If you’ve ever stepped off a ferry in Sorrento in July and wondered where everyone else goes to breathe, let me introduce you to Vico Equense.
It’s the first town you reach on the Sorrento Peninsula, perched on cliffs above the Bay of Naples, with Vesuvius sitting across the water like it’s posing for you. It’s quieter and far more local than Sorrento, yet it’s close to everything you came to this part of Italy for: Pompeii, Capri, Positano, Amalfi and Naples.
I spent three weeks here in September and October with my family as part of my Italy trip, and I’m telling the whole story in my upcoming episode of Truly Expat Travel. You can listen to the how my husband ended up in hospital episode here. With another episode on Vico Equense due to be released early December 2026. This guide covers the practical side: how to get there, things to do in Vico Equense, where we ate, the best day trips and a seven-day itinerary you can lift straight into your plans.
🎧 A quick bit of good news: Truly Expat Travel now ranks in the top 10% of podcasts globally, according to Listen Notes. Thank you to every one of you who listens, shares and sends me your travel questions. Episodes like this one exist because of you.
Why Choose Vico Equense?
In This Guide
Most visitors to the Sorrento Peninsula head straight for Sorrento itself. That’s fine, but it means Sorrento in summer can feel more like a transit hub than a town.
Vico Equense is different. Fishing villages sit in the coves below, locals still do the evening passeggiata, and you can get a table for dinner without fighting a tour group for it. Meanwhile, the train puts you in Sorrento in about 15 minutes and Pompeii in around half an hour.
It suits travellers who like to travel well: people who want a calm base, very good food and beautiful views, rather than crowds and souvenir stalls. If that sounds like you, keep reading.
What Is Vico Equense Famous For?
Pizza by the metre
Vico Equense’s claim to fame is pizza a metro, pizza served by the metre on long wooden boards. It was made famous by Gigino, known as “L’Università della Pizza”. Go hungry and bring friends.
A serious food town
For a town of its size, Vico punches well above its weight in food. Gennaro Esposito’s Torre del Saracino, down by the sea at Marina d’Equa, holds two Michelin stars, and celebrity chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo was born here. Add an award-winning gelateria and some seriously good seafood restaurants, and you’ll eat better here than in many big cities.
Provolone del Monaco
This aged DOP cheese comes from the Lattari hills behind the town. It’s nutty, slightly sharp and nothing like the supermarket provolone you might know.
The Annunziata church
The Church of the Santissima Annunziata, the town’s former cathedral, sits right on the edge of the cliff. It’s the photo everyone takes, and for good reason.
That view
From the old town you get Vesuvius, Naples and the entire Bay of Naples in one sweep. At sunset it’s hard to put the camera down.
How to Get to Vico Equense
From Naples Airport
The nearest airport is Naples International (Capodichino). From there you have three main options.
Private transfer (my recommendation). This is the easiest choice if you have luggage. The drive takes roughly 45–60 minutes depending on traffic, and for comfort it’s the best value of the lot. I booked mine through Gettransfer link here.
Bus plus the Circumvesuviana. Take the airport bus to Naples centre, then the Circumvesuviana local train to Vico Equense station. It’s cheap, but it takes longer and involves a change.
Campania Express. This seasonal tourist train runs on the same line as the Circumvesuviana, but with fewer stops, more comfortable seating and space for luggage. Running dates vary each year, so check before you rely on it.
From Rome
Take a high-speed train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale (about 1 hour 10 minutes), then a transfer or the Circumvesuviana to Vico Equense.
An honest word on the Circumvesuviana
The Circumvesuviana is cheap and practical. It’s also crowded, a bit scruffy and not built for big suitcases. If you plan to use it, pack light and keep an eye on your bags.
Ferries
Vico Equense itself has limited ferry service. Most ferries to Capri and along the Amalfi Coast leave from Sorrento or Castellammare di Stabia, both a short train ride away. If you are a planner like me? Then book ahead online with ferryscanner.
Tips for Using Trains in Italy
Whether you’re arriving from Rome or hopping between towns, these tips will save you some stress.
High-speed trains: Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa and Italo are fast and comfortable. Book ahead for the best fares.
Regional trains: These have fixed fares, so there’s no need to book far in advance.
Validate paper tickets: Stamp paper regional tickets in the machine before boarding, or you risk a fine.
The Circumvesuviana is separate: It’s run by a local operator (EAV), not Trenitalia, so you need separate tickets.
Watch your bags: This matters most on busy local lines.
Useful apps: Trenitalia and Italo for booking, Trainline for comparing.
Check for strikes: Strikes (sciopero) do happen in Italy, so check the news before travel days.
Best Things to Do in Vico Equense
1. Watch the sunset at the Annunziata
Wander through the old town in the late afternoon and time your arrival at the Annunziata church for sunset. It’s the single best spot in town.
2. Explore the historic centre
Stroll the lanes of the centro storico and admire Castello Giusso from the outside. It’s a lovely, unhurried hour or two.
3. Spend a day at a beach club
The coves at Marina di Equa, Marina di Vico and Seiano are where locals swim. Book a sunbed at a beach club; it’s well worth it for the shade, the service and the lunch.
4. Swim off the rocks or take a boat trip
The water here is clear and inviting. Alternatively, take a boat trip along the coastline to see the cliffs from the sea.
5. Taste cheese at a local dairy
Visit a caseificio to taste Provolone del Monaco and fresh mozzarella straight from the source. For food lovers, this is a highlight.
6. Hike in the Lattari hills
The trails around Monte Faito and Ticciano offer huge views with very few tourists. Even a short walk is rewarding.
7. Visit the small museums
The Antiquarium covers local archaeology, while the Mineralogical Museum is a quirky surprise. Both are good for a slower morning.
8. Live like a local
Honestly, some of the best moments are the simplest: a morning coffee in the piazza and the evening passeggiata with everyone else in town.
Food was a big part of this trip, and Vico didn’t disappoint. These are the places we loved, from a lazy breakfast in the piazza to a proper splurge.
Cerasè: my favourite
If I could only go back to one restaurant in Vico Equense, it would be Cerasè. It sits on Corso Filangieri with views over the gulf, and the menu leans into the day’s catch from the Bay of Naples. The tuna was so good that I ordered it every time we went. Enough said.
Terrazza Alfonso: for the catch of the day
Here, the fish that came in that day was the star. Ask what’s fresh, order that and let the kitchen do the rest. It’s simple cooking done beautifully.
Terramia: the lobster pasta splurge
When you want to treat yourself, Terramia on Corso Filangieri is the place. We went for the lobster pasta, and it was worth every euro. This was our splurge night, and I’d happily do it again.
Gran Caffè Zerilli: the everyday favourite
Breakfast at Gran Caffè Zerilli on Piazza Umberto I became our morning ritual: a cappuccino, a pastry and a seat to watch the town wake up. There’s a fun bit of history here too. The café carries the name of the Zerilli family, Bruce Springsteen’s maternal ancestors, who ran a café in Vico Equense before emigrating to America.
Cremeria Gabriele: the best gelato
Food lovers, this one is a pilgrimage. Cremeria Gabriele (you’ll often hear it called Gelateria Gabriele) has been awarded Gambero Rosso’s top “Tre Coni” (Three Cones) rating year after year, which puts it among the very best gelaterias in Italy. Don’t leave town without trying it, and if you’re like me, you’ll go back more than once.
Pizza a metro at Gigino
You can’t visit Vico without trying pizza by the metre, and of course we did. Gigino is where it all started, and watching those long boards come out of the kitchen is half the fun. My advice: go with a group and order more than you think you need.
Tip: Book ahead in summer, especially if you want a table with a sea view at sunset.
Where to Stay in Vico Equense
I stayed at two different locations in Vico Equense both apartments managed by White Stylish Apartments. The two locations were both great, one was right in the middle of the piazza, close to the ferry and restaurants. The other one was bigger with 2 balconies close to the hospital and restaurants. To be honest, neither are far from each other, but both have different location feels but are in fantastic locations.
Best Day Trips from Vico Equense
One of the biggest advantages of staying here is how easy the day trips are.
Sorrento (about 15 minutes by train)
Browse the shopping streets, sit in Piazza Tasso and walk down to the Marina Grande fishing harbour. It’s also lemon and limoncello country, and the main ferry hub for Capri and the Amalfi Coast.
Meta di Sorrento (very close)
Meta is a quiet, local town with good beaches, including Alimuri and Marina di Meta. It makes a nice contrast to busy Sorrento.
Castellammare di Stabia (about 10 minutes)
This is home to the Stabiae ruins, Villa San Marco and Villa Arianna, where you’ll find Roman villas with frescoes and barely any crowds. Castellammare is also a historic thermal-water town and a ferry departure point.
Pompeii (about 30 minutes)
Take the Circumvesuviana to the Pompei Scavi stop. Go early, wear good shoes, and bring water and a hat. A guide is worth it, or at the very least an audio guide. If you’d prefer something smaller and better preserved, Herculaneum is a great alternative. Book online before you go, choose between audio tour or guided tour.
Naples (about 1 hour)
Explore the historic centre, Spaccanapoli and the National Archaeological Museum. Of course, there’s also the pizza pilgrimage and a sfogliatella or two. My honest take: Naples is chaotic, but it’s unmissable. If you are only going for the day, I highly recommend Naples underground tour or hop on the “Naples on-off bus“.
Capri (ferry from Sorrento, about 20–25 minutes)
Ride the funicular up to Capri town, take the chairlift to Monte Solaro and explore Anacapri. A visit to the Blue Grotto depends on the weather and sea conditions. My best tip is to take the earliest ferry to beat the day-trippers. Book a tour of the Blue Grotto before you go.
Positano (bus, ferry or private driver)
Positano is all stairs, so be realistic about mobility. Arriving by sea gives you that iconic view. The SITA bus along the Amalfi Coast road is cheap but packed in summer, so a private driver is worth it for comfort.
Amalfi (ferry or road)
See the Duomo, learn about the town’s paper-making history and enjoy lemon everything. Combine it with Ravello if time allows. A private car covering Positano and Amalfi in one day is a splurge worth considering. Either take the ferry to Amalfi or a full day tour to help reduce lines and getting the best out of your day.
7-Day Vico Equense Itinerary
This itinerary uses Vico Equense as your base all week, so you only unpack once.
Day 1: Arrive, settle in, watch the sunset at the Annunziata and have pizza a metro for dinner.
Day 2: Take it slow in Vico with a beach club at Marina di Equa, a dairy tasting and dinner in town.
Day 3: Visit Pompeii in the morning, then head back for an afternoon rest.
Day 4: Catch an early ferry to Capri from Sorrento and spend the evening in Sorrento.
Day 5: Explore the Amalfi Coast, with Positano and Amalfi by private driver or ferry.
Day 6: Spend the day in Naples for museums, food and the historic centre.
Day 7: Enjoy an easy day in Meta or at the Stabiae ruins, followed by a farewell dinner somewhere special.
Pacing tip: Alternate big days with slow days. It’s a holiday, not a marathon.
Best Souvenirs to Bring Home
Limoncello: ideally from a small producer, not an airport-shop brand.
Provolone del Monaco: buy it vacuum-packed, and check your country’s customs rules on dairy before packing.
Sorrento intarsia: beautiful inlaid wooden boxes and trays.
Hand-painted ceramics: look for the Vietri sul Mare style.
Amalfi handmade paper: lovely stationery that packs flat.
Lemon soaps and linen clothing: Positano is the place for these.
For foodies:colatura di alici (anchovy sauce) and San Marzano tomatoes.
Coral and cameos: a Torre del Greco tradition. Buy only from reputable shops.
Best Time to Visit Vico Equense
The sweet spots are May to June and September to early October. You’ll avoid the worst of the summer crowds and heat, the sea is warm enough to swim, and restaurants are still in full swing.
I can vouch for autumn, because that’s when I went. My three weeks in September and October had warm days, swimmable water and noticeably thinner crowds once the summer holidays ended.
Is Vico Equense Right for You?
Vico Equense is ideal if you want a calm, authentic base with great food and easy access to the Amalfi Coast’s big-name sights. It’s less ideal if you want nightlife or to walk out your door into designer boutiques. For that, Sorrento is a short train ride away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vico Equense
Is Vico Equense worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you want a quieter, more local base than Sorrento. It has outstanding food, beautiful views of Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples, and easy access to Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi Coast.
Is Vico Equense a good base for the Amalfi Coast?
Yes. Positano and Amalfi are reachable by private driver, bus or ferry from nearby Sorrento, and you return each night to a calmer town.
What is Vico Equense famous for?
Pizza a metro (pizza by the metre), Provolone del Monaco cheese, its clifftop Annunziata church and remarkably good food for a town its size.
Does Vico Equense have beaches?
Yes. The main ones are Marina di Equa, Marina di Vico and Seiano. Beach clubs with sunbeds are worth booking in summer.
When is the best time to visit Vico Equense?
May to June and September to early October offer the best balance of good weather and fewer crowds.
Let’s Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this guide, I’d love for you to come along on more adventures.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep Truly Expat Travel running, and I only recommend things I’d use myself.
In 2006, my husband and I made a life-changing decision that would shape the next chapter of our story. With three little ones in tow, we packed up our lives and moved to Taiwan, beginning what would become an incredible 18-year Asian adventure.
