How to Spend 3 Days on Procida Island, Italy
I fell in love with Procida, Italy from looking at a photo. The colourful houses beside the turquoise sea with boats bobbing in the bay reminded me a lot of my favourite Greek island, Symi. Add in the fact that it’s relatively unknown, at least compared to the nearby Capri and Amalfi Coast, and small enough that most people treat it only as a day trip destination, and I was sold. I ended up spending 3 nights on Procida, and while the weather (sadly) didn’t cooperate for a full beach escape, I loved how quiet and laid back it felt after several busy days in Naples. So, if you have your eye on this Italian island, here’s how I suggest spending 3 days on Procida.
How to Get to Procida
Procida is an island located in the Bay of Naples. It doesn’t have an airport, so you have to access it by boat. There are two types of ferries that you can take from Naples or the surrounding islands/coastline (although Naples or Ischia are the easiest and most regular routes).
The first is the big ferries that also transport cars and vehicles. That being said, Procida doesn’t allow tourists to bring cars on the island because it’s so small. However, you can still use these ferries as a foot passenger.
The second option is the smaller, faster hydrofoils, which are passenger-only. These boats are enclosed, whereas the ferries allow you to go up on the deck in the open air. Pricing is about the same for both, so really it depends on the schedule and how you feel about boat travel. If you are prone to seasickness, the bigger ferries are a better option.
Ferry tickets can be booked online in advance (I use ferryhopper) but they do need to be printed before boarding. This can be done at the port area, so just make sure to come about an hour early.
It’s also worth noting that if you are travelling with luggage (anything bigger than a backpack) you will need to pay for it.
Getting Around Procida
Procida is a small island, and chances are you’ll be able to walk everywhere you want to go. There are some island buses as well for those wanting to go further, alternatively, you can hire a bike or scooter to get around. Taxis exist as well, but can be quite pricey, so other methods of transportation are usually preferred.
Where to Stay in Procida
Again, Procida is a small island. The main areas to stay are Marina Grande or over to the other side (which is still very walkable) by Marina Corricella. Marina Corricella is the iconic colourful part of the island that you see in all the photos.
I stayed in this little apartment on the top floor (stairs only!), which has a stunning private rooftop terrace that I loved. It was super cute, but the room is tiny (it’s a bunk bed), making it ideal for solo travellers. The building also had a couple of other rooms better suited for 2 guests, they got to share a seperate rooftop. This is the property.
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How to Spend 3 Days in Procida, Italy
Most people will only come to Procida on a day trip, and honestly, you can see and do a lot in just a day. However, if you are looking to relax and for a slower pace, then it’s absolutely worth spending a couple of days. Here’s what I suggest you see and do during your 3 days in Procida.
Wander Around Marina Corricella and Marina Grande
Marina Corricella is the postcard of Procida. The colourful buildings, the boats bobbing in the water, flowers tumbling from the hanging baskets at the restaurants and cheeky ducks begging for scraps. Further back are winding roads with a few little boutiques and shops, a big yellow church and local streets where locals hang their laundry on the line. It’s both beautiful and authentic and perfect for strolling, taking photos, and grabbing a meal or drink to people watch.
The port area, Marina Grande, is also worth visiting. It’s where you arrive by ferry; essentially over the hill from Marina Corricella.
There are plenty more shops and restaurants here as well as a couple of bakeries that are responsible for two of the island’s best-known sweet treats (more on that below). It is quite hilly, and the streets are cobblestone, so wear good shoes. But it’s great to wander and explore.
Take in the Views from Terra Murata
Terra Murata is the highest point on the island. As you walk up the (steep but short) hill, you will be rewarded with stunning views of Marina Corricella below. I suggest going in the afternoon rather than the morning- yes, it’s going to be hotter, but the light is better in the afternoon if you want to take photos.
Past the viewpoint, you can continue on to visit the oldest settlement of the island and the Palazzo d’Avalos, which was converted into a prison in 1830. Today, you can take guided tours at specific times but it’s best to check ahead of time as the prison hours are bit wonky and was closed when I visited.
Have a Beach Day
There are a couple of beaches on the island. The most popular and easiest to get to is Chiaia Beach, which is an easy walking distance (about 15-20 minutes) from Marina Corricella. It’s a black sand beach with a small restaurant at one end and a place to rent umbrellas and beach chairs at the other. You can also just bring a towel. The water here, at the end closest to Marina Corricella, is quite shallow and protected by a rock wall out in the water. Note that there are two ways to get down to the beach, both are steep and involve stairs.
Take a Boat Trip
If the weather is right, take a boat trip around the island! Sadly, this was not an option during my visit thanks to the storms, but this is the one I had planned on doing.
Visit Agre for the Local Limoncello
This part of Italy is known for its lemons, and just like along the Amalfi coast, the islands also produce lots of lemon products. You will see plenty of places in Marina Grande offering limoncello but I highly suggest bypassing those and heading instead to Agre, which is a small, local, family-run limoncello producer. They make a variety that is made with the leaves of the lemon rather than the peel, called foglioni (seems to be unique to the island), as well as the typical lemoncello, an orange version, and a lemon aperitif called Allora. It’s nothing fancy, but they let me do a tasting and showed me around. I liked it so much that I bought a couple of bottles to bring home.
What to Eat in Procida
This is Italy, so of course the food on Procida is delicious. Here’s what I recommend.
- Seafood anything. I had a delicious gnocchi with local lemon pesto and mussels at Assafa.
- Lemon anything. Lemons are incredibly popular here and used in many dishes. One common thing is the lemon salad with garlic, olive oil, mint, chilli pepper, and salt. I had the lemon salad (which was fun to try, but kind of a lot) and lemon pasta at Caracale.
- For something casual, head to Alimentari Da Marco and have him make you a fresh sandwich. The one he made me was lemon pesto, crushed almonds, prosciutto, tomato, basil, and buffalo mozzarella. It was fantastic (also huge).
- La Lingua di Procida: This is a puff pastry stuffed with a lemon cream made from the lemons on the island. Grab one at Bar Roma (but go early, they sell out quickly to the day trippers).
- Frollicella: This is a crispy pastry with a shortbread base and creamy filling. Get one at Dal Cavaliere.
Final Notes on Procida
Procida is a beautiful little island that offers a quiet escape from the bustling Naples and Amalfi Coast. As I said above, it’s usually just a day trip destination, but I loved my 3 days in Procida, and if you are looking for a quieter spot by the sea, this is the perfect place. It is much cheaper than Capri or the Amalfi Coast, but I did find prices more expensive than Naples, so keep that in mind.
While not as well-known as other nearby destinations, Procida is still popular enough that you should plan in advance if you are visiting during the summer. It is still mainly a local island, so accommodation is limited. Book hotels and tours in advance and make reservations at any restaurants you have your eye on to avoid disappointment.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Don’t forget travel insurance!
Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance here. If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend SafetyWing. For Canadian readers, take a look at SoNomad.
Book your accommodation
I love and recommend booking.com for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save.
Book your tours
My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is GetYourGuide. They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers.
Get connected
If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I have used esims around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA- they are super easy and you don’t risk losing your home sim! There are two brands I have used and recommend so I suggest comparing both.
Airalo: download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase.
Sim Local: Another easy to use alternative with competitive pricing. Here’s my link with a promo code.
Truely: This one is easier in that it’s a one-time download instead of downloading an esim for each country. It also allows you to hotspot and tether- which not all esims do. Check out options here.
Not sure what to pack?
I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my travel essentials and camera gear if you are looking for some ideas.
Looking for a travel buddy?
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