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Vesuvius vs. Naples archeology museum

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I’m going to Pompeii next week when it’s 90+ degrees. I was planning to go to Vesuvius before heading to my hotel in Naples but am now considering going to the archeology museum instead.

Which one would you choose?

I might be able to do both, but I’m only going to be in the area for about two days and one night.

I’m coming from and going back to Rome as this is a solo side trip from a larger family group trip as I’ve been to the major sites in Rome already and have never seen Naples/Pompeii. I will still have time in Rome as well. My original plan was to do Pompeii and Vesuvius on day one and head back to Naples for a pizza dinner and evening there/overnight stay. Then on Day 2, I scheduled a food tour from about 11am-2pm. My train back to Rome leaves at 5pm. I was planning to use day 2 to walk around Naples. I had some folks convince me to visit archeology museum after Pompeii to really enhance the experience as lots of the original items from Pompeii are there. I might be able to squeeze in a 1-2 hour visit after food tour but would have to cut back on walking through Naples. The other option is to skip Vesuvius in part because of the heat and go to the museum on day 1.

I will point out I have seen Mount Saint Helens in the U.S. which is not Vesuvius but is similar.

Is Vesuvius really great and I shouldn’t miss out? Even if it requires a 55-minute bus ride likely without A/C where I may have to stand whole way before getting there and walking/hiking to it and back?

I’m 50 and in decent shape so not worried about the walk, just the brutal heat and making the most of my time in the area.

Thoughts?

Posted by
5164 posts

I would choose the museum over Vesuvius on day 1 for the reasons you stated: heat, *opportunity to see the items removed from Pompeii--and I say this as an avid hiker/nature lover. You get ample views of Vesuvius from Pompeii--I felt no need to climb it to accentuate the experience. Your plan sounds great!

Posted by
7985 posts

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/pompeii-and-vesuvius-69e8366c-1e75-4a14-a0bc-0677269492d1

I haven't been there in some years, but do not assume that all of the Museum is air-conditioned, or that it is air-conditioned to the meat-locker standards of American HVAC engineers.

We skipped Vesuvius and have never regretted it. Did you read the recent nearby inquiry about the contents of the Archaeology Museum? There is quite a lot to see in Naples, but you are right to worry about the heat. You are likely to have to wait in line to eat at well-known pizzerias, but presumably a food-tour product does not have lines.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/naples-archaeological-museum-72db3988-898f-4cf0-91d7-4828067900ee

Posted by
755 posts

Many trips to Naples and although I love looking at Vesuvius from a distance, I haven’t felt the need to get up close. Especially in the heat of summer! The museum is fantastic and a huge part of appreciating Pompeii.

Posted by
2854 posts

We did both. I really enjoyed walking up Vesuvius but had not ever been to a volcano. Still, I would do the museum if have chance to only do one. But just a warning, the museum at least a few years ago, was not air-conditioned. We were there in July and it was quite toasty.

There is an underground tour of Naples that we did because it was so hot but it actually is really interesting, if you have time.

Posted by
155 posts

We started our last trip to Italy Oct 2019 with 3 nights in Naples. We went to the museum just after it opened and there was effectively no line up. We got a timed entry ticket to the Pompeii gallery and they gave us disposable overshoes to protect the floors. When we exited the museum at about noon, there was a giant line up just to get into the museum before you could get your Pompeii ticket. We then walked around Naples using RS guide book. Next day early we caught the train and did Heraculeum (a smaller version of Pompeii but with all its murals and mosaics in place and being restored there) in the morning and after lunch caught a numbered bus up to Vesuvius. The views were great. Catching our numbered bus at the top was a bit of a zoo and it left the parking lot at least 45 minutes late as private cars managed to get into the bus lot and double parked or parked in no parking zones, which resulted in major problems getting buses turned around, loaded and on their way.
I would be careful of scheduling your return to Rome if you’re doing P & V on the second / last day and trying to do the museum after your food tour may require a long time standing in the museum line ups. I don’t know if they have timed entry available for pre-purchase. Good luck and enjoy your trip.
Next day we caught an early ferry to Capri.
This year we’re starting and finishing in Rome and going north.

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