Amalfi to Herculaneum and Vesuvius: Private day trip

What to see:

• The House of Neptune and Amphitrite, with a glass-paste wall mosaic of the sea god and his wife, best seen in mid-morning light
• The House of the Wooden Partition, where a carbonized folding screen still stands in the atrium
• Houses up to three stories high, some still with wooden beds, doors, and balconies turned to charcoal by the heat
• The boat sheds on the ancient shoreline, where the remains of about 300 people were found

What to do:

• Follow the park map through the numbered houses, or hire a licensed guide to point out details you’d miss
• Spend extra time in the Suburban Baths, among the best-preserved Roman baths, down to a carbonized wooden bench

Take note:

• Allow two to three hours, and bring sturdy shoes, water, and sun protection
• Buy tickets online in advance: https://www.coopculture.it/en/products/regular-entrance-ticket-for-the-archaeological-park-of-herculaneum/

Main attractions

• The only active volcano on mainland Europe — Vesuvius last erupted in 1944 and remains carefully monitored; the crater rim at 1,281 meters is reachable by a well-maintained path from the upper car park, delivering views down into the steaming caldera and across the entire Bay of Naples, from Capri to the Campi Flegrei on a clear day
• The crater itself — 300 meters wide and 200 meters deep — is visible in its entirety from the rim path; sulfurous vents still emit gas from the caldera floor below

Take note

• The final path to the rim is steep and exposed — sturdy footwear essential; the summit is significantly cooler and windier than the base; bring a layer
• Mount Vesuvius is open daily year-round, typically opening at 9:00 AM, with closing times varying by season (earlier in winter, later in summer). Tickets should be booked in advance