Experiences
Destination
Search destinations
Date
Add dates
More experiences in Naples
Explore other destinations
Vesuvius is the only active volcano on mainland Europe, and around it live hundreds of thousands of people. It rises 1,281 metres over the Bay of Naples, and from the rim of its crater you look straight down into a wide, steep-sided pit of loose rock, then out over Naples, Capri and the Sorrento Peninsula.
This page gathers ways to reach the crater with Artista from Naples, from half days with lunch and wine to full days that add Pompeii. Tours here usually include the timed entry to the crater path. Look for the Entry included tag on each card, and check where you meet.
About Mount Vesuvius
What you see today is a volcano inside a volcano. Monte Somma, the ridge on the north side, is the rim of a much older and bigger cone that collapsed. The Vesuvius cone grew inside it.
In AD 79 an eruption buried Pompeii, Herculaneum and the villas around the bay. Pliny the Younger watched it from across the water and described it in two letters, which is why large explosive eruptions are still called Plinian. Since then Vesuvius has erupted many times. The last eruption began on 18 March 1944, lasted about ten days and destroyed parts of nearby towns.
Since 1944 the volcano has been quiet, with weak earthquakes and some steam and gas near the crater. It is watched day and night by the Vesuvius Observatory, run by Italy's national institute of geophysics and volcanology. The land around it has been a national park since 1995, protecting the lava fields, pine woods and the vineyards on its lower slopes.
What to expect on a Mount Vesuvius experience
Tours drive up the mountain to the start of the crater path, known as the Gran Cono trail. From there you walk on a wide path of volcanic gravel that zigzags up the cone, from about 1,000 metres to around 1,170 metres. The full marked route is about 4 km, and the park allows around two and a half hours for it, though many visitors turn around sooner.
The path is not technical, but it is steady uphill on loose ground with no shade. Wear closed shoes with grip, not sandals. At the top a fenced path runs along part of the rim. The crater is oval, up to about 580 metres across, and on some days you can see wisps of steam rising from its walls.
Entry to the crater path is by a named ticket for a set date and time, bought online in advance. Groups go up in small batches every ten minutes. Tours on this page normally include this ticket. Children under 6 enter free.
It is colder and windier at the top than in Naples. Bring a light jacket, water and a hat, and sunglasses for the dust and glare.
Best time to visit
The crater path opens at 9:00 every day. It closes at 15:00 in January, February, November and December, at 16:00 in March and October, at 17:00 in April, May, June and September, and at 18:00 in July and August.
On days when the regional civil protection service issues an orange weather alert or higher, the path and its ticket sales close. Strong wind, heavy rain or low cloud can also hide the crater, so a clear morning gives the best view. If the crater is closed on the day, there is no way up to the rim, so it pays to keep a spare day in your plans.
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for the climb. In summer, the morning slots are cooler and the views across the bay are usually sharper before the afternoon haze.
Getting around
Vesuvius is about 15 km south-east of Naples. Without a car, take the Circumvesuviana train to Ercolano Scavi or Pompei, then a bus up the mountain to the start of the path. Drivers park lower down and take a shuttle to the trail. Crater tickets are sold online only, so book your slot before you set off, and allow enough time for the bus ride up. Late arrivals can miss their slot.
On a tour, transport from Naples and the crater ticket are arranged for you. Check each card for the meeting point.