Pizza a Vico

Pizza a Vico, the festival of Vico-style pizza

Pizza a Vico is the event that every September turns the center of Vico Equense, a town in the province of Naples overlooking the Gulf, into a giant open-air pizzeria. The event was born from the desire of the local pizzaiolo community to pay homage to what is effectively the queen of the table in Campania, and over the years, it has become one of the most anticipated food and wine events on the Sorrento Peninsula.

For three nights, master pizzaiolos from local pizzerias join forces along a path of stands and scattered ovens that cross the streets, squares, and alleys of the historic center: visitors move from one stand to another, sampling slices of pizza ranging from the classic Margherita to gourmet proposals crafted with local ingredients.

Pizza by the meter, a Vico invention

Vico Equense is no ordinary place for pizza lovers: it was here, in the 1930s, that pizza by the meter was born, recognizable by its light dough, elongated shape, and a baking process that enhances its softness. The invention is attributed to Luigi Dell'Amura, who is the namesake of the award presented during the festival to recognize the best Vico-style pizza. Vico Equense pizza has also obtained the Municipal Designation (De.Co.), a label that protects its identity and its bond with the town.

How the event works

• A route of stands and lit ovens in the town center, featuring local pizzerias (thirty participated in the 2025 edition);
• A tasting ticket available for purchase along the route, which entitles the holder to a full menu of pizza slices, a traditional dessert, and drinks;
• Wine tastings with Campanian wineries, introduced in 2025 with the slogan «Pizza and Wine, the pleasure of being together»;
• An oven dedicated to gluten-free preparations every night;
• The «Hands in the Dough» masterclass, to learn how to stretch and bake pizza under the guidance of master pizzaiolos;
• Live music, street performers, and workshops for children along the route.

The 2026 edition: «A flavor without borders»

The ninth edition is scheduled from September 15 to 17, 2026, and was announced in an unusual way: images of Vico Equense pizza appeared on the giant screens of Times Square in New York during the Summer Fancy Food Show. The chosen slogan, «A flavor without borders», reflects the ambition of a local tradition becoming a universal language. On the same occasion, the Vico pizzaiolos received the official Made in Italy badge from Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, following the recognition of Italian cuisine as an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The event is organized by the Pizza a Vico Association, chaired by Michele Cuomo, together with the Municipality of Vico Equense and the associations Aicast Vico Equense and Acove; it represents the grand finale of the Vico d'Estate summer program, which enlivens the city from late May to mid-September.

A festival with a charitable soul

Pizza a Vico is not just about gastronomy: the event's proceeds are donated to local social welfare projects. In 2025, for example, the proceeds were dedicated to purchasing an equipped vehicle for transporting the elderly and people with disabilities, managed by local volunteer associations.

Vico Equense, between Mount Faito and the Gulf

Suspended between the sea and the slopes of Mount Faito, Vico Equense is one of the gateways to the Sorrento Peninsula and one of the most vibrant gastronomic centers in Campania. Participating in Pizza a Vico also means discovering the historic center, the viewpoints over the Gulf of Naples, and a cuisine that combines the products of the hinterland with those of the sea. For those visiting the coast in September, when temperatures are milder and beach tourism thins out, it is the best opportunity to experience the city at its most convivial moment.