Today I want to inspire you to visit the colorful island of Procida in Italy, the smallest in the Gulf of Naples. Procida is just a short ferry ride from Naples (about 30 minutes) yet it is much lesser known (and lesser touristy!) than its sisters Ischia and Capri. Visiting Procida is all about experience, and taking in the place with all your senses. Once you arrive there your head will spin from the colors of the houses and the beauty of its architecture.

First things first – pictures! Corricella, which is the oldest fishing village in Procida, is every photographer’s dream! You can spend hours simply wandering around and taking pictures of the coastal houses. Here are some dreamy pictures that I took:

We have started our day with coffee and ‘Lingua’ – local pastry filled with cream in the yacht harbor – Marina Chiaiolella. From there it is very close to Vivara nature reserve where you can enjoy unspoiled nature and wildlife. The island of Vivara is a reminder of the volcano that was once connected to Procida Island. To visit remember to book in advance!

Next, we walked towards Marina Corricella, and before Chiaia beach we have found a panoramic spot from which you can see Marina Corricella and Terra Murata. You can easily find it in Google Maps, but I have attached a print screen to save you the trouble 🙂

From the moment I saw Marina Corricella in the far, I couldn’t wait any longer and went almost running in that direction/order to be there as soon as possible. Marina Corricella is an old fishermen village famous for its colorful houses. It is said that fishermen painted their houses in different colors so that they could recognize them from the sea. The colorful houses, open air restaurants, and terraces are almost always soaked in the sun and give you endless photographic opportunities.

The best view of Marina Corricella is from Terra Murata.

Once on the hill, visit Palazzo d’Avalos previously Royal Palace, later on, converted to a prison. Inside you will learn more about its historical role and political importance. (Remember to book tickets in advance!)

We finished the day at the beach catching the last sun rays of the day and watching the sun slowly melting into the sea.

I think it is fair to say that the food I ate in Procida was one of the best I had in Italy! I am still dreaming of the fresh seafood pasta and lemon salad I ate there! It was also one of the most unique. Have you ever heard of a lemon salad? No? Try it and it will become your new favorite thing! Lemons on Procida Island are sweeter and bigger than those on the mainland because of their pith. The salad is basically lemon, chili flakes, olive oil, garlic and wow it is delicious!

My favorite restaurant was La Lampara. The seafood was incredibly fresh and from the terrace, you could see Marina Corricella. Another good option is Ristorante Da Girone (for pizza lovers).

I have stayed in Gioia 13 Residence and I definitely recommend this place. It is clean, modern but at the same time very cozy and well located – all the attractions can be reached within a short walk. The room I stayed in was spacious and had all the necessary equipment. Plus on the top of the building, there is a terrace with all round views of the island.

But most importantly, our host – Nico was the nicest person on Earth! He explained us everything about the island and gave us great tips!

The best and most reliable source of information about the island is website Visit Procida. You will not only find there all the information you need on transfers, attractions, restaurants, and museums but you will be also able to book all you need in one place.

On top of that there is a free mobile app with information on locations and an offline map! No more worrying about finding hotspots – it is all in the app – island guide, directions, phone numbers, etc!

I hope after reading this post you will fall in love with Procida as much as I did and will include this beautiful island in your next trip!