Can you do Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii in a day?

The volcanic eruption from Mount Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii in 79 AD, and so the two’s histories are interlinked.

Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii are two big attractions you can see while in Italy. If you’re on limited time, you can see both Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii in one day. We recommend visiting Pompeii first before going to Mount Vesuvius.

How long do I need to explore Pompeii?

Technically to explore all of Pompeii, you would need two days. However, we understand that most people don’t have that much time, especially if you want to visit Mount Vesuvius too.

We recommend you arrive at Pompeii at 9 AM or even just before to avoid a long queue.

To get the most out of your visit, we recommend you spend four hours exploring Pompeii. This will allow you to see the highlights of the ancient city. Some highlights we recommend seeing are the Forum, the Basilica, the House of the Faun, and any of the frescoes or the human and animal remains.

Before you head off to Mount Vesuvius, grab a delicious lunch, then start making your way to the volcano that destroyed Pompeii. You can get to Mount Vesuvius by driving or hopping on a public bus. Keep in mind that to climb Mount Vesuvius, you need to purchase tickets ahead of time.

How long do I need to explore Mount Vesuvius?

Now it’s time to see Mount Vesuvius! The best way to explore the volcano is by climbing the trail up to the summit. You will need around one to two hours in total to reach the top and walk back down. We recommend you take some photos of the magnificent view of the surrounding areas. Take these photos before you reach the top as the view isn’t actually as good when you’ve made it to the end of the trail!

It’s important to note that even though Mount Vesuvius is being monitored at all times, it is still an active volcano. While it is safe to climb, the volcano can be deemed unsafe, in which case you won’t be able to climb it.

Where should I stay?

There are many great surrounding cities to stay at to easily make it to Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii for the day. The most popular destinations are Sorrento and Naples. Both are about a half an hour’s train ride. Or if you can drive, it is a 35-minute drive from Sorrento and a 20-minute drive from Naples.

Capri is slightly further away which takes an hour and a half and you need to get a ferry and a train.

Rome is further away again, taking about two hours on the train or a three-hour drive. But it is worth the trip if you’re in Rome for a few days.

If you are wanting to learn more about Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii, we recommend booking a guided tour. You will be shown around Pompeii, learning all about its history before having the chance to climb Mount Vesuvius! There are tours that leave from either Sorrento or Naples early in the morning. Check out our favourite one here!

Whether you explore one sight or both, you’ll enjoy your day exploring this part of Italy on your holiday.