Things to do in Mt Vesuvius
World-known for its eruption in 79 AD that buried some Ancient Roman cities such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, Mt Vesuvius is about 6 miles from the city of Naples and can be visited on a day or half-day trip from either Pompeii, Herculaneum or Naples.
Regarding the origin of the word Vesuvius, there are numerous hypotheses: there are those who attribute it to an Indo-European root, which means "to illuminate" or "to burn". There are those who see the origins in mythology and hypothesize a tribute to Hercules, and those who attribute the origin of the word to the phrase Vae suis! which in Latin means "Woe to his own!", an exclamation to indicate the well-known consequences of volcanic eruptions.
Vesuvius dominates and overlooks the Gulf of Naples, inevitably becoming one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. In fact, Mount Vesuvius is one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes and perhaps this is what makes it also one of the most fascinating. The area of the volcano has been protected as National Park since 1995.
Reach the top and take in the spectacular view across the Gulf of Naples. Then, turn your eyes to admire something even more incredible, the spectacular crater of over 200 metres deep. On the way back, don't forget to enjoy a delicious pizza or participate in a tasting of fine wines that the area has to offer.
Our recommendations in Mt Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius Crater Tour with Lunch at a Vineyard
This full day tour has a perfect pairing – a climb up to the crater of Mt Vesuvius followed by lunch and a tasting at a vineyard that grows Lacryma Christi wine. It'll bring you closer to the awesome intensity of mainland Europe's only active volcano and amaze you with life borne out of its volcanic soil.
en
Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Select Tour with Local Lunch
A real history fest, this tour first takes you to Pompeii, which lay buried under volcanic ash for centuries. After a guided tour and a light lunch, you'll then visit the summit of Mt Vesuvius, the only active volcano on Europe's mainland.
en
Herculaneum and Vesuvius Tour with Local Lunch
Wandering around the archaeological site of Herculaneum is just like stepping through an open-air history book. On this tour, you'll visit what remains of this once-thriving seaside town, as well as see Mt Vesuvius – the architect of its destruction. Andrea, one of our local experts, says, 'Unlike Pompeii, Herculaneum's deeper burial under volcanic mud resulted in an astounding level of preservation. It's a quieter, more intimate experience'.After Vesuvius's dramatic 79 AD eruption, Herculaneum became a town frozen in time. Now resurrected from its volcanic slumber, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is brimming with stories untold. On a guided tour with trusty headsets, you'll see the haunting boathouses – the sombre final chapters of desperate refugees – and the town's beautifully preserved marble floors, mosaics, and vibrant frescoes. Andrea says, 'Like many Roman towns, Herculaneum had a complex of public baths, which were a hub of daily life. These baths are particularly well-preserved and showcase the complex heating systems and detailed mosaics that adorned their walls and floors'.Lunch will be at a friendly, local restaurant, serving up Italian classics. You'll then head up the mighty Mount Vesuvius – the only active volcano in mainland Europe. With its eye-catching panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea and Naples, it's well worth the trip. The surrounding terrain, sculpted by past eruptions, only adds to the jaw-dropping scenery.
en
Mount Vesuvius Crater Tour with Lunch at a Vineyard
This full day tour has a perfect pairing – a climb up to the crater of Mt Vesuvius followed by lunch and a tasting at a vineyard that grows Lacryma Christi wine. It'll bring you closer to the awesome intensity of mainland Europe's only active volcano and amaze you with life borne out of its volcanic soil.
en
Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Select Tour with Local Lunch
A real history fest, this tour first takes you to Pompeii, which lay buried under volcanic ash for centuries. After a guided tour and a light lunch, you'll then visit the summit of Mt Vesuvius, the only active volcano on Europe's mainland.
en
Herculaneum and Vesuvius Tour with Local Lunch
Wandering around the archaeological site of Herculaneum is just like stepping through an open-air history book. On this tour, you'll visit what remains of this once-thriving seaside town, as well as see Mt Vesuvius – the architect of its destruction. Andrea, one of our local experts, says, 'Unlike Pompeii, Herculaneum's deeper burial under volcanic mud resulted in an astounding level of preservation. It's a quieter, more intimate experience'.After Vesuvius's dramatic 79 AD eruption, Herculaneum became a town frozen in time. Now resurrected from its volcanic slumber, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is brimming with stories untold. On a guided tour with trusty headsets, you'll see the haunting boathouses – the sombre final chapters of desperate refugees – and the town's beautifully preserved marble floors, mosaics, and vibrant frescoes. Andrea says, 'Like many Roman towns, Herculaneum had a complex of public baths, which were a hub of daily life. These baths are particularly well-preserved and showcase the complex heating systems and detailed mosaics that adorned their walls and floors'.Lunch will be at a friendly, local restaurant, serving up Italian classics. You'll then head up the mighty Mount Vesuvius – the only active volcano in mainland Europe. With its eye-catching panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea and Naples, it's well worth the trip. The surrounding terrain, sculpted by past eruptions, only adds to the jaw-dropping scenery.
en
How to get there
Mt Vesuvius
Naples
Italy
Reviews Mt Vesuvius
“Rushed, not specified not suitable for pushchairs, had to manhandle pushchair around thus we got left behind so missed quite alot, this spoilt it. Earpiece not upto the job.”
“Our guide was pleasant but not very knowledgeable. He used his few facts repeatedly which became comical but was frustrating. He was unable to answer quite basic questions.”
“Additional stops made under the guise of using toilets but there were to make tourists buy merchandise. Also spent an extra 1 hr 10 on the bus whilst collecting others and could have easily arranged to collect us later.”
“The food was lovely, however my daughter had 2 strands of hair in her pizza.”
