Pompeii is without doubt one of the most well-known archaeological websites in Italy, and a well-liked attraction for guests. We’ve visited Pompeii quite a lot of occasions through the years, (Laurence first visited in 1995) and on this information we’re going to share all the pieces it’s essential to know to plan your individual go to to Pompeii.
There’s quite a bit to see and find out about at Pompeii, and there are additionally numerous choices for visiting. You’ll be able to take a guided tour or do a self-guided go to, and there are additionally numerous transport choices for attending to Pompeii from totally different places in Italy, together with Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
On this information we’ll cowl all the pieces it’s essential to know to go to Pompeii, from attending to Pompeii, to which excursions are value it, to different sights within the space, and much extra. Let’s get began with some background.
What’s Pompeii?
In AD 79, Pompeii (Pompei in Italian) was a comparatively massive and profitable city within the Roman Empire, house to between 10 and 20 thousand folks.
That each one got here to an finish within the autumn of 79 AD when the close by Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted. This had catastrophic penalties for the encompassing cities and villages.
Inside 24 hours of the eruption, the large quantity of ash and pumice produced by the volcanic eruption had lined the cities within the area to a depth of 13 – 20 ft (4 – 6 metres).
Hundreds of people that had tried to shelter misplaced their lives, and the cities had been successfully misplaced to historical past.
It wasn’t actually till the 18th century that Pompeii and neighboring cities similar to Herculaneum surfaced again into public consciousness. This was when the primary scientific excavations on the website happened.
Within the following centuries, large efforts had been taken to disclose the hidden metropolis, efforts that proceed at present. New discoveries are nonetheless being made on the website yearly.
Pompeii successfully serves as a snapshot of a Roman city on the peak of the Roman Empire. The volcanic eruption was so violent and fast that an important many inhabitants perished, with their our bodies trapped within the ash. Plaster casts of the imprints these our bodies left behind are a picture that’s inextricably linked with Pompeii.
Planning your Go to to Pompeii
I’ll now undergo some useful data that will help you plan your journey to Pompeii, from the way to get right here to the place to purchase tickets and much extra.
The place is Pompeii?
Pompeii is discovered within the Campania area of Italy on the southern finish of the Bay of Naples. It’s round 27km (16 miles) to the southeast of Naples, or roughly a 30-minute journey by automobile, bus or practice.
It’s round 250km (155 miles) south of Rome, or roughly a three-hour journey by automobile, bus or practice.
It’s attainable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from each Rome and Naples, choices I’ll cowl beneath.
How you can get to Pompeii?
Pompeii is comparatively straightforward to succeed in, with good transport connections from numerous places in Italy. We’ll undergo the choices for visiting Pompeii from among the extra in style departure factors.
How you can get to Pompeii from Rome?
It’s attainable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome as lengthy you’re ready for a protracted day with a good bit of journey time. You’re usually taking a look at round 2.5 – 3 hours of journey time every approach from Rome to Pompeii.
The principle choices you have got are to drive, take public transport, or take a guided tour.
Drive from Rome to Pompeii
Until you might be planning on taking a street journey in Italy and persevering with on after Pompeii, we’d recommend taking public transport or a tour relatively than driving.
For those who drive, you’ll must undergo the effort of discovering and renting a automobile, coping with visitors round Rome, navigating, and paying tolls and gasoline.
Taking public transport or a tour goes to be quite a bit simpler.
Public Transport from Rome to Pompeii
For public transport, you possibly can take an categorical practice from Rome to Naples Central practice station. Then, from Naples you possibly can take a neighborhood practice to Pompeii.
See particulars beneath within the part on getting from Naples to Pompeii for a way to do that.
Excursions from Rome to Pompeii
Our really helpful approach for getting from Rome to Pompeii as a day journey is to take a guided tour. It will make your day much more enjoyable as you received’t have to fret about logistics.
You’ll even have a greater time at Pompeii with an expert information to elucidate what you might be seeing. There are a variety of tour choices to Pompeii from Rome, some really helpful choices are as follows.
When evaluating excursions and costs, all the time test how a lot time is definitely spent on the numerous sights, in addition to group dimension and what’s and isn’t included.
Paying a bit additional for a tour that features extra would possibly work out less expensive!
How you can get to Pompeii from Naples?
There are a number of choices for getting from Naples to Pompeii. You’ll be able to drive, take the practice, take a shuttle bus, take a practice, or take a tour.
Drive from Naples to Pompeii
The drive from Naples to Pompeii is round half-hour by way of the A3 toll street, and there may be paid parking on website.
That is going to be an possibility to think about if you have already got a automobile rental to your journey in Italy, however we’d not advocate renting a automobile particularly for this journey as the opposite choices are doubtless going to be simpler.
Shuttle Bus from Naples to Pompeii
A very easy possibility for getting from Naples to Pompeii is to take the devoted Metropolis Sightseeing bus. This departs from central Naples and takes you on to the ruins.
The journey takes round 40 minutes relying on visitors, and also you get round 4 hours on website. Word that it’s a must to guide a particular departure time, which ties you to a particular return time, you possibly can’t select to remain longer and are available again on a later bus.
4 hours ought to offer you sufficient time to see quite a bit, however for those who needed to spend longer on website then this won’t be the most suitable choice.
Discover out extra and guide tickets for this expertise on GetYourGuide right here.
Prepare from Naples to Pompeii
There are two direct practice choices for getting from Naples Central practice station to Pompeii.
First, it’s essential to bear in mind that Pompeii itself has a few practice stations. When taking the practice to the Pompeii historic website you need to get off at Pompeii Scavi-Villa dei Misteria Station as that is the one immediately by the ruins.
Direct trains from Naples to Pompeii all depart from the Garibaldi practice station, which is (a bit confusingly) positioned immediately beneath Naples Centrale practice station.
The most affordable practice possibility from Naples to Pompeii is the Circumvesuviana service. This regional commuter practice system runs trains throughout the realm, and you’ll want to take a practice which is heading to Sorrento.
Tickets will be bought on the station, and there are usually a number of trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 35 minutes. You’ll be able to see practice occasions on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
A barely costlier, however usually extra comfy practice possibility, is the tourist-oriented Campania Categorical practice. This additionally operates from Garibaldi practice station and takes you on to the ruins.
Trains run much less ceaselessly and value extra, however are much less crowded and extra comfy.
See timetables and purchase tickets with seat reservation for the Campania Categorical practice on-line right here. Tickets are additionally accessible in particular person.
Word that Trenitalia runs trains from Naples central practice station to Pompeii, however these go to the principle practice station in Pompeii relatively than the station by the ruins.
It’s attainable to take a shuttle out to the ruins or stroll (20 – half-hour), however actually, we’d advocate taking one of many different choices because it’s going to be simpler. You received’t be having a scarcity of strolling while you’re on website!
Excursions from Naples to Pompeii
You can too guide a tour to Pompeii which incorporates round-trip transport to and from Naples. There are fairly a number of choices, with each half-day and full-day excursions accessible.
Most full-day excursions embody an extra attraction or two similar to a go to to Mount Vesuvius or time on the Amalfi Coast.
Listed below are some choices to think about.
How you can get to Pompeii from Sorrento
Sorrento is without doubt one of the main cities on Italy’s in style Amalfi coast, a well-liked and spectacular vacation spot for vacationers visiting Italy. Sorrento makes for a superb base for exploring the Amalfi Coast.
It’s additionally straightforward to get to, being related by rail on to Naples. That is on the identical practice line that goes to Pompeii, which means you possibly can simply attain Pompeii by practice from Sorrento as nicely.
Listed below are some choices for the way to get from Sorrento to Pompeii.
Driving from Sorrento to Pompeii
You’ll be able to drive from Sorrento to Pompeii, so if you have already got your individual automobile rental that is positively an possibility to think about. Nonetheless, you would possibly discover taking the practice to be simply as handy.
The 28km (17 mile) drive takes round 40 minutes relying on visitors. Simply bear in mind you’ll have to pay for parking while you get to Pompeii.
Public Transport from Sorrento to Pompeii
Getting from Sorrento to Pompeii by public transport is simple. There’s a common practice service from Sorrento to Naples, which stops on the Pompeii Scavi practice station. That is proper by the Pompeii website entrance.
Tickets will be bought on the station, and there are usually a number of trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 45 minutes. You’ll be able to see practice occasions on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
Excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii
You can too take a guided tour from Sorrento to Pompeii. These excursions usually embody round-trip transfers, and a guided tour of Pompeii lasting 2-3 hours.
Excursions then differentiate by different additions similar to lunch, and different locations like Mount Vesuvius or Herculaneum.
Word that not all excursions embody your Pompeii entrance ticket, and any extra sights might have extra ticket necessities, similar to Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum. So all the time test what’s and isn’t included earlier than reserving something.
Here’s a choice of excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii to think about.
As you possibly can see there are many choices. We’d all the time advocate evaluating a number of totally different excursions to see which fits your necessities and price range, and all the time test what’s and isn’t included when evaluating excursions as nicely.
Pompeii Opening Instances
Pompeii is often open year-round aside from twenty fifth December, 1st Could, and 1st January.
Usually, all the pieces at Pompeii opens at 9am, however closure occasions can differ. So if you wish to see all the pieces, then we advocate visiting within the morning. That is normally additionally the best time of day in the summertime months.
The principle Pompeii website is open as follows:
- 1st April – thirty first October, 9am – 7pm (final entrance 5.30pm)
- 1st November – thirty first March, 9am – 5pm (final entrance 3.30pm).
There are additionally a number of places throughout the principle Pompeii website such because the Amphitheater, Backyard of the Fugitives, Home of the Menander and so on. which even have opening occasions to pay attention to. You’ll be able to see these right here.
Moreover, there are a selection of close by websites linked to Pompeii which have a final entrance time half-hour after the principle website final entrance time.
These embody Villa Regina, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco and Villa de Poppea. These places are all closed on Tuesdays aside from Villa Regina.
These additional websites require a particular ticket to entry them and it’s essential to take a shuttle bus from the principle Pompeii website to succeed in them, so for those who plan to go to these places you’ll want to give your self loads of time.
You’ll be able to see extra data on opening occasions in addition to any distinctive closure data for Pompeii on the official web site right here.
How Lengthy to Go to Pompeii For
There’s a nice deal to see at Pompeii, nevertheless you even have to think about the time of yr you might be visiting and your private curiosity in historical archaeological websites when deciding how lengthy to go to.
The vast majority of guests come for two – 3 hours, which can also be how lengthy nearly all of guided excursions are.
For those who assume you’ll want to spend extra time on website (there may be heaps to see), then a superb possibility is to take a guided tour that finishes on website, after which discover by yourself when the tour is completed. Your tour information ought to be capable to direct you to explicit highlights as soon as the tour is over.
We’ve got completed this and it was a good way to be taught quite a bit from a information, after which we had been capable of discover on our personal at our leisure.
One factor to notice, in case you are visiting in the summertime months it might get highly regarded right here, and there isn’t plenty of shade, so visiting for for much longer than 2 or 3 hours will be fairly difficult.
Nonetheless, in case you are actually eager to discover and spend extra time on website, and are both ready for the warmth or are visiting at a cooler time of yr, there may be actually heaps to see! You can simply spend an entire day exploring Pompeii, particularly for those who head out to the villas. It’s totally as much as you!
Pompeii Ticket Data
We’ll now cowl ticketing data for Pompeii, together with ticket varieties and prices, discounted tickets, the place to purchase tickets and extra.
Do You Want a Ticket for Pompeii?
Sure, all guests want a ticket for Pompeii, even these eligible without spending a dime and discounted entry.
You should buy tickets on-line prematurely or in particular person on website.
How A lot does it Value to Go to Pompeii?
There are a variety of ticket choices for Pompeii, relying on what you need to see. These are as follows. Costs are appropriate as of April 2025.
Tickets are for adults 18 and over solely. Youngsters beneath 18 have free entry, though they do nonetheless require a ticket which might solely be collected in particular person on the ticket workplace.
For those who arrive at Pompeii with an Categorical ticket and resolve you need to go to the villas, it’s attainable to buy a ticket improve for €8 on the Herculaneum Gate – Road of the Tombs entrance. This solely accepts card fee.
Are there Discounted Pompeii Tickets?
Sure, discounted Pompeii Tickets can be found.
EU residents between the ages of 18 and 24 inclusive with ID can enter the park for €2.
All youngsters beneath 18 get free entry to Pompeii, though they nonetheless require a ticket.
There are at present no reductions for seniors.
The place to Purchase Pompeii Tickets
You will have quite a lot of choices for buying Pompeii tickets.
In particular person
First, you should buy tickets for Pompeii on-site at Pompeii itself. There are ticket workplaces on the three principal entrances: Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro and Piazza Esedra.
We’d usually advise towards this the place attainable as you would possibly find yourself standing in line for some time, however it’s an possibility.
For those who beneath 18, an EU resident aged 18-24, or fall into one other class for decreased value tickets, then you’ll need to go to the ticket workplace to your ticket.
That is so your qualification for the decreased price tag will be verified, so remember to deliver any needed paperwork, similar to a authorities issued Picture ID doc (i.e. a passport or ID card).
On-line
You should purchase Pompeii tickets on-line from quite a lot of web sites, as follows:
In our expertise, the official web site tends to have the bottom value on-line tickets, however they don’t include free cancellation.
Tickets offered by third events do usually value a bit extra, however can have advantages similar to free cancellation in addition to the choice to guide a guided tour.
We advocate evaluating costs and choices to see which fits you. It’s additionally vital to fastidiously learn the redemption directions when shopping for a ticket on-line so what it’s essential to do prematurely of your go to.
Typically you possibly can simply present a ticket in your smartphone, however typically you would possibly have to print one thing out or accumulate a ticket from a particular pick-up level.
You can too purchase this move which incorporates entry to a number of websites of curiosity. It consists of your Pompeii entry ticket, Vesuvius ticket and Herculaneum ticket. For those who plan on visiting all these sights this may be can good possibility to think about.
By Telephone
You should purchase tickets for Pompeii by telephone. The quantity is +39 811 865 8177. The workplace is often open weekdays from 9.30 to 6pm. There’s a surcharge of €1.50 for reserving by telephone.
Are you able to Skip the Traces at Pompeii?
There are two traces at Pompeii. First, there may be the road for the ticket workplace the place you should buy tickets in particular person. Subsequent, there may be an entrance line for going into the positioning, which features a safety test.
For those who pre-book your ticket, generally you possibly can skip the ticket line. Nonetheless, it will rely upon the ticket you buy, as some on-line tickets require you to swap a voucher for an precise ticket, so do test if that is so with the ticket you have got bought.
The safety / ticket-check line can’t be skipped by any guests, however in our expertise it strikes fairly shortly.
When is Pompeii Free in 2025?
Pompeii is free to go to on the primary Sunday of each month. On as of late you’ll nonetheless want a ticket, however there is no such thing as a value for buying it.
Tickets for the free days will be bought on-line on the official Ticketone website right here, or in particular person on the ticket workplace on website.
We’d recommend doing the net ticket possibility as the positioning can get very busy on the free days, and if it exceeds capability, the ticket workplaces shut.
Word that some third-party websites will nonetheless cost you for the free ticket days, so solely purchase tickets for the free days on the official website!
What’s the Pompeii Official Web site?
There are a number of websites providing data on visiting Pompeii, together with this one.
Nonetheless, for the newest data on visiting Pompeii together with ticket costs, updates, opening hours and extra, we all the time advocate consulting the official web site.
Yow will discover it on the following net deal with, with content material accessible in a number of languages together with English. The location is superb and has a wealth of data that will help you plan your go to, and is nicely value trying out.
Pompeii Format and Maps
Pompeii is a big attraction, protecting round 65 hectares (170 acres). From the east aspect to the west aspect is round a kilometer (0.67 miles), and it’s 0.8km (0.5 miles) from north to south.
Suffice to say, it’s not exhausting to get misplaced in Pompeii. While a lot of the positioning is specified by a grid, there are additionally loads of slender lanes and twists and turns. Navigation isn’t helped by pretty restricted signage.
That can assist you discover your approach round, it’s a good suggestion to have an thought of the format of Pompeii.
The very first thing to know is that Pompeii is split into 9 distinct areas, or “Regio“. This technique was developed approach again within the nineteenth century when the positioning began to be excavated and stays in use to this present day.
Every regio is assigned a Roman quantity, from I (one) to IX (9). The regio is in a grid sample, 3 extensive and three excessive.
The format of the areas isn’t totally intuitive. It’s a counterclockwise spiral ranging from the decrease center grid sq.. You’ll be able to consider it like a tic-tac-toe board, or a desk that appears as follows.
| VI | V | IV |
| VII | IX | III |
| VIII | I | II |
Having an thought of this grid and the numbering system will enable you to orient your self when you find yourself on website, because the Regio quantity you might be in is repeatedly printed on partitions and in indicators.
Every Regio can also be divided into “Insulae” or “Insula”. In Roman occasions, an Insulae was a metropolis block, or an residence constructing. For Pompeii, the Insulae are the blocks.
So, while you see an indication in Pompeii, it would normally inform you which Regio and Insulae you might be in, for instance REG VII INS XIII would imply you might be in Regio 7, Insula 13.
The Insula comply with a format system which I’m positive is sensible to an archeologist however appears designed to confuse the typical particular person in my view.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t actually matter, as a result of the official map has each the Regio and Insula numbers marked. So, when you have the map, all it’s essential to do is discover a signal to know the place you might be.
You’ll be able to obtain a map and information to the positioning from the official web site right here.
We extremely advocate doing this prematurely and saving it to your smartphone for reference. It’s best to be capable to get a printed model of this information while you go to, nevertheless it’s good to be ready simply in case they aren’t accessible.
There are additionally road names that will help you orient your self. The principal homes and sights even have names.
I’d additionally add that every home (and among the rooms within the homes) even have numbers. Nonetheless, that is actually extra for cataloging and archaeological functions relatively than one thing guests would need to use for navigating!
It is usually value noting that while most guests go to the principle Pompeii website, there are a selection of different websites which have been excavated, and which may also be visited. These require you to have a unique ticket, and to take a shuttle bus from the principle website.
In abstract, in case you are visiting Pompeii and not using a information, we advocate having a map available, and being conscious of the Regio and Insulae system. You can too orient your self with close by apparent landmarks, with Mount Vesuvius usually seen for instance.
What to see and do at Pompeii
There’s quite a bit to see and do in Pompeii, and it may be a reasonably overwhelming place to go to. That is why we’d advocate taking a guided tour, or on the very least getting an audio information.
That can assist you determine what to see, we’re going to share what we predict are among the unmissable sights at Pompeii. Most excursions will embody at the very least a few of these, though tour routes can differ. If you’re taking a tour, all the time test what they embody to make certain it covers your pursuits.
High Sights at Pompeii
Clearly, everybody can have barely totally different pursuits, nevertheless we predict this can be a good overview of the principle highlights at Pompeii. These are the sights that almost all excursions are prone to go to as nicely, though in fact it would differ, and never all excursions will go to each sight we checklist.
These sights are ordered roughly as you’ll encounter them coming into the town from the western aspect. There’s a superb map right here you possibly can obtain for reference as nicely.
- Porta Marina – arguably probably the most spectacular of the unique seven gateways to the town, and the one which led to the ocean, therefore the title. The barrel-vaulted ceiling is made out of concrete and dates from 80BC.
- Plaster Casts of Pompeii’s victims – One of the vital well-known sights at Pompeii are the plaster casts of those that misplaced their lives within the eruption, together with folks and canines. The victims had been encased in ash and asphyxiated, and their our bodies entombed. Over time the our bodies decomposed, leaving gaps within the hardened ash layer. Throughout the excavations, plaster was fastidiously injected into these cavities to type the molds you possibly can see at present. These will be seen at numerous places in Pompeii, together with on the Antiquarium and the Discussion board Granary
- Antiquarium di Pompei (Pompeii archaeological museum) – discovered by the Porta Marina, this museum homes a group of artifacts from the positioning. It have to be mentioned that the most effective artefacts from Pompeii will be discovered within the Naples Archaeological Museum, nevertheless there’s a lot to see right here nonetheless, together with plaster casts of Pompeii’s victims.
- The Discussion board (Foro) – the guts of any Roman metropolis or city is the Discussion board, the place you’ll have discovered metropolis administration buildings, the principle temples and the market. If one thing vital was going to occur in Pompeii, this was most likely the place it was going to occur.
- Basilica – discovered within the south-western nook of the Discussion board, the Basilica dates from round 80BC. Regardless of the non secular sounding title, it was really extra of a civic corridor, used for enterprise and as a courtroom for dealing with authorized issues. Non secular Basilicas got here later, basing their title and format on the Roman buildings!
- Discussion board Granary – The Granary is positioned by the Discussion board and would initially have been the principle produce market. At this time it’s the house of hundreds of artifacts which have been excavated from the ruins, in addition to plaster casts of among the victims of the catastrophe.
- Baths of the Discussion board (Terme del Foro) – No Roman city is full and not using a bathtub home (the extra the higher), and Pompeii had at the very least 5 of them. The Baths of the Discussion board are the closest to the Discussion board. Right here you possibly can see the female and male bathing homes together with the new bathtub room, heat bathtub room and chilly plunge room.
- By way of Abbondanza (principal road) – the principle road (Decumanus Maximus in Roman occasions) of Pompeii runs west to east from the Discussion board all the way in which throughout the city to Sarno Gate. This could have been a busy, pedestrianized road crammed with outlets and foods and drinks distributors. The stretch which leads from the Discussion board has three upright stones, designed to dam chariot passage as this was a pedestrian road.
- Eateries – alongside lots of the streets, and particularly the principle streets, you will note proof of historical Roman eateries. Search for marble counter tops with holes minimize out the place the meals would have been saved.
- Arches – Pompeii has quite a lot of arches which you will note all through the town. On the northern finish of the Discussion board is an honorary arch, while additional north on the intersection of By way of Fortuna and Vicolo del Foro you will see the Arch of Caligula. A few of these arches additionally served a extra sensible perform, hiding water tanks that equipped close by fountains. At this time many of those fountains have been modernized and supply clear ingesting water for guests.
- Home of the Tragic Poet (Casa del Poeta Tragico) – One of many many homes you possibly can go to in Pompeii, this one is simply to the north of the Discussion board by the Arch of Caligula. It’s notable for the attractive mosaic flooring which depict scenes from Greek mythology, which is the place the homes title comes from.
- Home of the Faun (Casa del Fauno) – simply to the northeast of the Home of the Tragic Poet, on Vicolo del Fauno, this is without doubt one of the largest and most well-known of the homes in Pompeii, and is a must-visit. It occupies an entire block, taking over round 32,000 sq. ft, and would have been owned by a really rich household. The title comes from a bronze statue of a faun which was discovered right here, the unique of which is within the Naples Archaeological Museum (a duplicate is viewable in the home).
- Home of the Vetti (Casa dei Vetti)– discovered to the northeast of the Home of the Faun, the Home of the Vetti is a superbly adorned property that includes many lovely fresco work which depict numerous mythological scenes. It’s additionally a really massive property.
- Brothel (Lupanare) – nearly as in style at present because it doubtless was in its heyday 2,000 years in the past (though with a considerably totally different clientele), the brothel was the place residents got here to seek out intercourse employees, in addition to drinks and social interplay. The title Lupanare comes from the Latin title for a wolf-den, as prostitutes had been often known as she-wolves. The brothel has pretty graphic frescoes and graffiti, and oldsters would possibly need to skip this attraction.
- Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane) – As beforehand talked about, Pompeii had at the very least 5 bathtub homes, of which the Stabian Baths are the biggest and oldest. In truth, they’re one of many oldest Roman baths on this planet. They’re discovered on the intersection By way of dell’Abbondanza and By way of Stabiana. Right here you possibly can see the totally different mens and girls’s bathing areas. We’d most likely advocate choosing one bathtub home to go to, except you might be significantly into Roman bathtub homes.
Different websites that are a bit off the principle route and which aren’t all the time included on common excursions (though, once more, this varies!):
- Temple of Isis (Tempio di Iside) – this small and largely intact temple is discovered subsequent to the Grand Theatre, and is devoted to the Egyptian goddess Isis. The Cult of Isis was in style in Pompeii, regardless of proclamations towards it by the Roman Senate. It’s believed that the composer Mozart visited this temple when he was 13, and it impressed his composition The Magic Flute
- Grand Theater (Teatro Grande) – Leisure was a key a part of Roman life, and there have been quite a lot of venues throughout the town the place performances would have taken place. The Grand Theater was constructed within the Greek model, which meant benefiting from a pure hill slope to create the auditorium, which might have had seating for five,000 spectators. A lot of the Theatre survives at present, and it’s nicely value a go to. It’s within the south a part of Pompeii, close to Porta di Stabia.
- Small Theater (Teatro Piccolo – Odeion) – Proper subsequent to the Grand Theater is the Small Theater, a extra intimate efficiency venue which was additionally used for council conferences. It additionally had a roof, primarily to enhance acoustics. On the time, it was usually used for mime performances, which had been in style. It was additionally used for music.
- Viewpoint / Panoramic View of Pompeii – To know the size of Pompeii, it’s best to take into account visiting the perspective by Casina dell’Aquila, simply by the intersection of By way of Dell’Abbondanza and Vicolo di Tesmo. The perspective is on the unique stage of the bottom right here earlier than the excavation, and will provide you with an thought of simply how a lot floor needed to be moved in an effort to unearth the town.
- Home of Menander (Casa del Menandro) – owned by a excessive rating and rich household, this massive home (19,000 sq. ft) is known as for the fresco which depicts the Greek playwright Menander. There are a variety of rooms that may be visited.
- Backyard of the Fugitives (Orto dei Fuggiaschi) – discovered within the southeast a part of Pompeii, the Backyard of the Fugitives comprises the plaster casts of 13 of the victims who died attempting to flee the town.
- Amphitheater – an vital leisure middle in a Roman metropolis or city was the amphitheater, basically an enclosed theatre which was used for gladiatorial battles, circuses and extra. Probably the most well-known Amphitheatre is Rome’s Colosseum, however the one in Pompeii is definitely one of many oldest surviving amphitheaters from the Roman Empire. A lot of the construction nonetheless survives, with seating for round 20,000 folks.
- Aqueduct – The Romans had been unimaginable engineers, and while they didn’t invent the aqueduct, their aqueducts had been positively engineering wonders of their time. They allowed the distribution of water throughout the Roman Empire, and allowed cities like Pompeii to get recent water to their residents. The water in Pompeii was carried by the Augustan Aqueduct, sourcing water from 96km away, utilizing solely gravity to maneuver the water! At this time, you possibly can see the place the aqueduct system arrived into the town at Castellum Aqueduct, subsequent to Porto Vesuvio within the northern a part of the town. From right here it was distributed to water towers and fountains throughout the town.
As you possibly can see, there’s lots to see and absorb at Pompeii!
Excursions of Pompeii
The most effective methods to go to Pompeii is to take a guided tour. There’s quite a bit to see and plenty of historical past and knowledge to soak up, and having a superb information can positively enhance your expertise.
You will have a number of choices for taking a tour. You’ll be able to guide a tour which incorporates transport from a significant metropolis similar to Rome or Naples. Or, you can also make your individual option to Pompeii and simply take a tour on website.
We’ll embody quite a lot of choices so that you can take into account, relying in your preferences.
You can too guide a tour information on arrival at Pompeii. Tour guides can be found simply inside the positioning entrance and may have an official badge.
Word nevertheless that while accredited, the guides are freelance and costs will not be mounted. You have to to barter value, route and tour length with the accessible on-site guides.
Usually, these guides can have a value they cost for a tour, regardless of group dimension. By having a bigger group you’ll pay much less per particular person, however clearly have a much less personalised expertise.
You’ll be able to see extra on this course of right here.
Relying on how busy the day is, guides is probably not accessible. So, we’d usually advocate reserving a guided tour prematurely as an alternative.
Practicalities for Visiting Pompeii
Costume Code at Pompeii
Pompeii will not be a non secular website and as such there is no such thing as a particular costume code for visiting.
There are a few guidelines round clothes. First, you can’t be naked chested, you have to be carrying a high. As well as, clothes that might be thought-about disruptive can also be not allowed, and costumes, masks and banners will not be permitted.
This clothes rule is often used to stop protestors utilizing the positioning, so is unlikely to have an effect on most guests. Avoid any offensive clothes and also you’ll be wonderful!
You’ll nonetheless need to assume by way of your clothes selections previous to visiting. The vast majority of your go to will probably be spent exterior, and there may be minimal shade or shelter accessible.
See the part of what to put on and pack for Pompeii for some recommendations on what to deliver to your go to.
Amenities at Pompeii
Pompeii has quite a lot of customer companies you need to use. These embody:
- two on-site bookshops, one at Piazza Esedra and one contained in the Antiquarium.
- audio information rent, accessible on the Porta Marina entrance and Porta Anfiteatro entrance.
- first assist companies, accessible close to the Chora Cafe on Vicolo degli Augustali
- A number of free water fountains throughout the positioning
- A number of free bathroom amenities throughout the positioning
- Child altering amenities. There are three of those, one on By way of dell’Abbondanza, one on By way of di Nola, and one on the nook of By way of Stabiana and By way of della Fortuna
Eating places / Eating at Pompeii
For those who’re visiting Pompeii for a number of hours you may want some meals. There are a variety of vacationer oriented eating places close to the principle entrances to the positioning, significantly across the practice station. There are additionally two principal choices for meals and snacks on website as follows:
- A restaurant known as Chora the place you may get drinks and snacks like truffles, pastries and ice cream. That is at Casina Dell’Aquila, on By way of Dell’Abbondanza
- The Vicolo del Foro restaurant, which is simply north of the Discussion board by the Arco di Nerone Discussion board entrance / exit.
Word that you simply can’t exit and re-enter Pompeii on the identical ticket, so for those who plan to eat on website throughout your go to you’ll both have to deliver meals with you, or go to one of many above choices.
Smoking at Pompeii
Smoking is forbidden at Pompeii besides at designated smoking areas. These will be discovered close to the Casina dell’Aquila and the bathroom amenities.
Safety at Pompeii
All guests should undergo a safety test at Pompeii. Cumbersome objects, umbrellas, and luggage bigger than 30x30x15 cm (12 x 12 x 6 inches) will not be permitted on the positioning and have to be left on the cloakroom. It is a free service.
In any other case, the foundations are fairly apparent, and principally deal with defending the positioning and making certain a superb expertise for all. So that you’re not allowed to play music, deface objects, climb on the ruins, choose fruits or flowers, construct fires, enter fenced off areas and so forth.
You’ll be able to see the complete checklist of guidelines and rules right here.
Accessibility at Pompeii
Pompeii is clearly an historical metropolis, and as such there are accessibility challenges. Nonetheless, efforts have been made to make sure the positioning is as accessible as attainable for all guests.
There are a variety of specifically designed accessible routes, known as Pompeii for All, that are designed to permit entry for mobility impaired customers, in addition to dad and mom with buggies, to a big a part of the positioning.
These routes embody lots of the principal buildings that guests would need to see, and canopy a complete of three.5km. You’ll be able to see particulars of those routes on the Pompeii for All web page.
There are additionally accessible bogs discovered on website.
Pompeii has additionally developed a program to assist these exhausting to listening to to benefit from the website. Extra on this program, and accessibility on the positioning usually, will be discovered on the Pompeii for All web page.
Baggage storage Close to Pompeii
Guests to Pompeii will not be allowed to deliver any luggage bigger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm on website. So nothing bigger than a small backpack basically. We’d recommend leaving baggage in your lodge room the place attainable.
For those who should journey with a bag which is bigger than the allowed dimension, there’s a cloakroom at Pompeii itself the place you possibly can retailer baggage and different objects freed from cost.
There are additionally baggage storage lockers on the decrease ground of the Pompeii Scavi practice station accessible for a payment.
Suggestions for Visiting Pompeii
Based mostly on our experiences visiting Pompeii, we needed to share some ideas that will help you get probably the most out of your go to.
Plan your day prematurely
The very first thing we advocate doing is planning your day trip earlier than you go to. Resolve what you need to see at Pompeii, after which resolve if you wish to take a tour.
For those who resolve to take a tour, test what it consists of, after which take into account for those who want extra time. If you’re taking a tour that features round-trip transport, you won’t have a lot additional time.
If you’re taking a tour that begins on website, be sure you know the place the assembly level is and the assembly time, and plan how you’re going to get to and from Pompeii.
If you’re doing a self-guided go to for any a part of your time at Pompeii, we recommend wanting on the official map and planning out what you need to see. You might even take into account developing with a basic path to comply with. It will assist orient you when you find yourself really there.
Think about a Guided Tour or Audio Information
We will extremely advocate taking a guided tour of Pompeii. An professional information goes to have the ability to deliver the positioning to life and actually enable you to perceive what you might be seeing.
On our most up-to-date go to to Pompeii we took this guided tour with Take Walks and might extremely advocate it. Nonetheless, there are a selection of choices.
For those who take a guided tour that meets on website, we extremely advocate planning on staying at the very least an hour extra on website as soon as the tour ends so you possibly can see some other websites that the tour didn’t cowl.
For those who choose to not take a guided tour, then we’d recommend both choosing up an audio information on website, or on the very least a guidebook that features a self-guided Pompeii tour just like the Rick Steves Italy guidebook.
Costume and Pack Accordingly
If you’re visiting Pompeii within the hotter months of the yr, you’ll want to deliver a good solar hat to maintain the solar off your face, unfastened becoming clothes, and sure a small daypack to hold suncream, water and any snacks.
If rain is a chance, a gentle raincoat or poncho can also be a good suggestion. Umbrellas will not be allowed on website.
If you’re visiting exterior of the warmest months of the yr, then some hotter layers are a good suggestion simply in case it’s cooler on website.
Footwear can also be vital. The traditional streets of Pompeii will be uneven, various between unfastened dust and cobblestones. An excellent pair of comfy footwear that you’re blissful to spend time strolling in is a should.
For shoe recommendations, see our guides to the finest journey footwear for males and the finest journey footwear for ladies for some concepts.
You’ll positively need to deliver a water bottle with you. Contemporary ingesting water is offered at fountains throughout the positioning, and on a sizzling day you’ll need to drink loads of water. We use and love our Klean Kanteen water bottles for journey, however there are many choices on the market in fact.
We will additionally advocate bringing some type of guidebook with you. We expect the Rick Steves guidebook is without doubt one of the finest choices, both his Italy information or Naples & the Amalfi Coast snapshot information.
Each have a self-guided Pompeii tour which is a superb possibility for those who select to skip a guided tour.
Be Cautious of on-site Touts at Pompeii
Like every in style vacationer vacation spot, Pompeii has a few pitfalls to be careful for.
First, if you wish to take a tour and haven’t pre-booked one, then we’d advocate taking one of many excursions with an accredited tour information.
These will be discovered at Piazza Esedra and Porta Marina, after you have entered Pompeii, after the safety checks. These tour guides have official badges issued by the Vacationer Board of the Campania Area. If you’re uncertain if a information is accredited, test with the ticket workplace.
Bear in mind that these guides will most definitely should be paid in money, and the value of the tour goes to be one thing you’ll want to debate with the information prematurely.
Whenever you arrive at Pompeii additionally, you will doubtless be supplied excursions by guides exterior the gates. These is not going to be led by Pompeii’s accredited guides, so the standard of the tour will not be assured. We’d recommend ignoring these choices and heading inside to discover a information if that’s of curiosity.
One different factor to notice is that as Pompeii is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot that may be crowded, there’s a threat, as with all vacation spot like this, of pickpockets. So simply be conscious of your belongings and hold valuables in sight, or safely away in zippered pockets. That is additionally the case on the practice and on the practice station for those who select to take public transportation.
We’ve by no means had a problem in Italy, nevertheless it’s all the time a good suggestion to take primary security precautions when touring anyplace, as you’ll at house.
Arrive Early and Head to the Again
Pompeii is a well-liked vacation spot, and as such it might get fairly busy. As well as, there may be restricted shade on website, and in the summertime months significantly it might get highly regarded on website.
All which means that for the most effective expertise we advocate arriving early within the day for those who can. If you’re planning on taking a tour, guide it for earlier within the day. If you’re planning to information your self, plan out your route so that you head away from the doorway first, and work your approach again in direction of it.
Many guests solely go to the main sights, a lot of that are positioned not too removed from the doorway areas, significantly Porta Marina. Excursions teams additionally comply with related routes. So in order for you a much less crowded expertise, establish a number of sights that you’re interested by which might be off the crushed path, and head to these first.
Convey a Water Bottle
We talked about this already within the “what to pack for Pompeii” part of this information, however we predict it’s value repeating. Pompeii will get extremely sizzling in the summertime months and there may be not a lot shade.
There are many free ingesting water fountains throughout the positioning, so deliver a water bottle and keep hydrated without spending a dime as you wander!
Escape the Crowds at Pompeii
Pompeii is a vastly in style attraction, and because of this it may be busy. The location has a restrict of 15,000 guests at anybody time, however regardless of the positioning being fairly massive folks have a tendency to move to a handful of places such because the Discussion board, Brothel, and Bathtub homes, which means it might really feel extra crowded than it’s.
Listed below are some ideas for escaping the crowds at Pompeii.
- Go to at a quieter time of the week or yr. Peak season in Italy is mostly from Could by way of August, with weekends being busier than weekdays. For those who can’t keep away from visiting in excessive season, attempt visiting on per week day if attainable.
- Head to a quieter a part of the positioning for those who can, away from the teams. Most excursions comply with an analogous path to a handful of highlights, and for those who head to the much less in style areas you could find your self wandering nearly abandoned streets, even at a busy time of yr
- Use a quieter gate. Many individuals enter by way of the Porta Marina because it’s subsequent to the practice station. The Anfiteatro gate tends to be quieter, and brings you in proper subsequent to the Amphitheater as nicely, from the place you possibly can discover the positioning at your leisure
Sights Close to Pompeii
Pompeii is without doubt one of the hottest sights within the Naples space, however it’s certainly not the one attraction within the space! Listed below are another sights within the basic space to think about including to your itinerary.
- Herculaneum – the opposite well-excavated city that was buried by the Vesuvius eruption is Herculaneum. That is nearer to Naples, and likewise simply accessible by the Circumvesuviana practice service. It’s a smaller website however because it was a rich seaside resort, it has a excessive density of luxurious dwellings. It’s normally quieter than Pompeii, and a few excursions like this one go to each.
- Mount Vesuvius – the volcano which induced all the difficulty remains to be lively and nonetheless posing a risk to the thousands and thousands of people that stay within the space. It’s a dominant a part of the skyline, and you’ll head all the way in which as much as the summit to see into the steaming crater and hike across the rim. There’s a small payment to go to the park, and it may be reached by public transport or on a guided tour like this.
- Amalfi Coast – some of the in style and spectacular areas of Italy, the 50km lengthy Amalfi Coast is true subsequent to Pompeii. Beautiful seaside cities like Positano and Sorrento cling to the dramatic shoreline. It’s nicely value spending a number of days right here for those who can. Alternatively, you may get a style of what’s on supply by taking a tour which incorporates the Amalfi Coast like this.
- Naples – the capital metropolis of the area, Naples tends to divide customer opinion. It may be crowded, and chaotic sure, nevertheless it’s additionally house to wonderful meals and quite a few sights. Pompeii guests ought to positively take the time to go to the Naples Nationwide Archaeological Museum, which has nearly all of the most effective preserved artefacts from Pompeii accessible for viewing.
- Capri – a well-liked island for a day journey (though keep in a single day for those who can to keep away from the crowds!), Capri will be visited by ferry from each Naples and Sorrento. It’s a fantastic island with quite a bit to see, however it might get extremely crowded in the summertime months.
In fact, there may be rather more to see on this space, however this could offer you an thought of what’s on supply within the space round Pompeii!
The place to Keep Close to Pompeii
For those who’re in search of someplace to remain close to Pompeii, you have got fairly a number of choices. You’ll be able to keep near the positioning, or you can keep in close by Sorrento or Naples.
It’s additionally attainable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome, however we’ll deal with nearer lodging for this a part of the information. See our information to spending 3 days in Rome for Rome lodging choices.
- Pompeii Ruins De Charme B&B – Actually throughout the street from the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance this in style B&B gives air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included. Rooms even have a kitchen and dishwasher for those who favor to prepare dinner for your self. Parking is offered for a payment.
- Lodge Discussion board – additionally simply subsequent to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance, this can be a well-reviewed 4* lodge providing free non-public parking, air-conditioned en-suite rooms and a restaurant. Breakfast is offered.
- Habita79 Pompeii – only a few minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance, this 4* lodge gives en-suite air conditioned rooms in addition to an on-site spa and wellness studio. Breakfast is offered. Word there’s no on-site parking.
- Agora Hostel – 5 minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance to Pompeii, this nicely rated hostel gives nice worth non-public and shared rooms with air con. There’s a bar and low home on website however no eating or parking accessible.
- La Ferrovia Guesthouse Sorrento – discovered simply subsequent to Sorrento practice station, this guesthouse gives non-public en-suite air-conditioned rooms with espresso makers. Paid parking is offered close by however there’s no on-site restaurant
- Grand Lodge Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento – for those who’re in search of a 5* luxurious expertise in Sorrento, that is the lodge to move for. Count on spectacular coastal views, a fantastic backyard, beautiful rooms, and two eating places to select from.
In fact, there are an important many extra choices to select from! We advocate wanting on reserving.com for all the pieces from motels to guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels and residences.
We use them for our reserving lodging for journey everywhere in the world and love how straightforward it makes it to filter and discover the appropriate property for our price range and necessities.
See all their listings for the Pompeii space right here.
Additional Studying for Visiting Italy
Nicely, that completed up our information to visiting Pompeii! It’s only a small a part of our content material on Italy and Europe, which we hope you will see helpful when planning your journey.
Listed below are a few of these guides, in addition to hyperlinks to 3rd celebration sources we advocate.
- We’ve got a information to spending 1 day in Rome, in addition to guides for 2 days in Rome and 3 days in Rome, which ought to enable you to plan your time in Rome. We even have a information to the finest meals excursions in Rome, the finest gelato in Rome and the finest cafes to drink espresso in Rome
- We’ve got a information to visiting the Colosseum, in addition to a information to visiting the Vatican. These have all the pieces it’s essential to know to plan your visits to this exceptional sights
- Past Rome, we have now a information to Florence, advised issues to do in Milan, a information to spending 2 days in Milan, and ideas for a day in Venice
- We even have an in depth 10 day Italy itinerary that will help you plan a visit on this fantastic nation. We even have a advised 2-week Europe itinerary which naturally consists of Italy!
- For those who’re in search of a bodily (or Kindle!) guidebook, we advocate the newest version of Rick Steves Italy information, which has a lot of sensible data that will help you benefit from your keep
And that’s it! As all the time, we hope you discovered this information helpful, and when you have any questions or feedback about visiting Pompeii, simply pop them within the feedback beneath and we’ll reply as quickly as we are able to.
