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Voted Italy’s Culture Capital of 2022, Procida is one of the few islands that is still rather unknown. Here is the ultimate guide for a day trip to Procida, the most colorful island in Italy!
Procida was one of my favorite stops on my trip to Italy and I am sure it will be one of yours too! Most people don’t know this but Procida is actually the little sister of the world-famous islands of Capri and Ischia. Situated in the Bay of Naples, it is the closest island to shore and the ferry only takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour. The difference in travel time depends on the type of ferry you choose to take. While Procida is absolutely beautiful, the island is very small, so it only takes a few hours to see the whole island. If you would like to witness it for yourself without the crowds, then I recommend arriving in the afternoon and staying overnight. Then you can explore it after all the day-trippers have gone home.
Although you can technically visit Procida all year round, I wouldn’t recommend going in the winter. This is because most restaurants and beaches are closed. Therefore, a day trip to Procida during the shoulder season (April-May, September-October) is the best time to visit!
In this post, you will find out everything you need to know before planning a day trip to Procida. From how to get here, to the best things to do, you will find out the best way to enjoy your trip here! Procida is a beautiful destination with unique views, like a black volcanic sand beach, that is suitable for couples and families alike.
This post is all about how to have the best day trip to Procida
How to Get to Procida
There are actually a lot of ways to get to Procida, but they are all by sea. Arguably the easiest way to get to Procida is by ferry from Napoli which takes around 30 minutes to an hour. However, if you are staying somewhere else you can still easily get here. Below are some alternative routes so that you can plan your day trip to Procida.
The trip from Porto di Pozzuoli to Procida is the shortest one (around 35 minutes). However, it may be harder to get here, as it lies outside of Napoli.
The trip from Ischia to Procida takes around 25 minutes. Alternatively, you can also take a ferry from Capri to Procida which takes an hour.
If you are staying on the Amalfi coast, you have ferries from Sorrento (around 2 hours) and Positano (1 hour and 45 minutes).
I highly recommend getting tickets in advance as the lines at the harbor can be very long, and you may not get a chance to board the ferry you wish. Click here for the website I used to book our ferry tickets, as I know it can be trusted from personal experience. In addition, make sure to get on the first ferry of the day to try and avoid the big crowds. Lastly, I don’t recommend taking the last ferry of the day, as it is going to be super crowded, and you don’t want to get stranded here overnight with no place to sleep. 😅
The Best Things to Do on A Day Trip to Procida
1. Best Viewpoint Over Procida
A little disclaimer before I give you the details for this spot, make sure you go here the minute you get off the boat! This is because it is quite popular, but having lots of people around will take away from how special it feels.
I don’t know if this observation deck has a specific name, but it is located right by the Santa Margherita Nuova church. It takes around 15 minutes to walk here from the boat drop-off, and the view over the island is absolutely stunning. Here is the exact location of the viewpoint!
2. Check out Santa Maria delle Grazie
Santa Maria delle Grazie is the iconic and very beautiful church that Procida is known for. Make sure to go inside if you have the opportunity. Otherwise, simply walk past here and enjoy the architecture. Once here, check out Belvedere Piazza Dei Martiri for views over the water and a nice square to relax in.
3. Marina di Corricella
This beautiful promenade lines the waterfront for an incredibly scenic, albeit very short, walk. Here you can find sea-front bars and restaurants, and lots of fishing boats. This is definitely the place to get some food when you get hungry! A lot of people tend to stay in the other port area (Porto Marina), but this side is much more serene and charming.
4. Spiaggia della Chiaia
Make sure to bring your swimsuit because you are not going to want to miss this spot! This beach stands out from the rest since it is the only black sand beach in Procida. The majority of this beach is even free, which is quite rare in Italy. You can of course choose to sit in the public area, but if you want some extra comfort, the restaurant here offers sunbeds for rent.
I recommend leaving a few hours for this beach, especially if it’s a sunny day! You have a wonderful view over the old town, and snacks/ beverages you can get from the restaurant. The only thing to keep in mind is that there are over 100 stairs to go down (and climb back up) to access this beach, but it’s totally worth it!
If the weather is very warm, it might be a good idea to get here early. This is because the beach is not very big so it might get quite crowded. Otherwise, come whenever and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
5. Explore the Old Town of Procida
Casale Vascello is the area in which the first settlement on Procida was built. Explore this area and walk around the small alleyways. It is always so much fun to explore a city without a specific purpose. Just roam the town and let yourself get lost in the beauty of your surroundings.
Procida is such a special island that often gets overlooked in favor of the other sister islands. There is so much culture and stunning scenery that this island should be on everyone’s bucket list! I really hope this guide has convinced you why you have to plan a day trip to Procida during your trip to Italy!
