Visiting Vico Equense, Italy: A Hidden Gem Near the Amalfi Coast
Vico Equense is gateway to Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula and Amalfi Coast—but it’s also so much more than that.
Once a Roman resort town, Vico Equense is quiet yet breathtaking, nestled amongst ancient olive groves with sweeping views of Mt. Vesuvius and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
It’s also called the city of taste (città del gusto) and is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants and a literal university of pizza.
But most significantly for me, it’s where my great-great-grandfather was born. And while I’d long dreamed of visiting this town since my grandmother told me about her own trip here decades before, nothing could prepare me for just how stunning—and special—this place would be.
Why visit Vico Equense?
- 🚃 Easy to get to: Unlike the Amalfi Coast towns that require long, winding drives, you can get to Vico Equense in an hour from Naples via the Circumvesuviana train (with no transfers). And Naples is a 1-hour express train ride away from Rome!
- 📍 Convenient base for exploring Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and Capri: Pompeii is a 25 minute train ride away, and both the Amalfi Coast and Capri are accessible via scenic ferries and boat tours.
- 🍋 Quintessential Mediterranean landscapes: Vico Equense is perched on the cliffs overlooking the shimmering Bay of Naples with terraced olive groves and citrus trees. And one thing that Vico Equense has (and the Amalfi Coast doesn’t) is a view of Mt. Vesuvius!
- 🇮🇹 Authentic local feel: Vico Equense is delightfully uncrowded and not marketed to tourists—it feels like being in a real Italian town!
- 🍕 Foodie haven: Vico Equense is called the city of taste (città del gusto). It’s home to several Michelin-starred restaurants and a literal university of pizza. And it’s where much of the region’s limoncello is produced!
Also See: 10 Day Southern Italy Itinerary: Beaches, Mountains & More
Where to Stay in Vico Equense
We stayed a breathtaking bed and breakfast nestled amongst olive grows overlooking the sparkling blue Bay of Naples and Mt. Vesuvius. It’s one of the most incredible places I’ve ever stayed, and others enjoy it too—it has a 9.8/10 rating on Booking.com!
The small property has a few rooms and a stunning pool made out of a boat! In the evenings you can book a private aperitivo with local wine while watching the sun set.
Another highlight of staying here was the breakfast we were served every morning which featured fresh figs and pears grown on the property, local pastries, homemade jams, bruschetta with ripe tomatoes, and Italian coffee.
Some other places to stay in Vico Equense include:
- Villa Ketty (9.9/10 stars): Stunning property very close to the town and train station, with panoramic views, a beautiful pool, and exceptional service.
- Laqua Countryside (9.6/10 stars): Eco-luxury property tucked up on the hills above Vico Equense town. There’s a beautiful pool and onsite restaurants, and its a lovely place to stay if you don’t mind being a bit far from town.
- Vesuvio View (9.8/10 stars): Peaceful, budget-friendly rooms in the heart of Vico Equense with sea views!
- B&B Cassiopea (9.9/10 stars): Down-to-earth budget-friendly property up in the hills of Vico Equense.
Things to do in & Near Vico Equense
Go to the beach
If you’re visiting Vico Equense in the summertime, spending some time at the beach is a must! The town is home to several tranquil beaches–most of which require a steep hike (or drive) down the cliffsides. Just keep in mind these beaches are rocky—but still beautiful!
We spent several hours at Lido Da Vittorio, a little beach club with a retro feel. It’s technically walking distance from town, but there’s also a little bus that will take you up and down the hill from the train station!
Eat your way through Vico Equense
You’ll eat well in the city of taste! Be sure to stop by L’Università della Pizza (literally the University of Pizza) for some of the best pizza you’ll ever have—served by the meter!! And you can browse Vico Equense’s Michellin star restaurants here! We also enjoyed Il Barrio Osteria, a lovely little courtyard restaurant in town.
Wine tasting beneath Mt. Vesuvius
The fertile volcanic slopes of Mt. Vesuvius are home to several family-owned vineyards where you can sip organic wine with panoramic views.
We enjoyed a delicious late afternoon lunch and wine tasting at Cantina del Vesuvio, which I’d highly recommend—it was one of the highlights of our trip! Cantina del Vesuvio offers complimentary transfers from the train station at Pompeii (25 minute train ride from Vico Equense), so I’d visit both in one day!
Explore the ruins of Pompeii
Visiting Pompeii while staying in Vico Equense is a must—this massive archaeological site is incredibly well-preserved and you can still step into many of the city’s ancient family homes, bakeries, brothels, bathhouses, and piazzas, plus the fresco-adorned residences of Pompeii’s wealthiest merchants and political leaders.
Pompeii is a 25-minute train ride from Vico Equense, and the archaeological site is right across the street from the station—so getting here is incredibly easy! You can check current entry prices and opening hours here, and if its in your budget, I highly recommend touring Pomepii with a guide to better make sense of the expansive ruins!
Go on an Amalfi Coast boat tour
The nearby Amalfi Coast is home to a string of picture-perfect villages etched into rugged cliffs—and the best way to experience it is by boat! We joined a full-day boat tour that dropped us off in both Positano and Amalfi, plus several serene swimming spots—including the Li Galli Islands, where legend says Ulysses encountered the sirens.
In Amalfi we visited the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, where ancient relics from the apostle are stored. And in Positano we climbed the steep cobblestoned streets to an overlook where we got one of those postcard-worthy Amalfi Coast views, and cooled off with some delectable lemon sorbetto.
The boat tour exceeded our expectations—it was less stressful than staying on the Amalfi Coast, and the perfect way to get a taste of these iconic towns while still leaving plenty of time to explore lesser-known areas of southern Italy!
Also See: 5 BEST Amalfi Coast Tours from Sorrento
Visit Sorrento’s Lemon Groves
The Sorrentine Coast is famous for its lemon groves. And in nearby Sorrento you’ll find a few family-owned organic lemon farms that offer limoncello tastings and aperitif amongst the lemon groves.
We were planning on visiting Villa Beatrice but unfortunately I got sick, which put a stop to some of our Vico Equense plans. This one is another more affordable lemon grove tasting experience.
Paddle board to the Queen’s Bath
Also in nearby Sorrento, Bagni Regina Giovanna (Queen’s Bath) is a swimming hole nestled amongst the ruins of a 2,000-year-old villa. Apparently, this spot got its name because 17-year-old Queen of Naples, Regina Giovanna used to come here to bathe in the 1300s! You can either hike down to the swimming hole or reach it via paddle board.
Visit the island of Capri & grottoes
A favorite getaway for celebrities like Madonna, the ritzy island of Capri is a 40 minute ferry ride away from Sorrento (timetables here). It’s famous for its dazzling Blue Grotto—along with several other stunning sea caves and the striking Faraglioni rock formations.
Once you arrive in Capri Town, you can immediately join a boat tour that takes you to some of the grottos and Faraglioni, or explore on land. If you opt for the later, take the bus to Anacapri and don’t miss the chairlift up to the summit of Monte Solaro!
Swim in the Scrajo thermal springs
The Scrajo Spa in Vico Equense is built on natural thermal springs that pour into the Mediterranean. I didn’t get the chance to visit, and have read some mixed reviews about this place but it may be worth checking out!
Take a day trip to Naples
The birthplace of pizza and the third largest city in Italy, Napoli is a little rough around the edges, but so full of charm! You can reach the center of Naples in about an hour on the train from Vico Equense. Although you can explore on your own, many people prefer to navigate this chaotic in-your-face city on a group walking tour.
A few cool things to do in Naples include exploring the underground Spanish quarters, visiting the National Archaeological Museum, seeing the ‘famous Veiled Christ’ statue at Sansevero Chapel, and gazing out on the Bay of Naples from the historic Castel dell’Ovo castle!
Getting Around Vico Equense, Sorrento & Naples
Vico Equense is conveniently located right along the Circumvesuviana train line that connects Naples (1 hour away) and Sorrento (15 minutes away). Most train rides cost under €5.00 and the line runs regularly—but on always exactly on time!
In Vico Equense, itself, its easiest to get around on foot or scooter. Most of the roads are very narrow and steep, so I wouldn’t recommend driving a car here!
Our B&B was a 15 minute walk from the train station and downtown area, and the hosts generously offer an on-demand shuttle service, which we used a few times!
Getting to Vico Equense
The nearest airport is Naples International Airport, which is about an hour and a half away from Vico Equense. After landings, take a taxi to the Napoli Centrale train station, then board the Circumvesuviana train south toward Sorrento and get off at Vico Equense.
Getting to Vico Equense from Rome is almost as fast and convenient, you can reach Napoli Centrale in about an hour on the high speed Frecciarossa train. Then transfer to the Circumvesuviana train station toward Sorrento and get off at Vico Equense.
As I’ve mentioned previously, the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Vico Equense takes about an hour, with views of the city and bay along the way.
🚊 Napoli Centrale Tip: The high speed Frecciarossa trains from Rome and the regional Circumvesuviana line depart from different parts of the Naples Central Station. We found it a little confusing to navigate, don’t be afraid to ask for help in the station!
More Italy Travel Guides
- 10 Day Southern Italy Itinerary: Beaches, Mountains & More
- 5 BEST Amalfi Coast Tours from Sorrento
- The PERFECT 3 Day Rome Itinerary (With Hidden Gems)
- What You NEED to Book in Advance for Rome (And How to Book!)
- 7 Tips for Visiting the Vatican for the First Time
Save for later on Pinterest:
Hi!! I’m looking to book the same place in Vico Equense, but can only book 3 nights due to availability. Is this enough time if we still want to venture to the coast and day trip to Pompei? I’m so thankful I found your blog!
Hi Heidi, I’m so happy my blog could help 🙂 I think 3 nights would certainly be worth it! Pomepii is located along the metro train line that connects Vico to Naples. And according to a quick google search, they have luggage storage at the Pomepii station. So, theoretically, you could visit Pompeii on your way from Naples to Vico, or on your way back (assuming you’re heading there from Naples train station or airport). That could save a little transit time if you’re trying to squeeze the most out of a few days! Either way, there’s a lot of ways you could arrange your itinerary but you’ll probably need a full day for the Amalfi Coast. Enjoy!! (I’ll be living vicariously through you!!)