Procida measures just 4 square kilometres and can easily be visited in the space of a weekend. This small Phlegrean island, which has only recently experienced more frenetic beach tourism, boasts many sights scattered around its small perimeter. Moreover, the smallest island in the Gulf of Naples has also been chosen as the Italian Capital of Culture 2022.
Let us discover together its wonders and the link with Monte di Procida.
The Island of Procida
Procida is a true Mediterranean gem which preserves the typical architectural structures. Although it only began to exploit a profitable tourist industry relatively recently, the island has not lost its purely maritime vocation. It is still the trades of the sea that sustain the Procidan economy.
What are the musts of the island of Procida?
Here is what we recommend to our guests for a day trip to Procida:
- Terra Murata with Palazzo d’Avalos, the Abbey of San Michele and Graziella’s House
- Lunch break and swim at Chiaiolella: you can reach also Vivara with a 15-minute walk. Vivara, a very small island, is connected to Procida by a bridge.
- Marina Corricella
With Procida Italian Capital of Culture, it is possible to travel around the island free of charge by public transport. You can consult the timetables by downloading this PDF.
The view from Terra Murata
Terra Murata is an ancient defensive fortress with a unique, breathtaking view. With a view of Corricella, it is one of the fascinating island places to visit. Once down from the stronghold, two places of religious worship are very important to Procida: the Monastery of Santa Margherita and the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Marina Corricella
This is Procida’s oldest and most characteristic fishing village. A steep descent gives access to one of the most beautiful places on the island and among the most evocative in the entire Mediterranean. Here you will find the typical scenes of a life lived in symbiosis with the sea. Framing the splendid scenery of the fishermen’s village is a network of colourful houses, narrow streets and hidden stairways; and then bars, small restaurants and typical shops, which will immerse you in the welcoming Procidan atmosphere.
The museums
Procida is small, but it offers much more than just seaside tourism. Here, you will also find the Museo del Mare, dedicated to the element on which the island bases its entire life, and the museum complex of the Abbey, where essential relics from the history of Neapolitan art and much more are kept.
It is also possible to visit the Graziella House Museum, located on the second floor of the Procida Palace of Culture. Graziella is a young maiden with black eyes and long braids, the protagonist of Alphonse de Lamartine’s novel.
You can access the panoramic terrace from the museum dedicated to Elsa Morante, author of the famous novel ‘L’Isola di Arturo’, set in Procida.
Kayak Tour
Procida is so concentrated that you can visit it all by kayak! Thanks to a unique experience, you can approach the island from a unique point of view: every cove, glimpse, and beach cannot be missed on a sea excursion. Finally, you can also easily reach the nearby Vivara. This is a small island in the heart of the Gulf of Naples on which it is temporarily impossible to dock.
Procida, the island of cinema
Thanks to its natural beauty, Procida has been chosen by numerous film directors as a film set. There are a lot of famous Italian films set in Procida: one of the most famous is ‘Il Postino‘ (The Postman) (1994), in which the late Massimo Troisi was the protagonist and co-director, leaving us with one last masterful performance before his death.
Monte di Procida
Monte di Procida is separated from the island of the same name by a short stretch of sea (Canale di Procida). It is a fascinating inlet, characterised by a unique landscape with unparalleled views. Thanks to its privileged geographical position as the most extreme part of the Phlegrean peninsula, from Monte di Procida it is possible to look out over the entire gulf and the islands.
A very ancient history
The origins of Monte di Procida are rooted in the invasions of ancient Indo-European peoples. The Opici invaded Miseno and Cumae, taking possession of them and building settlements in the entire Campi Flegrei area. Meanwhile, the area’s strategic position meant that these cities became the main hubs for trade in the Tyrrhenian Sea and nearby Monte. During the Greco-Roman period, Monte established commercial and warlike links with Cumae and Misenum. The three towns became almost one. Until the early Middle Ages, Monte di Procida was known as Monte Miseno. Later, with the fall of Miseno and the subsequent barbarian invasions, Monte became administratively linked to the neighbouring island of Procida. It was only in 1907 that it was granted autonomy and, consequently, the current name ‘Monte di Procida’.
The Legend of Acquamorta Beach
In one of the inlets of Monte di Procida, the small beach of Acquamorta is hidden, with a beautiful harbour facing the island of Procida. It is a very romantic and popular destination, especially for the beautiful view it offers at sunrise and sunset. The curious name derives from an ancient legend linked to its origins. It is said that a fisherman and his daughter named Acqua lived in this place. One day, the girl found herself at the mercy of the waves, risking drowning, but was saved by a young Procidan fisherman. From then on, the two felt a deep bond and did everything they could to meet on the small beach hidden by the inlet. Sometime later, on hearing the news that her beloved had lost his life in a tragic accident at sea, Acqua could not bear the grief and decided to let herself drown to be reunited with him forever. From this sad and evocative legend, the islanders decided to give the beach the name Acquamorta, to testify to the love that bound the two young protagonists of the story.
How to reach Procida from Al Chiar di Luna
Al Chiar di Luna is located right on Monte di Procida. The island of Procida, which our magnificent structure overlooks, can be easily reached in several ways:
- From the Port of Pozzuoli by ferry
Trips are regular both in winter and summer and also quite frequent. The companies are: Medmar, Caremar and Gestur. - From the Port of Acquamorta by motorboat or sea taxi
From it, you take only 10 minutes by motorboat. Rides are frequent in summer and much less frequent in winter. So one has to inquire with the Ippocampo company.
From the Acquamorta harbour, one can also reach Procida by dinghy, motorboat or sailboat. The Procida channel is very small and the journey is pleasant.
Here you are some companies: - MEDITERANNEO
- LOCABOAT
Here are the trips planned for the summer of 2022 with the Ippocampo company from Acquamorta:
To reach the Port of Acquamorta from Al Chiar di Luna:
- on foot: it takes 20 – 25 minutes. The outward journey is a nice walk. The return uphill is a bit more strenuous and takes at least 40 minutes
- by bus: the nearest bus stop is Sant’Antonio, an 11-minute walk from the hotel
HERE you can find the public bus timetable. - by car: you can park at the Port, paying for parking at the parking meter. It is difficult to find a parking space in high season, so we recommend parking at the Marina di Monte di Procida car park. Reservations can be made by calling 376 059 1537.
OTHER TIMETABLES FROM POZZUOLI
The port of Pozzuoli is about 30 minutes by car and about 60 minutes by transport.
There are several companies: Medmar/ Caremar/ Ippocampo/ Gestur. The timetables are varied and there are also evening timetables.
- Medmar: Cost € 8.30/ Duration 45 min.
- Medmar: Pozzuoli/Procida: 04.10(Weekdays)-05.55 (no Saturday and Sunday) -07.35-10.25-12.40-15.50-17.35 (Friday and Sunday only).
- Medmar: Procida/Pozzuoli: 03.10 (Weekday)-06.45 (no Saturday and holidays)-08.30-11.20-13.30-16.55-18.45 (Friday and Sunday only).
- Caremar: Cost € 8.30 ferry 30 minutes/€ 9.30 hydrofoil 20 minutes. Possible disembarkation tax € 2-3.
- Caremar: Pozzuoli/Procida: 08.50(A)- 10.15(T)-14.00(T)-19.00(T)-22.05(A)
- Caremar: Procida/Pozzuoli: 08.10(A)-09.00(T)-12.00(T)-18.10(T)-21.20(A)-
IPPOCAMPO: COST € 7,50. POSSIBLE LANDING FEE 2-3- EURO.
IPPOCAMPO: Pozzuoli/Procida:8.20-12.35-17.55-20,00
IPPOCAMPO: Procida/Pozzuoli: 07.35-11.45-16.40-19.25
GESTOUR: Cost € 10.00. 40 minutes. Possible landing fee 2-3-€.
Gestour: Pozzuoli/Procida: 09.25-18.10-20.00
Gestour: Procida/Pozzuoli: 08.00-17.05-19.10
It is always advisable to check the websites of the individual companies.
TO REACH POZZUOLI FROM AL CHIAR DI LUNA
1 – by public transport
It is possible to take the shuttle to Torregaveta and then the metropolitan train known as CUMANA.
HERE you will find the CUMANA timetables
HERE are the timetables of the BUS SHUTTLE to TORREGAVETA
2 – by car
HERE is the route:
At the Port of Pozzuoli it is difficult to find space. It is advisable to reserve one of the following car parks:
- PARKING SAN MARCO cell + 39 339 815 54 41
Via A. Maria Sacchini, 16A | 80078 Pozzuoli NA
- PARKING MARSER with SHUTTLE service cell + 39 331 2319565
Rampa Aurelio Saffi, 2 | 80078 Pozzuoli NA
For further information or help with bookings, please contact reception.
