Follow the Neapolitan Novels to the Island of Ischia
Ischia has always been an iconic destination in Italy, loved and celebrated by painters, writers, directors and many artists who have found inspiration here. The same is true for Elena Ferrante and her Neapolitan Novels, especially My Brilliant Friend, now a highly acclaimed HBO TV series.
The so-called Green Island may have slipped off the main tourist radar in the last decades, but the success of Ferrante’s books and the TV adaptation is changing its destiny: Ischia is ready for a new renaissance.
Discover Elena Ferrante’s Ischia and My Brilliant Friend Locations
The Neapolitan Novels take place mainly in 1950s Naples, but the island of Ischia appears in the first two books, My Brilliant Friend and The Story of a New Name. As fans know, the first book has become an international TV phenomenon.
Thanks to the eight-episode series, the green of the vineyards and lemon trees, the turquoise sea and the red sunsets of Ischia are captivating millions of viewers in Italy and abroad.
Ferrante’s 1950s Naples includes Rione Luzzatti—where the story begins—and other key locations: Piazza del Plebiscito, Piazza dei Martiri, the wealthy district of Vomero, the breathtaking Posillipo area, and Liceo Garibaldi, where Lenuccia, one of the main characters, goes to school.
However, some of the most picturesque scenes of My Brilliant Friend take place in Ischia. During summer, the teacher sends Lenuccia to the island to give her a chance to escape the poverty of her neighbourhood. An entire episode, “The Island”, is dedicated to her time there.
In both the books and the TV adaptation, Ischia—with its cobblestone streets, gardens and deep blue sea—becomes a metaphor for freedom, love, inspiration and personal growth.
Key My Brilliant Friend Locations in Ischia
The HBO series features beautiful scenes filmed in several iconic places, including:
- The Aragonese Castle – Shining in the daylight and offering a magical atmosphere at night.
- Ischia Ponte – With its pastel-coloured houses, narrow alleys and fishing boats.
- Maronti Beach – Golden sand and deep blue sea, one of the island’s most scenic beaches.
Other locations such as Forio, Casamicciola, Lacco Ameno, the Cuotto area and Serrara Fontana—with its view of Monte Epomeo—are mentioned in the novels and are all worth a visit.
Ferrante-Inspired Boat Trips Around Ischia
We speak with many guests who are passionate about Ferrante’s story and the TV series, and we receive frequent requests for exclusive tours focused on My Brilliant Friend. For this reason, we decided to pour all the love we have for our island—and for the Neapolitan Novels—into a dedicated programme.
We organize private full day boat excursions around Ischia, as well as boat trips to Capri and other destinations such as Procida, Positano and Amalfi. You can see the island’s coastline just as it appears on screen, from the most authentic and privileged point of view: the sea.
Private Transfers to and from Naples
To make your journey even smoother, we also arrange private transfers from Naples to Ischia, combining car and boat services. This is a comfortable, time-saving solution that allows you to arrive on the island in style, ready to start your Ferrante-inspired adventure.
Create Your Own My Brilliant Friend Tour
Drop us a line to create your personal Elena Ferrante–inspired tour of Ischia. Together we can design a bespoke itinerary that follows the steps of Lila and Lenu, combining filming locations, hidden coves, coastal villages and unforgettable views over the Gulf of Naples.