The colourful fishing villages are surprisingly still under the radar of international holidaymakers
Situated just 35 minutes from mainland Italy, Procida boasts pristine volcanic beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, as well as secluded coves and breathtaking coastlines. Despite this, the tiny fishing island is surprisingly still under the radar of international holidaymakers.
Oft overshadowed by chic neighbour Capri, Procida is a gem of the Mediterranean that offers a much slower pace of living. Car numbers are restricted and the majority of visitors are domestic tourists, helping to retain an authentic feel.
Temperatures peak at around 30C in the summer months, and remain relatively mild throughout the year. It’s also a foodie’s paradise, with fresh seafood, regional pasta dishes and specialty pastries accompanied by locally-made limoncello.
What to do on Procida
The first stop on any trip to Procida has to be the Marina di Corricella, whose pastel, mismatched homes are one of the most photographed sights on the island. Paired with steep steps and cobblestone streets, the area makes for some tough-but-rewarding exploring. A tour operator insisted the rainbow of colours helped fisherman find their way home after a long morning of gruelling work. Local legend? Maybe, but it’s a nice story.
The village above is undeniably the busiest part of the island but for good reason. There are stunning viewpoints and buzzy piazzas galore, as well as unbeatable people watching opportunities down every side alley. Some scenes from 1999 film Talented Mr. Ripley, starring Jude Law, Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow, were also shot here.
Head to Ristorante Pizzeria Fuego to sample dish Coniglio alla Procidana, a fragrant, slowly braised rabbit-based sauce served over fresh pasta. For seafood, walk upwards to La Lampara, where a table overlooking the glistening water below only adds to a note-perfect dinner.
A short walk away sits the Terra Murata, a medieval fortified village serving as a reminder of the region’s history of sea-faring conflicts. Procida was controlled by the d’Avalos family in the 16th century, but subject to pirate raids and threats, leading to the construction of their eponymous palazzo.
From there it became a Royal palace, then a prison that later shut in the 1980s due to the poor standard of living. Visitors can still wander through the historic but semi-crumbling remains, with part of the space now dedicated to art exhibitions.
Another option is to take a boat tour from the main harbour and take in the scale of the island from the cooling waters. Most take around two hours and include snorkelling, underwater photos and a well-informed guide. You’ll then be able to see the working Punta Pioppeto Lighthouse and uninhabited Vivara Island State Nature Reserve, both inaccessible by foot.
Procida’s top beaches
Spiaggia Lingua is a fine pebble beach located near the main port that’s popular with families and tourists alike in the summer months. There’s one lido that rents out sunbeds and offers small meals, but the rest of the beach is free.
Chiaiolella and Ciraccio, made of dark volcanic sand, form the island’s longest stretch of beach. Seperated by rocky sea stacks, the two areas boast extremely shallow waters ideal for a relaxed dip and a number of adjacent bars and restaurants. Additionally, all-day lounge Maresia offers the best view of the sunset, with staff happily handing out several rounds of apéritif snacks between glasses of Aperol spritz.
Pozzo Vecchio is perhaps the best known beach on Procida owing to its appearance in the Oscar-winning film Il Postino. Released in 1994, the comedy-drama follows a shy fisherman’s son who gets a job delivering mail to exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.
How to get there
Procida is very easy to get to despite being an island as it’s only a short ferry ride from Naples. Londoners can fly to the Italian city from around £100 in September from Gatwick, Stansted and Luton.
From there, the airport bus, which costs just €5 per person, takes you directly the ferry port in about 20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can set sail from Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, and Pozzuoli, but these will each take more time.
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