Procida and Ischia are the jewels of the Tyrrhenian Sea. They are part of the Phlegrean Islands archipelago, and together with Vivara and Nisida, they are located at the entrance of the Gulf of Naples. Procida is an island of volcanic origin, with an irregular shape and coastline, totaling 4 kilometers in area.
Procida is an island of fishermen and still preserves the practices of marine life and represents a place full of charm, traditional, and great beauty that make it special; very different from Capri and even from the neighboring and cheerful island of Ischia.
The color of the town is striking, but the most impressive thing about Procida are its red houses. During the summer months, the island is very crowded, so booking hotels well in advance is recommended.
Procida became known internationally thanks to the film ‘El Cartero de Neruda’, ‘Il Postino’ in Italian, directed by Massimo Troisi.
It is usually less visited than Capri or the Amalfi Coast, but it is worth visiting Procida and escaping the more touristy areas of Naples. To explore it, it is common to visit it from Naples or Sorrento and you can dedicate a day or a few hours to it and visit it together with Ischia on scheduled excursions.
Marina Grande is the main port area of Procida: ferries and hydrofoils dock here from the mainland and from Ischia.
Procida is a small island, easy to walk or get around thanks to public transport or rental bikes. It is easy to reach the main attractions on foot from the port of arrival, following a simple path or signs, such as Terra Murata or Corricella. The furthest away area is Chiaiolella.
WHAT TO SEE ON THE ISLAND OF PROCIDA
Terra Murata
Terra Murata is the historic center of Procida and is located in the center of the island at about 100 meters above sea level. With its majestic Palazzo D’Avalos, it undoubtedly represents the most visited point in Procida.
The labyrinthine passages of alleys and houses that lean on each other, with very few openings to the outside and an unforgettable view over the sea that surrounds the Gulf of Naples and its islands, is the image that you will stay with after visiting Procida.
Also a mandatory visit is the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, dedicated to the patron saint of the island.
The fortified village of Terra Murata, built to protect the island of Procida from the Saracens, is the historic center of Procida and is located in the center of the island at about 100 meters above sea level. The majestic Palazzo D’Avalos is undoubtedly the most visited monument in Procida.
Terra Murata’s dominant building is the Palazzo d’Avalos, which was built in the 1500s. It later became a Bourbon residence, Palazzo Reale dei Borboni, which, in the year 1815, was transformed into a military school, and in 1830 It was turned into a prison. It finally closed in 1988.
Chiaiolella
Marina Chiaiolella is located at the westernmost and furthest point of the island. A small port connects to the gray volcanic sand beach ‘Lido di Procida’. From Chiaiolella you get a beautiful panoramic view of the cliffs on the south side of the island. The best way to get there is by public transport, motorbike or taxi.
CorricellA
Marina Corricella, a small fishing village built on the terraces of houses painted in bright colours, make it the most beautiful village on the island.
Corricella is the oldest town in Procida. It can be reached on foot, going down a steep and pleasant staircase. This small pedestrian village represents the ancient soul of Procida.
Corricella is known to those who remember the film “Il Postino” (1995), a film shot by the famous Italian actor Massimo Troisi, in Corricella, before his untimely death.
Many private excursions leave from here to enjoy the coast.
BEACHES OF THE ISLAND OF PROCIDA
Procida is an island full of beaches and most of them can be reached on foot or by bus. Due to their rugged coastline, some are discovered by sea. As it is an island, it is of volcanic origin, most of the beaches are of dark sand or stone.
To the west of the island, a long stretch of sand includes the beaches of Ciraccio and Chiaiolella, sheltered bays with crystalline waters. Also worth a visit is Chiaia beach, off the coast of Ischia.
Chiaia beach is one of the best located beaches on the island, in the central area of Corricella.
The Faraglioni of Procida, created as a result of the collapse of the rocky ridge, separate the Ciraccio beach from that of Ciracciello. This is the longest beach on the entire island and therefore very popular, especially in summer. Ciraccio beach is more isolated than Chiaiolellla and therefore quieter and more solitary.
The Postino or Pozzo Vecchio beach, where the scenes of ‘Il Postino’ were filmed, is a beautiful moon-shaped beach with lots of vegetation surrounding it.
La Lingua beach, next to Marina Grande, is a perfect pebble beach if you don’t want to leave the area.