12 top things to do in Vietri sul Mare, Italy’s Amalfi Coast
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Discover the best things to do in Vietri sul Mare, Italy! Settled on a hillside 80 meters above the sea, Vietri sul Mare is known for its ancient tradition of ceramic manufacturing and as the most populous town on the Amalfi Coast.
We spent the whole summer traveling around Italy’s Campania region, including the famous Amalfi Coast. And Vietri sul Mare was the first town we explored in this picturesque area.
In this blog post, you’ll find all the best things to do in Vietri sul Mare, complete with photos, descriptions, and locations on the map. I hope you enjoy your time on Italy’s so-called Divine Coast as much as we did. Happy travels!
1. Stroll along the main ceramics street Corso Umberto I
No matter how much time you have to explore Vietri su Mare there is one thing you absolutely must do in this small town and it is strolling down Corso Umberto I – the most popular street and main attraction of Vietri sul Mare.
Vietri sul Mare is known for its traditional ceramics and Corso Umberto I street is where you will find all the independent manufacturers’ stores. I couldn’t even count all of them – there are so many of them!
First of all, kudos to them for making their stores the prettiest and most attractive stores ever. They are adorned with painted ceramic tiles and other ceramic design elements, making the whole street a joyful spectacle.
They sell everything from Christmas ornaments to every possible kitchen item – all made of ceramics. Of course, the most popular items are mugs, plates, and bowls.
Even if you aren’t interested in buying anything, checking out the colorful storefronts, the playful illustrations and the hustle and bustle of vendor street stalls is such a sight to see.
The Corso Umberto I street is not long, so I highly recommend walking all the way from one end to the other. We walked the street there and back. The first time we checked out everything, and the second time we bought some goodies to take home.
Location: Corso Umberto I
2. Enjoy the coastline view from Piazza Matteotti
Corso Umberto I, the main street in Vietri sul Mare, is located on the upper level of the town and at certain spots offers panoramic views over the surrounding area. One such spot is Piazza Matteotti.
Piazza Matteotti is a small square turned into a parking lot with benches lined along one side of the square. It is a great place to sit down, eat a gelato, relax, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast.
The square overlooks only one side of Vietri sul Mare town, but you can see the dramatic Amalfi coastline with sharp green cliffs contrasting the clear blue Tyrrhenian Sea.
The square is decorated with ceramic elements like flower pots and decorative tiles. If you have a rental car and arrive early, this is a good place to park your car. We parked a bit lower on Via Osvaldo Costabile Street.
Location: Piazza Matteotti
3. Buy a piece of local ceramics
Because we travel so much, I rarely buy souvenirs or any kind of keepsakes. Plus, I like a minimalist lifestyle. But when I walked along the Corso Umberto street in Vietri sul Mare, something clicked.
If there is one thing I recommend buying as a keepsake from your travels around the Amalfi Coast, then it is ceramics from Vietri sul Mare. Owning local Amalfi Coast ceramics is an important part of the local identity around here.
I decided to find a new coffee mug for myself and went around looking for one with lemons – another symbol of the Amalfi Coast.
A couple of stores later, I found one, and I’ve been drinking my morning coffee from this lemon mug ever since!
These ceramics are hand-painted, so this won’t be the cheapest souveni,r but it is definitely a quality product. Many stores ship internationally just in case you want to make a bigger purchase.
4. Stop for the rooftop views at Piazza Amendola
Checking out the panoramic hillside views of the pastel-hued houses was one of my favorite things to do in Vietri sul Mare.
Piazza Amendola is a small square right next to Corso Umberto I street where you can get one of the best side views of the town’s colorful rooftops and houses, including the striking towers of the Church of San Giovanni Battista.
There are also a couple of benches hiding under the shade of the trees so this is a great little spot to sit down and take a break from shopping and walking.
There is also a little café next to the square called Bar Miramare. We went there for a cup of cappuccino, a croissant and a gelato. Exactly what we needed after lots of walking up and down the slopes of Vietri sul Mare.
Location: Piazza Amendola
5. Shop local products in Vietri sul Mare gourmet shops
Corso Umberto I street in Vietri sul Mare not only offers a wide array of ceramics shops and souvenir stores but also plenty of gourmet shops.
We stopped by a couple of gourmet shops along the way and, let me tell you, it was so difficult to not buy everything I saw.
From handmade pasta, limoncello, local wines, and olive oil to preserves, sauces, and Amalfi Coast pesto as well as different sweet treats – this is the perfect place to get a little taste of Italy and bring it home with you.
I was so tempted to buy a little bit of everything because during our stay on the Amalfi Coast, we rented an apartment with a kitchen so that I could cook our own food from time to time.
There isn’t a specific gourmet shop I recommend. Corso Umberto I street is not too long and I recommend walking all the way from one end to the other. Vendors usually place their products outside on the street so you will find everything right away!
Location: Corso Umberto I
6. Admire the sea view from Villa Comunale
You may stumble upon places called ‘Villa Comunale’ all around the Amalfi Coast. It typically refers to public gardens or parks where people can freely come, relax, or walk around and admire the scenery.
Villa Comunale in Vietri sul Mare is one of the most impressive examples among all towns on the Amalfi Coast. This unique cliffside garden offers unbeatable views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the surrounding coastline.
Villa Comunale has opening hours, but you can access it for free. The garden has multiple levels connected by pathways and an elevator. The paved pathways are decorated with mosaics and ceramic details.
There is also a small amphitheater with seats towards the sea. The only thing missing in this place, though, was shade. Only the upper level of the gardens had a couple of massive trees with seating in the shade.
Despite the lack of shade, exploring Villa Comunale was one of my favorite things to do in Vietri sul Mare. Some spots with ceramic mosaics reminded me of Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell in Barcelona (but on a much smaller scale, haha!).
There is also a restaurant Pane & Panorama, next to the gardens. They open in the evening and place tables and seats on the upper level of the gardens so you can enjoy a magical sunset meal with unbeatable views.
Location: Villa Comunale in Vietri sul Mare
7. Peek into the 17th-century Church of St. John the Baptist
Basically, every little village and town on the Amalfi Coast boasts a local church that stands out with a dome covered with majolica tiles. Vietri sul Mare, with its Church of St. John the Baptist, which dates back to the 17th century, is not an exception.
The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giovanni Battista is a Late Neapolitan Renaissance church dedicated to St. John the Baptist, featuring an impressive bell tower as well as a large majolica dome covered with shiny 20th-century locally produced tiles.
However, on the inside, the local church hides ornate altars, a wooden ceiling, and detailed frescoes. Just look at those paintings on the ceiling and above the altar!
You can visit the church for free. We came here in the morning and stopped by to look inside while strolling around the historic center of Vietri sul Mare. I especially liked the yellow-painted walls inside the church! Looked very bright and happy!
Location: Church of St. John the Baptist
8. Explore the narrow alleys around the church
The 17th-century Church of St. John the Baptist is located in the heart and soul of the Vietri sul Mare town and the area around the church is the oldest part of Vietri sul Mare.
This is why the streets around the church have these authentic Italian village vibes. There is a whole maze of secret stairways, narrow streets and alleys, and hidden tunnels!
After visiting the church, we spent a moment wandering around the alleys surrounding the church. It is always interesting to see how locals live especially if it is a place like this with centuries of history.
I also loved how local ceramic objects and design elements are used throughout the charming town of Vietri sul Mare – there are different decors, street signs as well as tiles.
One of my favorite things to do in Vietri sul Mare was spotting little donkey images around the town – in the windows, on the walls, next to shops, etc.
Turns out, the donkey is a symbol of Vietri sul Mare, and if you look closely enough while wandering around the town, you will see little donkeys everywhere!
9. Pass by the Casa Colorata colorful house
The colorful Casa Colorata house is a must-visit place in Vietri sul Mare. Normally, you would see buildings around the Amalfi Coast painted in pastel hues, so this unique building in Vietri sul Mare is made to stand out.
The vibrant Casa Colorata is painted in bright tones of blue and pink, and it is decorated with ceramic tiles and other ceramic decor – a nod to the town’s rich tradition in ceramics.
Located right by the seaside promenade, Casa Colorata is easy to access, making it the perfect spot for that must-have photo of this iconic, cartoon-like building. We’ve never seen anything like it in any other town along the Amalfi Coast!
Casa Colorata is a residential building, so be mindful of others who live there. The house has a tunnel leading to the seaside. We came here to the house from the upper levels of Vietri sul Mare and used the tunnel to get to the beach.
Location: Casa Colorata
10. Enjoy the picturesque Beach of Vietri sul Mare
The whole peninsula of the Amalfi Coast is a collection of steep slopes, sharp cliffs, and winding coastline so one of the first things you will realize about this area is that beaches here are usually quite small.
However, Vietri sul Mare proudly boasts one of the largest beaches on the Amalfi Coast. The whole seafront is lined with a long and wide grey-sand beach. We didn’t go for a swim but we enjoyed a long stroll along the water.
Another typical characteristic of beaches on the Amalfi Coast is that they usually feature rows of brightly colored umbrellas and sun loungers.
As you can see in my photos, it looks really picturesque, especially with the mountain background. If you walk to the beach, I recommend checking out Due Fratelli Rocks – a group of small rocks just off the coast next to the beach.
Beaches here on the Amalfi Coast are often divided into two parts – one (usually smaller) part is free to access, where anyone can go and find a spot and enjoy the beach.
To access the other part, you have to pay for the entrance, but you get a range of amenities like toilets, changing rooms, showers, restaurant service, and an umbrella with beach beds.
Location: Beach of Vietri sul Mare – Due Fratelli Rocks
11. Hunt down the best pizza in Vietri sul Mare
After a full day of exploring Vietri sul Mare, we decided to celebrate the occasion with a good Neapolitan pizza.
Divina Vietri Pizzeria Marinara is known for serving the best pizza in Vietri sul Mare so our choice was obvious. Italian croquettes, two pizzas, and a pistachio dessert were exactly what we needed to finish the day on a high note
However, this pizza spot is only open in the evenings. If you are looking for other good restaurants in Vietri sul Mare then check out Ristorante 34 da Lucia, Il Principe e la Civetta, Russo Amalfi Coast, or Trattoria e Pizzeria Da Raffaele.
There are also a couple of spots down by the sea like Ristorante Pascalo’ family-run restaurant, as well as Dal Pescatore seafood restaurant and Rosa dei Venti restaurant by the beach.
Location: Divina Vietri Pizzeria Marinara
12. Visit the Museum of Ceramics in Vietri sul Mare
If you have time for one more place on your itinerary, I recommend visiting Museo della Ceramica Vietrense or the Museum of Ceramics in Vietri sul Mare.
The museum is housed inside the historic Villa Guariglia and features an extensive collection of ceramic art like Vietri tiles and pottery, dating back many centuries.
The museum has two parts; there are two separate buildings filled with antique Vietri ceramics as well as more modern artworks.
However, my favorite part about this museum was the garden featuring tile-covered benches, historic statues, decorative plants, and sweeping views over the coastline.
The visit to the museum is actually free but it has opening hours. It is quite interesting but looked a bit neglected when we visited so don’t expect much.
The historic estate is located a bit outside the town of Vietri sul Mare in the small hamlet of Raito two kilometers from Vietri. We had a rental car and drove there in the morning but you can also take a taxi there.
Location: Museo della Ceramica Vietrense
Happy exploring!
Vietri sul Mare is a hidden gem of the Amalfi Coast and is often overlooked by the more popular Amalfi Coast towns like Positano, Amalfi, or Ravello. Yet, the famous Vietri’s ceramics, charming streets, and epic views make it a destination worth exploring.
We spent the whole summer staying in the Amalfi Coast area and exploring every little town and village along the coast. Each one of them had something unique and special about them.
I hope you enjoy your time on the Divine Coast of Italy as much as we did! I also hope you find some travel inspiration in this blog post. The beaches, the views, the charming villages—it’s a place you won’t forget! Happy exploring!
PIN FOR LATER!
Beautiful photos,scenery thank you.I have been to the area,but not to Vietri.Next year though,as I need desperately a mug for my evening tea drinking ritual 💪
The white dress in your photos looks 👌 fab!
Thank you again,Marta.
Greetings
Beata
Dear Beata, thank you! Vietri is the place to go, indeed 🙂 Now it is wintertime so my lemon mug is by my side all day: starting with coffee in the morning and ending with tea in the evening. My most cherished purchase in 2024.