Procida by boat

Procida is the smallest of the three major islands in the Gulf of Naples (the other two are Ischia and Capri) and also the one closest to the mainland, only 3.4 km from the Phlegraean peninsula. Its perimeter is about 16 km, while the surface does not exceed 4 sq km. The Terra murata hill (91 m) is the highest point on the island.
Like all the Phlegrean islands, Procida has a volcanic origin. The island was formed following the eruption of at least four volcanoes, now largely submerged by the sea and no longer in activity, the remains of which can still be seen, especially if you look at the Vivara area.
Procida does not have the appeal of the other two islands of the Gulf, yet a visit to it still manages to restore those images and flavors of past centuries, something that is increasingly difficult to grasp in other destinations, established points of international tourism. The silences of Vivara, the colors of Corricella, the port of Chiaiolella seem to be there, undisturbed, for centuries regardless of the alternation of eras.
The characteristic tuffaceous coasts, very sharp and with a varied morphology, allow you to admire unique landscapes
Near Procida, connected by a bridge, there is another small island, Vivara, currently uninhabited and used as a nature reserve. Procida and Vivara, together with Ischia and Nisida, belong to the group of the Phlegrean islands, so called due to the common belonging to the geological area of ​​Campi Flegrei.
Vivara is an islet, with a characteristic crescent-shaped appearance, consisting of the western portion of an ancient volcanic crater, which emerged from the sea about forty thousand years ago. The ring of the volcano, which is completed with half made up of the promontory of Santa Margherita Vecchia, contains within it the splendid stretch of sea known as the “Gulf of Genito”.
The island is therefore what remains of one of the five craters of Procida and still preserves archaeological, botanical and faunal values ​​of considerable level. A green lung with the intense colors of the lush Mediterranean scrub in a color range that spectacularly changes with the passing of the seasons.
Characteristic, suggestive and romantic, Marina Corricella is the oldest fishing village in Procida island. Arranged as an amphitheater overlooking the sea and surrounded by nets lying on the quay, this small fishing village is a quiet and seductive refuge for those who prefer relaxing holidays. The fragrance of the sea, the characteristic streets, the unique architecture and the total absence of vehicles make Corricella a world apart.
The seventeenth-century port is famous and appreciated for its peculiar architecture: here it is possible to see an intertwining of arches, domes, windows, steps, loggias, stairs and colorful facades that give life to a building complex that is more unique than rare for shapes, colors and arrangement of housing.
As it is easy to imagine, Marina Corricella can only be reached by sea or through four steps that draw different itineraries. From the ends of the small port it is possible to go up the village along two other steps, one of which ends near the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie; the other one, located under the Callìa viewpoint, is the ideal place to admire Capri island and the promontory of Terra Murata.
Finally, a must for lovers of gastronomic and movies addicted tourism is the Graziella Bar, the set of numerous film productions.
La Chiaiolella: The presence of shallow waters and numerous clubs on the seafront makes Marina Chiaiolella one of the most famous and popular destinations in Procida. Here, in addition to the well-equipped tourist port, there are some of the most popular hotels and restaurants on the island. Despite the lively summer tourism that led it to make some necessary changes, Chiaiolella has always maintained its character as a fishing village. Walking along the dock and continuing along Via Giovanni da Procida it is, in fact, possible to admire the characteristic houses of spontaneous architecture. The houses are centuries old, while the hotels are perfectly framed in the landscape even though they date back to more recent times. The highlight of the entire village is the Sanctuary of San Giuseppe built in 1836 and restored over the years. In addition to the bell tower with the large clock that overlooks all its sides, the splendid paintings kept inside the church also deserve a visit. The characteristic port, consisting of an ancient volcanic crater now extinct, is surrounded to the west by the Solchiaro hill, once a favorite destination for the Bourbons kings for hunting, and to the east by the promontory of Santa Margherita, where, in the eighth century, there was a Benedictine monastery.

Also not to be missed is the fantastic sunset over Ischia and the island of Vivara, visible from all the beaches of the village.