Mount Vesuvius: useful info and tips to visit the amazing Italian Volcano

Even before one arrives in Naples and begins the visit of the city, your gaze is literally drawn to the mighty mountain that towers above it: Mount Vesuvius.

It rises above the surrounding plain unchallenged: few are the surrounding reliefs, but truly none compares to Vesuvius. As soon as you see this volcano, you know unequivocally that he and only he can be Vesuvius. It may be its height (Vesuvius is 1281 mt / 4200 ft high) or it may be the fact that it is a still active, or rather, quiescent volcano. 

In our opinion, its charm encompasses each of these reasons and many more: the incredible history of this volcano, as well as the fact that during excursions one can even visit its crater, make Vesuvius one of the most iconic places in this region, but also in Italy itself.

In this short guide you will discover how to visit Vesuvius even if you have organised a last-minute trip to Naples and have not planned to visit its exciting volcano as well. In fact, if you are planning to visit Vesuvius and have organised your visit to Naples at the last minute, the solution for you is InStazione, a concierge service with a physical point in Naples station. Thanks to them, you can plan even a last minute visit to Vesuvius, with a transfer service and personalised guide. But find out together what they recommend and why you should visit Vesuvius.

Different environments, plant species and ecosystems coexist on Mount Vesuvius. For this reason, it was decided in 1995 to establish a National Park, which later became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Indeed, 900 plant species and nearly a million people live here, in an often outstanding balance, as history has usually had to teach us.

Visiting Mount Vesuvius, therefore, does not only mean delving into nature trails of great beauty (there are at least 11 trails, of the most diverse difficulties, covering more than 50 km on Vesuvius), but also delving into the history, biology and, above all, the incredible geology of these places.

To venture to Vesuvius, and perhaps to its crater, we suggest you join a guided tour or come in the company of an expert guide. The land of Vesuvius is indeed more alive than ever.

The visit to Vesuvius offers several unique natural attractions, including the crater and its breathtaking surroundings. Exploring the crater and walking along the scenic trails allows you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and grandeur of this place. Visiting Vesuvius means discovering the natural wonders the volcano has to offer, allowing you to fully appreciate its majesty and geological history.

One of the most fascinating trails to do on Mount Vesuvius is certainly the one leading to the crater, No. 5. For safety reasons, it reopened relatively recently (in 2021). The trail stretches for about 3.8 km (2,36 mi), but has a fairly significant elevation gain (about 140 meters / 460 ft). The trail is not so easy and can only be done when accompanied by licensed mountain guides. In addition, tickets must necessarily be purchased in advance.

Seeing the Cone of Mount Vesuvius, therefore, is an important experience and, for this very reason, to be done with caution.

In addition to appropriate clothing (especially footwear), we recommend that you purchase your tickets well in advance! Remember, however, that for safety reasons, the trail can be closed, without any prior warning.

Planning your visit to Vesuvius is essential to fully enjoy the experience. It is mandatory to book in advance to avoid long queues and ensure access to the volcano and its trails. Visiting Vesuvius requires careful planning and booking, ensuring a stress-free and fully enjoyable experience. The park opens daily at 9 am. It has different closing times depending on the season:

- November to February: until 3 PM;

- March to October: until 4 PM;

- April to June and in September: until 5 PM;

- July and August until 6 PM.

In other words, the volcano can be visited all year round. However, if you want to fully appreciate the lushness of nature and its colours, we certainly suggest that you come in the spring or autumn. In summer, it may be quite warm and sunny, while in winter you may encounter snowy days.

There are several ticket options available for visiting Vesuvius, including standard and reduced rates for certain categories of visitors. Visiting Vesuvius requires an evaluation of the available ticket options so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. The entrance ticket to the Vesuvius protected area costs 10 euros per person. Reductions are available for residents of the 13 Park municipalities, as well as for young people under 25 years of age.

This fee, of course, does not include the cost of a transfer, or a guided tour with a guide authorized by the region.

To reach Vesuvius, there are several transport options available, including public transport, car hire and organised tours. How to visit Vesuvius requires careful transport planning, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free journey to this iconic volcano.

Vesuvius is located about 25 kilometres southeast of the city of Naples. It is also an equal distance from Pompeii (23 km) and slightly closer to Herculaneum (12 km). There are several ways to get to Vesuvius and visit its magnificent protected area. 

If you want to go to Vesuvius by car, the relevant motorway exit is Torre del Greco. From there, directions will take you to the car park located at an altitude of 800 metres (2620 ft).

To get to the car park at an altitude of 1,000 metres, where the entrance to the famous path no. 5 is located, you can either walk (it is about 2 km) or take the municipal shuttle bus (at 1 euro each way).

Another way to go to Mount Vesuvius is certainly to purchase an organized excursion.

Besides the convenience of not having to think about schedules, tickets and transfers, you will be accompanied on the visit by an experienced guide.

What's more, if you are also planning to visit the archaeological areas of Pompeii and Herculaneum, know that many agencies organize the full day tour from Naples. Half day dedicated to the park, while half day dedicated to the archaeological site.

If you want to explore Vesuvius in safety and comfort with the help of experienced guides, there are several guided tour options available. These experiences offer the opportunity to discover the volcano and its wonders in the company of professionals, guaranteeing an unforgettable visit, such as the InStazione team.

Among the available options is the Vesuvius tour, which stands out for its comprehensiveness and convenience. With a meeting point at Naples Central Station, this tour offers bus transport, entrance fees to Vesuvius National Park, and about four hours.

For a cheaper alternative, you can opt for the smart audio guide and priority entrance ticket, also offered by InStazione, which allows you to explore Vesuvius at your own pace, with an audio guide available in several languages directly on your mobile phone. Although it does not include the transfer, it is a convenient option for those who prefer a more autonomous experience.

If, on the other hand, you want to explore not only Vesuvius but also the excavations of Pompeii, you could opt for the guided tour option of Pompeii and Vesuvius from Naples. This tour offers a complete experience with minibus transport, onboard assistance, a licensed local guide, and entrance fees to both the excavations of Pompeii and Vesuvius National Park.

Regardless of your choice, be sure to book in advance to best enjoy the exciting adventure of visiting Vesuvius.

To get to Mount Vesuvius, you can simply take advantage of the shuttle service offered by some private bus companies also departing from Naples.

To the cost of the ticket, you have to add the entrance fee to Vesuvius, but thanks to the shuttle bus you can get to the park without worrying about cars and parking.

Climbing Mount Vesuvius is one of the most beautiful experiences you can have. For this reason, it is also an experience that needs to be carefully planned.

As we have seen, there are countless trails that run along the volcano and, some of them, such as the Olivella or the Fiume di Lava (Lava River in English), are very easy. Spend as much time as you need to fully appreciate the beauty of the nature around you. If you have some time, also consider hiking more than one route on the volcano.

Above all, remember to wear the most comfortable footwear you own. Some routes can be rougher and more difficult and you will necessarily need to have appropriate shoes.

Of course, the weather also makes a difference and it is always good to leave equipped. In some cases, remember that for safety reasons you may be precluded from visiting the crater.

Also, do not forget to end your visit to Vesuvius with a taste of its wine. Lacryma Christi is in fact produced from the grapes that grow on the fertile slopes of the volcano.

Finally, to make the most of this experience, we certainly suggest that you plan your visit in advance!