Photos from Vesuvius

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If you visit Naples in southern Italy do not miss to climb the historic and magnificent volcano that dominates the third largest Italian city, the legendary Vesuvius, “famous” for the destruction of Pompeii, but more about it below

The adventure begins before the climb to the crater

Of course, it would be advisable to book your tickets days in advance, which can now only be done online. We were not aware of this and as a result there is no availability except for “last minute” tickets. In May 2024 the system was tragic as there were only a few 10 minute tickets every minute and you had to be with your mobile phone in your hand renewing every now and then. Tragic. I hope in the near future they change it because people were laughing, even Neapolitans…

Vesuvius the Naples volcano

Accommodation in Vesuvius

Airline tickets

Good to know that if you find and book a ticket in advance, it goes by the hour. So you don’t book for the next Tuesday but for the next Tuesday at 11am. There is a small margin of delay, check the ticketing system, but it is advisable to be on time to avoid unpleasant surprises. The ticket for adults was €11 and for children over 120pts I think it was €9.

Accommodation in the area of Vesuvius
Photos from Vesuvius
Area map

Parking and taxis to get up Mount Vesuvius

Once you have secured your ticket, you are not finished. You’ll need to reserve your parking space online as well. Generally the process is much simpler so don’t stress. Of course, when you get to the car park you will find that it is quite far from the entrance to the path to the crater.

We are talking about some kilometres that if you are tired, have small children or are not in good physical condition it would be good to avoid especially on hot sunny days. No nothing else but once you reach the entrance then you will have the even more uphill walk to the crater.

Vesuvius overlooking Pompeii(see photos from our visit)

I did it all on foot but the wife and child took the taxis they have at the beginning of the parking lot street, only …for €3 per person. Maybe less than 10 years ago it wasn’t like that. You drove your car up to the entrance to the crater trail, dropped it off, bought your ticket at the ticket booths and went up.

Now they have made everything electronic so a lot of people can’t find tickets unless you book with an agency that somehow has availability, while parking has been moved to hell and gone so you have to pay for taxis. Fine…

We visited Vesuvius with a rented car. There are agencies that take care of everything but it cost 100 euros per person, 300 for the family. With the car we paid about half that and had the freedom to go as and when we wanted to Pompeii. But the truth is that with the Vesuvius ticket we were quite inconvenienced.

The city of Naples with the imposing Vesuvius

and a little history

The whole experience is very impressive! For those who do not know, Vesuvius is one of the most famous volcanoes because it was the one that caused with its eruption in 79 AD the destruction and preservation of the ancient city of Pompeii and the less known Herculanum, causing the martyrdom of thousands of inhabitants of these two great ancient cities. Since then, of course, it has ‘re-burst’ several times with, fortunately, less disastrous consequences.

Accommodation in Vesuvius

Airline tickets

Its height changes according to its geological appetites and today it stands at 1280 meters. It is an active volcano which, together with the much larger and perhaps more dangerous volcano with the curiously named Phlegraea Fields (with 24 craters, most of it submarine, just 13 kilometres from Vesuvius) in the area, is quite a nuisance to the greater Campania area and of course the large urban centre of Naples.

Vesuvius the Naples volcano

The view from Vesuvius

Climbing up the path of black volcanic ash towards the crater you will have the opportunity to admire the view of the city of Naples and the famous cosmopolitan island of Capri and after entering the area around the crater you will have a view of the entire Gulf of Naples with the plain where ancient Pompeii is located as well as smaller towns such as Torre del Greco where we ate excellent seafood at good prices on our way back from Pompeii.

Vesuvius the Naples volcano

The crater of Vesuvius is really impressive, huge, deep and active as at one point near the path there was a lot of smoke coming out of the volcano’s innards. Enjoy the unique view of the sea, Naples and see how little distance really separates the source of evil from the ancient city of Pompeii and the extremely fertile plain just below. Hold this image and continue your journey to see first hand the result of Vesuvius’ actions elsewhere in the unique ancient city of Pompeii.

Accommodation in Vesuvius

Don’t look for rooms in the crater though … And if you don’t find even a reason to go further away, it doesn’t matter since the city of Naples is right next door. About 20 minutes by car.

Look at the accommodation map and decide whether to stay in Naples or closer to the volcano and Pompeii. The coastal area is not bad though and in the summer you can also take a swim.