Procida Italy: An Island Guide for Day Trippers or Slow Travelers
If you're looking for a charming and picturesque Italian island to slow travel, Procida Italy in Campania is an island with few tourists, which is every reason to go now.
This small Italian isle with bright-colored houses the shade of gumdrops and bustling marinas that dot the pebble-strewn coastline is a magical site to see.
With a population of only 10,500 people, it’s also one of Italy’s most enchanting small towns, yet still manages to escape the mass tourism of Capri and the nearby Amalfi Coast.
But that may change soon, ever since the small fishing island surprised most everyone to claim the title of Italian Capital of Culture in 2022. And you know what that means — Procida Italy is officially on the tourism radar.
If you’re planning a trip to Italy this year and need a heavy dose of authentic culture and food, this Campania gem is a great addition to your Italian bucket list.
Whether you visit Procida on a day trip from Naples or stay longer for a more authentic slow travel experience, Procida has something for everyone.
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Where is Procida Italy?
If you’re having a hard time picturing where this pretty island may be off the coast of Napoli, it’s understandable. Its facade may look enchanting like Positano and the cliffside Amalfi Coast towns, but you don’t have to travel down the Sorrentine peninsula to find it.
Instead, the island of Procida lies west of the city of Naples in the in the Gulf of Naples. It is part of the Campania archipelago near the larger island of Ischia.
Getting from Naples to Procida Island
Whether you’re traveling from Naples to Procida via Ischia, or Procida to Naples via Capri, the island is just a 45-minute ferry ride to and from the Naples port of Molo Beverello.
Buses run regularly to Molo Beverallo from the Naples Airport and around the city. The ferry to Ischia from the Port of Naples makes a stop on Procida Island.
Depending on which ferry company you choose, the one-way fare on the ferry could be anywhere from 18 euros per person to 38 euros per person.
You can easily buy the tickets in person once you get to the port, but to check the times for the ferries and book online you can use the Direct Ferries website.
You can even try ordering your tickets in Italian. Use Duolingo to create flashcards so you’ll be ready with some basic Italian phrases to get you by on your trip!
Procida for Day Trippers or Slow travelers
Procida for Day Trippers From Naples
If you’re looking for the perfect day trip from Naples, Procida may be it! You might be tempted to visit Capri instead, but there’s far more to see and do in Capri than a day trip will allow.
Procida is a small island, so you can easily walk from one port to the other in about 15 minutes. Between that and the stunning views of the sea and Procida itself, there's every reason to walk as you explore this unique and colorful landscape.
It's easy to see most of the island in a few hours — whether you have a cruise stop in Naples or are visiting the island independently — so you won’t feel bad leaving at the end of the day when the ferry pulls out.
However, you'll want to budget your time to allow for a long lunch and an afternoon stroll, you'll still leave plenty of room in your schedule to enjoy yourself.
Procida for Slow Travelers
On the other hand, Procida also makes an ideal 2 or 3 day destination to slow travel. Why slow travel an island this size? For several reasons:
Procida may be small but it’s close to Ischia, which gives you even more options to see what life is like on a southern Italian island. You can linger longer and enjoy the journey.
Slow travel means not worrying over ferry times or even keeping a schedule. In Procida, you have time to soak up the real local feel without the pressure of seeing any major tourist sites — there are none!
This usually isn’t possible on the mainland where we feel compelled to see a certain museum or attraction just because it’s there.
Smaller destinations like Procida Island are actually perfect for slow traveling and good practice for learning the basic tenets of traveling slow: staying longer, connecting with the local people and place, and getting to the heart of the life on a small island in Italy.
Frankly, Procida is like the Amalfi Coast was 50 years ago or longer — like Positano or Amalfi but without the crowds — and with more authentic charm.
And sometimes, it’s just nice to spend an entire day doing nothing but strolling the marina, and ducking inside for a cold one and bite to eat now and then.
La dolce far niente — this is what slow traveling Italy is really all about.
Breakfast at Hotel La Corricella, Procida Italy
Procida Hotels
They say the best laid plans often go awry, and sometimes in the best way!
Many travelers fall in love with Procida on their day trip, and if you’re one of them, may we suggest a few of our favorite places to stay? You might want to book one ahead of your “day trip” just in case!
Procida Hotels
The simple but stylish Hotel La Corricella has one of the best views on the island overlooking Marina La Corricella. They offer breakfast and dinner to tempt to never stray too far, not that one could.
One of the most charming places to stay is one of the island’s best boutique hotels, the Hotel La Casa sul Mare. It’s popular and books up quickly so plan on booking in advance if you think. you’d like to stay there.
If you wish to stay right at Marina La Corricella, San Michele has lovely rooms with a cozy local feel. Located in an old watchtower, the stylish Albergo La Vigna is surrounded by vineyards, and boasts a sublime pool and spa.
Both Hotel Albergo La Vigna and San Michele Hotel also get glowing reviews.
B&Bs In Procida
If you do can manage to resist temptation and stay just one day in Procida, Sonnino B&B is a good choice. This charmer is located on a black sand beach close to Pozzo Vecchio and was featured in the film Il Postino.
Top Things to Do in Procida Italy
Stroll the Marina di Corricella
From Belvedere Piazza dei Martiri you can walk down the sloped street that passes the yellow cathedral into the Marina di Corricella, one of the most vibrantly colorful marinas in Italy you'll ever see.
Wander through the tiny alleyways and streets, and take in all of the bright pinks, oranges, blues, and greens of the buildings. It’s a photographer’s dream!
There are tons of restaurants, cafes, pizzerias, and gelato shops to enjoy in the Marina di Corricella, all of which have beautiful waterfront views.
However, the restaurants and cafes on this side of the island are markedly more expensive than the ones at Marina Grande (the port where you were dropped off).
So if you're looking for a good deal, bring some snacks to hold you over and wait to eat until you've walked back to the other side of the island.
Terre Murata
The highest point on the island of Procida is the island’s oldest settlement, Terra Murata, Procida’s best known historic site.
Formerly a monastery, a fortress, and even at one time a prison, most visitors find their way up the steep hill for the picturesque postcard views of the island.
Marina Grande
While it's not quite as Instagram-friendly than the Marina di Corricella on the opposite side of the island, Marina Grande is still quite colorful and definitely worth a stroll around.
This part of Procida island definitely has a more local feel.
There's a lot more activity and you can see a bit more of what authentic life is like living on Procida — not always on island time, and can even feel a bit hectic during the day as locals rush around on their daily routine.
More like Naples than the island setting. If you're looking for a budget-friendly meal, you'll want to eat in Marina Grande.
Remember that you're in Italy, so you can't just decide to eat lunch or dinner whenever you're hungry. You need to eat during the hours that those restaurants or cafes are open.
Most restaurants in Italy serve lunch from around 12:30 till 2:30, then close until dinner. You don't want to be left starving while wandering around Procida, so plan accordingly!
One of the least expensive options with great reviews is Bar Capaccio, where you can sit outside in the shade and enjoy eating near the sea without the exorbitant prices.
Order a round of homemade limoncello and toast your good fortune at being on this beautiful island.
Visit Procida’s Famous Film Locations
There's nothing better than watching a cinematic movie set in Italy to inspire you to visit Italy or start planning your trip well before you take flight!
And you may be surprised to find that while Procida was not be on everyone’s radar yet, it’s been a darling film location for years.
The Talented Mr. Ripley was filmed here, and if you’ve seen it, it has likely inspired you to travel to Venice, as it did me! The film stars Gweneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, and Jude Law in a psychological thriller with some of the most gorgeous backdrops of Procida and southern Italy that you can find.
Another famous movie filmed in Procida is Il Postino, a 1994 Italian romance film set in a small island town. The main character, the Cuban poet Pablo Neruda, is a postman who falls in love with a beautiful girl.
It's a touching story, and the Procida scenes are so gorgeous that they have been used in several ads and promos for the island.
In fact, as you walk around Procida, you'll notice a few signs posted in areas where those movies were filmed.
Make sure to take some time to stop and read some of those signs to learn a bit more about Procida and the movies filmed there.
Walk from Marina Grande to Belvedere Piazza dei Martiri
Some of the best, most authentic photo spots in town are spotted just by walking from one side of the island to the other.
Since you are most likely only going to be in Procida for the day, wear sturdy and comfortable shoes and plan to walk so that you don't miss any of the beautiful details of the island.
Visit Vivara Island
If you stay a few days in Procida, head out to Vivara Island, a crescent-shaped island nature reserve and protected oasis nearby.
Vivara has been a protected park since 1974 and a State Nature Reserve since 2002.
Take a taxi and have them drop you off at the bridge that stretches out to the island. Here you can spend the afternoon exploring rare plants, and seeing wild rabbits and various water and migratory birds flying and hopping everywhere.
The island contains important Mycenaean-era archaeological finds and is a haven for anglers and outdoor lovers.
Island Hop to Ischia
Procida isn't the only island in the Gulf of Naples, you can easily take a ferry from Procida to the nearby island, Ischia.
The two islands are only separated by about 7km of sea, so you can enjoy the gorgeous views on one island and then easily hop over to the other.
Depending on the type of traveler you are, you may want to visit Ischia on a separate day, especially if you are visiting during a warmer season. There's a lot of walking involved and visiting both islands in one day might be pretty exhausting.
However, if you're looking to save money, a one-way ticket to Procida, then to Ischia, and then one more to Naples would be cheaper than if you went back and forth from Naples on two separate days.
Beaches in Procida
Procida has some great beaches for relaxing in the sun, but don’t expect soft, white sandy beaches. The sand here tends to be darker, and like many beaches near Naples, on Capri, or along the Sorrentine peninsula and Amalfi Coast, the beaches tend to be rocky and pebbly.
That said, there are a few beaches worth a visit. Here are the best Procida beaches:
Chiaiilella Beach- also known as Ciracciello, but his is a great beach for sunsets and hanging out in beach bars. even in October. Plenty of wonderful restaurants nearby and shuttle bus stops as well.
Ciraccio Beach – This long sandy beach is connected to Chiaiolella but is much quieter. We stayed near here and it’s a lovely spot.
Pozzo Vecchio – A small bay that’s famous because the Il Postino film was shot here.
Chiaia Beach – On the eastern side of the island, this is the nearest beach to Marina Corricella. It’s long, narrow, backed by cliffs, and reached by a steep staircase. It’s best in the morning as it gets shady later on.
Another option if you feel like getting out onto the water is to take a boat trip around the island. You can soak up the sun, take in the views, sip a cold drink and snorkel in the clear waters. This boat tour also includes underwater photos for a really special souvenir of your day.
Top Photo Spots in Procida
You can't visit Procida and not experience the island's great rocky coastlines, bright and colorful buildings, and cliff-hanging viewpoints.
The View over Marina di Corricella
The best and most famous viewpoint on the island is the street which overlooks the incredibly vibrant Marina di Corricella.
It's a bit of a steep walk up to the viewpoint but it's short and definitely worth the effort.
You'll have gorgeous views along the way as well, so you'll find yourself stopping and taking pictures even before you get to the main viewpoint!
Belvedere Piazza dei Martiri
Another great viewpoint is the Belvedere Piazza dei Martiri, which may look familiar if you've seen The Talented Mr. Ripley.
This area not only has a viewing area where you can look down onto the Marina di Corricella, but it also has a beautiful bright yellow cathedral.
The Santuario Santa Maria di delle Grazie Incoronata is like the crown jewel of Procida and can be seen from all of the viewpoints on this side of the island.
Casale Vascello
Casale Vascello is the colorful courtyard of brightly colored houses near Terra Murata. These houses are still inhabited but are an important part of the history of Procida since they are some of the first houses built outside the protective walls of Terra Murata.
They're a bit tucked away, so make sure you mark the location on Google Maps so you can find them easily while visiting Procida.
is Procida Worth a Visit?
Yes, Procida is definitely worth visiting if you love the sea and the Italian architecture. This island is one of the best places in southern Italy to enjoy a relaxing and romantic day out at sea.
Procida has plenty of charming little cafes and restaurants as well as beautiful views, so if you've had enough of Naples city life, this is the perfect place to visit for a few hours or even an overnight stay.
Have you had the chance to visit Procida? If not, you should definitely consider adding it to your list of destinations.
This stunning island is teeming with history and culture, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable experience.
From the charming ports and awe-inspiring views to the delicious food and hospitable locals, there’s something for everyone on Procida. Make sure to add this beautiful corner of Italy to your bucket list!
About the Author
Dayna Brockbank is a budget-crazy travel blogger at Happily Ever Travels. She’s lived in 8 countries, has gotten lost in every single one, and somehow still miraculously never broke a bone even scootering around Southeast Asia for 2 years. She speaks 3 languages and is a bit obsessed with Duolingo.