Naples / Attractions / Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius - Tickets & Tours

Vesuvio tickets, visit Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii tours from Naples

Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius National Park is the active volcano near the city of Naples Italy. Tips, Vesuvio tickets and tours for visiting the volcano and the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Visits, Tours & Tickets Mount Vesuvius

Tickets

!!! Important !!! It is currently only possible to visit the crater with pre-booked tickets. With your ticket, you can then join a guided tour at the top of Mt. Vesuvius. Due to the poor internet signal on the volcano, it is advisable to buy the tickets before your visit.

1. Book Vesuvius tickets 2. Vesuvius ticket + Vesuvio Express 3. Pompeii & Vesuvius Pass
Transport

By car: The crater of the volcano is located 22 kilometers from the center of Naples. It is possible to park your car at a distance of more than 1 kilometer from the ticket office of Mt. Vesuvius national park and there is a second parking space at '800 meters altitude' from where also shuttle buses depart. Parking spaces are limited and it is required to prepay and reserve your parking space via this website. With this option, keep in mind that you still have a tough part to walk uphill.

Public transport:

  • Step 1: From Naples you first go to Herculaneum. From the 'Central Station - Piazza Garibaldi', the Circumvesuviana trains depart for Sorrento (Line 1). After fifteen minutes you get off at the stop 'Ercolano Scavi'. The trains run 2 to 3 times an hour and a return ticket will cost you about 5 euros (you can buy your train tickets at the station).
  • Step 2: From the 'Piazzale Stazione', the square near Herculaneum train station, you by bus, the 'Vesuvio Express' (Tip: book your tickets here or even better, book this combi-ticket that also includes the Vesuvius entry). This is a shuttle bus that takes you (both ways for 15 euros) to the ticket office on Mount Vesuvius. The bus ride takes about 20 minutes and the bus leaves every 40 minutes. However, buses only run between 9:00 am and 1:30 pm, so you have to visit the volcano in the morning.

1. Vesuvio Express + Vesuvius ticket

2. Tickets Vesuvio Express

Vesuvius Tours from Naples: Unfortunately, visiting Mount Vesuvius from Naples has become quite a logistical challenge. The easiest way to visit the volcano is definitely with an organized and guided tour. This prevents the difficult planning of public transport, unnecessary uphill walking, the unclear schedule of the Vesuvius Express and missing your time slot at the entrance gates. For a fully organized Mount Vesuvius tour from Naples you can choose from 3 different options:

Hours
  • January, February, November, December: opening hours daily from 9 am to 3 pm
  • March and October: daily from 9 am to 4 pm
  • April, May, June, September: daily from 9 am to 5 pm
  • July and August: daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Practical
  • In the event of unsafe weather conditions, access to the crater may be closed.
  • After the entrance gates, it is a tough part of almost 30 minutes uphill, so wear good shoes
  • Bring enough drinking water
  • In the summer visit the volcano preferably in the morning because of the temperature
  • There are no toilets after the entrance gates of the national park
  • Buy your Mount Vesuvius tickets always online (book vesuvius tickets online)

Mt. Vesuvius, the volcano near Naples

The Volcano of Mount Vesuvius is located southeast of Naples. It is the second largest volcano in Italy, with a height of 1281 meters and a diameter of 8 kilometers. Vesuvius is a stratovolcano and has the shape of a cone. The slopes of stratovolcanoes are steep and have explosive eruptions. The layers are made up of different layers such as solidified lava, tephra and ash.

The great eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD

The origin of Vesuvius goes back to the year 79 AD, when Mount Somma erupted. It destroyed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The cities were covered in a great layer of ash and mud. A large number of people died during this volcanic eruption, although it is not known how many. Mount Somma then collapsed, creating the Vesuvius. This large eruption is also called the Somma Vesuvius complex.

Mount VesuviusThe imposing Vesuvius volcano near Naples
Vesuvius ticketsVisit the rim of the Vesuv crater

More eruptions of Mount Vesuvius

Roman cities such as Pompeii Italy and Herculaneum were thus wiped out in the year 79 AD, but also in the centuries that followed, the volcano erupted several times, until the year 1631. After that year activity was still measured with small eruptions, but not very explosive anymore. The last minor eruption dates from 1944. Vesuvius is still active today and these activities are well measured.

Visit Vesuvius National Park

Mount Vesuvius National Park can now be visited and since 1995 it has the status of a national park. You will find hiking trails around and on top of the volcano to experience the special volcanic landscape. It is even possible to walk around the crater. Once you have reached the crater mouth after a tough uphill walk, you will occasionally see some smoke coming out of the crater, but no more than that. In addition, you also have a beautiful view of Naples city. Don't forget to book your Vesuvio tickets online.

Tip: Because visiting Mount Vesuvius is a logistical challenge, many visitors choose to book an organized day trip from Naples, whether or not combined with Pompeii or Herculaneum. Providers for Pompeii and Vesuvius tours with good reviews:

Video: What if the volcano would explode?

 


Where is Mount Vesuvius in Italy?

FAQ Visiting Mount Vesuvius in Italy

How can I visit Mount Vesuvius?

By car you van drive up to 1 kilometer from the ticket office. From here you can take a strenuous walk towards the crater mouth of Vesuvius, where you will have a magnificent view of the area. You can also book organized bus excursions from Naples. More info about visiting Mount Vesuvius.

How do I book tickets for Pompeii?

Pompeii allows a limited number of visitors per hour, so it may be useful to reserve your tickets online. However, most visitors opt for a guided tour, as this is the way to get to know the story behind the archaeological excavations of Pompeii. In this article you can read all about booking Pompeii tickets and tours.

Best things to do in Naples?

The main attractions around Naples are the archaeological areas of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which became famous due to the eruption of the adjacent Vesusvius volcano. In the city of Naples itself, the beautiful family chapel Cappella Sansevero, the underground Naples of Napoli Sotterranea, the catacombs of San Gennaro and the archaeological museum are the most visited sights. In this article you can read all about the Top 25 Naples sights.

vesuvius tours