10 Things to Do and See in Procida

From afar, as the Marina Grande port comes into view, the first thing you discover about Procida is the colorful array of houses.

Yellow, blue, red, orange, white: a rainbow that welcomes the traveler and greets them on this small island, not very touristy and so extraordinarily authentic. The beauty of Procida lies here: fishermen, blue seas, and boats, lemons, hills, small villages frozen in time.

Except for July and August, when it is overwhelmed mainly by commuting Neapolitans, Procida slumbers for the rest of the year, guarding its identity, so far from the more touristy Ischia and Capri. Time seems to have stopped at Terra Murata, the village where the Procidans sought refuge during pirate raids.

Also at Corricella, a small cluster of colorful fishermen's houses, chosen by Massimo Troisi for some scenes in Il Postino. Then there are the beaches, almost all accessible, with fine sand or hot coarse volcanic sand, but always lapped by crystal-clear seas. But these are just some of the 10 things to see in Procida that we recount on this page.

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1

Sent 'Co (Sancio Cattolico) as the Procidans call it, is the main harbor area of Procida, Marina Grande: here ferries and hydrofoils dock from the mainland and Ischia, and from here you can reach all other parts of the island.

Marina Grande is Procida's calling card and presents itself to tourists with a cluster of multicolored houses facing the sidewalk, dominated by the battlemented frame of Palazzo Montefusco, built in the 12th century.

On the waterfront square, you will find the bus stop, taxi and micro-taxi stands, bars, shops, and restaurants, while on the left opens Via Roma, the commercial and tourist heart of Procida.

Along Via Roma, there are shops, boutiques, and artisan workshops perfect for shopping, but also historical testimonies and religious buildings of the island. Not to be missed is the Church of Pietà, with its distinctive Baroque bell tower, and the wooden crucifix from 1845 in Piazza Sancio Cattolico.

2

Terra Murata, with the majestic Palazzo D'Avalos, is the historical core of Procida and is located at the center of the island, nearly 90 meters above sea level. This village frozen in time takes its name from the walls that surround it, erected in the 16th century, and was built in the Middle Ages to protect the population from sea attacks.

Even today, access is through the original gateways and it is a labyrinth of narrow streets and houses pressed closely together, with very few openings to the outside and an unforgettable panoramic view overlooking the sea that embraces the entire Gulf of Naples with its islands. Terra Murata can be reached on foot or by bus and is worth a visit for the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, dedicated to the island's patron saint, and for Palazzo D'Avalos, which is also visible from the mainland and is famous for housing a prison until 1988.

3

Casale Vascello in Procida is the best-preserved example of casali, a collection of dwellings enclosed in an inner courtyard created in Procida starting from the 16th century outside the historic core, to protect against Saracen incursions.

A walk inside Casale Vascello is a dive into the past: the houses are still inhabited and you can admire medieval defensive architecture, noting that the houses open inward with balconies and overhanging loggias, all overlooking a shared courtyard, but with few openings to the outside.

Casale Vascello can only be reached on foot through two very narrow passages, which could be closed in case of attacks.

The casale can be accessed on foot through two entrances: one on Via Principessa Margherita and the other on Via Salita Castello.

4

Overlooking the sea like a small jewel, Marina Corricella is the oldest fishing village in Procida and is famous for having hosted the film set of "Il Postino" with Massimo Troisi and Maria Grazia Cucinotta.

Today it is a pedestrian village and represents the ancient soul of Procida: strolling along its streets allows you to admire colorful fishermen's houses with the typical "Vefi", balconies covered by arches of Arab origin, and to savor some tranquility away from the chaos, perhaps stopping for a dinner of freshly caught fish in one of the few small restaurants.

Of course, it is also a crowded place, especially in high season (July and August), where the quality of some restaurants suffers and finding a spot is not easy.

On foot from Via Roma, by bus via the C2 line from the port, stop San Rocco, or by taxi and micro-taxi.

5

Procida is an island rich in small beaches, bays, and inlets: most are accessible on foot or by bus while some are discovered by sea.

On the side of the island where ferries and hydrofoils dock, the sun sets earlier but there are beaches that can be reached on foot and are sandy, equipped with umbrellas, sunbeds, bars, and restaurants. Among these are Lingua beach and Silurenza beach, located just to the right of the port.

To the west of Procida lies a long stretch of dark sand that includes Ciraccio and Chiaiolella beaches: these are sheltered bays with crystal-clear waters, offering sun until late and free zones as well as private beach clubs.

In this area, you will also find the famous Pozzo Vecchio beach, where some scenes from the film "Il Postino" were filmed. The beaches on this side of Procida can be reached by bus from the port or by taxi and micro-taxi.

Also worth a visit is Chiaia beach, located to the east, right in front of Ischia, and reachable on foot via 182 steps: the waters are shallow, making it ideal for families and children. You will also find bars and restaurants serving fresh fish specialties.

6

A tour of the island of Procida by boat is the best way to admire its hidden face and to discover caves, coves, and nooks only visible from the sea. Many navigation companies offer a tour of the island of Procida, some also by sailing boat or flat-bottom boat, and they organize underwater visits and fishing outings. All excursions depart from the main port, where you will also find the information offices of the various companies.

Besides the guide that narrates the history and traditions of the island, the island tour usually includes various stops for swimming in the most beautiful spots along Procida's coast, so swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen are recommended.

The boat tour of Procida will allow you to admire from a unique perspective places like the medieval center of Terra Murata, the fishing village of Marina Corricella, the bay of Chiaiolella, and the Lighthouse.

7

The "Kingdom of Neptune", the Marine Protected Area surrounding Ischia, Procida, and Vivara, was established in 2007 to protect the landscape and marine environment of these magnificent places.

In addition to protection, the Consortium of the Kingdom of Neptune organizes a series of activities that allow you to get closely acquainted with Procida's unique marine landscape and all its inhabitants.

Whale Watching, guided boat tours, diving, and excursions will guide you to discover unique beauties, such as the largest dolphin colony in the Mediterranean and archaeological remains scattered on the seabed off Procida.

8

Graziella's house is a house-museum inspired by Alphonse De Lamartine's novel "Graziella," set right here in Procida in the 1800s. The novel tells the love story between the writer and a young woman from Procida, inspired by a real character.

This small museum draws from the French writer's love for Procida to recreate the typical interiors of a Procidian house from the 1800s. Everything has been carefully reconstructed: from the kitchen, the most important room in the house with a wood-burning stove, to the accessories of the parlor reserved for guests.

A visit to this small museum is the perfect opportunity to learn about the recent face of Procida and discover how life was lived not long ago on an island that only a few years ago became a tourist destination.

Opening hours: Every day except Sunday and Monday afternoons, in summer every day from 10 AM to 1 PM and from 3 PM to 5 PM, in winter from 10 AM to 1 PM.

Ticket price: $5 with a guided tour.

How to get there: Palazzo della Cultura, Second Floor, Terra Murata, a short distance from the Abbey of San Michele.

9

The dishes of Procida are a delicious harmony of sea and land. The sea between Procida and Ischia offers anchovies, sea bass, gilthead bream, mackerel, and seafood. The volcanic territory inland is a treasure trove of vegetables, seasonal produce, and citrus fruits.

Among these are artichokes and eggplants, tomatoes and peppers and especially the Procida lemons, whose white part is eaten in salads and which give rise to a fragrant Limoncello.

Among the pasta dishes, all seafood-based dishes should be tried, such as lobster linguine and fisherman's pasta, with fresh anchovies and fried green chili peppers. Among the land dishes, there's tortano with artichokes, where Procida's artichokes are enclosed with provola cheese and sausage in a delicious bread dough wrapper, and Procida-style rabbit, seasoned with tomatoes and herbs and slow-cooked in terracotta pots.

Desserts conclude the meal in Procida: Lemon Delight and above all Mother-in-Law's Tongues, delicious layers of puff pastry filled with Procida lemon cream.

10Few places to sleep, no large hotels, and accommodations in apartments and bed & breakfasts, are the beauty and the limit of Procida. This means that there is almost never a crowd on the island but also that you need to book in advance, especially in July and August and during spring breaks.

Prices during these times are generally high, although the local hospitality is of good quality and makes you forget a few extra euros per night.