Vico Equense – The gateway to the Amalfi Coast

Vico Equense is the Sorrento Peninsula (Italy) visiting card. Possibly the most underrated town on or around the Amalfi Coast. The town is a quiet and romantic choice, very close to Pompeii and Sorrento, easily accessible from Capri and not far from Positano. Surrounded by lush green hills and overlooking the sea, it contains all the things you would expect from a traditional Italian town, good pizzerias and restaurants, nice cafes, friendly locals, panoramic views and Vespas. It’s perfect for a short or long holiday to the Amalfi Coast, with a train and bus station, it also has two marinas, and a good beach to chill on after a long day of exploring. A good place to stay, also perfect for exploring elsewhere. It’s all here, read on to get the best tips, info, do’s and don’ts.

Is Vico Equense worth visiting?

Having stayed ourselves in Vico Equense, we highly rate this town because you have good options for everything. Food, accommodation, beaches and fun, all you could ask for from a peaceful, traditional Italian town. So, yes we will definitely say that Vico Equense is worth visiting and great place to make a base for your Amalfi coast holiday.

It is ideally located between Naples and Sorrento. With ferry connections to Capri and a short drive away from Positano and Amalfi, this is a great place to make your base camp while you are exploring the Amalfi coast.

Here’s all you need to know about Vico Equense:

Top 7 Must See / Do things in Vico Equense

Location: Where is Vico Equense in Italy?

Vico Equense (Campania, Italy) is in the perfect spot for it to be the town you stay in for your trip to the Amalfi Coast. With a short train ride to Sorrento, Pompeii and Naples, you can say it’s in the middle of it all. Within 50km of everything on the Amalfi Coast + Naples, it provides everything within arm’s reach. Away from the over-crowded places like Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi, it is the best town to stay in and enjoy Italian hospitality. Other than travelling elsewhere, there are lots of things to do even within Vico Equense.

History

With medieval churches, old artefacts and more, Vico Equense is quite a historic town. Italics, Etruscans and Greeks have all lived here and left behind some things of beauty. You can go see some of the finds exhibited at the Archaeological Museum. Also, Giusso Castle, which dates back to the 13th century, and the Cathedral of the Annunciation from the 1300s. Boasting many churches with beautiful works of art, this town’s history is a must-see.

Vico Equense vs Sorrento

Wondering where to stay for your trip to the Amalfi Coast? Well, it’s a choice between Vico Equense or Sorrento, other areas being way too overcrowded and expensive, here we list the pros and cons of each area and come up with a conclusion of where you should stay for the ideal trip to the Amalfi Coast.

Sorrento

A nice place to stay, with a very lemony vibe.

Pros:

• Bus connections from Sorrento to Positano and Amalfi, making it more convenient.
• Wider choice of restaurants, more cuisines and food for everyone to enjoy.
• Large Marina/Beach area, Vico’s small Marina and beach look tiny in comparison.
• More places to shop at, a good range of products to choose from.

Cons:

• A bit overcrowded, making it not as peaceful as Vico Equense.
• Further from Naples and Pompeii, as compared to Vico.
• More touristy than traditional, Vico Equense has a more authentic Italian vibe and food.
• Slightly expensive, less affordable than Vico.
• Bus queues can be long, even on some non-peak season days.

Vico Equense

Traditional Italian town with good connections to the Amalfi Coast and Naples.

Pros:

• More traditional, meaning the hospitality and food you get is more Italian than made for tourists.
• Quieter and more peaceful than Sorrento, no Italian town is properly quiet but this comes pretty close and has a loud peace about it.
• Closer to Naples, Vesuvius and Pompeii, ideally located between Naples and Sorrento.
• Fewer restaurant choices, but most of the restaurants are good, unlike Sorrento where you have to hunt for a good one.
• Less expensive, as it’s not yet the most popular with tourists.

Cons:

• Not many shopping choices, but shopping can be done on day trips to other places.
• No direct connections to Amalfi and Positano, but you can simply take a short train ride to Sorrento, then get a bus to Positano and Amalfi, or simply take a taxi.

Conclusion: Vico vs Sorrento

In conclusion, Vico is a better place to stay than Sorrento, but a short journey from here will get you anywhere on the Amalfi Coast.

Where to get more info

The tourist office ( Officio Turismo) is a traveller’s best friend, in Vico Equense, it’s located near the Archeological Museum on the street of Via G. Filangieri. But you may be confused to see another place claiming to be the tourist office in Piazza Umberto I, which is not the official one.

When you get there make sure to grab copies of leaflets on hiking, Positano, Sorrento, Vico and Capri. Address for the Official Tourism board office is: Corso Filangieri, 100, 80069 Vico Equense. www.vicoequense.gov.it

Top 7 things to do in Vico Equense

Gothic Church Santissima Annunziata (Former Cathedral of Annunciation): Dating back to the 14th century, this church is well known as it is the only gothic church in the Sorrento Peninsula. It’s located in possibly the most panoramic position on the Sorrento coast, embracing the Gulf of Naples, this location is popular with couples. In the middle of Vico Equense, it’s hard to miss.

Mineralogical Museum of Campania: Founded in 1992 by the Discepolo Foundation, it’s one of the most important and extraordinary science museums in Southern Italy. The late Pasquale Discepolo brought together a collection of thousands of minerals, fossils, primitive tools and gems over 50 years from all over the world and locally.

Villeta Paradiso; Giardini Pubblici: A place to view Naples and Vesuvio doesn’t come much better than this. A small but beautiful garden in the main town, with breath-taking views of the Gulf of Naples, Capri and the Cathedral of Annunciation. Not only spectacular in the daytime, but also at night. Get a gelato, sit down and relax with these stunning views.

Piazza Umberto I: This is the heart of the town. It has all the things you could need in your time at Vico Equense: bars, restaurants, cafes and gelaterias. Grab a snack, sit in one of the cafes and watch the world go by. Enjoy the good view of the dolphin fountain and the cupola of the church of St. Cyrus. It is the busy peace of Vico Equense.

Marinas (Marina di Vico & Marina di Aequa): In Vico, there are two marinas. Marina di Vico is close to the train station on Via Colombo, it has a beach and all the needed facilities. It is also easily accessible in a few minutes from the city centre.

Marina di Aequa is a bit further away from the main town. You can walk there from near the Villeta Paradiso using the descending path from Via G. Filangieri or catch an EAV bus from the city centre which will take you to the beach. From the beach, there are nice views of Vesuvius, Naples and the former Cathedral of Annunciation. This is the main sea connection point of Vico Equense, you can take a ferry to Sorrento, Capri and Naples. There are also a few boat companies that run trips to Positano and Amalfi in the peak season (May – September). It’s close to many accommodations, restaurants and bars. A good spot to have a peaceful walk by the sea.

Monte Faito: Monte Faito is the tallest mountain in the Lattar Mountains range, being 1131 meters above sea level. You can reach the top using a cable car from Castellammare Di Stabia (It is a station on the Circum Vesuviana train line that is connected to Vico Equense). When you reach the peak you’ll find cafes, restaurants, a church, some accommodations and a sports centre. But the best thing you’ll get from up there is the views, which are some of the best in the area. The hiking trails are the way to make the most of the spectacular views.

Mount Vesuvius / Pompeii: It is possible to combine Mount Vesuvius with Pompeii in one day trip from Vico Equense. You can do Pompeii in the morning for 3-4 hours. When you get out of the train station, if you turn left you shall be able to book a group tour to Mount Vesuvius. Or you can buy tickets in advance for Vesuvius online and then go by public bus from Pompeii. Time table for the bus is on display at the train station. The ticketing system for Mount Vesuvius has changed several times over the last few years. In past, you could simply go to Vesuvius by bus and get tickets where the bus drops you close to the entrance to Vesuvius. But on our last trip, we found that now we need to buy tickets online and you can not enter Vesuvius unless you have advance tickets. The only other way is as mentioned above, to book at the train station with a tour guide for an afternoon trip. Visit Pompeii first then go on this tour.

Top places to eat: Restaurants/Pizzerias/Bars/Gelaterias

As for food, you’ll be spoiled by the choice of more than 40 restaurants, pizzerias and bars, some of which have been recommended by popular international food guides. Don’t forget to try the town’s famous cheeses and the traditional Vico Equense pizza “by metre”. Here’s a list of a few restaurants we recommend you try:

• Terramia –  Ristorante & Pizzeria – Cuisines: Mediterranean, Neapolitan, Campania, Southern-Italian. Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten-Free Options
• Titos – Ristorante & Pizzeria – Good ambience, This restaurant has vegetarian and gluten-free options in addition to fish and meat dishes.
• Sapori Pizza e qualcos’altro – Pizza is the speciality here, fried pizza san Marzano dop and fried Margherita and sautéed in the oven. Beautiful outdoors sitting area with views of the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvio. Although it is in the neighbouring town, Seiano, it is well worth a visit. Simply the best pizzeria in or around Vico Equense
• Pizzeria da Franco
• Mustafa Ristorante & Pizzeria – Offers typical Italian seafood, on the Marina di Aequa
• L’Universita della Pizza (Pizza a metro da Gigino) – If you want to try local Vico Equense pizza, originally measured “by metre”, then this is the place
• Gran Caffè Zerilli/Bar/ Restaurant – Located right on Piazza Umberto I, this is the ideal place to sit, have a drink and eat a snack or two
• Gabriele Gelato (Best place to have gelato, also has many global and Italian desserts and treats)

Weather: Best time to visit Vico Equense

There are two main times that you should go to the Amalfi Coast, Naples and of course Vico Equense.

The first is the one all sunseekers would choose, June – August. This time will be quite hot, making it ideal for swimming and sunbathing. But the downside of this is that it gets way too hot to do much sightseeing and hiking. It’s also WAY more crowded than all other times, being peak season.

The second is April/May or September/October, during these months you will get the perfect weather to sightsee and hike/walk. You still could be lucky and get some hot days to swim. Check with your hotel if they have a pool open during your visit, as many hotels only open outdoor pools in and around peak season. Another advantage of visiting during this time is that places are less crowded which allows you to enjoy yourself in peace.

In conclusion, this area should be visited in April, May, September or October as this area has too many sights to see. You can avoid the rush to see the best of the Amalfi Coast, Vico and Naples without the usual rush.

Transport links – Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri, Positano & Amalfi

Vico Equense is well-linked to lots of places worth visiting in and around the Amalfi Coast, having a bus/train station and marina. This is good as this helps you get around Campania with ease. For the train and bus timetable, you can check here: https://www.eavsrl.it/web/

Vico Equense to Sorrento

There are 4 ways of getting from Vico Equense to Sorrento: train, bus, boat and taxi. The best by far is the train. Short, cheap and easy. Simply catch the Circumvesuviana train from the station in Piazza Stazione. The journey time on the train is 10-15 minutes.

Vico Equense to Napoli / Naples

The best way to get from Vico Equense to Napoli / Naples is by the Circumvesuviana train. You can also use the bus or boat. For travel to and from the airport, a taxi is the best way.

Vico Equense to Pompeii

The quickest and easiest way from Vico Equense to Pompeii is definitely the Circumvesuviana train (15-20mins). You could also get the bus (45mins) or a taxi (20mins)

Vico Equense to Mount Vesuvius

You can take a train from Vico Equense to Pompeii. From Pompeii, you can either take a public bus or visit Mount Vesuvius via group tour which you can book right outside the train station.

Vico Equense to Positano

Are you looking to travel from Vico Equense to Positano? We got everything covered here for you. Spend a few minutes reading below and you will not waste time looking elsewhere for making your travel plans.

You can travel from Vico Equense to Positano in 3 ways: by taxi, bus or by ferry.

🏆 Best way to travel from Vico Equense to Positano

In our opinion, it is best to travel by private car/ taxi from Vico Equense to Positano. It will cost you about EURO 150-200 for the return trip for the whole family. So per person, it’s not very much different from what you will spend on a ferry trip. The huge advantage of travelling by private car/taxi is that you will save a lot of time which you can then use to explore Positano peacefully. If you are staying in Vico Equense, you can book taxi via hotel and book a return trip.

Why travelling by car/taxi is by far the best way to travel from Vico Equense to Positano?

• You save a minimum of 3-4 hours in peak time if you instead choose to travel by bus or ferry. That’s nearly half a day of your holiday
• You won’t have to sweat in the overcrowded bus during peak season
• You can decide what times suit you to travel. You can leave Vico in the morning around 8:30 – 9 AM and you will reach Positano in 45 minutes
  • You can have a full day to yourself in Positano and travel after your dinner or late evening from Positano back to Vico Equense.
• Ferry times are all over the place (at least that’s what we found on our trip). In the morning we were supposed to get the ferry to Capri at 8:40 AM but Ferry arrived nearly around 9:40 AM. 1 Hour late.

💡 Golden tip if you are travelling by car /taxi from Vico Equense to Positano

If you are hiring a taxi from the airport to Vico Equense, then it’s best you can simply do a deal with them at the time of booking your airport pick up. If you are keen on doing a breathtaking hike (path of the Gods), then it’s best that in the morning you ask the car driver to drop you in Bomerano where this hike starts. You then hike your way down to Positano from Bomerano. This way you have covered two things in one single day. Half a day is enough to explore and enjoy Positano.

Then you can ask the driver to pick you up in the evening from Positano. In peak season, we suggest you avoid peak times for travelling as roads get overcrowded. If travelling in peak times then make your plans so you travel early morning and late evening.

In peak season, to avoid the crowds, its always best to leave Vico Equense early in morning around 8 AM.

Travelling by bus from Vico Equense to Positano

Taking the bus will take 1hr 30mins (via Sorrento) to 3hrs, but it has a downside, you may have to wait in Sorrento as occasionally there are queues for buses. Take the Circumvesuviana train from Vico Equense to Sorrento, then catch a bus from outside Sorrento train station to Positano. You can check with your hotel day before about times for buses from Sorrento station to Positano. In peak season (July to early Sept) arrive minimum half an hour before bus time as queues are very long.

Vico Equense to Positano by boat

You can also reach Positano via boat from Vico Equense. You can either catch a public boat or can also go to Positano by booking a private boat trip with local boat tour companies. Read below how best to do this.

Vico Equense to Positano by public boat

At time we travelled to Amalfi in April , there was no direct boat from Vico Equense (Marina di Aequa – Seiano) to Positano. So if you want to go by boat to Positano , you have to first catch ferry to Sorrento then change there for ferry to Positano. Or go by train from Vico Equense to Sorrento and then catch ferry to Positano.

Vico Equense to Positano by private or shared boat

If you want to explore Positano by boat and you are travelling to Vico Equense between months of May and September, you can either hire a small boat for your family or can arrange a boat trip as part of group to share the boat. Most boat companies provide light food and drinks as well on board. Most of these boat tours only operate in season. You can speak to your hotel and see at the time of your travel what options are in Vico Equense.

Alfamarine boat charter is a local company which is recommended highly by locals for these boat tours.

Typical boat tour of Amalfi Coast itinerary includes:

• English speaking skipper
• 8 hours tour of Amalfi coast
• Start from Marina di Aequa(Seiano) – usually boat comapny will pick you up from your hotel in Vico Equense
• Tour along he Sorrento coastline
• Visit Positano & Amalfi with sometime to get off boat and explore both town for couple of hours.
• Chance to swim / snorkel (boats usually will carry the equipment)
• Refreshments on board (sandwiches and drinks)

Always check with the boat company beforehand details about the tour to make sure it covers what you are looking for.

Vico Equense to Amalfi

To get to Amalfi from Vico Equense you can first go to Sorrento via bus or Circumvesuviana train. Then from Sorrento simply take a bus to Amalfi. But you could experience long queues for the buses at Sorrento.

Or take a taxi, again more expensive but more easy and comfortable.

Vico Equense to Amalfi by boat

Its same as going to Positano by boat from Vico Equense. Please read above under heading Vico Equense to Positano by boat.

Vico Equense to Capri

To travel from Vico Equense to Capri, catch a ferry from Marina di Aequa(Seiano). This stop is known by the name Seiano (which is a nearby town). Tickets can often be purchased a day before from the marina. The best option is to ask your hotel reception to check how you can buy tickets in advance and also which ferries are operating at the time of your travel. Or plan ahead and check out the websites mentioned below and book in advance online.

At the time of our travels, two ferry companies operated a ferry from Marina di Aequa – Seiano to Capri (via Sorrento).

• ALILAURO GRU.SO.N: Aliscafo Hydrofoil : Checkout their website here
• NLG: Check out this website for NLG for more details.

Make sure you search for tickets from Seiano to Capri on these two ferry websites. Tickets will cost you about EURO 40 return and the ferry takes about half an hour. The ferry options from Seiano are limited. There is only 1 ferry each from both companies above departing at 8 AM and then at 8:40. We suggest you catch an early ferry at 8 AM by ALILAURO GRU.SO.N, reach Capri early and do breakfast in a cafe in Capri and take advantage of a full day in Capri. Return ferry from Capri to Seiano by ALILAURO GRU.SO.N is at 16:55 PM. This gives you roughly 8 hours in Capri to explore.

Accommodation – best hotels to stay in

Hotel Mega Mare

Aequa Hotel

Grand Hotel Angiolieri

Hotel Astoria

Hotel Torre Barbara

Hotel Le Axidie, BW Signature Collection

Hotel Mary

Vico Equense Detailed Map

Vico Equense: Your questions answered

Is Vico Equense a good place to stay?

Definitely 100% Vico Equense is a great place to stay. Read everything about Vico Equense here in this article to know more about the town and why it is worth visiting and staying for your holiday on the Amalfi coast.

Is Vico Equense on the Amalfi Coast?

Vico Equense is not exactly on the Amalfi coast, but it makes a great place to stay and explore the Amalfi coast and more (Naples, Capri, Pompeii and so on). On our Amalfi coast holiday, we stayed in Vico Equense. You will find cheaper hotels as compared to the Amalfi coast, local restaurants are amazing and the town gives you the feel of a more traditional Italian town. It also comes with a bonus that it’s not crowded. Especially if you are looking to visit Pompeii, Mt vesuvius and Naples, then it makes even more sense to stay in Vico Equense. You can also get the direct ferry to Capri from here.