Procida: the Most Colourful Island in the Bay of Naples

Procida is the most authentic island in the bay: it has preserved a genuine, laid-back and sleepy atmosphere.

This little island has pastel-coloured fishing villages, black sand beaches and a maze of narrow twisting alleyways.

Procida is the smallest island in the Bay of Naples and, despite being only a 40-minute hydrofoil trip from Naples, it attracts far fewer foreign visitors than Capri and Ischia.

Marina Corricella

Marina Corricella is one of Italy's most brilliant and hypnotic villages, with a patchwork of bright, low fishermen's houses in flashy purple, yellow, pink, blue and green.

The port is packed with wooden boats and covered in fishing nets, and it is teeming with fishermen calling out to sell their catch of the day.

Families gather at the pier for gelato, cappuccino and a sunset aperitif, children run around the streets, while the elderly relax on chairs gazing out at the blue sea.

The few shops sell chic, low-cost clothing.

A steep uphill road leads to an overhanging historic castle, once a prison, with a sweeping view of the gulf.

Procida, a mythical island

According to legend, this was the realm of the lovely siren Parthenope, who founded the city of Naples.

Parthenope and her two sisters ruled the gulf from a deep sea cave.

Then one day a ship carrying the Greek hero Odysseus, returning home from burning Troy, passed by, and the sirens sang their gorgeous, mesmerising song for the sorrowful, lost warriors.

Cunning Odysseus had himself bound to the ship's mast and his ears muffled, to avoid falling victim to their magical chant, which was thought to bewitch men and cause them to drown.

Having failed to lure Odysseus, Parthenope is said to have taken her own life.

Her lovely body was lulled to eternal sleep by the waves before washing up on a rock on the mainland and giving birth to Naples.

Procida's amazing food

Procida's cuisine is typical of this region of Italy, combining fresh fish and shellfish from its waters with regional ingredients such as artichokes and peppers.

Totani con i carciofi (stuffed squid with artichokes), paccheri totani e peperoni verdi (pasta with squid and green peppers), spaghetti ai ricci di mare (spaghetti with sea urchin), coniglio alla procidana (rabbit), everything with lemon and, of course, pizza!

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