All About Procida
Procida is the smallest island in the 15km wide Gulf of Naples and lies between Mainland Italy and Ischia. The crater of an extinct volcano, the island measure 3.75 km square and has a population of just over 10,000.
The history of Procida as a settlement dates back to the 8th century BCE when the Greeks ruled the region. Following this, the Romans used the island as a resort for several decades. The Middle Ages were rowdier as the island changed hands repeatedly and was more or less under attack regularly.
Procida gained massive popularity as a holiday destination in the modern world after director Massimo Troisi chose it as a location for his Oscar-nominated film Il Postino. Since then, the island has been the backdrop of several movies, including the Hollywood blockbuster, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Awarded the prestigious Capital of Culture status for 2022, Procida continues to welcome tourists while holding tight to its traditional values and fishing legacy.
Routes and Ferries to Procida
To reach Procida, tourists only have one option, the ferry. Consequently, the island has excellent year-round and seasonal ferry connections with the mainland and neighboring islands. Travelers can purchase ferry tickets to Procida from Naples and Pozzuoli throughout the year, while the boats to and from Sorrento only sail during the summer.
One of the more popular routes is between Ischia and Procida. On average, the 20-odd minute journey between the two islands costs €7.50 per adult. Whether for a day trip or a more extended stay, you can buy ferry tickets to Procida online using Ferryscanner.
International tourists arriving by plane will find Naples Airport to have the nearest landing strip. You can then take a taxi or bus to Naples’ seaport, followed by a ferry to the island. From the ferry terminal in Procida, a bus trip to any part of the island usually costs €2. At the same time, a taxi ride will come at around €15.
Port of Procida
While there are a few small harbors around the coastline, Marina Grande is the island’s main port. Famous for its multi-colored fishermen’s residences, the port welcomes almost all the tourists arriving with ferry tickets to Procida in hand.
Consisting of a ferry terminal and marina, the harbor is one of the liveliest places on the island. You’ll have access to public transport, taxis, and scooter rentals upon disembarking. Moreover, plentiful hotels, restaurants, and shops are a short walk from the port. The economic and commercial center of Procida, the port is also from where most boats depart for half and full-day sightseeing tours.
Capital & Villages of Procida
Besides Marina Grande, which acts as the main port and unofficial capital of the island, there are a few more villages that help keep the traditionality and unmatched charm of Procida alive.
Marina Corricella
The oldest village of Procida, and its port, rest in a quiet part of the island, alluring visitors with its pastel-colored houses and rustic ambiance. Vehicle-free Corricella makes for a relaxed day out full of good food and leisurely walks past beautiful vintage architecture. The marina here is mainly for private yachts and fishing boats. You can nevertheless take boat tours to nearby coastal sites from the 17th-century harbor. Located in an arch-shaped cove, Corricella port is reachable by sea or by descending one of four stairways.
Marina Chiaiolella
Chiaiolella is among the most preferred places to stay in Procida. The village has several hotels and eateries catering specifically to tourists. For sightseeing, there’s the 19th-century Church of Saint Joseph with its bell tower and beautiful paintings. Also, don’t miss out on visiting the 16th-century Monastery Santa Margherita Nuova, located on a high vantage point, granting spectacular panoramic views of the region. Chiaiolella also has a small harbor with a popular beach next to it. The marina mostly sees yacht traffic during the summer. However, there are plenty of commercial establishments nearby to serve seafaring tourists.
Central Region
The island’s central region comprises Piazzo Olmo, a quaint square that injects life into the island’s tourist activity. You’ll also find several accommodations and restaurants here, as well as the St. Antonio Church.
Terra Murata
The ancient village of Terra Murata is an unmissable highlight of Procida. Located high up on a promontory, one must endure a short yet steep climb to reach the top. Once at the peak, you’ll come across Palazzo d’Avalos, a fortress built in 1563 by Innico D’Avalos. The island’s highest point, the fort was later the Royal Palace of the Bourbons and then a prison from 1863 until 1988. Furthermore, when in Terra Murata, you should visit the Abbey of San Michele, built in the 11th century by the Benedictines.
Best Beaches of Procida
This Italian island promises some seriously remarkable sunbathing venues along with its cultural and romantic aura. Spread out in every direction of the coastline, the beaches of Procida are dreamy, to say the least, and still under the radar of most international tourists.
Spiaggia Chiaia
Chiaia Beach is the ideal black sandy strip for travelers who prefer a morning swim. Located on the island’s eastern coast, it receives direct sunlight early in the day while providing a shaded escape post-noon. Visited primarily by locals, the beach leads into calm, clean, and shallow waters, perfect for a family day out. However, to reach this hidden gem, you do have to climb down 186 steps from Piazza Olmo. But once on the shore, there’s plenty of free space to lounge. The beach also has a bar that serves refreshments and rents sunbeds and parasols for €20. If you only want to use the WC and shower, it costs €1.
Spiaggia Lingua
When arriving on the island with ferry tickets to Procida, Lingua is the first beach you’ll come across. Situated next to the port, this black gravel strand is popular with tourists due to its convenient location. Moreover, most visitors love seeing boats in the distance as they sail across the Procida canal, separating the island from the mainland. Lingua Beach offers all basic facilities like showers, changing rooms, and WC. Although a free beach, you can still rent deck chairs (€7 each) and umbrellas (€5 each) here. Interestingly, the café staff only delivers the equipment, which you have to install yourself. Bring water shoes if you plan to walk around and your snorkel gear, as the water gets deep fairly quickly.
Spiaggia di Ciraccio
The free beach of Ciraccio lies in the southwest of the island. It’s one of the best spots in Procida to watch the sunset. Additionally, one gets to admire phenomenal views of Ischia while lounging on the dark sand that forms the elemental composition of the beach. As a secluded, long, and thin strand, Ciraccio is the longest sandy beach in Procida. It further stands out for its dramatic cliffy background and large stone stacks on the stand. The beach stays relatively crowd-free, even during the tourist season. This is partly due to its location but also because it gets windy in the afternoon, and there are no bars here.
Spiaggia della Chiaiolella
Even though Chiaiolella Beach is windy during the daytime and consists of mainly tiny pebbles mixed with sand, it remains one of the most popular beaches of Procida. The reasons for its fame are many, from its length and kid-friendly shallow waters to the lush green hilly backdrop and the fact that the strip receives sun all day long. Offering stunning views of Vivara, the beach has both free and paid sections. The paid area is where you’ll find showers and toilets. Furthermore, there is plenty of commercial activity in the form of bars and restaurants nearby.
Spiaggia del Pozzo Vecchio
The most famous beach of Procida is called Pozzo Vecchio, which is well-known as Il Postino Beach. Having dark sand and pebbles, it lies on the western seafront of the island and is mostly free. Accessible by foot after using public transport from the center or coming by boat, the beach lies in a quiet cove just below the island’s main cemetery. A snack bar on-site is responsible for refreshments and renting sunbeds. Keep in mind that this beach typically closes by 18:00.
Things To Do Around Procida
Admittedly, many Italian tourists visit Procida for its laid-back vibe and beautiful beaches. Still, the island presents a wide range of exploration options and activities to keep you occupied.
Take a Boat Trip
The fun part about a holiday in Procida is that you can take practically every type of boat excursion on the island. There are organized fishing trips, or if you prefer to go offbeat, rent a kayak and head out on your own. However, the most popular and economical boat trips are shared boats. These start at around €25 per person and go up depending on the duration. The boat trips include sailing around the coast and stopping at different locales for a snorkel or swim.
Walk Around the Island
Romantic, charming, authentic, and packed with character, to discover the real Procida, all you have to do is meander around its narrow streets. With colorful houses, beautiful architecture, nooks offering scenic panoramas, and a hard-to-find lighthouse, there’s much to admire here. So, step outside the tourist-centric sights and squares, and you’ll quickly immerse yourself waste-high in the local culture.
Visit Vivara Island
Quite honestly, visiting the 0.38 Km square island of Vivara is a hit or a miss. The rustic, uninhabited crescent-shaped islet south of Procida is a protected nature reserve. It’s accessible via a footbridge but is also close enough to reach by swimming from Chiaiolella. Vivara is home to rabbits, countless species of birds and plants, and the remains of a 1681 hunting lodge. Sadly, it’s infrequently open to visitors, with tours only on specific days and at limited times. So, if you find any ongoing trips to the islet, do not miss out on the opportunity.
Stop By Piazza dei Martiri
Piazza dei Martiri is a lively square with a somber past. Martyr’s Square commemorates the 16 locals hanged here for joining the Neapolitan Republic. Today, the square is a lovely viewing point and houses many restaurants. While roaming around the piazza, you can also visit the yellow-colored baroque building of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria.
Try the Local Culinary Specialties
A journey around various regions and islands of Italy is a culinary dream come true for many. Each part of the country boasts unique preparations and delectable flavors. Procida is no different, with its specialty dishes that give you a taste of the local gastronomic heritage and produce. So, among the must-tries in Procida tavernas are spaghetti with sea urchin and rabbit cooked with cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and white wine. Then there’s stuffed squid, Luveri al Sale – pagello fish with a salt crust and herbs, and Tortano Con i Carciofi – bread with artichokes and sausages. For dessert, go with Lingue di Procida (Tongue of Procida). This cream pastry highlights local lemons that are sweet and zesty. And to drink, try Foglioli, a regional aromatic and slightly bitter liquor made with local lemon leaves.
Transportation Around Procida
Taking into account Procida’s small size and uneven topography, it’s somewhat fitting to explore it on foot. Although you certainly do have other options. The local bus service is inexpensive and runs pretty well. You can also rent a bicycle or scooter to navigate the narrow streets.
Additionally, taxis aren’t all that expensive in Procida. And for some local cultural immersion, you can even hire the three-wheeled Ape for a day trip. As for appreciating the coastline, boat tours around the island include snorkeling and visits to various beaches.
Procida is taking several progressive steps to be environmentally friendly. They now have small electric sharable cars you can book via a mobile application. More importantly, the island does not allow outside vehicles from March to December. So, if arriving with ferry tickets to Procida during this time, you’ll have to leave your car or scooter in the parking area at the port of departure.
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