Admire the Aragonese Castle in the distance, check out the Rocks of Sant’Anna or simply relax on the sand of the picturesque Cartaromana Beach in Ischia Ponte.
Cartaromana Beach is one of the true hidden gems on the island of Ischia. The beach isn’t close enough to the main town of Ischia Ponte to be an obvious place to swim, which stops it from being overcrowded on most days. Get there on foot or by boat and swim in the warm clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea, which is warmed by natural thermal activity that remains in this volcanic region.
Because the beach is quite narrow due to coastal erosion, it’s recommended to come early in the day if you want to find a good spot to throw down your towel for sunbathing.
Rent a sun umbrella from the restaurant that sits just above the beach and order a refreshing drink from time to time. Dip into the water to soak or swim in tepid waters or stroll over the beach to enjoy the views. The beach has a rickety old jetty on which small boats can moor, so there is always something to see.
Sit down on the outdoor terrace of Ristorante Da Maria and take in the splendid vista of Aragonese Castle at sunset. This medieval fortress is perched high on a rocky islet and is a sight to behold.
Note that there is no car park near Cartaromana Beach in Homonym Bay. Buses leave from Porto d’Ischia heading to San Michele, from where you can walk down to the beach.
If you are walking from the main town of Ischia Ponte, Cartaromana Beach can be trickier to find. Locals sometimes confuse it with Nuova (new) Cartaromana, the spot where boats drop off passengers visiting the hotels and restaurants around Michelangelo's Tower. Others may point you to "Spiaggia Cartaromana belvedere” (beach viewing point) closest to Aragonese Castle. From near these rocks, you can take a little taxi boat across to Vecchia (old) Cartaromana, which is the actual beach.
To walk to Vecchia Cartaromana instead of taking a taxi boat, follow the road up to the cemetery and then head downhill. From Aragonese Castle, the walk can take up to an hour.
