Procida guide · The island
The island of Procida
The smallest island in the Bay of Naples: 4 km² born from the fire of four volcanoes, pastel houses built for people who lived by the sea, and a fortified village on top of the hill.
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An island born from four volcanoes
Procida is entirely volcanic: it was formed by the eruptions of at least four different volcanoes between 55,000 and 17,000 years ago. Crescent-shaped bays such as Chiaia and Pozzo Vecchio are the rims of old craters, and Vivara, the islet joined by a bridge, is what remains of another one. The yellow and grey tuff of the cliffs is the same stone the houses are built from.
The old quarters
For centuries the island has been divided into “grancìe”, its historic quarters: among them Terra Murata, Corricella, Marina Grande (Sent'Cò in dialect), San Leonardo, Santissima Annunziata, Sant'Antuono, Sant'Antonio and Chiaiolella. They are linked by narrow streets and high walls hiding lemon gardens, which is why the island is best explored on two wheels.
Read the guide: Getting around →
Three thousand years of history
Mycenaean traces from the 16th–15th century BC and a Greek colony from the 8th century BC have been found on the island. In the Middle Ages, to escape Saracen raids, the islanders took refuge on the highest hill, which became Terra Murata. In the 16th century the island passed to the d'Avalos family and was attacked by the pirates Barbarossa and Dragut; from 1734 it belonged to the Bourbons, who turned Palazzo d'Avalos into a royal residence and, from 1830, into a prison.
Read the guide: Things to see →
An island of sailors
For centuries Procida lived from the sea: fishermen at Corricella, shipowners and ocean-going captains sailing from Marina Grande. The houses were painted in different colours, so the story goes, so that sailors could spot their own from far out at sea. In 1957 the first undersea aqueduct in Europe arrived, bringing water from the mainland.
Read the guide: Procida in one day →
Italian Capital of Culture 2022
On 18 January 2021 Procida was named Italian Capital of Culture for 2022, the first island ever to receive the title. The programme brought exhibitions, performances and restorations all over the island, and since then Procida has become far better known abroad too.
Read the guide: Film and history →How far from the port
From: RentEMZ, Via Roma 120, Marina Grande
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Corricellawalk down to the harbour1.9 km🛵 10 min🚲 10 min
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Terra Muratathe last stretch is uphill2.4 km🛵 10 min🚲 15 min
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Ciraccio and Chiaiolella3.9 km🛵 10–15 min🚲 15–20 min
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Vivara bridge4.2 km🛵 15 min🚲 20 min
Approximate road times from Via Roma 120, Marina Grande. In summer, traffic can make them longer.
Good to know
- In 2026, from 30 March to 15 October, non-residents cannot bring cars or motorbikes onto the island: you rent on arrival.
- Streets are narrow and parking is scarce: an e-bike or scooter gets you anywhere in a quarter of an hour.
- The crescent beaches (Chiaia, Pozzo Vecchio) are reached by steps: your vehicle stays at the top.
- Vehicles and luggage go back to the port by 7pm.
Rent at the port, we keep your luggage — free
RentEMZ is at Via Roma 120, a short walk from the Marina Grande landing. Step off the ferry, leave your bags and set off by e-bike or electric scooter: pick them up by 7pm and you are already at the pier.
- E-bikes from €20 a day
- Electric scooters from €40 a day
- Storage free when you rent · without a rental €5 per bag per day
- Open every day, 9am–7pm
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