A Fun and Volcanic Day Trip: Visiting Mount Vesuvius

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to hike up an active volcano, Mount Vesuvius is calling your name! 🏞️ Famous for its eruption in 79 A.D., which buried the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, this giant is a fascinating blend of history and natural wonder.

 

Today, it’s one of Italy’s most visited national parks, and you can totally visit it on your own—no need to join a group tour!

Getting to the Top: The Gran Cono Trail

The most popular hiking trail to the top is the Gran Cono route. It’s a bit of a workout, but nothing too crazy—just about 200 meters of vertical climb. You’ll start on a smooth road that takes you partway up, and from there, you’ll follow a winding path all the way to the crater.

The most popular hiking trail to the top is the Gran Cono route. It’s a bit of a workout but nothing too crazy—just about 200 meters of vertical climb.

You’ll start on a smooth path, but the final stretch can get a little steep. Don’t worry though, there’s a handrail to guide you, and the view at the top is absolutely worth it!

Once you reach the summit, you’ll be looking straight into the giant crater, and if the weather’s clear, you’ll see the sparkling Bay of Naples. Talk about a view!

🌋 Cool Fact: Did you know Vesuvius is actually made up of two volcanoes?

There’s the dormant Monte Somma and the active Gran Cono. Together, they form a massive volcanic structure that dominates the landscape.

What’s the Crater Like?

The crater is enormous—about 700 meters across and 200 meters deep. And the best part? You can walk around part of its rim! As you walk, you’ll be surrounded by ash, volcanic rock, and the occasional puff of steam from the crater’s surface. It’s an experience like no other.

Get Some Local Knowledge

Once you’re up there, you’ll probably bump into some of the local volcanological guides, who are super easy to spot in their bright yellow and gray suits.

They’re walking encyclopedias when it comes to Vesuvius, and they’ll give you a quick rundown of the volcano’s history, the geology, and its past eruptions.

It’s a fun little crash course that lasts about 15 minutes, and after that, you’re free to roam, take photos, and shop for volcanic rock souvenirs.

Path to Mt Vesuvius

Pro Tips for Your Hike

Wear sturdy shoes! The path is pretty rocky and can be slippery in some areas, so closed-toe, non-slip shoes are a must.

Water, water, water! The hike isn’t super long, but it can be tiring, especially under the sun, so stay hydrated.

Bring a light jacket—it can get windy up there.

Try to go on a weekday if you can. Weekends tend to get crowded, and nobody likes hiking in traffic jams, right?

Cost and Timing

So if you’re planning a trip to Naples or Sorrento, make sure to set aside some time to visit Mount Vesuvius.

Getting to the top costs about 10 euros, and it’s well worth it. You’ll get the full experience, from volcanic landscapes to stunning views.

Tickets for the Gran Cono are exclusively available online.

It’s definitely a bucket list item, and you don’t want to miss it!

Not every day you get to stand on top of an active volcano and see history, nature, and adventure all in one place. Happy hiking! 🌋👟

How to get to Vesuvius?

The EAV bus line provides public transportation between Pompeii’s Archaeological site and Mount Vesuvius’s summit.

Check out the timetable here.

The journey takes about 50 minutes, and the ticket costs € 2.70.

Mt Vesuvius Crater
Mt Vesuvius Crater
Path to Mt Vesuvius
Path to Mt Vesuvius
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11 Comments

  • 9 day-trips out of Naples | Naples City Breaks | ExpertoItaly says:
    at

    […] How to visit Mount Vesuvius independently […]

    Reply
  • Catherine Turriff says:
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    Hi – Thank you for this information. I am a book-ahead person wherever possible, but I cannot for the life of me find a site that sells simply entrance tickets. I can only find guided tours. We will be there Sunday May 7 and are planning on going to Mt. Vesuvius immediately after our two hour tour of Pompei that ends at 11:00. I so appreciate your expert advice.

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Antonio says:
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      Hi Catherine

      It’s fairly straight forward. You can take the EAV buses from Pompeii

      Piazza Anfiteatro 8:30 9:50 10:45 11:45 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 15:10 15:50 16:55
      Villa dei Misteri 8:35 9:55 10:50 11:50 12:35 13:05 13:35 14:05 15:15 15:55 17:00
      Porta Marina 8:38 9:58 10:53 11:53 12:38 13:08 13:38 14:08 15:18 15:58 17:03
      Torre del Greco 8:55 10:15 11:10 12:10 12:55 13:25 13:55 14:25 15:35 16:15 17:20
      Osservatorio 9:05 10:25 11:20 12:20 13:05 13:35 14:05 14:35 15:45 16:25 17:30
      Seggiovia Q.750 9:15 10:35 11:30 12:30 13:15 13:45 14:15 14:45 15:55 16:35 17:40
      Vesuvio quota 1000 9:25 10:45 11:40 12:40 13:25 13:55 14:25 14:55 16:05 16:45 17:50

      The trip takes about 55 minutes, tickets cost EUR 3.10 one way and can be purchased on board on EAV bus.

      and you can buy the park ticket entrance on

      https://vesuviopark.vivaticket.it/en#where_to_buy

      I hope this helps

      Antonio

      Reply
      • Charles Murray says:
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        Hi Antonio, thank you for your helpful article. I am hoping to climb Vesuvius with my girlfriend of the 1st June, however, the link seems to say it is already booked out for the whole day?

        https://vesuviopark.vivaticket.it/en#where_to_buy

        Do the tour companies book blocks of tickets in advance? I am just wondering if the only way to get to the mountain is now through a private tour?

        Thank you again,
        Charles

        Reply
  • Kitcat says:
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    I’d been checking online for buying ticket but all i can see is a guided tour ticket is it possible to buy an entrance ticket as i am planning to hike up the summit alone. Where i can buy a ticket? Website? Is there a bus down the entrance back to pompeii station?

    Reply
  • Nancy Wiesenfeld says:
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    Is there any public transportation from Naples direct to Mt Vesuvius or do you have to go to Pompeii first? Is there public transportation from Herculaneum to Mt Vesuvius?

    Reply
  • Yerik says:
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    Is drone filming allowed in crater?

    Reply
  • Deborah Broadley says:
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    Hi
    We are travelling from Massa Lubrense and would like to stop at Pompei and Vesuvius on our way back to Naples. What is the best way to do this and are there any lockers near the sights that we can use to store our small pieces of luggage?
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Antonio says:
      at

      When I visited Pompeii, I quickly realised how important it is to plan ahead for luggage storage. Bags larger than 30 x 30 x 15 cm aren’t allowed inside the site, so I had to find a solution before exploring the ruins.

      My Experience with Train Station Storage
      The most reliable option I found was the luggage storage facility (deposito bagagli) at the Pompeii Scavi station, located on the upper level. For €8 per bag, it was a convenient and secure place to leave my belongings. Knowing my bags were safely stored, I could fully immerse myself in the history of Pompeii without the hassle of lugging anything around.

      Trying the On-Site Cloakroom
      There’s also a free cloakroom at the entrance of Pompeii, but I’d read that it often fills up, especially by mid-morning. Since I arrived a bit later, I didn’t want to risk being turned away, so I opted for the train station instead. However, if you’re travelling light and arriving early, the cloakroom might be a good option.

      What Worked Best for Me
      Personally, I found the train station storage to be the best choice. It was easy to use, and I didn’t have to worry about availability. I’ve used similar services in other parts of Italy before, and they’ve always been reliable and hassle-free. Knowing my bags were secure allowed me to focus on enjoying the incredible sights of Pompeii. If you’re planning a visit, I’d definitely recommend the train station facility for a smooth experience.

      Reply

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