In the Gulf of Naples, there are breathtaking islands. The most famous are Ischia and Capri, but our favorite is the small island of Procida—authentic, colorful, and still far from mass tourism. Here, time feels frozen in the pages of Arturo’s Island by Elsa Morante one of Italy’s most renowned 20th-century writers. Every summer, it becomes our home.
We’ve been spending our vacations in Procida for over ten years with our children. In this guide, we share the best Things to do in Procida with kids: family-friendly beaches, charming villages, scenic walks, and unique sea experiences.
Read our 10 insider tips for exploring Procida like a local.
Procida with Kids – Essential Travel Info
Island size: Less than 4 km long, about 16 km in perimeter. Perfect to explore on foot or by bus.- Best age: Ideal for kids aged 3+. Strollers are manageable, but expect hills and stairs.
- Procida beaches for kids: Chiaiolella and Chiaia are the best options.
- Getting around: Public buses, taxis (often Ape Cars), e-bikes, and walking.
- Day trip to Procida from Naples: Totally doable, but staying overnight is much better with kids.
Now let’s dive into the top experiences, all personally tested.
Best Places to Stay in Procida for Families
We usually rent a house for the month of July, so we’re not hotel experts. However, we once stayed at Hotel Leone di Mare and had a great experience: a spacious, fully equipped room, an amazing breakfast, and a warm welcome.
There’s also a beautiful lemon garden. The owners are lovely and incredibly patient with children.
Read our guide to the best places to stay in Procida with kids.
1. Procida Beaches for Kids: The Best Family Beaches
Procida is a volcanic island. The sand is dark, the sea changes color with the sunlight, and there aren’t many beaches—but the ones suitable for families are truly beautiful.
If you’re wondering which beach to choose in Procida with kids, let’s start here.
Chiaiolella Beach: the most convenient for families
Chiaiolella is the longest beach on the island, facing the marina. It’s a wide sandy area with beach clubs and free sections. The water is shallow for many meters, so kids can play safely while parents relax.
Beach clubs offer umbrellas, loungers, bars, and restaurants. It’s well-organized and popular with families from June onward. We often stop at Lido La Rotonda, where the sandwiches are famous among kids. Thanks to the bay’s shape, the water is often clean and sheltered from the wind.
Chiaia Beach: calm waters and postcard views
Located below Terra Murata, this long dark-sand beach is protected on windy days. When Chiaiolella has rough seas, Chiaia is often calm.
To reach it, you need to walk down a long staircase—over 100 steps. With a stroller or very young kids, it can be challenging, especially on the way back. However, the view and atmosphere are worth it.
Pozzo Vecchio, the “Postman Beach”
Pozzo Vecchio beach, known by everyone as the “Postman Beach,” is a scenic bay with dark sand, rocks, and crystal-clear water. Some scenes from the movie Il Postino, starring Massimo Troisi and Maria Grazia Cucinotta, were filmed here.
It is less of an “organized family beach” compared to Chiaiolella, but it’s perfect for slightly older kids who enjoy diving off rocks and playing among them.
Lingua Beach: the closest to the port
Lingua Beach is located immediately to the left of Marina Grande port. It is a small beach with sand and pebbles, probably the least scenic on the island, but extremely convenient for those arriving just for the day: within minutes, you’ll have your feet in the water.
If you’re visiting Procida with kids and only have a few hours, this is the easiest option for a quick swim.
Which is the best beach in Procida for kids? For us, the answer is Chiaiolella: spacious, convenient, with shallow waters and plenty of services. However, if you’re looking for postcard-perfect views, then Pozzo Vecchio definitely deserves a spot on your must-see list.
2) Discover Marina Corricella: a must-see village with kids
When you see a photo of Procida online, it is almost always a picture of Marina Corricella, the island’s most famous little harbor. It is a small, car-free fishing village, with pastel-colored houses—yellow, light blue, pink—that look as if they were painted by a giant child and cascade down toward the sea.
For families, it is a perfect place for a walk: kids watch the boats, fishing nets drying in the sun, and cats sleeping on the steps; adults enjoy the views and the atmosphere. Corricella is also home to some of the island’s best-known restaurants, but with kids, often a granita or gelato enjoyed while sitting on a low wall is more than enough.
Scenes from Il Postino were filmed here, and years later it also appeared in Apple and Microsoft commercials showcasing the colors of iPhone and Surface screens. The view is truly unique.
How to get to Corricella with kids
- By bus: line C2 takes you to San Rocco, from where you walk down to the village.
- On foot: from Marina Grande, follow Via Vittorio Emanuele, Via Principe Umberto, and Piazza dei Martiri. The distance is about 1 km, with some uphill sections, but manageable with kids if you take breaks.
- By sea: water taxis and rental boats allow you to reach Corricella directly from the port.
With strollers, you need to be a bit careful with stairs and slopes, but if you take it slow, the visit is absolutely doable.
3) Procida on foot, by bus, or by bike: how to get around with kids
One of the best things about Procida with kids is that the island is perfectly walkable. With less than 4 kilometers in length and about 16 km in perimeter, Procida can be explored on foot and by bus, without needing a car.
Exploring Procida on foot with kids
Walking is the best way to get to know the island. You can create small itineraries with stops along the way: port – Marina Grande, up to Terra Murata, down to Corricella, and back via Chiaia. Distances are not excessive, but there are climbs, descents, and steps, so it’s best to alternate walking with bus rides, especially with younger children.
Public buses: convenient and frequent
Lines L1, L2, C1, and C2 connect the port, beaches, Chiaiolella, Terra Murata, and the hospital. The buses are small and fill up quickly, but they are the easiest way to get around with kids without worrying about parking or traffic.
Electric bikes and open mini cars
For families with older kids, there are electric bikes (also with child seats up to 25 kg) and small open cars (like the historic Fiat “Jungla”). They are fun and allow you to explore the whole island quickly. However, keep in mind that many roads are narrow, so the driver should be comfortable navigating tight streets.
Taxis and Ape Cars
At the port, you’ll find taxis, often open Ape Cars. They are not the most comfortable option, but kids usually love them and the ride quickly becomes an adventure. A single ride costs around €15, and a full island tour about €40.
A useful tip: as soon as you arrive, get the phone number of a trusted taxi driver and always agree on the price before getting in. Regular visitors to Procida always have their go-to driver. We recommend Giorgio (338-4338644): patient, punctual, and great with kids—he’s also becoming a dad this fall. He also has a Facebook page: GiorgioTourProcida.
4) Vivara: a nature reserve to visit with older kids
Connected to Procida by a bridge, Vivara is a small islet of about 32 hectares, now a state nature reserve. It is a fascinating place where Mediterranean vegetation meets the sea, and with a bit of luck, you may spot migratory birds and rare species.
Access to Vivara is regulated: entry is only allowed with a guide and usually on specific days and times (typically weekends and certain periods of the year). Always check opening times and access rules before going, as the reserve frequently opens and closes.
For kids, it’s a wonderful outing, but better suited to those who are used to walking. It’s not very stroller-friendly.
5) Marina Grande, “Sent’Co” and the panarielli
Marina Grande, which locals call “Sent’Co,” is the port where you arrive by ferry or hydrofoil. Welcoming you is the Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, yellow, with a squat bell tower, embraced by fishermen’s houses.
Along Via Roma, you’ll find bars, restaurants, gelato shops, and small stores. It’s the perfect place for a first coffee, granita, or brioche right after arrival.
Just look up to notice a typical detail that always fascinates kids: the panarielli, wicker baskets lowered from balconies with a rope to bring up groceries or mail without going down to the street.
From Via Vittorio Emanuele, heading uphill, you reach the Church of San Leonardo (dating back to the 8th century), and then Terra Murata. Marina Grande is the natural starting point for every day in Procida.
6) A stop at Libreria Nutrimenti: an entire floor for kids
On such a small island, you wouldn’t expect a specialized bookstore. Yet in Procida, there is Libreria Nutrimenti, created by the publishing house of the same name. Inside, an entire floor is dedicated to children, with carefully selected picture books and stories about the sea, islands, and travel.
Even for avid readers, it’s easy to find something new. The wall leading upstairs, with a drawing of The Little Prince and the quote “All adults were once children, but only a few remember it,” always captures the attention of kids (and adults too).
7) Terra Murata and Casa di Graziella: history, views, and stories
Terra Murata is the highest fortified village on the island. The houses, partly carved into the rock, have small slits instead of windows, once used to defend against Saracen attacks. From here, the view over Corricella, Ischia, and the Gulf is one of the most beautiful in Procida.
In the village, there are two places that may interest kids, with a few considerations:
- Palazzo d’Avalos, the former Bourbon prison, can only be visited with a guided tour. Courtyards, corridors, cells, and panoramic terraces tell an intense story, more suitable for older kids than very young ones.
- Casa di Graziella, a reconstruction of an early 20th-century Procida home, dedicated to the protagonist of the novel Graziella by Alphonse de Lamartine. It’s a small ethnographic museum where everyday objects help explain to children how people used to live on the island. Children enter for free, while the adult ticket costs €3. Info: 333 3739076 / 339 7232212.
Often, the best part is talking to the people who run these places. They are always ready to share anecdotes and local traditions, and children listen with fascination.
Make sure to stop at “I giardini dell’incanto” as well: an area of about 5,000 square meters has been cleared of brambles and turned into a public park with a breathtaking view over Spiaggia dell’Asino. The view is stunning, but the garden is not yet fully suitable for children. Hopefully, it will eventually include playground equipment, swings, and benches.
Speaking of playgrounds, if you’re looking for a good one in Procida, you’ll find it on Via Belvedere near the hospital. It is clean, well maintained, and has many new slides and swings.
8) Eating in Procida with kids: lemon pastry and simple cuisine
You can eat well almost anywhere in Procida. The cuisine is simple, based on very fresh fish, lemons, and local produce. With kids, pizzerias and restaurants near Chiaiolella beach work especially well, since children can get up from the table and play on the sand.
A must-try dessert is the lingua di Procida, a typical pastry made of thin layers filled with lemon cream and covered with sugar. You can find it in several bars around the island, especially along Via Roma near the port. It’s the perfect snack after the beach or during an evening stroll.
9) Procida from the sea: submarine, kayak, and boats
Procida is an island, and the best way to show it to children is from the sea. At the port and in Chiaiolella, you’ll find boats available for rent to explore the island and stop in the quietest bays.
Nemo Sub: a small red submarine that takes you to discover the seabed around the island. The tour lasts about 50 minutes in the evening or two hours during the day. It’s not cheap, but for kids, it’s a memorable experience. It is a bit pricey, but the kids had so much fun.
Kayak: local associations organize kayaking tours around the island. These activities are more suitable for teenagers (13+) and sporty families.
Boat or yacht tours: some boats offer full-day experiences including swimming, snorkeling, and lunch onboard. It’s a perfect treat for celebrating a birthday or a special family day.
10) The Gardens of Elsa: a literary dream to keep an eye on
Procida is closely linked to the writer Elsa Morante, who set her novel Arturo’s Island here. In the 1950s, she stayed at Pensione Eldorado, surrounded by a citrus grove overlooking the sea—the famous “Gardens of Elsa.”
For a time, these gardens (Via Vittorio Emanuele 225) were open to the public, then closed again. Work is ongoing to reopen them, and important updates are expected. Even though they are not always accessible, it’s worth keeping an eye on them. For book lovers, it is a symbolic place that tells part of the island’s history.
How to get to Procida with kids
Procida can be easily reached by sea all year round. Ferries and hydrofoils depart from:
- Naples – Molo Beverello (hydrofoils), Calata Porta di Massa (ferries)
- Pozzuoli – often more convenient if you are traveling by car
The hydrofoil is faster (about 35–40 minutes), while the ferry is slower (about one hour) but more affordable and scenic. With small children, we often prefer the ferry: you can stay on deck, watch Mount Vesuvius and the Gulf islands, follow the seagulls, and start your journey at a slower pace.
A practical tip: if you choose the hydrofoil, try to sit toward the back, where you feel the motion less.
How long to stay in Procida with kids
Online, you often read that Procida is “enough for a weekend,” otherwise it gets boring. We don’t agree.
For what to see in Procida with kids, one day may be enough. But to truly fall in love with the island, you need at least three days.
- In one day: one beach (Chiaiolella or Chiaia) and Corricella
- In a weekend: add Terra Murata, Marina Grande, and an evening walk through the streets
In several days: you get into the island rhythm—you know your breakfast bar, greet the baker by name, and have your trusted taxi driver
If you’re planning a longer stay, with tips on where to stay and a ready-made 2-day itinerary, check our dedicated article:
Ten tips for a vacation in Procida like a local.
Why go to Procida with kids: 5 quick reasons
We’ll finish with five practical reasons why, in our experience, Procida is perfect for a family vacation:
- It’s small and easy to explore: distances are short, and you avoid long, stressful transfers
- Family-friendly beaches: Chiaiolella and Chiaia have shallow waters and convenient services
- Very few cars and great public transport: buses, walking, and taxis make life easier than on many other islands
- It’s an authentic island: kids still see fishermen at work, panarielli on balconies, and small local shops
- Close to Naples: in less than an hour by boat, you reach a completely different world, without flights or long transfers
For us, Procida is the island where kids grow a little freer and more confident every summer, surrounded by the sea, narrow streets, books, gelato, and sunsets. And that’s the main reason why we keep coming back.
