Procida is the island in the gulf that instantly makes us feel on holiday: pastel-coloured houses, boats pulled up on shore, a slow pace of life. It is small and easy to explore on foot and by bus, yet it offers some of the most photographed views in Campania. Here we tell you what to see and how to plan a day, or better still a weekend, on the island.
A small island, a great history
Procida measures just 3.7 square kilometres, with a very jagged coastline of about 16 kilometres. It is less famous than Capri and Ischia, but in 2022 it was the Italian Capital of Culture, and since then it has become increasingly well known.
The island is also linked to literature and cinema: it is the setting of the novel L'isola di Arturo (Arturo's Island) by Elsa Morante, and scenes from films such as Il Postino and The Talented Mr. Ripley were shot here. As you stroll around, it is easy to recognise corners that seem to come straight out of a film.
Marina Grande and the centre
You disembark at Marina Grande, also called Sancio Cattolico, the main port. The colourful façades overlooking the boats are your first taste of the island. From here the streets climb towards the centre, among houses with external staircases and arches, the typical Procida architecture.
We recommend getting around on foot and without hurrying: it is the best way to discover courtyards, little churches and sudden views of the sea.
Terra Murata and Palazzo d'Avalos
The historic heart of the island is Terra Murata, the fortified medieval village standing on the highest point, just 91 metres above the sea. You reach it via a steep climb, but the view over the gulf repays every step. The village was fortified to defend it from pirate raids, and the walls and watchtowers still tell of that period.
Here stands the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, with origins in the 11th century, which holds works of art and an ancient library. Next to it towers Palazzo d'Avalos, built around 1560-70 by Cardinal Innico d'Avalos and turned into a prison from 1830 to 1988. Today the former penitentiary can be visited on guided tours: walking among the cells and courtyards left a strong impression on us.
La Corricella
From the Terra Murata viewpoint you look down on the Marina di Corricella, the island's most famous fishing village, with colourful houses crowded against one another right down to the water. Go down to the little harbour: among nets, boats and cats dozing in the sun, time seems to stand still. It is the iconic view of Procida and, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful in the gulf.
Beaches and nature: Chiaiolella and Vivara
In the south of the island lies la Chiaiolella, with its marina and a long sandy beach, the busiest one. More secluded is the Chiaia beach, below the centre, reached by a long flight of steps.
From Chiaiolella a footbridge leads to Vivara, an uninhabited islet that has been a State Nature Reserve since 2002. Here archaeologists have found traces of a Bronze Age settlement, with pottery that came from the Aegean. It can only be visited with the reserve's accredited guides and by booking: it is truly worth it, for the unspoilt nature and the view of Ischia.
Traditions and flavours
If you happen to be in Procida during Holy Week, watch the Procession of the Mysteries on Good Friday, with allegorical floats built every year by the islanders. At the table, look for fish dishes and the island's large lemons, sweet and fragrant, also used in a typical salad.
How to get there and when to go
Procida can be reached by ferry or hydrofoil from Napoli and Pozzuoli, and it is also connected to Ischia. On the island you get around on foot, by bus or by local taxi. For Palazzo d'Avalos and Vivara, check opening hours and tickets on the official website before you set off.
May, June and September are the ideal months; in winter the island is very quiet and truly authentic.
Nearby
We have devoted Procida's Corricella to the most photographed village on the island. From Procida you can continue to the island of Ischia: what to do and what to see or return to the mainland for an excursion to the Campi Flegrei, starting from the port of Pozzuoli. For a comparison with the most famous island in the gulf, read the island of Capri: what to see and what to do. To plan the rest of your trip, start from our guide Naples and its surroundings.
