Ischia or Procida?
 

Can anyone comment on these 2 islands?

We just got back from Capri, which we loved, and these islands also seem interesting.

Would they be worth a week's visit?

My husband seems to remember reading that one or both were as he puts it "not very nice". How do they compare to each other, and how do they compare to Capri?

It's been many years since I visited Ischia, and I haven't been to Procida.

I'm not sure what you'd do on Procida for a week as it's very small and rather built-up. Only a few square miles overall with ferry service only to Naples, Pozzuoli and Ischia.

Ischia might be 8-10 square miles with, obviously, more things/places to see/explore and ability to get away from crowded tourist areas. You can also ferry to Sorrento and Capri. Ischia is very popular with German tourists.

I don't think either island "compares" with Capri for scenery and the charm factor.

Hi Wanderer,

I'm visiting Procida for 2 nights in less than a week. I've read that people usually stay on Ischia and visit Procida as a day trip. I've also read there's a lot to do on Ischia (even more than Capri), but I don't think Procida is worth a week since it's so tiny.

Facesch, it's so obvious you're advertising. People here want personal impressions of a place; not advertisement taken from a bookguide.

Hi wanderer
if you do a search for Ischia here on this site you will find some good information.

I spent 5 days there a few years ago. We really enjoyed Ischia. It is a laid back place in the shoulder seasons (we were there at the very end of May) but sounds as if it gets quite busy in summer.

One of our interests was that since it is a volcanic island it has great hot springs. Our favorite was the wild hot spring that bubbles up out of the Mediterranean sea. You walk down a lonnnng staircase to this little rocky cove and then wallow (no other word for it!) in the cool water with these amazing natural jets of hot mineral water shooting up from the sea floor. Ahhhh! This place is near Forio, in Panza, I believe it is called.

We loved the friendly people, good food and local wine, and the beautiful botanical gardens at La Mortella.

We were there for a religious holiday (Assumption, maybe?) and totally enjoyed it - flower petal 'paintings' in the streets, parades with little girls in angel wings (and tennis shoes), the local brass band, and the priest. A nice slice of local life.

Wanderer,

I spent two days in Procida in 2006 and pretty much saw everything there was to see in 2 days. I doubt you will find a week's worth of entertainment there. It is a lovely little island, but I would not spend more than a night or two there unless you are using it as a base to explore Ischia and Naples, but then you are at the mercy of the ferry/hydrofoil schedule.

I did enjoy Procida, if you chose to go to Ischia, take a day to check out its neighbor. It has a more "real" Italy feel, not very touristy at all.