Can you walk from Pompeii to Vesuvius?

Pompeii and its historical adversary Mount Vesuvius are two of the most spectacular sites in all of Italy.

The ancient city was buried by the spewing ash and pumice from the great mountain way back in AD 70, and today much of Pompeii’s remains of the day stand intact, creating an eerie, unforgettable place to visit.

Mount Vesuvius, conversely, is perfect for volcano venturers to traverse and check out its (still active) crater. You can take a tour with a knowledgeable guide who can teach you all about the mountain, its scientific makeup and what happened on that terrifying day almost 2000 years ago!

But only really keen hikers would walk from Pompeii to Vesuvius, as it is around 24 kilometres between the two. So, the best way to get between the two is to either hop a cab or take the circumvesuviana train that easily takes you to both sites from Naples or Sorrento.

So, unless you’re happy to walk all day to get to a mountain you probably won’t be able to enjoy in the fading hours of the sun, we recommend getting on that public transport to see both villain and victim on the one day.

Now that we’ve got logistics out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the incredible sites that await you at Pompeii and Vesuvius.

The Antiquarium

The Antiquarium is a place you should check out before heading into the city proper. This fascinating museum is full of interactive displays and artefacts of life in the city before it was covered in ash and pumice.

It’s then time to head into Pompeii to experience…

The Forum

The grand Forum is a stretch of colonnades leading up to the impressive Temple of Jupiter. This is the place where Pompeii locals came to discuss affairs of the town, without the knowledge that it would one day be condemned to fiery ruin. It’s the best place to start your journey in this incredible ruin.

The Villa of the Mysteries

Probably one of the stranger remaining sites of Pompeii, the Villa of Mysteries has bewildered archaeologists for many years, eager to unravel the mystery of the house itself. What are those strange frescoes dedicated to? Some say a Dionysian cult ritual… either way, it’s one of the most bizarre places you will see in the whole of Pompeii, and shouldn’t be overlooked just because it’s outside of the main excavation area…

Related article: 11 Amazing Facts about Mount Vesuvius