Do you spend your holidays in Campania? Discover the Vesuvius, this impressive volcano whose name is inseparable from that of Pompeii. Let yourself be guided!
A true jewel of Italy overlooking the Gulf of Naples from the top of its 1281 meters, the Vesuvius is an integral part of the Neapolitan landscape, and its ascent is essential if you stay in the region. Located only a dozen kilometers from Naples, it is also close to Pompei and Herculanum , the 2 cities completely englouties under the ashes of the volcano following the catastrophic eruption of the year 79, which can allow you to gather everything in one day!
Visit the Vesuvius: the story of a giant murderer
Photo credit: Flickr – Marie Thérèse Hébert & Jean Robert Thibault
Trained about 400,000 years ago, Vesuvius is one of the world’s most famous and studied volcanoes. From the top of its 1280 meters high, it is in Europe one of the only volcanoes still active with the Etna and the Stromboli . Still active but currently in sleep, however, it is the only one who entered the eruption during the last century (1944). To climb to the summit of Vesuvius is an experience to live at least once in his life!
Founded in June 1995, the Vesuvian National Park is a concentrate of natural riches declared in 1997 by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. The park offers 9 hiking routes, at different levels of difficulty, which will delight nature and hiking enthusiasts.
Vesuvius: the catastrophic eruption of the year 79
On the night of October 24 to 25, 79, Vesuvius entered into an eruption and buried five cities around Naples: Herculanum, Oplontis, Boscoreale, Stabies, and Pompeii. The best known remains Pompeii, by the amazing conservation of all the remains of the city, where life was stopped clean and forever frozen by the ashes of the volcano.
Since that date, the volcano has woke up about thirty times, but without ever causing as much damage as in 79. Inactive since 1944, he has been closely monitored by the Naples Observatory.
What to do and see during your visit to the Vesuvian?
Photo credit: Pixabay – Enzo Abramo
Tours, mainly from Naples, allow you to climb on the slopes of the Vesuvius to its crater. What do you see when you climb the Vesuvius?
During your ascent to the top of the Vesuvius, you will feel under your feet the ground consisting of small pieces of lava (the pouzzolane) and admire the singular rocks that form the volcano and lava castings today solidified. Over there you can see the dense vegetation, sprinkled with vineyards.
Arrived at the top of the volcano, observe and walk along the crater that offers to you. With 600 meters in diameter and 200 meters deep, attention to vertigo!
The view from the summit of the Vesuvius is just spectacular (attention, if the weather permits)! You can admire the Bay of Naples, the coast and all the surrounding islands. A small advice: bring binoculars to try to find some of Naples' flagship monuments.
How to visit Vesuvius?
You can count about 1h30 of visit. Provide good shoes for the ascent of Vesuvius to the crater and also water, lots of water... Don’t forget that you’re at the top of a still active volcano, the heat that emerges from it! Attention, however, to the disappointment due to the weather. Indeed, some days the sky can be very cloudy, and thus the visibility is reduced on the bay of Naples.
How do I go to the Vesuvius from Naples?
Photo credit: Flickr – Photos By Clark
Whatever the means of transportation you choose, once you arrive at the volcano ticket office, you will have to continue on foot. It takes 15-30 minutes to reach the summit, located at 1180 meters above sea level. To climb to the crater, different ways are possible:
- By car: take the A3 motorway Naples-Salerne, exit Torre del Greco and follow the signs for the Vesuvian about 13 kilometers.
- By train: take from Napoli Centrale (central city) the train "Cirumvesuviana" Napoli-Sorrento. Stop at Ercolano Scavi (stop for the ancient Herculanum site). The train journey takes about 20 minutes. Then take a bus to the volcano.
- By bus: several bus companies offer trips from Naples to Vésuve.
- On foot: hiking enthusiasts will be delighted to take the paths traced by the national park. For this, plan very good walking shoe, a cap, sun cream and water! Stifling heat can quickly become your enemy if you are poorly equipped.
In turn organized : Even more practical if you don’t want to organize your visit to the Vesuvius, there are complete excursions from Naples or Sorrento that include the discovery of the Vesuvius and the visit of Pompeii in the same day. Prices differ depending on the duration of the trip and the benefits included. Here are some links to book this type of excursions for the Vesuvius:
– From Naples: Visit of the Vessel in 4×4 (4h) – From Naples: Visit of Pompei and Vesuvius – From Naples: 8h Excursion in Pompei and Vesuvius - From Sorrento: A day in Pompei and Vesuvius
Visit Vesuvius: schedules and rates
If you decide to visit Vesuvius, you will have to buy a ticket for the visit of the crater (service of a guide included), at the entrance of the site. Count 10€ in full price, and 8€ in reduced fare. Admission is free for children below 1m20 high, accompanied by their parents. You can also take your ticket online for the Vesuvius, which will prevent you from queued at the ticket office on site.
Photo credit: Flickr – Karim von Orelli
Opening dates and times of Vesuvius
The crater is open all year round, except on days when the weather is very bad and visit the Vesuvius dangerous.
- January, February, November and December: open from 9am to 3pm
- March and October: open from 9am to 4pm
- April, May, June and September: open from 9am to 5pm
- July and August: open from 9am to 6pm
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