Best Things to Do in Procida, Italy: A Curated Day Trip Guide
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With its pastel-colored fishing harbor, relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and delicious seafood, the tiny island of Procida might be my new favorite Italian destination.
Floating in the Bay of Naples – just a quick ferry from Naples and Sorrento – Procida is ridiculously charming and refreshingly authentic. And the best part? It’s not overrun with tourists. Not even close.
The thing is, everyone wants to take a day trip to Capri and visit Positano. But that’s only because they don’t know Procida exists.
Hidden in plain sight (just like neighboring Ischia), Procida is where Italians escape to for a beach vacation – and where they (and I!) hope remains a secret for many years to come.
For such a small island, there are more than enough things to do in Procida to fill a few blissfully slow seaside days – or to create the perfect Procida day trip itinerary.
My husband and I recently took a day trip to Procida from Naples, and we couldn’t have had a better day. We wandered the quaint villages, enjoyed an incredible seafood lunch and Ischitana wine overlooking Marina Corricella, relaxed on the beach, sipped a few spritzes, grabbed gelato, and still made it back to Naples on an evening ferry.
One day in Procida is enough time to experience the island’s highlights, but I still didn’t want to leave… Next time, I’m coming back for four days – with a good book, a sunhat, and nowhere to be!
Whether you’re planning a day trip or a longer island escape, here are the best things to do, see, and eat in Procida.
Procida, Italy: Quick Picks, Tips & Must-Dos
Short on time? Here’s a quick roundup of what you should know before you visit Procida, Italy.
- How to get to Procida: Take a ferry from a hub like Naples or Sorrento. Or, for a stress-free day trip to Procida and Ischia, book a full-day boat tour from Naples or a small-group boat trip from Sorrento.
- Best things to do in Procida: Wander Marina Corricella, relax at a beach club, stroll around Terre Murata, enjoy a long seafood lunch with a view, tour Palazzo d’Avalos, catch sunset in Chiaiolella.
- Best beaches: Spiaggia della Chiaia, Spiaggia del Postino, and Spiaggia Chiaiolella.
- What to eat and drink: Fresh seafood and lemon specialties like insalata di limone, frolicella, lingua di bue, and limoncello.
- Best restaurants and cafés: La Lampara, Il Pescatore, Sejà Restaurant, Hook, Bar Dal Cavaliere, Bar del Castello.
- Top hotels in Procida: Staying overnight? Book Albergo La Vigna or Insula Boutique Hotel.
- How long to stay: A full day trip to Procida is enough for highlights, but 2 or 3 nights is perfect if you want to slow down, enjoy the beaches, and experience sunset aperitivo without rushing.
How to Get to Procida
You can take the ferry to Procida or book a guided boat day trip from Naples or Sorrento. Here’s what you need to know to plan your visit.
By Ferry
Direct ferries and hydrofoils (high-speed ferries) reach Procida from destinations around Campania. The fastest ferry services to Procida depart from:
- Ischia Porto: ~15 mins
- Casamicciola Terme (Ischia): ~20 mins
- Naples Beverello: ~30 mins
- Sorrento: ~45 mins
- Capri: ~1 hr 25 mins
- Positano: ~2 hr 25 mins
- Amalfi: ~2 hr 50 mins
Ferries from Naples run daily, year-round, while the other routes only operate seasonally (usually, April through October).
If you’re coming from Naples, Ischia, or Sorrento, getting to Procida is very straightforward – whether you’re visiting for a day trip or a longer stay.
The journeys from Capri, Positano, and Amalfi are too long for a day trip (in my opinion!), but it’s helpful to know these routes exist if you want to spend a few nights on Procida after finishing up your Amalfi Coast itinerary.
For our visit in late May, we caught an early morning ferry from Naples, arriving in Procida just after 9 AM. We spent around nine hours exploring the island before catching a 6 PM ferry back.
MADDY’S TIP: I recommend this website to compare ferry routes to Procida and book tickets.
By Guided Boat Day Trip
If you’d rather leave the logistics to someone else, you can book this small-group boat tour from Naples or this small-group boat tour from Sorrento. Since Procida is so small, most guided tours combine Procida with the neighboring island of Ischia.
If you’re short on vacation days and want to visit Procida and Ischia in a single day, I’d choose a boat tour over a self-guided ferry trip.
Both tours below include opportunities to swim and snorkel in beautiful coves, cruise past dramatic coastlines, and enjoy plenty of free time on both islands.
- FROM NAPLES: Book this full-day small-group boat tour to Procida and Ischia, departing from Naples (~8 hours)
- FROM SORRENTO: Book this full-day small-group boat tour to Procida and Ischia, departing from Sorrento (~10 hours)
MADDY’S NOTE: Personally, I loved dedicating my entire self-guided day trip to Procida. But that’s only because I’d already vacationed in Ischia before. If you only have one day to spare, I think you should visit both islands. They’re both wildly beautiful – and totally unique, despite being just a 15-minute ferry ride apart.
MADDY’S TIP: Staying on Ischia? One of the best things to do in Ischia is this private full-day gozzo boat tour around Ischia and Procida.
How to Get Around Procida
I loved how easy it was to explore Procida – especially after experiencing the chaos of spending one day in Capri.
We explored Procida entirely on foot, walking from the ferry port in Marina Grande, to Terra Murata, Marina Corricella, Spiaggia della Chiaia, and back again. There are a few gentle inclines and staircases, but I’d still put Procida in the “easy to explore on foot” category.
That said, I noticed plenty of travelers getting around by e-bike, which would be a great way to see even more of the island. You can expect to pay around €25 for a full-day e-bike rental (approximately 10 hours) or €30 for 24 hours.
For most day-trippers, I think walking is the simplest option. But if you’re staying overnight or visiting in the hotter summer months, an e-bike is a fun and practical alternative.
Best Things to Do in Procida
Procida might be small, but it’s packed with colorful harbors, beautiful beaches, and traditional culture. Fun fact: Procida was voted the Italian Capital of Culture in 2022! Here are the very best things to do in Procida.
1. Wander Marina Corricella
If there’s one place you can’t miss in Procida, it’s Marina Corricella.
This 17th-century fishing harbor is the island’s most iconic sight, with buildings stacked above the waterfront in every pastel shade of pink, peach, yellow, and blue imaginable.
From Portofino to Cefalù, I’ve seen plenty of stunning seaside villages in Italy, but Marina Corricella is something else entirely. It’s wonderfully quiet, low-key, and lived-in. Fishing boats come and go, locals chat outside their homes, and seafood restaurants spill onto terraces overlooking the sea. And best of all, it doesn’t feel like a mass tourist playground.
Spend some time wandering the narrow lanes, taking photos, and soaking up the relaxed atmosphere before settling in for lunch or an aperitivo overlooking the harbor.
2. Admire the Corricella Viewpoint
Before descending into Marina Corricella, don’t miss the Belvedere Corricella.
Located along the eastern staircase down to the marina, this is the classic postcard view of Procida: colorful houses cascading toward the sea, fishing boats floating below, and the Bay of Naples stretching into the distance.
3. Explore Terra Murata
Perched high above the rest of the island, Terra Murata is Procida’s oldest settlement and highest point. It was originally founded by Benedictine monks in the 11th century, and fortified in the 16th century to protect locals from Saracen pirate raids.
The short uphill climb is a bit of a workout, but the views get better with every step. The atmosphere also shifts noticeably along the way – quieter, more weathered, and distinctly local.
From the old fortifications and the cannon-lined Belvedere Terra Murata, you can see across Procida’s colorful rooftops toward Ischia, Naples, and the surrounding coastline.
Procida’s Historic Sites & Museums
Terra Murata is also home to some of Procida’s most important historic sites and museums:
- Palazzo d’Avalos: Once a royal residence and later a prison, this cliffside fortress offers a striking look into Procida’s layered history.
- Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo: This peaceful hilltop abbey dates back to the 11th century and features ornate interiors and dramatic bay views.
- Museo Civico di Procida: A small museum dedicated to everyday life, traditions, and history on the island.
- Museo Casa di Graziella: A traditional house-museum inspired by the novel Graziella, offering a glimpse into Procida’s rural and fishing heritage.
MADDY’S TIP: While you’re in Terra Murata, stop by Bar del Castello. Its terrace overlooking the Bay of Naples is the perfect spot for an espresso, a negroni, or a plate of bruschette (the tomatoes in this region are to-die-for!).
4. Explore Marina Grande
If you take the ferry to Procida, you’ll arrive at Marina Grande, the island’s colorful waterfront port.
Most visitors rush straight through Marina Grande on their way to Marina Corricella, but I think that’s a mistake.
Lined with pastel buildings, a sunny yellow-domed church, a couple of iconic cafés, fishing boats, and a scenic waterfront promenade, it’s the perfect place to ease into the slower rhythm of island life.
Take a stroll along the harbor, then stop for one of Procida’s famous lemon pastries, before wandering uphill for your first panoramic views over the island.
MADDY’S TIP: Hungry? Just a few steps from Piazza Marina Grande, you’ll find a tiny snack shack called Hook – No Flag Food serving some of the island’s best fried seafood and street food. Choose from calamari, lemon-marinated anchovies, fish and chips, frittatina di pasta, ricotta-and-provolone-stuffed zucchini flowers, and more, alongside local wine, beer, and cocktails. You should also try Procida’s refreshing insalata di limone (lemon salad).
5. Try Procida’s Lemon Pastries
Like the Amalfi Coast, Procida is famous for its enormous and rare bread lemons (limone pane). They’re larger, sweeter, and less acidic than typical lemons, and you’ll find them in everything from salads and pasta to pastries, sorbets, and limoncello.
But there are two classic Procitana pastries you have to try:
- Frolicella: A soft, chewy shortbread ball filled with lemon-ricotta cream
- Lingua di bue (“ox tongue”): A long, flaky, crisp pastry filled with silky lemon custard
Bar Dal Cavaliere invented the frolicella, so as soon as we stepped off the ferry, we went straight there to try one. We couldn’t resist ordering a lingua di bue too, along with espresso and fresh-squeezed orange juice. They were both so good – with just the right amounts of sweetness.
You can also find excellent lingua di bue at Bar Roma, another great café in Marina Grande. We stopped there for Aperol spritzes before catching the evening ferry back to Naples.
6. Have a Long Seafood Lunch in Marina Corricella
The highlight of our day trip to Procida was our long, leisurely lunch in Marina Corricella at La Lampara.
Perched in a picturesque corner overlooking the harbor, the restaurant pairs spectacular views with exceptional local seafood and wines.
Naturally, we started with Aperol spritzes. Then came two unforgettable seafood starters: marinated anchovies with local oranges and creamy burrata, and a seafood Caprese salad topped with fresh mozzarella, salted anchovies, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, and smoked swordfish.
Next, we ordered a crisp white wine from my favorite Ischia winery, Casa d’Ambra, alongside spaghetti with ragù di paranza featuring mantis shrimp, flying squid, and shrimp, plus fusilli tossed with basil pesto and shrimp.
Everything was outstanding. Between the incredible food, delicious wine, and breathtaking views, this was easily one of our favorite meals during our six-week Italy trip!
MADDY’S TIP: If you can’t snag a table at La Lampara, Il Pescatore is another lovely spot for drinks, snacks, and beautiful harbor views. We stopped there for an aperitivo, too!
7. Relax on One of Procida’s Beaches
One of my favorite things about Procida is its intentionally slow rhythm of life. It practically forces you to spend a few hours relaxing on a beach.
Procida’s beaches are quiet and beautiful – known for their dark volcanic sand and calm, crystal-clear water.
After spending the morning exploring the island, we headed to Spiaggia della Chiaia for an afternoon of swimming, reading, and soaking up the sunshine.
We rented two loungers, an umbrella, and access to the showers from Il Chiosco di Via Dei Bagni for €25 and happily spent the afternoon doing absolutely nothing.
Best Beaches in Procida
Procida is home to a handful of lovely beaches that are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and unwinding:
- Spiaggia Chiaia: My favorite beach on Procida! Reached via a long staircase, this wide stretch of volcanic sand offers calm, crystal-clear water, low-key beach clubs with loungers and umbrellas, and beautiful views back toward Marina Corricella.
- Spiaggia del Postino (Pozzo Vecchio): A peaceful beach tucked into a small cove between two lush, green headlands, best known as the filming location for the Oscar-winning film Il Postino.
- Spiaggia di Ciraccio and Spiaggia Chiaiolella: Two neighboring beaches on Procida’s western shore with calm water, beach clubs, plenty of free/public beach, and some of the island’s best sunset views. No wonder they’re Procida’s most popular beaches.
- Spiaggia Lingua: A small beach next to Marina Grande that’s perfect for a quick swim before or after your ferry.
8. Go on a Boat Tour Around Procida
An island getaway practically calls for a boat day!
While Procida is small enough to explore on foot, seeing it from the water is a completely different experience. Especially on a traditional wooden gozzo boat! If you’re staying overnight, this is a must.
During this Private Boat Tour of Ischia and Procida, you’ll boat past colorful fishing villages and dramatic volcanic cliffs, swim in crystal-clear coves, snorkel in pristine grottos, and soak up the Mediterranean sunshine. And since it’s a private experience, you and your skipper can tailor the day to your interests and pace.
A Curated Procida Day Trip Itinerary
Here’s exactly how my husband and I spent our day trip to Procida – perfectly balancing sightseeing, incredible food, and beach time. If you’re visiting Procida for one day, I highly recommend following this itinerary!
Morning
- Take the ferry to Procida, arriving in Marina Grande by 9 AM.
- Enjoy an espresso and Procida’s famous lemon pastries at Bar Dal Cavaliere.
- Wander around colorful Marina Grande.
- Walk uphill to Terra Murata and explore the island’s oldest settlement.
- Stop at the Belvedere Terra Murata for panoramic views over Procida, Ischia, and the Bay of Naples.
- Descend the stairs to the Belvedere Corricella for the island’s most iconic viewpoint.
- Wander the pastel lanes of Marina Corricella.
Lunch & Afternoon
- Enjoy a long seafood lunch overlooking Marina Corricella at La Lampara.
- Relax, swim, and soak up the sunshine at Spiaggia della Chiaia.
- Grab gelato from Gelateria Grottino Principe Umberto.
Evening
- Walk back to Marina Grande.
- Stop for one last Aperol Spritz or a glass of local wine at Bar Roma or Hook – No Flag Food before catching an evening ferry back to your home base (around 6 PM).
Where to Stay in Procida
If you’re planning to stay on Procida for a few days, I’ve put together a curated list of the best places to stay.
- Albergo La Vigna: A charming boutique hotel set in a restored vineyard near Terra Murata. Expect peaceful gardens, a small pool, and sweeping views over the island.
- Insula Boutique Hotel: A modern, design-forward hotel near Chiaiolella Beach, with a relaxed, adults-focused vibe and a beautiful pool area.
- Hotel La Corricella: A charming, traditional-style stay right in Marina Corricella, offering some of the most iconic harbor views on the island.
- Aria Rooms: A simple, contemporary guesthouse close to Marina Grande, ideal for easy ferry access and short stays.
Procida, Italy: Travel FAQs
One full day is enough to see Procida’s highlights at a relaxed pace. But if you’re after a slower island escape with plenty of beach time, slow, multi-course meals, and sunset aperitivo sessions, 2 or 3 nights would be ideal.
They offer completely different experiences. Procida is compact and ideal for a day trip or a slow, relaxed multi-day stay. Ischia is about 12 times larger than Procida! There are so many things to do in Ischia – including beaches, wineries, hiking trails, and thermal spas – that you can easily stay for up to a week. I love both islands. If you have time, visit both!
Procida is not expensive – especially when you compare it to Capri and some Amalfi Coast towns, like Positano. Accommodation, restaurants, beach clubs, and drinks are generally much more affordable, making it one of the best-value destinations in the Bay of Naples.
Yes, it’s totally possible to visit Procida and Ischia in one day. But I don’t recommend doing it on your own, since you’re bound by the ferry schedules and ferry ports. Instead, I’d book a small-group boat tour from Naples, or a small-group boat tour from Sorrento. That way, you’ll cruise between the islands, stop to swim in crystal-clear coves, and have free time to get off the boat to explore each island’s highlights. All without stressing about logistics or ferry connections!
Procida is best known for Marina Corricella’s pastel-colored harbor, its lemon pastries and other lemon products, incredible seafood, its laid-back, unpolished island charm, and traditional lifestyle. In 2022, Procida was voted the Italian Capital of Culture.
