Gulf of Naples

Many times, especially at this time of year, we often hear our colleagues and friends say aloud: there will be nothing stopping me from going to Naples and Capri for the weekend this year!

Nothing wrong with that, of course, but many seem to forget that besides the enchanting Capri, the Gulf of Naples is also home to two other small islands that are definitely worth a visit, namely Ischia and Procida. You will need about four days to do the archipelago justice and visit the main sights without rushing.

Grab your straw hat and sunglasses, because your boat is already leaving the port of Naples!

Capri, timeless elegance

We already extensively covered Europe’s most glamorous island last year, with a post on the best places to visit. Let’s add a few places to the list this year. First of all – this is insider’s advice – when you get there, make sure you take a walk to Via Botteghe, where you can buy local wares, and enjoy some truly amazing views, with hardly any tourists in sight.

After the walk, have lunch at Le Grottelle, a delightful restaurant located in the caverns of the cliffs: dine al fresco on their beautiful panoramic terrace.

A few metres from the restaurant, don’t miss the Grotta di Matromania, a cave that houses Roman remains that are still in good condition and whose structure is still quite intact. Finally, if you can, stay the night in Capri and enjoy the most beautiful sunset you can imagine … But don’t sleep, because the ferry to Ischia leaves very early!

Ischia, beaches and luxury thermal baths

After only 30 minutes by motorboat, you will arrive in Ischia, the island of well-being and natural beauty. Ischia is a favourite with Neapolitan locals, who often escape the hustle and bustle of the city in the summer and head for this island, whose price range is much cheaper than Capri.

This particular island has a lot of history and a lot of historical sites: be sure to visit the wonderful Castello Aragonese, which is practically on the seashore, and so beautiful it looks like something straight out of a movie set; afterwards, head to Borgo di Sant’Angelo, a quaint fishing village where you can chat with the locals, who will help you understand the area better.

For lunch, visit Le Cantine Pietratorcia, near Forio, a short walk from the port: they offer dishes from the land and sea, and make sure you don’t miss the local dish, coniglio all’ischitana (rabbit in the Ischia style).

Now you are ready to relax a little and as you make your way through the magical landscapes of Barano, you will come across the Nitrodi Spring, a thermal bath famous for the therapeutic properties of its waters. It is actually quite easy to find quality thermal springs on Ischia, but Barano is definitely one of our favourites.

Other noteworthy places worth visiting include Monte Epomeo, Lacco Ameno, Casamicciola and Serrara Fontana, each with plenty of individual character. In the evening, dine at the Saturnino, where you will enjoy fresh fish, caught the same morning.

And that’s not all: Ischia is also the island of good wine, so make sure you have some with your dinner, choosing between white wine, such as Biancolella, or the red Pere’ e Palummo, both typical local wines. The following day, before leaving for Procida, enjoy the wonderful beaches of Ischia: among our favourites are the Maronti beach, in the bay of Barano, and the wonderful Citara beach.

Procida, unspoilt nature and exclusive places

Procida is definitely the least known island in the Gulf of Naples, which is also why it is the most exclusive. The things that will strike you most when you arrive are the unspoilt nature you see and the numerous fishing villages that dot the coastline.

But let’s share our selection of places to visit: visit Marina di Chiaiolella and make a stop at Punta Pizzaco, whose crystal-clear waters await you for a dip. Once your skin has dried in the sun, it will be time to explore the mainland and discover the city centre. Start at the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo and stop at the Belvedere dei Cannoni from where you can admire the location portrayed in the 1994 Oscar-nominated film Il Postino, set in Procida.

Can you remember? Go to La Conchiglia to enjoy an unforgettable lunch on the beach: this place can be reached from the seashore, or by walking down the 182 steps to the bay where the restaurant is located.

And since Procida is also home to some of the region’s most prosperous lemon groves, taste the island’s best granita at the legendary La Graziella stand. If you don’t know Procida, it might be hard to understand, but once you do, you’ll never want granita anywhere else!