Guide to Procida: beaches, sights and how to move
Procida is the smallest of the islands of the Gulf of Naples: just 4 km2 of area. Yet it takes one afternoon here to understand why, in 2022, it was chosen as the Italian Capital of Culture. Pastel-coloured houses that are mirrored in the water, alleys that taste like lemon, fishermen that go out at dawn and a silence that has become rare. In this guide we have collected everything you need before you leave: what to do, unmissable bays, connections and where to sleep, whether for a day trip or a whole holiday.
Procida to see: the unmissable places of the island
If you're wondering Procidate what to see, you should know that the island is very popular on foot or in e-bike. Here are the fundamental steps to immerse yourself in his truest soul.
The charm of Procida Corricella and Murata Land
The pulsating and scenic heart of the island is divided into two. On one side there is Procida Terra Murata, the fortified village and highest point of the island: to climb up here means to get lost among medieval streets and enjoy a crazy view over the whole gulf. Going down to the sea, instead, you are welcomed by the magic of Procida Corricella, the maritime village par excellence, famous all over the world for its colorful houses stacked on top of each other. A perfect place for a sunset aperitif.
Prison Procida: Palace of Avalos between history and legend
An imposing silhouette that you will notice immediately arriving by ferry: it is the former Procida prison, officially known as the Palace of Avalos. Built in the 16th century as a hunting residence and then transformed into a Bourbon penitentiary, it housed in very harsh conditions until 1988, the year of its closure. Today this monumental structure, which dominates Terra Murata, lives a new phase. It is turning into a cultural hub and some areas are open to the public thanks to extraordinary guided tours managed by the Municipality. If you love history, it's a must stop.
Procida, Elsa Morante and the Island of Arturo
This is not just an island of fishermen, it is also an island of literature. The link between Procida and Elsa Morante It is indissoluble: right here the writer set "The Island of Arturo" (Award Witch 1957). The protagonist grows among these streets, in a microcosm made of sun and sea. Turning around the alleys of the Corricella having read the novel gives the journey a whole new depth.
The beaches of Procida: guide to the most beautiful bays
The beaches of Procida They are not immense, but boast a wild and rare beauty: crystal clear water, dark volcanic sand and a much more relaxed atmosphere than the nearby Ischia or Capri. No endless expanses of sun loungers or chaotic establishments, here you can still find free coves and little crowd.
La Spiaggia del Pozzovecchio (Postino Beach)
Among the most famous and loved coves is certainly the Postman's Beach, whose real name is Pozzovecchio Beach. She entered the collective imagination thanks to the unforgettable film with Massimo Troisi, shot on this dark sand shaped like a horseshoe. Being kissed by the sun from dawn to sunset, it is the ideal place to enjoy the crystal clear sea and island peace.
Unpolluted nature: Procida Vivara
If you look beyond the sea for nature, you have to go to Procida Vivara. It is a small crescent-shaped islet, connected to Procida by a pedestrian bridge. Vivara is a protected, uninhabited and wild state nature reserve: the right place to do light trekking and observe the Mediterranean flora overlooking the sea.
How to get there: Procida, ferries and port
The island can only be reached by sea. The port of Procida (Marina Grande) è il fulcro logistico della vita locale: qui attraccano le navi, partono gli autobus, si noleggiano gli scooter e si anima il mercato del pesce al mattino.
Arrivare a Procida da Napoli è semplice e le opzioni non mancano. I traghetti e gli aliscafi (operati principalmente da Caremar e Medmar) partono tutti i giorni dal Molo Beverello e da Calata Porta di Massa. Esiste anche un’alternativa molto comoda per chi viaggia in auto ed è la partenza da Pozzuoli, perfetta per evitare il traffico cittadino e lasciare la macchina in un parcheggio custodito prima di imbarcarsi.
FAQ: Domande Frequenti
Qual è per Procida e Napoli la distanza esatta? La distanza Napoli Procida è di circa 16 km via mare. In aliscafo dal Molo Beverello di Napoli ci vogliono appena 30 minuti, mentre in traghetto il viaggio dura circa 60 minuti. Partendo da Pozzuoli, la distanza scende a 12 km (circa 35 minuti di navigazione).
Cos’è il porto di Procida e come funziona? Marina Grande è il porto principale, il punto in cui sbarcherai arrivando dalla terraferma. Qui trovi tutto: biglietterie, bar, ristoranti, taxi e noleggi. Da qui, il centro storico è raggiungibile a piedi in pochi minuti. Attenzione a non confonderlo con la Corricella, che è invece il porticciolo dedicato solo ai pescatori e alle barche di piccola taglia.
Procida ha un carcere? Sì. Palazzo d’Avalos è stato uno dei penitenziari più severi del Sud Italia, attivo fino al 1988. Oggi non è più un carcere ma un sito storico visitabile in alcuni periodi dell’anno grazie alle aperture comunali.
