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Vesuvius is the world’s best-known active volcano currently in quiescence.
Majestic, imposing, impossible not to see it from whichever angle of the Gulf of Naples you find yourself, either from Sorrento or Naples, Vesuvius is clearly visible and recognisable.
It is no coincidence that it is considered by all Neapolitans to be the symbol of the city.
A symbol that, contrary to its history, does not represent death and destruction but, on the contrary, belonging and protection.
Vesuvius is not only a symbol for the Neapolitans but also for the many tourists who crowd the streets of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplonti and Stabia. To learn about the history of those cities destroyed by the massive eruption of Vesuvius on 24 October 79 AD (an updated date based on the latest findings in Pompeii that have called into question the date of 24 August).
When a huge shower of ash, lapilli and a powerful pyroclastic flow completely buried the cities.
Today, for many tourists, seeing Vesuvius has become an essential stop, in addition to Pompeii and Herculaneum.
In fact, many choose to visit both places when they travel to Campania and climb up to the famous Vesuvius caldera.
Visiting the great cone of Vesuvius
Vesuvius is made up of various nature trails. In fact, there are no less than 11 trails that can be visited on Vesuvius. The most important and best known is path no. 5, which corresponds to the visit to the Great cone.
Starts at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level, where there are turnstiles for access to the Great Cone. The total length of the path is almost 4 km and the maximum altitude to be reached is 1175 m above sea level.
Along the way, you can admire the entire Gulf of Naples, Punta Nasone, Monte Somma and the Valle del Gigante.
And in spring you can see the splendid broom blossom, which dyes the area below the crater yellow. And at certain times along the walls of the caldera you can glimpse small fumaroles, i.e. fissures in the ground from which gas and water vapour escape at very high temperatures.
The ascent to the Great cone is not particularly demanding or difficult, but it is essential to wear comfortable shoes and be very careful.
How to get to Vesuvius
Vesuvius can be reached from Naples, Pompeii or Herculaneum either by car or by bus.
Getting to Vesuvius by car
If you have a car to get to Vesuvius from Naples or Pompeii, you have to take the A3 motorway and then take the exit for Torre Greco.
Along the road there are all the indications that will take you to the SP144 until you reach the car park of the Park located at an altitude of 800 metres.
N.B. In order to park in the car park it is necessary to make a reservation on the official website parkingsuvio.it, at a cost of 6 € for cars for a parking period of 4 hours.
It is essential that the reservation is made before climbing Mount Vesuvius, due to the poor telephone signal that may prevent you from completing the purchase.
The route to visit the Great Cone of Vesuvius begins at an altitude of 1000 metres where there is an automatic gate for access to the site.
From the car park located at an altitude of 800 metres you can reach the square at 1000 metres.
Either on foot uphill, in which case it takes about 40 minutes to get there, or you can use the shuttle bus operated by the Municipality of Herculaneum, at a cost of € 3 per person round trip.
Getting to Vesuvius by bus
To get to Vesuvius by bus, on the other hand, you can either take the EAV buses from Pompeii that leave from Piazza Anfiteatro and the Pompei Villa dei Misteri circumvesuviana station. Which run up to an altitude of 1,000 metres and follow the following timetables (PULLMAN EAV TIMETABLES FROM POMPEI) .
Or use the private shuttles at the circumvesuviana station of Pompeii Villa dei Misteri and of Herculaneum excavations, which take you to the top of Mount Vesuvius, at an altitude of 1000 metres, for a fixed round-trip fee.
If, on the other hand, you come from Naples, you can take the Circumvesuviana train from Piazza Garibaldi station, which runs the NAPOLI-SORRENTO route.
And get off at the Circumvesuviana station at Herculaneum excavations, where there are shuttles at the exit that take you up to the Great cone crossing at 1000 metres above sea level.
Tickets for the visit the Vesuvius can only be purchased online at vesuviopark.vivaticket.it.
When booking the ticket, the date and time of the visit must be indicated.
In this case, access to the park is allowed 30 minutes before the time indicated at the time of booking.
I advise you due to the poor connection to make your reservation before the ascent of Vesuvius. Otherwise you might find yourself in front of the turnstiles and not be able to enter because you have not purchased your tickets previously. Purchased tickets must be presented at the automatic turnstiles located at 1000 metres above Vesuvius.
The cost of the ticket for access to Vesuvius is:
- € 10 + online presale cost, for all
- € 8 + online presale cost, for all young people under 25 years, provided they have proof of age.
- Free for: children under the age of 6 years, if accompanied by parents or guardians, with proof of age. 100% disabled people and only one accompanying person provided they have a suitable certificate;
The times for visits to the Great Cone of Vesuvius vary monthly:
| MONTHS | Time |
| January – February – November – December | 9:00 – 15:00 |
| March – October | 9:00 – 16:00 |
| April – May – June – September | 9:00 – 17:00 |
| July – August | 9:00 – 18:00
|
Access to the Vesuvius Crater is permitted every day from Monday to Sunday, including public holidays. Except in cases of force majeure or adverse weather conditions (strong wind, rain, snow) that prevent the ascent to the great cone.
To keep up to date and not risk a wild goose chase, check the official website www.parconazionaledelvesuvio.it before booking.
Otherwise, if you want to fully enjoy your Vesuvius excursion, without thinking about tickets, parking, and how to get there, book a Vesuvius tour.
When to visit Vesuvius
If you have the choice of when to make your excursion to the crater of Vesuvius, I recommend spring or early autumn. During this period the temperatures are not too high and rainy days are rare.
On the contrary, during the winter season it may happen that most of the time the access to the Vesuvius crater path is closed due to bad weather conditions or that the ascent is allowed but visibility is poor due to fog.
In this case you will not be able to enjoy the breathtaking view from Vesuvius over the Gulf of Naples and you will miss part of the spectacle of the trail.
The summer months, on the other hand, are the hottest, especially the second half of June, July, August and the first weeks of September.
Temperatures during these months can reach as high as 35°, and on some days the air is unbreathable due to the oppressive sultriness caused by the high temperatures, which can make climbing Mount Vesuvius even more difficult.
If the summer period is the only time you have the opportunity to visit the crater of Vesuvius. Then I recommend that you start the hike in the early morning or late afternoon and equip yourself with a hat or umbrella and a bottle of water.
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