Free hot springs on Ischia and in Campania

Ischia is a volcanic island that literally floats on hot water: there are dozens of thermal springs, but most of them feed paid thermal parks and hotels. If you want a free soak you need to head for a few specific places, nearly all by the sea, where hot water rises from the seabed or among the rocks.

The list below shows the free hot springs of Campania we have checked. Some are open all year, others have restrictions or are closed for works: for each one we state the status clearly.

Sorgeto, the queen of free hot springs

Sorgeto Bay, at Forio, is the island's most famous free hot spring and one of the most beautiful in Italy. The water comes out of the seabed at about 90 °C and, mixing with the sea, forms pools among the rocks at 30-37 °C. It's open all year, at night too, and you reach it from Panza down a flight of more than 200 steps or, in summer, by water taxi from Sant'Angelo. The best time is out of season, with a rough sea and steam rising among the rocks.

Cartaromana and the Fumarole

Opposite the Aragonese Castle, Cartaromana Bay hides small hot springs that warm the sea among the rocks: don't expect hot pools, but a special swim in a unique setting. On the south side, between Sant'Angelo and the Maronti, the Spiaggia delle Fumarole lets you feel the volcano's heat in the sand, which approaches 100 °C below the surface: there are no hot pools here, and the emission area isn't for bathing.

Olmitello, closed for works

The Olmitello spring, behind the Maronti, was one of the island's best-loved pools, but it's now closed for safety works: the works are under way and there's no reopening date yet. Inland, at Telese Terme, the Parco Jacobelli reopened in February 2026 after restoration, but it isn't clear whether you can bathe in its historic pools.

Tips for Ischia

• Use buses or a scooter: in summer parking near the beaches is difficult.
• Water shoes are essential at Sorgeto and Cartaromana.
• Check local orders: in recent years some stretches of sea have had temporary bathing bans, later lifted.
• Always test the water: near the vents, Sorgeto's water really does scald.

Read also: free hot springs open at night and safety tips.