Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii are a must visit places when traveling to Naples or the Amalfi Coast. I (Nika) was here in 2019 together with my grandmother and sister. I decided to share my experience and all the advice and tips with you. Read on to learn how to visit Vesuvius and Pompeii easily and hassle-free.
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Best time to visit
If you want to combine these places with swimming in the sea and relaxing on the beach, definitely come here in the summer. However, take into account that it is high season. This means that it is much busier, there is more people and prices are higher.
If you want to avoid the crowds, come in spring or autumn. The weather is a bit unpredictable, but you can avoid the heat. The prices will also be more affordable. We were here in February and it was great. We encountered only a few other tourists on Mount Vesuvius and in Pompeii. We didn’t have to wait in line anywhere.
How to visit Pompei
Price: 16€
Time to visit: 2-3 hours
Opening Hours: 9am – 7pm
Pompeii is a tiny city at the foot of Mount Vesuvius near Naples. In 79AD they were hit by a devastating eruption. The entire city was buried under a thick layer of ash and lava. Many residents left the city at the first signs of an eruption. During the explosion, only around 2,000 people remained there. The lava perfectly preserved some parts of the city, including a few residents. It is really interesting and at the same time sad to see people’s bodies frozen in fear and terror. In Pompeii, however, the explosion destroyed the upper floors of the buildings, and the city is not as well preserved as nearby Herculaneum.
Pompeii was quite a large and developed city. Today it shows us the way of life of people in the Roman Empire at that time. The city was only discovered in 1700. Its discovery brought immense fascination with how much has been preserved here. Today you can see houses, a theater, an amphitheater and many social buildings here.
How to get here
The easiest and fastest way to get to Pompeii is by train. The Circumvesuviana train goes here from Naples. The journey by this train takes 40 minutes and the ticket costs about €3-4. Current departure times can be found HERE. The train leaves from Napoli Garibaldi station towards Sorrento. You can also get here by the same train if you are coming from the Amalfi Coast.
Another option is the Campania express train. This one should be a bit faster and also has AC. However, the ticket costs €15. More info HERE.
You can get here by bus from Naples with SITA company. Line 5001 goes here. The trip also takes 45 minutes and the ticket costs €2-3. You can find the schedule of departures HERE.
Opening hours and tickets
You can check the opening hours on the web visitpompeiivesuvius.com. From April till October it should be opened from 9:00 to 19:00.
The basic entrance fee for an adult costs €16. Admission is free for children under 18 and only €2 for all under 24. You can buy tickets at all entrances or online HERE. Be sure not to buy tickets from random people, e.g. at Pompeii Scavi train station. It might be a scam. In the summer months, it is better to buy tickets in advance online to avoid long queues at the ticket office.
How much time do you need
How long you should spend here depends mainly on you and what you want to see. Pompeii is huge and it will take about a whole day to go through every alley. If you just want to visit a few of the most important places, 2-3 hours will be enough. Better reserve more time for this place.
Do I need a tourist guide?
No. It is certainly not necessary. However, Pompeii is huge and it is definitely much more interesting with a guide. He can tell you a lot of information that you wouldn’t know otherwise. The whole thing will be a little more informative and you will learn more. If you just want to look at the architecture, you don’t need a guide.
If you decide to go with a guide, you have several options. The first of them is an organized tour. However, you can count on more people here. Guides will also be offered to you around Pompeii. There you can even take part in an official tour of Pompeii with a group of about 15 people.
A few extra tips
- Take plenty of water with you. Pompeii is very hot in summer and the sun is strong. Don’t forget some head protection like a hat.
- Take comfortable shoes.
- Get your camera ready.
- Don’t take big luggage. It is possible that they won’t let you in with huge bags for security reasons.
- Allow plenty of time to visit Pompeii.
- There are several places to eat or have a small snack in the vicinity. However, be sure to pack some food with you.
Map
Mount Vesuvius
Price: 10€
Time to visit: 2-3 hours
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm
The view of the crater of Mount Vesuvius will amaze you not only from afar but also up close. It is one of two active volcanoes in continental Europe. Residents living in its immediate vicinity are still at risk of an eruption. There are many farms and wineries at the foot of the volcano and in its surroundings. You have a unique opportunity to visit the crater of the volcano and at the same time the city that was destroyed by it.
How to get here
You can get to the lower paid parking lot by car. The parking costs €5 for the whole day. From here, a shuttle will take you a little higher. A two-way bus ticket costs €2. It is recommended to use this bus, as the ascent will take some time.
Busvia del Vesuvio
You can also use the services of Busvia del Vesuvio. The ticket costs €22 and includes a bus from Pompeii to the entrance to the volcano, a small 4×4 bus that will take you even higher and then you will climb up to the crater of the volcano together with a guide. The price also includes entrance to the Mount Vesuvius National Park and a return ticket. The bus departs from the Circumvesuviana Pompei Villa dei Misteri train station.
EAV bus
In Pompeii, this bus stops at the train station Circumvesuviana Pompei Villa dei Misteri or Piazza Amfiteatro. The bus will take you to the entrance of Mount Vesuvius Park. It runs every 50 minutes and the journey takes 55 minutes. You can buy a ticket directly from the driver for €2.7. This is the option we chose and we were extremely satisfied.
Entrance fee
You can pay your entrance fee HERE. From March until October the park is open from 09:00 until 17:00. To see all opening hours check THIS WEBSITE. Entrance fee for an adult is 10€. Student will pay 8€.
What to expect
The ascent to the crater from the information center does not take long. However, it is quite steep and can be a bit strenuous on a hot summer day. At the top, you can make a circuit around the entire crater. If you’re expecting lava, forget it. You can see some vapors here and there and you can smell sulfur in the air. The beautiful view of the surroundings and the coast is certainly worth mentioning.
Map
Where to stay
If you want to be closer to the sea, the cities on the Amalfi coast – Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi – are a great option. However, expect high prices. They can be from €200/night up to €3000. Maybe even more.
If you want to save, stay in Naples. It’s significantly cheaper there – you can find accommodation from €50 for two. Maybe even less.
What to see nearby
1. Naples city
The city of Naples is less than an hour away. This is probably where your first steps will go if you decide to visit Mount Vesuvius or Pompeii. Naples is huge, full of beautiful buildings but also garbage. Here you will find the best pizza in the world and great gelato. If you want to know what is worth visiting in the city, read our article from Naples.
3. Amalfi coast
The Amalfi Coast is made up of hills, rocks, beaches and beautiful cities that were built into the hills and on the rocks. A narrow road runs along the coast, which in itself is an experience you will never forget. On one side you have a view of the sea and the cliffs below you and on the other side you have rocks and views of the hills.