Pompeii is among the most well-known archaeological websites in Italy, and a well-liked attraction for guests. We’ve visited Pompeii quite a few occasions over time, (Laurence first visited in 1995) and on this information we’re going to share all the pieces you must know to plan your personal go to to Pompeii.
There’s rather a lot to see and study at Pompeii, and there are additionally numerous choices for visiting. You may take a guided tour or do a self-guided go to, and there are additionally numerous transport choices for attending to Pompeii from completely different places in Italy, together with Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
On this information we’ll cowl all the pieces you must know to go to Pompeii, from attending to Pompeii, to which excursions are price it, to different sights within the space, and plenty 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, residence to between 10 and 20 thousand folks.
That every 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).
1000’s 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 akin 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 in the present day.
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 awesome 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 info that can assist you plan your journey to Pompeii, from tips on how to get right here to the place to purchase tickets and plenty 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 automotive, bus or practice.
It’s round 250km (155 miles) south of Rome, or roughly a three-hour journey by automotive, bus or practice.
It’s doable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from each Rome and Naples, choices I’ll cowl beneath.
The way to get to Pompeii?
Pompeii is comparatively simple to achieve, with good transport connections from numerous places in Italy. We’ll undergo the choices for visiting Pompeii from a few of the extra fashionable departure factors.
The way to get to Pompeii from Rome?
It’s doable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome as lengthy you are ready for a protracted day with a good bit of journey time. You’re usually round 2.5 – 3 hours of journey time every means from Rome to Pompeii.
The principle choices you’ve gotten 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 counsel taking public transport or a tour quite than driving.
When you drive, you’ll should undergo the trouble of discovering and renting a automotive, coping with site visitors round Rome, navigating, and paying tolls and fuel.
Taking public transport or a tour goes to be rather a lot simpler.
Public Transport from Rome to Pompeii
For public transport, you possibly can take an specific 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 the way to do that.
Excursions from Rome to Pompeii
Our advisable means for getting from Rome to Pompeii as a day journey is to take a guided tour. This can make your day much more enjoyable as you gained’t have to fret about logistics.
You’ll even have a greater time at Pompeii with knowledgeable information to clarify what you might be seeing. There are a variety of tour choices to Pompeii from Rome, some advisable choices are as follows.
When evaluating excursions and costs, at all times examine 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 little bit further for a tour that features extra may work out more economical!
The way to get to Pompeii from Naples?
There are a number of choices for getting from Naples to Pompeii. You may 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’s paid parking on website.
That is going to be an choice to think about if you have already got a automotive rental to your journey in Italy, however we’d not suggest renting a automotive particularly for this journey as the opposite choices are probably going to be simpler.
Shuttle Bus from Naples to Pompeii
A very easy choice 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 site visitors, and also you get round 4 hours on website. Observe that it’s important to e-book 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 rather a lot, however in case you wished to spend longer on website then this may not be the best choice.
Discover out extra and e-book tickets for this expertise on GetYourGuide right here.
Practice from Naples to Pompeii
There are two direct practice choices for getting from Naples Central practice station to Pompeii.
First, you must remember 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 instantly by the ruins.
Direct trains from Naples to Pompeii all depart from the Garibaldi practice station, which is (a little bit confusingly) positioned instantly beneath Naples Centrale practice station.
The most cost effective practice choice from Naples to Pompeii is the Circumvesuviana service. This regional commuter practice system runs trains throughout the world, and it would be best to take a practice which is heading to Sorrento.
Tickets may be bought on the station, and there are usually a number of trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 35 minutes. You may see practice occasions on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
A barely dearer, however usually extra comfy practice choice, is the tourist-oriented Campania Specific practice. This additionally operates from Garibaldi practice station and takes you on to the ruins.
Trains run much less incessantly and value extra, however are much less crowded and extra comfy.
See timetables and purchase tickets with seat reservation for the Campania Specific practice on-line right here. Tickets are additionally out there in particular person.
Observe that Trenitalia runs trains from Naples central practice station to Pompeii, however these go to the primary practice station in Pompeii quite than the station by the ruins.
It’s doable to take a shuttle out to the ruins or stroll (20 – half-hour), however actually, we’d suggest taking one of many different choices because it’s going to be simpler. You gained’t be having a scarcity of strolling if you’re on website!
Excursions from Naples to Pompeii
You may as well e-book 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 out there.
Most full-day excursions embrace a further attraction or two akin to a go to to Mount Vesuvius or time on the Amalfi Coast.
Listed here are some choices to think about.
The way to get to Pompeii from Sorrento
Sorrento is among the main cities on Italy’s fashionable Amalfi coast, a well-liked and spectacular vacation spot for vacationers visiting Italy. Sorrento makes for a very good base for exploring the Amalfi Coast.
It’s additionally simple to get to, being linked by rail on to Naples. That is on the identical practice line that goes to Pompeii, that means you possibly can simply attain Pompeii by practice from Sorrento as properly.
Listed here are some choices for tips on how to get from Sorrento to Pompeii.
Driving from Sorrento to Pompeii
You may drive from Sorrento to Pompeii, so if you have already got your personal automotive rental that is undoubtedly an choice to think about. Nevertheless, you may discover taking the practice to be simply as handy.
The 28km (17 mile) drive takes round 40 minutes relying on site visitors. Simply keep in mind you’ll must pay for parking if 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 may be bought on the station, and there are usually a number of trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 45 minutes. You may see practice occasions on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
Excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii
You may as well take a guided tour from Sorrento to Pompeii. These excursions usually embrace round-trip transfers, and a guided tour of Pompeii lasting 2-3 hours.
Excursions then differentiate by different additions akin to lunch, and different locations like Mount Vesuvius or Herculaneum.
Observe that not all excursions embrace your Pompeii entrance ticket, and any further sights might have further ticket necessities, akin to Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum. So at all times examine 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 at all times suggest evaluating a number of completely different excursions to see which fits your necessities and price range, and at all times examine what’s and isn’t included when evaluating excursions as properly.
Pompeii Opening Instances
Pompeii is generally open year-round except twenty fifth December, 1st Could, and 1st January.
Typically, all the pieces at Pompeii opens at 9am, however closure occasions can range. So if you wish to see all the pieces, then we suggest visiting within the morning. That is normally additionally the good 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 primary Pompeii website such because the Amphitheater, Backyard of the Fugitives, Home of the Menander and so forth. which even have opening occasions to pay attention to. You may 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 primary website final entrance time.
These embrace Villa Regina, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco and Villa de Poppea. These places are all closed on Tuesdays except Villa Regina.
These further websites require a particular ticket to entry them and you must take a shuttle bus from the primary Pompeii website to achieve them, so in case you plan to go to these places it would be best to give your self loads of time.
You may see extra info on opening occasions in addition to any distinctive closure info 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.
Nearly all of guests come for two – 3 hours, which can be how lengthy the vast majority of guided excursions are.
When you assume it would be best to spend extra time on website (there’s tons to see), then a very good choice 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 of direct you to specific highlights as soon as the tour is over.
Now we have finished this and it was a good way to be taught rather a lot from a information, after which we had been in a position to discover on our personal at our leisure.
One factor to notice, in case you are visiting in the summertime months it will probably get very popular right here, and there isn’t quite a lot of shade, so visiting for for much longer than 2 or 3 hours may be fairly difficult.
Nevertheless, 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’s actually tons to see! You can simply spend a complete day exploring Pompeii, particularly in case you head out to the villas. It’s solely as much as you!
Pompeii Ticket Data
We’ll now cowl ticketing info 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 at no cost and discounted entry.
You should purchase tickets on-line upfront 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 August 2024.
Tickets are for adults 18 and over solely. Kids below 18 have free entry, though they do nonetheless require a ticket which may solely be collected in particular person on the ticket workplace.
When you arrive at Pompeii with an Specific ticket and determine you need to go to the villas, it’s doable to buy a ticket improve for €8 on the Herculaneum Gate – Avenue 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 kids below 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 have got quite a few choices for buying Pompeii tickets.
In particular person
First, you should purchase 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 doable as you may find yourself standing in line for some time, however it’s an choice.
When you below 18, an EU resident aged 18-24, or fall into one other class for decreased value tickets, then you will have to go to the ticket workplace to your ticket.
That is so your qualification for the decreased ticket may be verified, so remember to carry any mandatory paperwork, akin to a authorities issued Picture ID doc (i.e. a passport or ID card).
On-line
You should buy Pompeii tickets on-line from quite a few web sites, as follows:
In our expertise, the official web site tends to have the bottom price on-line tickets, however they don’t include free cancellation.
Tickets offered by third events do usually price a bit extra, however can have advantages akin to free cancellation in addition to the choice to e-book a guided tour.
We suggest evaluating costs and choices to see which fits you. It’s additionally vital to rigorously learn the redemption directions when shopping for a ticket on-line so you understand what you must do upfront of your go to.
Usually you possibly can simply present a ticket in your smartphone, however typically you may must print one thing out or accumulate a ticket from a particular pick-up level.
By Telephone
You should buy tickets for Pompeii by telephone. The quantity is +39 811 865 8177. The workplace is generally open weekdays from 9.30 to 6pm. There’s a surcharge of €1.50 for reserving by telephone.
Are you able to Skip the Strains at Pompeii?
There are two traces at Pompeii. First, there’s the road for the ticket workplace the place you should purchase tickets in particular person. Subsequent, there’s an entrance line for going into the location, which features a safety examine.
When you pre-book your ticket, typically you possibly can skip the ticket line. Nevertheless, this can rely on the ticket you buy, as some on-line tickets require you to swap a voucher for an precise ticket, so do examine if so with the ticket you’ve gotten 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 2024?
Pompeii is free to go to on the primary Sunday of each month. On lately you’ll nonetheless want a ticket, however there isn’t a price for buying it.
Tickets for the free days may be bought on-line on the official Ticketone website right here, or in particular person on the ticket workplace on website.
We’d counsel doing the web ticket choice as the location can get very busy on the free days, and if it exceeds capability, the ticket workplaces shut.
Observe 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 info on visiting Pompeii, together with this one.
Nevertheless, for the newest info on visiting Pompeii together with ticket costs, updates, opening hours and extra, we at all times suggest consulting the official web site.
You could find it on the following net deal with, with content material out there in a number of languages together with English. The positioning is superb and has a wealth of data that can assist you plan your go to, and is properly price testing.
Pompeii Format and Maps
Pompeii is a big attraction, overlaying 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 arduous to get misplaced in Pompeii. While a lot of the location 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 means round, it’s a good suggestion to have an concept of the format of Pompeii.
The very first thing to know is that Pompeii is split into 9 distinct areas, or “Regio“. This method was developed means again within the nineteenth century when the location began to be excavated and stays in use to today.
Every regio is assigned a Roman quantity, from I (one) to IX (9). The regio is in a grid sample, 3 large and three excessive.
The format of the areas isn’t solely intuitive. It’s a counterclockwise spiral ranging from the decrease center grid sq.. You may 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 concept of this grid and the numbering system will make it easier to orient your self when you find yourself on website, because the Regio quantity you might be in is frequently printed on partitions and in indicators.
Every Regio can be divided into “Insulae” or “Insula”. In Roman occasions, an Insulae was a metropolis block, or an condominium constructing. For Pompeii, the Insulae are the blocks.
So, if you see an indication in Pompeii, it should 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 certain is sensible to an archeologist however appears designed to confuse the typical particular person for my part.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t actually matter, as a result of the official map has each the Regio and Insula numbers marked. So, when you’ve got the map, all you must do is discover a signal to know the place you might be.
You may obtain a map and information to the location from the official web site right here.
We extremely suggest doing this upfront and saving it to your smartphone for reference. You must be capable of get a printed model of this information if you go to, however it’s good to be ready simply in case they aren’t out there.
There are additionally road names that can assist you orient your self. The principal homes and sights even have names.
I’d additionally add that every home (and a few of the rooms within the homes) even have numbers. Nevertheless, that is actually extra for cataloging and archaeological functions quite than one thing guests would need to use for navigating!
Additionally it is price noting that while most guests go to the primary Pompeii website, there are a selection of different websites which have been excavated, and which will also be visited. These require you to have a unique ticket, and to take a shuttle bus from the primary website.
In abstract, in case you are visiting Pompeii with out a information, we suggest having a map readily available, and being conscious of the Regio and Insulae system. You may as well orient your self with close by apparent landmarks, with Mount Vesuvius usually seen for instance.
What to see and do at Pompeii
There’s rather a lot to see and do in Pompeii, and it may be a reasonably overwhelming place to go to. Because of this we might suggest 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 a few of the unmissable sights at Pompeii. Most excursions will embrace a minimum of a few of these, though tour routes can range. If you’re taking a tour, at all times examine what they embrace to make sure it covers your pursuits.
High Sights at Pompeii
Clearly, everybody can have barely completely different pursuits, nevertheless we predict this can be a good overview of the primary highlights at Pompeii. These are the sights that the majority excursions are prone to go to as properly, though after all it should range, and never all excursions will go to each sight we listing.
These sights are ordered roughly as you’d encounter them coming into the town from the western aspect. There’s a wonderful map right here you possibly can obtain for reference as properly.
- 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 constructed from concrete and dates from 80BC.
- Plaster Casts of Pompeii’s victims – One of the crucial well-known sights at Pompeii are the plaster casts of those that misplaced their lives within the eruption, together with folks and canine. 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. In the course of the excavations, plaster was rigorously injected into these cavities to type the molds you possibly can see in the present day. These may 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 set of artifacts from the location. It should be mentioned that the most effective artefacts from Pompeii may 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 center of any Roman metropolis or city is the Discussion board, the place you’d have discovered metropolis administration buildings, the primary 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 truly 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 primary produce market. At present it’s the residence of hundreds of artifacts which have been excavated from the ruins, in addition to plaster casts of a few of the victims of the catastrophe.
- Baths of the Discussion board (Terme del Foro) – No Roman city is full with out a bathtub home (the extra the higher), and Pompeii had a minimum of 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 recent bathtub room, heat bathtub room and chilly plunge room.
- By way of Abbondanza (principal road) – the primary road (Decumanus Maximus in Roman occasions) of Pompeii runs west to east from the Discussion board all the best way throughout the city to Sarno Gate. This could have been a busy, pedestrianized road stuffed with retailers 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 most of the streets, and particularly the primary streets, you will notice proof of historical Roman eateries. Search for marble counter tops with holes reduce out the place the meals would have been saved.
- Arches – Pompeii has quite a few arches which you will notice 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 that the Arch of Caligula. A few of these arches additionally served a extra sensible operate, hiding water tanks that equipped close by fountains. At present many of those fountains have been modernized and supply clear consuming 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 gorgeous 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 among the largest and most well-known of the homes in Pompeii, and is a must-visit. It occupies a complete block, taking over round 32,000 sq. toes, 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 replica 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 stunning fresco work which depict numerous mythological scenes. It’s additionally a really massive property.
- Brothel (Lupanare) – nearly as fashionable in the present day because it probably was in its heyday 2,000 years in the past (though with a considerably completely different clientele), the brothel was the place residents got here to search 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 referred to as she-wolves. The brothel has pretty graphic frescoes and graffiti, and fogeys may need to skip this attraction.
- Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane) – As beforehand talked about, Pompeii had a minimum of 5 bathtub homes, of which the Stabian Baths are the most important and oldest. In actual fact, they’re one of many oldest Roman baths on the earth. They’re discovered on the intersection By way of dell’Abbondanza and By way of Stabiana. Right here you possibly can see the completely different mens and ladies’s bathing areas. We’d most likely suggest selecting one bathtub home to go to, except you might be notably into Roman bathtub homes.
Different websites that are a little bit off the primary route and which aren’t at all times 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 fashionable 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 few venues throughout the town the place performances would have taken place. The Grand Theater was constructed within the Greek model, which meant making the most of a pure hill slope to create the auditorium, which might have had seating for five,000 spectators. A lot of the Theatre survives in the present day, and it’s properly price 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 fashionable. It was additionally used for music.
- Viewpoint / Panoramic View of Pompeii – To understand the dimensions of Pompeii, you must take into account visiting the point of view by Casina dell’Aquila, simply by the intersection of By way of Dell’Abbondanza and Vicolo di Tesmo. The point of view is on the unique stage of the bottom right here earlier than the excavation, and offers you an concept of simply how a lot floor needed to be moved with the intention to unearth the town.
- Home of Menander (Casa del Menandro) – owned by a excessive rating and rich household, this huge home (19,000 sq. toes) 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 incorporates the plaster casts of 13 of the victims who died attempting to flee the town.
- Amphitheater – an vital leisure heart in a Roman metropolis or city was the amphitheater, primarily an enclosed theatre which was used for gladiatorial battles, circuses and extra. Essentially 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 undoubtedly engineering wonders of their time. They allowed the distribution of water throughout the Roman Empire, and allowed cities like Pompeii to get contemporary 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 present, 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
Among the finest methods to go to Pompeii is to take a guided tour. There’s rather a lot to see and quite a lot of historical past and data to soak up, and having a very good information can undoubtedly enhance your expertise.
You have got a number of choices for taking a tour. You may e-book a tour which incorporates transport from a serious metropolis akin to Rome or Naples. Or, you may make your personal approach to Pompeii and simply take a tour on website.
We’ll embrace quite a few choices so that you can take into account, relying in your preferences.
You may as well e-book a tour information on arrival at Pompeii. Tour guides can be found simply inside the location entrance and may have an official badge.
Observe nevertheless that while accredited, the guides are freelance and costs are usually not mounted. You’ll need to barter value, route and tour period with the out there on-site guides.
Typically, these guides can have a value they cost for a tour, no matter group dimension. By having a bigger group you’ll pay much less per particular person, however clearly have a much less customized expertise.
You may see extra on this course of right here.
Relying on how busy the day is, guides will not be out there. So, we might usually suggest reserving a guided tour upfront as a substitute.
Practicalities for Visiting Pompeii
Gown Code at Pompeii
Pompeii is just not a spiritual website and as such there isn’t a particular gown code for visiting.
There are a few guidelines round clothes. First, you can’t be naked chested, you should be sporting a high. As well as, clothes that may very well be thought-about disruptive can be not allowed, and costumes, masks and banners are usually not permitted.
This clothes rule is generally used to forestall protestors utilizing the location, so is unlikely to have an effect on most guests. Keep away from any offensive clothes and also you’ll be effective!
You’ll nonetheless need to assume by your clothes selections previous to visiting. Nearly all of your go to can be spent outdoors, and there’s minimal shade or shelter out there.
See the part of what to put on and pack for Pompeii for some options on what to carry to your go to.
Services at Pompeii
Pompeii has quite a few customer companies you should use. These embrace:
- two on-site bookshops, one at Piazza Esedra and one contained in the Antiquarium.
- audio information rent, out there on the Porta Marina entrance and Porta Anfiteatro entrance.
- first help companies, out there close to the Chora Cafe on Vicolo degli Augustali
- A restaurant referred to as Chora the place you may get drinks and snacks like truffles, pastries and ice cream
- A number of free water fountains throughout the location
- A number of free rest room amenities throughout the location
- 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
Smoking at Pompeii
Smoking is forbidden at Pompeii besides at designated smoking areas. These may be discovered close to the Casina dell’Aquila and the bathroom amenities.
Safety at Pompeii
All guests should undergo a safety examine at Pompeii. Cumbersome objects, umbrellas, and luggage bigger than 30x30x15 cm (12 x 12 x 6 inches) are usually not permitted on the location and should be left on the cloakroom. It is a free service.
In any other case, the principles are fairly apparent, and largely give attention to defending the location and making certain a very good expertise for all. So that you’re not allowed to play music, deface objects, climb on the ruins, decide fruits or flowers, construct fires, enter fenced off areas and so forth.
You may see the complete listing of guidelines and laws right here.
Accessibility at Pompeii
Pompeii is clearly an historical metropolis, and as such there are accessibility challenges. Nevertheless, efforts have been made to make sure the location is as accessible as doable for all guests.
There are a variety of specifically designed accessible routes, referred to as Pompeii for All, that are designed to permit entry for mobility impaired customers, in addition to mother and father with buggies, to a big a part of the location.
These routes embrace most of the principal buildings that guests would need to see, and canopy a complete of three.5km. You may 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 arduous to listening to to benefit from the website. Extra on this program, and accessibility on the location generally, may be discovered on the Pompeii for All web page.
Baggage storage Close to Pompeii
Guests to Pompeii are usually not allowed to carry any luggage bigger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm on website. So nothing bigger than a small backpack primarily. We’d counsel leaving baggage in your lodge room the place doable.
When you 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 gadgets freed from cost.
There are additionally baggage storage lockers on the decrease flooring of the Pompeii Scavi practice station out there for a payment.
Suggestions for Visiting Pompeii
Primarily based on our experiences visiting Pompeii, we wished to share some ideas that can assist you get probably the most out of your go to.
Plan your day upfront
The very first thing we suggest doing is planning your time out earlier than you go to. Determine what you need to see at Pompeii, after which determine if you wish to take a tour.
When you determine to take a tour, examine what it consists of, after which take into account in case you want further time. If you’re taking a tour that features round-trip transport, you may not have a lot further time.
If you’re taking a tour that begins on website, ensure 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. It’s possible you’ll even take into account developing with a common path to comply with. This can assist orient you when you find yourself truly there.
Contemplate a Guided Tour or Audio Information
We will extremely suggest taking a guided tour of Pompeii. An professional information goes to have the ability to carry the location to life and actually make it easier 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 may extremely suggest it. Nevertheless, there are a selection of choices.
When you take a guided tour that meets on website, we extremely suggest planning on staying a minimum of 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.
When you choose to not take a guided tour, then we’d counsel both selecting 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.
Gown and Pack Accordingly
If you’re visiting Pompeii within the hotter months of the yr, it would be best to carry a good solar hat to maintain the solar off your face, unfastened becoming clothes, and certain a small daypack to hold suncream, water and any snacks.
If rain is a chance, a mild raincoat or poncho can be a good suggestion. Umbrellas are usually not allowed on website.
If you’re visiting outdoors 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 be vital. The traditional streets of Pompeii may be uneven, various between unfastened filth and cobblestones. A superb pair of comfy footwear that you’re pleased to spend time strolling in is a should.
For shoe options, see our guides to the finest journey footwear for males and the finest journey footwear for girls for some concepts.
You’ll undoubtedly need to carry a water bottle with you. Recent consuming water is accessible at fountains throughout the location, and on a sizzling day you will have to drink loads of water. We use and love our Klean Kanteen water bottles for journey, however there are many choices on the market after all.
We will additionally suggest bringing some kind of guidebook with you. We expect the Rick Steves guidebook is among 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 choice in case you select to skip a guided tour.
Be Cautious of on-site Touts at Pompeii
Like every fashionable 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 suggest taking one of many excursions with an accepted tour information.
These may be discovered at Piazza Esedra and Porta Marina, after getting entered Pompeii, after the safety checks. These tour guides have official badges issued by the Vacationer Board of the Campania Area. If you’re not sure if a information is accredited, examine with the ticket workplace.
Bear in mind that these guides will more than likely have to be paid in money, and the value of the tour goes to be one thing you’ll want to debate with the information upfront.
Once you arrive at Pompeii additionally, you will probably be supplied excursions by guides outdoors the gates. These is not going to be led by Pompeii’s accredited guides, so the standard of the tour is just not assured. We’d counsel 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 danger, as with every vacation spot like this, of pickpockets. So simply be aware of your belongings and maintain valuables in sight, or safely away in zippered pockets. That is additionally the case on the practice and on the practice station in case you select to take public transportation.
We’ve by no means had a problem in Italy, however it’s at all times a good suggestion to take fundamental security precautions when touring anyplace, as you’d at residence.
Arrive Early and Head to the Again
Pompeii is a well-liked vacation spot, and as such it will probably get fairly busy. As well as, there’s restricted shade on website, and in the summertime months notably it will probably get very popular on website.
All which means for the most effective expertise we suggest arriving early within the day in case you can. If you’re planning on taking a tour, e-book 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 means again in the direction of it.
Many guests solely go to the main sights, a lot of that are positioned not too removed from the doorway areas, notably Porta Marina. Excursions teams additionally comply with related routes. So if you’d like a much less crowded expertise, determine a number of sights that you’re desirous about which are off the crushed path, and head to these first.
Deliver a Water Bottle
We talked about this already within the “what to pack for Pompeii” part of this information, however we predict it’s price repeating. Pompeii will get extremely sizzling in the summertime months and there’s not a lot shade.
There are many free consuming water fountains throughout the location, so carry a water bottle and keep hydrated at no cost as you wander!
Escape the Crowds at Pompeii
Pompeii is a massively fashionable attraction, and consequently it may be busy. The positioning has a restrict of 15,000 guests at anybody time, however regardless of the location being fairly massive folks have a tendency to move to a handful of places such because the Discussion board, Brothel, and Bathtub homes, that means it will probably really feel extra crowded than it’s.
Listed here 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 August, with weekends being busier than weekdays. When you can’t keep away from visiting in excessive season, strive visiting on per week day if doable.
- Head to a quieter a part of the location in case you can, away from the teams. Most excursions comply with the same path to a handful of highlights, and in case you head to the much less fashionable areas you will discover your self wandering nearly abandoned streets, even at a busy time of yr
- Use a quieter gate. Many individuals enter by 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 properly, from the place you possibly can discover the location at your leisure
Points of interest Close to Pompeii
Pompeii is among the hottest sights within the Naples space, however it’s not at all the one attraction within the space! Listed here are another sights within the common 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 in addition 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 brought on all the difficulty remains to be lively and nonetheless posing a risk to the hundreds of thousands of people that stay within the space. It’s a dominant a part of the skyline, and you may head all the best way as much as the summit to look 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 – one of the fashionable and spectacular areas of Italy, the 50km lengthy Amalfi Coast is true subsequent to Pompeii. Attractive seaside cities like Positano and Sorrento cling to the dramatic shoreline. It’s properly price spending a number of days right here in case you 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, however it’s additionally residence to superb meals and quite a few sights. Pompeii guests ought to undoubtedly take the time to go to the Naples Nationwide Archaeological Museum, which has the vast majority of the most effective preserved artefacts from Pompeii out there for viewing.
- Capri – a well-liked island for a day journey (though keep in a single day in case you can to keep away from the crowds!), Capri may be visited by ferry from each Naples and Sorrento. It’s an exquisite island with rather a lot to see, however it will probably get extremely crowded in the summertime months.
In fact, there’s far more to see on this space, however this could offer you an concept of what’s on supply within the space round Pompeii!
The place to Keep Close to Pompeii
When you’re in search of someplace to remain close to Pompeii, you’ve gotten fairly a number of choices. You may keep near the location, or you can keep in close by Sorrento or Naples.
It’s additionally doable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome, however we’ll give attention to 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 fashionable B&B gives air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included. Rooms even have a kitchen and dishwasher in case you want to prepare dinner for your self. Parking is accessible for a payment.
- Lodge Discussion board – additionally simply subsequent to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance, this can be a well-reviewed 4* lodge providing free personal parking, air-conditioned en-suite rooms and a restaurant. Breakfast is accessible.
- 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 accessible. Observe there’s no on-site parking.
- Agora Hostel – 5 minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance to Pompeii, this properly rated hostel gives nice worth personal and shared rooms with air con. There’s a bar and occasional home on website however no eating or parking out there.
- La Ferrovia Guesthouse Sorrento – discovered simply subsequent to Sorrento practice station, this guesthouse gives personal en-suite air-conditioned rooms with espresso makers. Paid parking is accessible close by however there’s no on-site restaurant
- Grand Lodge Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento – in case you’re in search of a 5* luxurious expertise in Sorrento, that is the lodge to move for. Count on spectacular coastal views, an exquisite backyard, pretty rooms, and two eating places to select from.
In fact, there are an awesome many extra choices to select from! We suggest wanting on reserving.com for all the pieces from lodges to guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels and flats.
We use them for our reserving lodging for journey all around the world and love how simple it makes it to filter and discover the precise property for our price range and necessities.
See all their listings for the Pompeii space right here.
Additional Studying for Visiting Italy
Properly, 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 that helpful when planning your journey.
Listed here are a few of these guides, in addition to hyperlinks to 3rd social gathering assets we suggest.
- Now we have 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 make it easier 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
- Now we have a information to visiting the Colosseum, in addition to a information to visiting the Vatican. These have all the pieces you must know to plan your visits to this exceptional sights
- Past Rome, we now have a information to Florence, urged 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 can assist you plan a visit on this fantastic nation. We even have a urged 2-week Europe itinerary which naturally consists of Italy!
- When you’re in search of a bodily (or Kindle!) guidebook, we suggest the newest version of Rick Steves Italy information, which has a lot of sensible info that can assist you profit from your keep
And that’s it! As at all times, we hope you discovered this information helpful, and when you’ve got any questions or feedback about visiting Pompeii, simply pop them within the feedback beneath and we’ll reply as quickly as we will.
