Destinations · Campania
Vesuvius the volcano next door
The most famous volcano in the world is also our next-door neighbour: Scarpato NCC Travel is based in San Sebastiano al Vesuvio, on its slopes.
The volcano that changed history
Vesuvius is a double volcano: the Great Cone grew inside the caldera of the older Monte Somma. After the eruption of AD 79, which wiped out Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae, it reawakened many times; the eruption of 1631 claimed thousands of lives in the villages on its slopes.
The last eruption dates back to March 1944, in the middle of the war: the lava reached San Sebastiano al Vesuvio, the town where Scarpato NCC Travel is based. Since then the volcano has been sleeping, watched day and night by the Vesuvius Observatory, founded in 1841, the oldest volcano observatory in the world.
A national park and a wine
In 1880 the funicular to the crater was opened: the song “Funiculì, Funiculà” was written to promote it. The funicular is long gone, and today you climb on foot along the Great Cone trail, inside the Vesuvius National Park, established in 1995.
On the slopes, the volcanic soil gives Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio, a wine that legend links to the tears of Christ falling on the bay.
Not to be missed on Vesuvius
The Great Cone trail
On foot from the car park at 1,000 metres to the crater rim.
The crater rim
Fumaroles, rocks and the whole Bay of Naples below you.
Vesuvius Observatory
The historic building, with instruments and finds from the eruptions.
Lacryma Christi wineries
Tastings among the vineyards on the slopes.
The 1944 lava flow
Traces of the last eruption around San Sebastiano.
Sunset over the bay
The finest view of Naples, from the road up.
Before you go
To the car park at 800 metres, then a shuttle or a 30-minute walk to 1,000 metres.
A wide but uphill trail, on volcanic gravel.
Access to the crater must be booked in advance on the Park website.
Together they make a perfect day.
It’s windy at the top even in summer: bring a light jacket and closed shoes. In strong wind or bad weather the trail is closed: we’ll check the conditions together before setting off.
Approximate times, without traffic.
Climb Vesuvius with someone who lives at its foot.
Tolls and parking are always included. Carlo checks availability and replies within 24 hours.
