A Guide to Procida, Italy: Marina Corricella & Tours
Gorgeous Procida somehow fell onto my radar last summer, after watching a TikTok (isn’t that how most places are discovered these days?) on someone’s Euro Summer. A quick star was added to my Google Maps and then quickly forgotten about.
Until I planned my most recent trip to the stunning island of Ischia and I zoomed around Google Maps, my eyes fell onto the small island of Procida and I immediately added it to my travel itinerary.
Colourful Procida lies a short distance from Naples, and makes either a wonderful day trip with frequent ferry services to and from the island, or a longer stay. Procida was named the Italian Capital of Culture in 2022, an enormous honour for a tiny island that sparkles amidst its neighbouring competitors.
Procida is small and easily explorable in a single day, either by renting bikes or by foot. You’ll find bike rentals at the small port that is lined with beautifully colourful buildings. We explored the island by foot on a day trip on our return from a few nights on Ischia. There are small buses (L1 & L2) that travel around the island, and cost €1.20 for 60 minutes. You can purchase on board the bus or in tabacci’s and bars.
Things to do in Procida Italy
The beauty of visiting Procida is to explore, as slowly and languorously as possible. Arriving into the Marina di Procida you’ll be welcomed with rows of tall multi-coloured buildings that line the marina. It’s gorgeous and akin to something found in the Cinque Terre.
Whether the marina is as far as you venture, or you go beyond is up to you. It’s worthwhile exploring the island and it’s offerings. You can hop on a local bus, rent bicycles, or explore on foot. We opted for the latter.
Head up to the highest point of the island, and admire the incredible views across Procida and the Bay of Naples, you’ll be rewarded with exceptional views after this hot and sticky hike to the top.
It’s a strenuous climb that even the small micro-taxis struggle to make when delivering passengers to the viewpoint, but totally worth it.
At the top of the viewpoint, you’ll find a tiny village with a small bar that offers a much-deserved drink and stellar views. A small baroque church, Abbazia di San Michele Arcangelo and hamlet of homes are what you’ll find in this outcrop.
On your walk up to the viewpoint you’ll pass the former prison that has shut down (how I’d love to explore it!), and a former palace that was shut for renovations. If you’re looking for excellent pictures over Procida, and of Marina Corricella then you’ll have to make the trip up the hill. I thought it was worth the effort, and the gallons of sweat.
Marina Corricella
Marina Corricella is where you’ll find rows of colourful buildings carved out of the cliffside and home to a mixture of seafood restaurants, bars, B&Bs and homes to the residents of Procida in this gorgeous fishing village. Marina Corricella also happens to be the oldest village on Procida.
Now for the fun part, Marina Corricella is accessible by very steep staircases (and narrow) that descend to the fishing village or by sea. As we descended from the Abbazia di San Michele Arcangelo, which marks the highest point of the island, we found an arrow and a staircase that indicated a route down to Marina Corricella. This route was very narrow, incredibly steep and I was just very happy that we didn’t have to ascend because it would have been a killer!
Procida Beaches
Procida has a number of beaches located on the southern half of the island. Unfortunately, on our day exploring Procida, it was overcast and ended up raining in the afternoon, so not perfect sunbathing or beach visiting weather. You’ll find beach beds available to rent for the day, as well as drink and food services. The southern part of the island has some of the larger and more popular Procida beaches.
We did visit Spiaggia di Silurenza, which was located near the ferry terminus.
Spiaggia libera della Chiaiolella is the largest section of beach on Procida that offers views across to Ischia and the nearby nature reserve of Vivara Island. The L1 & L2 bus will take you to the southern part of Procida. Nearby, you’ll find Spiaggia di Ciraccio, a smaller beach with sun loungers.
Tours in Procida
Tour the island of Procida on a gorgeous schooner. Sail around the island and stop in Marina Corricella. Or consider a tour that includes underwater photography, swimming and snorkelling in crystal clear waters.
Tours from Ischia:
If you’re based in Ischia and looking for a day trip to Procida that also includes lunch, consider this option that will explore the sights of Procida.
Tours from Sorrento:
This boat tour from Sorrento covers both Ischia and Procida and gives visitors ample time to explore both islands. You’ll be able to stroll around the islands, enjoy a leisurely lunch and even do a bit of shopping or swimming.
Private Speedboat Tour:
If you can wrangle 8 friends or family members, then a private boat tour of Procida and nearby Ischia could be worth considering. Enjoy the exploration of Procida at your own pace, swim in coves only accessible by boat and enjoy the privacy.
Procida Hotels
If you’re planning on a longer stay in Procida, here are a few options.
San Michele offers unbeatable views over Marina Corricella. Rooms are stylishly decorated and the hotel even offers an elevator.
Albergo ‘La Vigna’ is located close to the highest point of Procida and offers guests with a swimming pool and simple furnishings.
Insula Boutique Hotel is close to everything you could need for a stay in Procida, Insula Boutique Hotel has a swimming pool and is only a short walk from the restaurants of Marina Corricella.
Procida or Ischia
If you’re torn between Procida or Ischia, factor in how much time you can spare because Procida can easily be visited as a day trip from Ischia or Naples. Whereas Ischia is larger and offers a bit more variety of places to see and things to do.
Procida makes an easy day trip with plenty of ferry connections that allow you travel back and forth from either Naples or Ischia. The highlights of Procida can be viewed in a single day. However if you want somewhere off the beaten path, with less tourists and a more authentic Italian island experience, then consider Procida for at least a night or two before making your getaway.
Ischia offers visitors a lot to see and do with thermal spas, gorgeous villages and beautiful restaurants that will keep you occupied for several days.
There are 4 access points to descend to Marina Corricella, and sometimes it will feel like you’re in walking through someone’s home, but you’re generally heading in the right direction.
Once you have managed to reach Marina Corricella you’ll be rewarded with rows of beautiful restaurants and bars
Ferry from Naples to Procida
There are ferries from Naples to Procida daily and several times a day. I always use Ferryhopper when booking or looking up ferry schedules when travelling in either Italy or Greece.
From Naples to Procida, there are two ferry terminals you can depart from. Pozzuoli is north of city center of Naples and closer to Procida. You’ll find more crossings and connections here.
If you are based in Naples city center, then you should consider Napoli Ferry Terminus. There are connections to Ischia and Procida throughout the day.
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Disclaimer: Real-life human experiences. Written by a human. Created for humans. (Travels at Missy does not use AI for our articles. All posts and information are 1st hand experience. AI data-scrapping tools are expressly forbidden from using Travels with Missy content for AI Training).
Meet Missy…
Missy spent the first 2 decades of her life living in her native Dublin, Ireland. Before a life living overseas called to her, and she spent the next decade living in China, Laos & Belgium. She now splits her time in Antwerp, Belgium, and wherever the sun is currently shining. You can follow Missy’s real-time travels on her Instagram.
