Lesser-known Italian island with pastel-coloured houses & black sand beaches dubbed most beautiful in the country
WHILE holidays to Capri and Sicily remain popular, there’s another Italian island that seems to have flown under the radar.
Popular towns and cities in Italy can get very crowded, but there are still some secluded spots where holidaymakers can relax in peace.
One of those places is Procida – a small Italian island located in the Bay of Naples.
The tiny Italian island of often overlooked by holidaymakers, who often opt to visit the neighbouring island of Capri instead.
In recent years, the island has garnered favour with holidaymakers on social media.
Last summer, one TikTok user (@thewanderlustimes) described Procida as “one of the most beautiful places in Italy” thanks to the island’s pastel-coloured houses and picturesque harbours.
But it’s not just users on social media who’ve visited the tiny Italian island, it’s also attracted A-list celebrities too.
According to the Times, Hollywood movie stars like Sophia Loren, Richard Burton, and Elizabeth Taylor used to holiday on the island.
Signora Filumena told the Times: “Lollobrigida, Loren, Burton, Taylor — they all used to come here. But they weren’t big names to us. The beauty of our island makes everyone look like a film star.”
More recently, the island has welcomed other famous faces, including TV chef Jamie Oliver.
While the island doesn’t attract hordes of holidaymakers from the UK, there are still plenty of activities to keep visitors entertained.
One of the island’s main attractions is Marina Corricella – the oldest fishing village on the island.
Dating back to the 17th century, the houses along the port were painted pink, yellow, blue, and green, so any fishermen could easily make their way into the port.
Despite being more than 300 years old, Marina Corricella is still a working fishing port, which makes it a great spot to enjoy some seafood.
There are other sites above the port too, including the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and Piazza di Martiri, both of which sit at the top of the hill overlooking the port.
At the top of the hill, there’s also a fortified medieval village called the Terra Murata.
There are also several beaches on the island, including Chiaia Beach, which is located a stone’s throw away from Marina Corricella.
Chiaia Beach is a shallow beach with dark sand.
Part of the beach can be accessed for free, while holidaymakers will need to pay to rent out any sunloungers or parasols.
Meanwhile, Postino Beach, also known as La Spiaggia del Postino, can only be accessed by a ladder located below the island’s cemetery.
Other beaches on the island include Silurenza Beach, and Ciraccio Beach, which is the longest beach on Pocida.
Procida can be reached from Naples on a 40-minute ferry service, with fares starting from £35 per person for a one-way ticket.
From the island, Naples International Airport is the closest airport.
Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air operate direct flights from several UK cities to Naples, with prices starting from £15 for a one-way ticket.
Hotels on the island are relatively affordable too.
For example, Sun Online Travel has found an overnight stay at La finestra sul mare, an apartment located just 300 yards away from the beach for £31 per person per night, based on two people sharing a room.
Procida isn’t the only little-known Italian island Brit holidaymakers can visit without the crowds.
There’s also the Tremiti Islands, a group of five islands that are tucked away on Italy’s Adriatic Coast.
San Domino and San Nicola are the largest of the two islands, while Capraia, Cretaccio, and Pianosa are the three smallest.
While the Tremiti Islands may not be as famous as other Italian islands like Capri and Sicily, they’ve become a hit with holidaymakers in recent years.
Meanwhile, one tiny UK town has been compared to a stunning Italian island.