A Weekend Retreat to Procida

Last year for my birthday, I was given a surprise party, booked a ticket to California, and then scampered off to Ischia.

This year for my birthday, I had a delicious pajama brunch party, booked a ticket to Budapest, and then scampered off the Procida.

Procida and Ischia are Capri’s less famous (and less crowded) sister islands in the bay of Naples.

I basically spent our entire weekend on Procida walking around going: “omggggg, sooooo cuuuute”.

I also managed to work, “Did you know that this is where they filmed Il Postino??” into conversation about 10 times in 48 hours.

I watched Il Postino in 11th grade Spanish class (yeah, I know, but the Spanish link is there, trust me). I couldn’t believe the place was real and I was there.

I also managed to mention several times that The Talented Mr. Ripley was also filmed on Procida.  This was admitted to conversation fewer times because I find that movie pretty creepy.

Camera-ready Procida is easy to get to from Naples.  Just hop on a 35 minute ferry (for about 15 euro, depending on the time/company)

The streets are narrow and winding. Sidewalks can be hard to come by but hat’s fine because life on the island is pretty slow.  Rather than getting mowed down by scooters like you would in Naples or Rome, you’re likely to see friends cruising side-by-side to have a chat.

You don’t need a car to get around here.  You can walk around the entire perimeter of the island in less than 4 hours.  When I spotted this part of the island from a beach on the other side, it was only a 20 minute walk to get there.

Procida can’t be done in a day from Rome.  It’s too much to get to Naples and then get the ferry.  Besides, it’s worth some more of your time.  We did it in a weekend, leaving Rome at a godforsaken hour (5:45 am Saturday) and returning by 10 pm on Sunday.

Exhausted, but refreshed.

Procida is famous for its lemons and our hotel even gave us a bag to take home.  Try the sorbetto while you’re there, but in terms of other eateries, check out Katie Parla’s guide to the island.