Vesuvius is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world. In particular because it engulfed in the year 79 the Roman city of Pompeii, found intact under the ashes.
Since that date, he has woken up about thirty times, but without causing as much damage. Its last eruption was in 1944.
Even though it is currently dormant, it is still active. Its fumaroles bear witness to this. And make his visit even more impressive.
Don’t worry though: it is being watched very closely by the Naples Observatory.
A half-hour hike
The ascent of Vesuvius ends with a hike of about half an hour.
A word of advice: bring good shoes and water. The ground is made up of small pieces of lava. Along the way, you can admire old solidified flows.
Arrived at the top, the crater impresses with its 600 m in diameter and its 300 m depth.
And the view is absolutely spectacular, over the Bay of Naples and its islands, including the famous Capri.
Bring binoculars to fully enjoy this unique panorama.
And plan this visit in the morning, to benefit from the best weather conditions.
The opening hours of the volcano: from 9 am to 3 pm in February. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in March. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in May and June. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in July and August.
Pompeii
A visit to Vesuvius must imperatively be completed by a visit to Pompeii.
The ancient Roman city, where time stood still, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers a striking dive into Roman life. With its houses, shops, public baths, statues and frescoes… A moving and unforgettable moment.
To go to Pompeii, you can take the EAV Vesuvio-Pompei bus line.
The ticket to visit Pompeii can be purchased on www.pompeii-tickets.com/fr
Be careful, Pompeii being a very busy site, it is advisable to choose a skip-the-line ticket.
Prices: €35 for a skip-the-line ticket with audio guide. €44 for a skip-the-line ticket with guide. 19 € the normal price.
Pompeii opening hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November to March. From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from April to October.
How to get there
To get to Naples, you can find AR plane tickets for less than €100 from Lyon or Strasbourg.
Then several solutions.
Either you take the bus between Naples (Napoli Piazza San Pasquale) and Vesuvius. Duration: about 40 min.
Either you rent a car in Naples. In this case, take the A3 Naples-Salerno motorway. Exit at Torre del Greco and follow the indications for Vesuvius.
Please note that the Vesuvius car park (800 m above sea level) must be reserved and paid for in advance on Error! hyperlink reference invalid.
At the parking lot, take a shuttle that takes you to the end of the road, near the summit.
There, you need a ticket to walk up to the top. This ticket includes the service of a guide.
€10 full price. €8 reduced rate. Free for children under 1.20 m tall.
Book your ticket at www.vivaticket.com/it/ticket/visita-guidata-al-gran-cono-del-vesuvio/79785