Bagnitielli Beach

Where it is

Bagnitielli Beach (Spiaggia dei Bagnitielli) occupies a small cove west of the Castiglione headland, on the eastern coastal strip of Casamicciola Terme, between the town centre and the boundary with Ischia. From the shore the view opens onto the open sea, towards the Aragonese Castle and the island of Procida. The name, a dialect diminutive of “bagno” (bath), recalls the small natural “baths” that the thermal water forms among the rocks.

A beach where the sea is thermal

Here the Bagnitiello spring, part of the Castiglione hydrothermal basin, reaches the shore and mingles with the seawater, creating small, warm natural pools among the rocks. The tradition of bathing here is an old one: the physician Giulio Iasolino documented it as early as the 16th century. The spring is also linked to the legend of the young Acmenus, told in 1726 by the Jesuit Camillo Eucherio Quinzi in his poem Inarime: turned into a spring by Jupiter, he is said to have given its waters the power to bring relief, particularly to those suffering from earache.

What the beach is like

Don't expect a long stretch of sand: the cove is mostly rocks and pebbles, with small sandy patches. The water is clear and soon becomes deep, excellent for swimming and snorkelling; water shoes are recommended, and it is less suitable for small children. The cove faces north-north-west and stays in the sun for much of the day. Part of the coast is private and part is free; the 'O Vagnitiello Thermal Park, with thermal pools, a bar and showers, overlooks the cove.

How to get there

EAV buses on the CS and CD routes stop along the main road in the Castiglione area, from where you walk down to the sea. Free access is along a steep, narrow path, while the 'O Vagnitiello park has a purpose-built descent through terraces and rocks reserved for its guests.

When to go

The bathing season runs from May to October. June and September are the quietest months; in spring and autumn, bathing in the warm pools is especially enjoyable.

What to see nearby

• The 'O Vagnitiello Thermal Park, overlooking the cove.
• The Castiglione Thermal Park, on the nearby headland.
• The Castiglione hydrothermal basin and its coastal springs.