38°C degrees, a true cure-all for the circulation of the legs. And, for a gourmet break, the park has six bars and restaurants.
Read more: The Negombo Thermal Park
2. Giardini Poseidon
Giardini Poseidon, located in Forio on the splendid Bay of Citara, is the largest thermal park in Ischia, with 20 swimming pools (3 of which are seawater) at temperatures between 28°C and 40°C. The park also boasts a spacious beach, three refreshment points, a spa, a steam grotto, and other areas dedicated to wellness.
Read more: The Giardini Poseidon Thermal Park
I only have one day: which one should I choose between Negombo and Poseidon?
The two parks are both very beautiful and if you have two days, it’s worth visiting both. To help you choose between the two, however, here are the pros and cons of both:
- Pros Negombo: many shaded areas, beautiful greenery, free storage for luggage and personal items, wide choice of dining options, no swim cap required.
- Cons Negombo: lots of stairs to access the different park areas
- Pros Poseidon: the largest number of pools, impeccably clean, few stairs.
- Cons Poseidon: limited options for dining, cap required, paid lockers (€.50 each time you open the locker), few shaded areas.
Keep in mind that children under 12 cannot enter the thermal area of Poseidon. Children may enter Negombo but not use the thermal pools. The beach and seawater pools are open to children at both parks.
3. Parco termale Castiglione
The luxurious Castiglione spa complex is located in Casamicciola Terme and includes 9 swimming pools at different temperatures (from 32°C to 40°C), whirlpools, saunas, and seawater baths. This thermal park is ideal for pregnant women and families with children, with a dedicated swimming pool kept at a pleasant 30°C. Guests of the Castiglione thermal park can take advantage of mud treatments, massages, and inhalation therapies.
4. Terme di Cavascura
The Cavascura thermal baths is a very beautiful complex not far from Maronti Beach, one of the most popular on the whole island. Open for centuries, these thermal baths are set in natural volcanic stone caves with boiling waterfalls and volcanic fumaroles. The complex also includes a wellness center that offers mud treatments, massages, and thermal showers.