Many people thought it was a strange choice when I decided to visit Naples. The city has a reputation for being “dirty” and unsafe. But let me tell you: I found it to be a wonderful city! There’s so much to do in the surrounding area, and I even had the best pizza of my life there. One of the highlights? Climbing Mount Vesuvius! In this article, I’ll take you through my experience and give you all the practical tips you need.
Why Naples Is a Perfect Choice for a Long Weekend
When I went to Italy and chose Naples, I got a lot of surprised looks. But what a city! The authenticity, the energy, the pizza… and then there’s the surrounding area. Within an hour’s travel time, you can reach Vesuvius, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the Phlegraean Fields.
In one day, I visited the Phlegraean Fields in the morning, a truly unique area on the outskirts of the city near Pozzuoli. That same afternoon, I climbed Mount Vesuvius. A perfect combination for an active travel day!
My Route: How Did I Get to Vesuvius?
From Naples to Ercolano by Train
From Napoli Centrale station, I took the Circumvesuviana train to Ercolano. This is truly the easiest and cheapest way. When you arrive at the station, you’ll immediately see the buses to Vesuvius.
Practical information for 2025:
- Train ticket: approximately €2-3 one way
- Travel time: 20-30 minutes
- Trains run frequently
The Bus to the Top – Vesuvius
Right next to the station in Ercolano, buses depart that organize a tour to Vesuvius. These buses take you up the road leading to the volcano. They only leave when the bus is full. During high season, that’s usually after every train arrives, so you won’t have to wait long.
Note: I had to pay cash on the bus at the time, but this may have changed since then. Having cash on you is definitely handy. Fortunately, the ATM was just around the corner, and they actually waited for me so I could still join!
💡 Want to make it easier on yourself? Book a complete tour with pickup, and you won’t have to worry about anything
The Climb: My Experience
The First Part: By Bus Up the Mountain
The bus drove us up the first part of the mountain. We were dropped off where it became too steep for the bus. If you really can’t walk far, a car can take you higher up, but those are exceptions. I did see a car pass by when I was walking.
My Walk Begins
The final stretch of walking became quite steep at a certain point. And I have to be honest: that’s exactly what made it even more fun for me!
It was an enjoyable climb, I absolutely love that! You have to work for it if you want to enjoy a view. There were quite a few people walking, and every so often there was a bench on the side where you could take a rest.
Current information 2025:
- Walking distance: approximately 800 meters
- Time to the top: 30-45 minutes
- Difficulty level: moderately steep, well-maintained path
My Weather Surprise: From Fog to Sunshine
I was there on a cloudy day, which of course is a shame for your view. If you have a clear day, you’ll have the most magnificent views over the area shortly after you start walking! As you can see in the photos, I was literally walking into the fog…
But… what I didn’t expect…
I was still treated to a spectacular view on the other side! So if you’re at the bottom and the weather seems disappointing… you never know what it looks like up there. I went anyway and even got some lovely sunshine up there.
My tip: Go up and let yourself be surprised! The microclimate on the mountain can be completely different from down in Naples.
What Do You See at the Top?
And yes… ultimately, the volcano is just a big hole. It was once a volcano, of course… now it’s a large gaping hole where hot lava once flowed.
But don’t be fooled! The experience of walking up through the Italian landscape with an ever-widening view was delightful! Plus, I got a good workout because it was quite a climb. What more could you want on a lovely vacation day in Italy?
Practical Information for Your Visit
Tickets and Access (2025 Update)
Important! Since 2023, you must book tickets online in advance. Buying on-site usually doesn’t work anymore because it sells out quickly.
Opening Hours Vesuvius National Park:
- January, February, November, December: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- March and October: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- April, May, June, September: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- July and August: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
2025 Prices:
- Adults: €12-20 (depending on where you book)
- Children under 6: free (ticket still required)
- Youth under 25: reduced rate
Time slot: Your ticket has a specific time slot. You can enter 30 minutes before your booked time and up to 90 minutes after. Book your tickets in advance here and avoid disappointment
It was a great hike and walk with ofcourse great views over the Italian landscape!
Want to read some more about European travel?
- How about a cycling trip just outside of Rome?
- Walk along the sight of Copenhagen – Denmark
- Places you need to visit in Porto – Portugal
- Walking the First 200K of my Camino – Spain
- Enchanting Bruges – Belgium