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Pompeii is one of the most famous archeological sites anywhere in the world, for good reason!
On this page we’ll give you all the details about why you should join the millions of people who make the trip each year as well as our top tips for visiting.
As one of the world’s greatest archeological sites, Pompeii is a must-see for anyone visiting Naples and the area
Everything you need to know about visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii Italy
When it comes to Pompeii, some planning in advance is necessary.
You’ll want to think about what you want to see, how you’ll get there, what you’re going to wear, what time of day to visit and more – all of which can have a huge impact on how much you enjoy your visit!
In this guide we’ll give you all the details you need for planning your Pompeii trip, including:
- The history of Pompeii Italy
- What there is to see in Pompeii
- Pompeii visit information
- How to get to Pompeii from Naples
- Pompeii Italy ticket options
- Whether you should take a guided tour of Pompeii
- Combining your visit with Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius
- Where to eat and drink in Pompeii
- Where to stay near Pompeii
A brief history of Pompeii Italy
Before we get into the site of Pompeii as it is today, let’s talk a little bit about what makes it so famous.
The city of Pompeii fell under the control of ancient Rome in 80 BCE, which led to a rapid expansion and many buildings being added to reflect the city’s new importance.
A precursor to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius happened in 62 CE when a large earthquake destroyed many parts of the city, after which a widespread rebuilding program was implemented, making the ancient Roman city even more impressive.
Only 17 years later in 79 CE Pompeii was hit by the impact of Mount Vesuvius erupting violently.
While many of its residents were able to escape, volcanic ash and pumice rained down on Pompeii for days after the eruption which buried the streets, houses and life of thousands of people.
The volcanic material deposited on Pompeii preserved everything in the town, such as this stunning mosaic
Pompeii was never resettled. While initially the city was not completely buried, later eruptions covered the site fully and over the centuries Pompeii was simply forgotten.
It was not until the 16th and 17th centuries that parts of the buried city started to be uncovered. The nearby ancient town of Herculaneum was discovered in 1738 which drove an effort to find Pompeii, with repeated archaeological excavations taking place through the 18th and 19th centuries.
The work done by Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli in 1863 shaped what we see today, organizing the ruins into the nine areas still used today and introducing more scientific reporting.
He also realized that the voids in the ash layer were spaces left by the bodies of the victims of Vesuvius and came up with the idea to inject plaster into these voids and make moulds of the people who died here.
The allure of Pompeii has been drawing visitors for a long time, and while excavation work continues the focus today is to preserve the ancient city and allow it to wow visitors for a long time to come.
What to see in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii today
You can simply wander through the ancient streets, dipping in and out of the many ruins of houses, gardens, shops and other buildings, but in our opinion, there are some particularly interesting sights that you should not miss out on.
Check the TV screens at the entrances when you head inside for information on what villas or special locations are open/closed on that particular day.
These locations are not always open so checking these screens may well save you a long walk!
These must-sees are in order, assuming you enter the park from the entrance closest to the Pompeii train station, and will also take you past other notable monuments as you explore:
Curious to know more, or want to share your own tips? Leave a comment!
Porta Marina & Cinta Muraria
You’ll enter through one of Pompeii’s original gates, the Marine Gate, an impressive structure that faced the shoreline. Today the sea is much further away, but imagine entering the city with the blue waters of the Bay of Naples behind you!
If you’re not in a rush, take a left and walk around the ancient bathing complex which is a great way to get acquainted with the site.
Pompeii was originally a coastal town, but now the shoreline is some distance from the ancient settlement
Forum
Walk up the slope and keep straight before coming into a wide open space, surrounded by ruined buildings.
This was the Forum of Pompeii, the focal point of daily life in the ancient city. People met here to do business, hire contractors, meet their friends and attend religious ceremonies.
Many of the city’s most important and impressive buildings are linked to the Forum, so take the time to see the main Basilica (not a church, more a type of court house), the Temple of Jupiter and Temple of Apollo.
Some of Pompeii’s most impressive monuments can be found near the Forum
Villa dei Misteri (Villa of the Mysteries)
It’s worth taking a slight detour to see this villa. Around a 15 minute walk from the Forum, this villa is one of the best preserved ancient Roman properties anywhere.
You’ll see the original flooring and stunningly-restored frescoes, giving you a glimpse of the wealth and grandeur of Pompeii before Mount Vesuvius erupted.
The vibrancy of the frescoes in the Villa of the Mysteries show what Pompeii was once like
Regio V
After seeing the Villa dei Misteri, follow the road back up to the main site and then look for the signs directing you to Regio V (Region 5). Don’t miss the famous House of the Faun on the way!
This is a part of the city that has only been excavated more recently and has some really interesting things to see.
As it’s an active area of excavations, parts of this region are not always open, but if they are, make sure to go inside the Thermopolium, an ancient bar with fascinating frescoes and the House of Orion, named for the detailed mosaic of the mythical hero Orion.
Escape the crowds in Region 5 where you are free to explore between the ancient buildings
Theater District (Regio VIII)
Region 8 is home to what was likely Pompeii’s most entertaining area, with two theaters, gladiator barracks and important temples.
The theater is remarkably well preserved, and I always love taking time to sit up in the stone seats and imagine what it was like here over 2000 years ago!
The ancient theater would have been a focal point for Pompeii with residents and visitors alike enjoying the entertainment on offer
Amphitheater District (Regio II)
Keep walking up towards the edge of the park to Region 2 and you’ll be rewarded with the oldest still-standing example of a permanent stone amphitheater in the Roman world.
This structure inspired later examples (including the Colosseum) and it’s fun to walk through the arches into the central arena. As a bonus, this part of the park is often quieter as it’s away from the main visitor routes.
There is an exit here if you wish to leave at this stage. From this point it’s around a twenty minute walk back to the Pompeii train station.
Are you not entertained?
Antiquarium
Alternatively, you can head back towards the Forum to explore some more. There is an exit route which takes you past the Temple of Venus and into the Antiquarium.
This is a recent addition, housing a small museum and two stores selling books and gifts. While the most prominent finds have long been housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, this collection is a fascinating hint at what might still be buried out there.
Don’t miss the antiquarium (museum) on your way out of Pompeii where you’ll find all kinds of treasures inside
Pompeii visit information
While Pompeii is open year-round, only closing on January 1, May 1 and December 25, the opening hours vary according to the season so always check these in advance on the official website.
During late fall, winter and early spring you can come at any time of day but as soon as the weather starts to heat up in late spring I would suggest that you arrive early in the morning and aim to finish your visit before the sun is at its height. There is very little shade in the park and it can get extremely hot, trust me, you do not want to be walking around Pompeii at midday in July!
Due to Pompeii’s popularity it is rarely quiet, but you will avoid the worst of the crowds by getting there early and spending more time in the outer regions.
The earlier you can arrive at Pompeii the better – both to beat the crowds and the heat in the summer
Make sure to bring plenty of water with you, there are some water fountains but it’s better to have your own supply. Similarly, bringing your own snacks is a good idea, there’s a cafe inside the site but the queues for this are invariably long.
My number one piece of advice for visiting Pompeii is to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. I have lost count of the number of times I’ve seen people struggle in flip flops over the slippery ancient paving, it’s just not worth it!
Those slippery stone paving and uneven surfaces can be difficult to navigate if you have mobility challenges, but Pompeii has a specific itinerary that allows all visitors to see the main sights along a 3.5km route. This is called ‘Pompeii for All’ – find more details on their website.
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How to get to Pompeii from Naples
By far the most straightforward route from Naples to Pompeii is to take the Circumvesuviana or Campania Express trains. These leave from the Napoli Centrale station which is where the fast trains from Rome, Florence and other Italian cities stop.
The Circumvesuviana line is completely separate however so you will need to follow the signs and go downstairs to access it. The tickets are also separate, and cannot be bought online in advance so you’ll need to go to the ticket office and purchase tickets – ask for Pompeii Scavi. You can buy a single trip and then get your return at the office at the Pompeii station but I’d recommend purchasing both tickets here to save time later.
There is a modern town of Pompeii which is served by the regular Italy train network, but this is not particularly convenient for the site of Pompeii at all.
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Each experience offers you an easy way to visit sites like Pompeii, Vesuvius or the Amalfi Coast from Rome. Transport and tickets are all taken care of, leaving you to focus 100% on enjoying your time here!
When you arrive at Pompeii Scavi, the Porta Marina site entrance is a short walk up the road.
The Circumvesuviana line runs between Naples and Sorrento so you can also reach Pompeii from any of the stops along this line.
It is possible to take a local bus, but this takes much longer than the train and the costs are comparable. You can also book a taxi from Naples but the costs are high and finding a taxi to take you back from Pompeii can be difficult.
If you do not wish to use public transportation, the best way to reach Pompeii is to book a tour that includes either hotel pickup or transport to the site.
Pompeii ticket options
To visit the ruins of Pompeii there are a few entrance options available to you.
Pompeii Express – entrance to the ancient city of Pompeii
Pompeii+ – also includes entrance to the Villa of Mysteries, Villa of Diomedes and the Villa Regina in Boscoreale (an ancient villa and museum located around 10 minutes drive from Pompeii). A shuttle bus is available to take visitors to and from Villa Regina.
Pompeii 3 Days – on top of what’s included in the Pompeii+ option, this also includes entrance to the ancient villas at Oplontis and Stabiae. One entrance per site is included, to be used over 3 consecutive days, and a shuttle bus is available to take you between sites.
With all of these tickets there are reduced and free options for different categories of visitors.
Pompeii is part of the Free Sunday initiative, where sites are completely free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month, but you cannot purchase these tickets in advance. The queues can be huge on these popular days so unless you have no other choice, I would recommend choosing a different day to go to Pompeii!
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Should you take a guided tour of Pompeii?
Joining guided tours is a good idea for many reasons, but they offer a particularly good experience when visiting Pompeii.
Firstly, Pompeii is huge, even with parts of the ruins off-limits due to ongoing excavations. Navigating and understanding the different things to see is infinitely easier with an expert guide.
Secondly, even if you’re a history buff, there is a lot to take in with fairly limited signage. Having a guide point out particular sights and explain what you’re looking at will really bring Pompeii to life.
Thirdly, many tours offer transportation, making the trip from Naples, Rome, Sorrento or elsewhere much more simple.
If you’ve visited Pompeii many times before or don’t want to be held to a strict itinerary when traveling then perhaps a tour isn’t for you, but if it will be your first time I highly recommend booking one of the following experiences:
- Tour of Pompeii complete with transport to and from Sorrento
- Small group tour of Pompeii with skip-the-line access
- Private half day tour of Pompeii with transport to and from your accommodation in Naples
- Small group tour of Pompeii with an archeologist guide
- A full day private tour, half a day in Pompeii and then back in Naples for lunch and a tour of the National Archeological Museum
- Visit Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius, complete with lunch and wine tasting
Combining your visit with Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius
It is possible to combine your Pompeii trip with visiting Herculaneum and/or Mount Vesuvius.
The Circumvesuviana train stops at Herculaneum, with the site located a short walk from the train station, so you can easily visit before or after Pompeii. To get to Mount Vesuvius, buses leave from both the Herculaneum and Pompeii train stations which take you up as high as vehicles are allowed to go. From this point you will have a 30-40 minute walk to reach the crater itself.
More ancient history awaits you in Herculaneum
Seeing all three sites in one day is a lot, but doable. If you’re coming from Naples, I’d suggest starting with Pompeii as it’s the furthest from the city. Arrive at Pompeii for opening time and spend a couple of hours exploring. From Pompeii jump on the train to Herculaneum, visit that site and then get on one of the buses at Herculaneum station to take you up to the volcano. Return to Herculaneum and get the train back to the city.
If you’re coming from Sorrento, do Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius first, then Pompeii later in the day so that your return journey is shorter.
If you’re traveling from Rome or further away in Italy, I’d recommend choosing two out of the three as your time will be more limited and you may struggle to get to all of them.
Where to eat and drink in Pompeii
There is a simple cafe near the Forum and a restaurant further up the main street of Via dell’Abbondanza but from experience, these are not reliable food and drink options. Opening hours can change at short notice and the queues are often long, plus they are not close to much of the park’s sights.
As such, I’d recommend bringing your own food and drinks with you. Picnics are acceptable in many areas away from precious mosaics and frescoes, as long as you dispose of your trash appropriately.
In Napoli Centrale station there are many good quality eateries where you can purchase food to take with you, and there are also a number of bars and restaurants near the park entrances. These do not have the most amazing options but will do for a quick lunch, and always have ice cold water and drinks available.
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Where to stay near Pompeii
There is very little accommodation in the immediate vicinity of the Pompeii archaeological site, so wherever you stay there will be some travel involved to get to the site.
You can stay in the modern town of Pompeii, but this does not offer much beyond its relative proximity to the archaeological site. This would be a good option if you are staying a while in Campania and don’t need to make the most of your time here.
Staying in Naples offers you the chance to explore the city as well as acting as an excellent base to travel further afield to Rome, Ischia, Capri and more. The prices in the city tend to be a little cheaper than those in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast as well.
If your focus is on the more southern parts of the region, then Sorrento is a better place to stay. Connected to Pompeii by regular trains, you can also reach the Amalfi Coast towns and Capri easily via ferry and even head further south to Paestum and Salerno.
To sum up…
Pompeii is a must-do visit for any trip to Naples and Campania! There are few sites in the world which offer such an incredible insight into how the ancient Romans lived, so we sure to include it in your travel itinerary.
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