Mt. Vesuvius (Monte Vesuvio) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Mt. Vesuvius in Italy. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius Day Trip From Rome With Pizza Lunch

• Naples: Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour With Lunch

• Priority Access Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius Full-Day Tour From Sorrento

• Skip-the-Line Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius Day Trip From Naples

• Day Trip to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Vesuvius From Naples

To see Mt. Vesuvius up close, you’ll need to buy a ticket to access the trail to the crater, which costs €10 or €8 for residents and young people under the age of 25. Free entry is offered to children under 6 and travelers with disabilities and their carers. You can also book a variety of tours that visit Mt. Vesuvius, with trips from Naples starting at US$55 and day excursions from Rome from US$80.

Yes, Mt. Vesuvius is definitely worth visiting if you're staying in or around Naples. It's the big natural attraction in this area of southern Italy, and the volcano's presence is steeped in history. Notably, it was the culprit behind the infamous AD 79 eruption during which Pompeii was buried under its volcanic ash. Many tours visit Vesuvius, including day trips from Naples and Rome that combine the volcano with Pompeii.

Per one customer who booked the Mt. Vesuvius Tour From Pompeii Led by an Expert Guide, "This was an incredible experience. Pictures here don't even do the real views of the volcano, crater, or Bay of Naples justice! Mario was an awesome guide, and he answered all of our questions with patience and made the experience very easy. He was also extremely knowledgeable, and we learned a ton about the history of the area and city. This was SO much easier than trying to coordinate travel to Vesuvius National Park on our own, and we highly recommend taking this excursion if you want to visit the volcano."

Plan to spend at least 3–4 hours visiting Mt. Vesuvius, including the hike to the crater rim. The trail to the crater, called Il Gran Cono, is about 2.2 miles (3.6 kilometers) and takes about 1–2 hours to complete. Generally, you can visit Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii in one day.

Yes, hiking Mt. Vesuvius is worth it. The roughly 2.2-mile (3.6-kilometer) hike to the summit along the Il Gran Cono trail is relatively short. The payoff is a chance to peer into the volcano's active crater and catch marvelous views of Sorrento and the Gulf of Naples.

No, you don't need to join a tour to visit Mt. Vesuvius—anyone with Mt. Vesuvius (Monte Vesuvio) tickets (admission starts at €40) can hike to the summit. Travelers visiting on their own can reach Mt. Vesuvius National Park by bus from Pompeii or the Vesuvio Express shuttle from Herculaneum. Visitors who are driving can park off the Strada Provinciale 114.

Mount Vesuvius National Park’s opening hours vary by season. In the summer it’s usually open from 9am to 5pm. In the winter it’s typically open from 9am to 3pm. Expect it to open at 9am and close by 4pm during the shoulder season months of March and October.

Weather-wise, spring and fall are the best time of year to visit Mount Vesuvius. Summer is hot and crowded, and winter can be uncomfortably cold. While the trail to the crater is open year-round, it will close due to inclement weather.

What you wear to climb Mt. Vesuvius depends on the time of year. Generally, you should wear clothing you're comfortable walking in, hiking boots or athletic shoes, sunscreen, and a hat. It's also good to dress in layers as the temperature can suddenly change, and consider taking a walking stick.

It’s generally cooler on top of Mt. Vesuvius, which is about 4,200 feet (1,280 meters) above sea level, than it is at the base or surrounding towns and Naples. While it can be windy, it doesn't get truly cold until late fall and winter when snowfall is possible.

When you're done visiting Mt. Vesuvius, there are many other exciting attractions to visit, both in Naples and beyond. According to other travelers, here are some of the top attractions to discover around Naples:

• Pompeii Archaeological Site

• Sansevero Chapel (Museo Cappella Sansevero)

• Via Toledo

• Naples Historic Center (Napoli Centro Storico)

• Piazza del Plebiscito

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in and around Naples.