Marina di Praia
Tucked inside a narrow gorge carved by a seasonal stream, Marina di Praia is Praiano's secret harbour — a postage-stamp beach of dark volcanic sand flanked by colourful fishing boats and a pair of terraced restaurants that practically hang over the water. It is the kind of place that makes you cancel your onward plans.
The Cove Itself
The beach is reached by descending a steep staircase from the SS163 — about 180 steps — and the drama of the descent gives way to a sudden, almost theatrical reveal of turquoise water enclosed by sheer limestone walls draped in capers and wild fennel.
Local fishermen still haul their brightly painted boats onto the gravel each morning, and if you arrive early enough you can watch them mend nets beside stacks of terracotta octopus pots — a scene unchanged for generations.
Eating & Swimming
The Ristorante La Brace and the beach bar at Onda Verde both serve fresh-caught fish mere metres from where it was landed. Order the alici fritte (fried anchovies) with a glass of Falanghina and eat with your feet almost in the sea.
Swimming is excellent: the water is calm, gin-clear and deep enough for snorkelling around the rocky flanks of the gorge, where you will find sea urchins, octopus and schools of bream.
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