Which bay in Italy is overlooked by Mount Vesuvius?

The bay in Italy overlooked by Mount Vesuvius is the Bay of Naples.

This large inlet of the Tyrrhenian Sea curves around the western coast of southern Italy. Naples sits on its northern shore, while the ancient cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii lie in the surrounding region. Mount Vesuvius rises on the bay’s eastern side, making the landscape one of the most recognizable volcanic settings in Europe.

Vesuvius is best known for its catastrophic eruption in AD 79, which buried Pompeii and Herculaneum beneath ash, pumice, and volcanic debris. The eruption preserved buildings, streets, artwork, and everyday objects, giving historians an unusually detailed view of Roman life. Vesuvius remains an active volcano, although it is currently dormant.

The Bay of Naples is not the same as the Bay of Salerno, which lies farther south along Italy’s Campanian coast. Nor should it be confused with the Gulf of Naples, a broader English alternative sometimes used for the same body of water. “Bay of Naples” is the standard answer matching this question.