Pompeii is likely one of the most well-known archaeological websites in Italy, and a preferred attraction for guests. We’ve visited Pompeii a lot of occasions over time, (Laurence first visited in 1995) and on this information we’re going to share every part you might want to know to plan your individual go to to Pompeii.
There’s quite a bit to see and study at Pompeii, and there are additionally varied choices for visiting. You possibly can take a guided tour or do a self-guided go to, and there are additionally varied transport choices for attending to Pompeii from completely different areas in Italy, together with Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
On this information we’ll cowl every part you might want 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 giant and profitable city within the Roman Empire, residence 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 resembling Herculaneum surfaced again into public consciousness. This was when the primary scientific excavations on the web site passed off.
Within the following centuries, big efforts had been taken to disclose the hidden metropolis, efforts that proceed at the moment.
Pompeii successfully serves as a snapshot of a Roman city on the top 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 info that will help you plan your journey to Pompeii, from the right 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 prepare.
It’s round 250km (155 miles) south of Rome, or roughly a three-hour journey by automobile, bus or prepare.
It’s attainable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from each Rome and Naples, choices I’ll cowl beneath.
get to Pompeii?
Pompeii is comparatively simple to achieve, with good transport connections from varied areas in Italy. We’ll undergo the choices for visiting Pompeii from a number of the extra widespread departure factors.
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 manner from Rome to Pompeii.
The principle choices you’ve are to drive, take public transport, or take a guided tour.
Drive from Rome to Pompeii
Except you’re planning on taking a street journey in Italy and persevering with on after Pompeii, we’d recommend taking public transport or a tour quite than driving.
For those who drive, you’ll should 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 prepare from Rome to Naples Central prepare station. Then, from Naples you possibly can take a neighborhood prepare 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 advisable manner for getting from Rome to Pompeii as a day journey is to take a guided tour. This may 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 an expert information to clarify what you’re seeing. There are a selection of tour choices to Pompeii from Rome, some advisable choices are as follows.
When evaluating excursions and costs, at all times verify how a lot time is definitely spent on the varied sights, in addition to group measurement and what’s and isn’t included.
Paying a bit additional for a tour that features extra would possibly work out less expensive!
get to Pompeii from Naples?
There are a number of choices for getting from Naples to Pompeii. You possibly can drive, take the prepare, take a shuttle bus, take a prepare, 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 web site.
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 web site. Word that you must 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 in the event you wished to spend longer on web site then this won’t be the best choice.
Discover out extra and guide tickets for this expertise on GetYourGuide right here.
Practice from Naples to Pompeii
There are two direct prepare choices for getting from Naples Central prepare station to Pompeii.
First, you might want to bear in mind that Pompeii itself has a few prepare stations. When taking the prepare to the Pompeii historic web site you wish 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 prepare station, which is (a bit confusingly) positioned immediately beneath Naples Centrale prepare station.
The most cost effective prepare possibility from Naples to Pompeii is the Circumvesuviana service. This regional commuter prepare system runs trains throughout the realm, and you’ll want to take a prepare which is heading to Sorrento.
Tickets may be bought on the station, and there are usually just a few trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 35 minutes. You possibly can see prepare occasions on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
A barely costlier, however usually extra snug prepare possibility, is the tourist-oriented Campania Specific prepare. This additionally operates from Garibaldi prepare station and takes you on to the ruins.
Trains run much less steadily and price extra, however are much less crowded and extra snug.
See timetables and purchase tickets with seat reservation for the Campania Specific prepare on-line right here. Tickets are additionally obtainable in individual.
Word that Trenitalia runs trains from Naples central prepare station to Pompeii, however these go to the primary prepare station in Pompeii quite than the station by the ruins.
It’s attainable to take a shuttle out to the ruins or stroll (20 – half-hour), however truthfully, we’d advocate taking one of many different choices because it’s going to be simpler. You gained’t be having a scarcity of strolling whenever you’re on web site!
Excursions from Naples to Pompeii
You can even guide a tour to Pompeii which incorporates round-trip transport to and from Naples. There are fairly just a few choices, with each half-day and full-day excursions obtainable.
Most full-day excursions embody an extra attraction or two resembling a go to to Mount Vesuvius or time on the Amalfi Coast.
Listed below are some choices to think about.
get to Pompeii from Sorrento
Sorrento is likely one of the main cities on Italy’s widespread Amalfi coast, a preferred and spectacular vacation spot for vacationers visiting Italy. Sorrento makes for base for exploring the Amalfi Coast.
It’s additionally simple to get to, being related by rail on to Naples. That is on the identical prepare line that goes to Pompeii, which means you possibly can simply attain Pompeii by prepare from Sorrento as properly.
Listed below are some choices for the right way to get from Sorrento to Pompeii.
Driving from Sorrento to Pompeii
You possibly can 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 prepare to be simply as handy.
The 28km (17 mile) drive takes round 40 minutes relying on visitors. Simply keep in mind you’ll have to pay for parking whenever you get to Pompeii.
Public Transport from Sorrento to Pompeii
Getting from Sorrento to Pompeii by public transport is simple. There’s a common prepare service from Sorrento to Naples, which stops on the Pompeii Scavi prepare station. That is proper by the Pompeii web site entrance.
Tickets may be bought on the station, and there are usually just a few trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 45 minutes. You possibly can see prepare occasions on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
Excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii
You can even 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 resembling 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, resembling Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum. So at all times verify 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 advocate evaluating just a few completely different excursions to see which fits your necessities and finances, and at all times verify 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 Might, and 1st January.
Usually, every part at Pompeii opens at 9am, however closure occasions can differ. So if you wish to see every part, then we advocate visiting within the morning. That is normally additionally the good time of day in the summertime months.
The principle Pompeii web site 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 areas throughout the primary Pompeii web site such because the Amphitheater, Backyard of the Fugitives, Home of the Menander and so forth. which even have opening occasions to concentrate on. You possibly can 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 web site final entrance time.
These embody Villa Regina, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco and Villa de Poppea. These areas are all closed on Tuesdays except Villa Regina.
These additional websites require a particular ticket to entry them and you might want to take a shuttle bus from the primary Pompeii web site to achieve them, so in the event you plan to go to these areas you’ll want to give your self loads of time.
You possibly can 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 12 months you’re 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 nearly all of guided excursions are.
For those who assume you’ll want to spend extra time on web site (there’s heaps to see), then possibility is to take a guided tour that finishes on web site, 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 now have executed this and it was a good way to be taught quite a bit from a information, after which we had been in a position to discover on our personal at our leisure.
One factor to notice, if you’re visiting in the summertime months it may get very popular right here, and there isn’t lots of shade, so visiting for for much longer than 2 or 3 hours may be fairly difficult.
Nonetheless, if you’re actually eager to discover and spend extra time on web site, and are both ready for the warmth or are visiting at a cooler time of 12 months, there’s definitely heaps to see! You may simply spend an entire day exploring Pompeii, particularly in the event you head out to the villas. It’s totally as much as you!
Pompeii Ticket Info
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 without cost and discounted entry.
You should buy tickets on-line upfront or in individual on web site.
How A lot does it Value to Go to Pompeii?
There are a selection of ticket choices for Pompeii, relying on what you wish to see. These are as follows. Costs are right as of August 2024.
Tickets are for adults 18 and over solely. Kids beneath 18 have free entry, though they do nonetheless require a ticket which may solely be collected in individual on the ticket workplace.
For those who arrive at Pompeii with an Specific ticket and determine you wish 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 kids beneath 18 get free entry to Pompeii, though they nonetheless require a ticket.
There are at the moment no reductions for seniors.
The place to Purchase Pompeii Tickets
You may have a lot of choices for buying Pompeii tickets.
In individual
First, you should buy tickets for Pompeii on-site at Pompeii itself. There are ticket places of work on the three essential entrances: Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro and Piazza Esedra.
We’d usually advise in opposition to 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 diminished worth tickets, then you will have to go to the ticket workplace to your ticket.
That is so your qualification for the diminished price tag may be verified, so make sure you carry any vital paperwork, resembling a authorities issued Photograph ID doc (i.e. a passport or ID card).
On-line
You should buy Pompeii tickets on-line from a lot of 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 resembling 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 you recognize what you might want to do upfront of your go to.
Usually you possibly can simply present a ticket in your smartphone, however generally you would possibly have to print one thing out or acquire 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 Traces at Pompeii?
There are two strains at Pompeii. First, there’s the road for the ticket workplace the place you should buy tickets in individual. Subsequent, there’s an entrance line for going into the location, which features a safety verify.
For those who pre-book your ticket, most often you possibly can skip the ticket line. Nonetheless, this may rely on the ticket you buy, as some on-line tickets require you to swap a voucher for an precise ticket, so do verify if that is so with the ticket you’ve bought.
The safety / ticket-check line can’t be skipped by any guests, however in our expertise it strikes fairly rapidly.
When is Pompeii Free in 2024?
Pompeii is free to go to on the primary Sunday of each month. On today you’ll nonetheless want a ticket, however there is no such thing as a price for buying it.
Tickets for the free days may be bought on-line on the official Ticketone web site right here, or in individual on the ticket workplace on web site.
We’d recommend doing the web ticket possibility as the location can get very busy on the free days, and if it exceeds capability, the ticket places of work 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 web site!
What’s the Pompeii Official Web site?
There are a number of websites providing info on visiting Pompeii, together with this one.
Nonetheless, for the newest info on visiting Pompeii together with ticket costs, updates, opening hours and extra, we at all times advocate consulting the official web site.
You’ll find it on the following internet handle, with content material obtainable 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 properly value trying out.
Pompeii Format and Maps
Pompeii is a big attraction, masking 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 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 will help you discover your manner 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 technique was developed manner 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 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 possibly can 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 aid you orient your self if you find yourself on web site, because the Regio quantity you’re in is recurrently 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 house constructing. For Pompeii, the Insulae are the blocks.
So, whenever you see an indication in Pompeii, it should normally inform you which Regio and Insulae you’re in, for instance REG VII INS XIII would imply you’re 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 individual for my part.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t actually matter, as a result of the official map has each the Regio and Insula numbers marked. So, you probably have the map, all you might want to do is discover a signal to know the place you’re.
You possibly can obtain a map and information to the location from the official web site right here.
We extremely advocate doing this upfront and saving it to your smartphone for reference. You must be capable to get a printed model of this information whenever you go to, however it’s good to be ready simply in case they aren’t obtainable.
There are additionally road names that will help you orient your self. The essential homes and sights even have names.
I’d additionally add that every home (and a number of the rooms within the homes) even have numbers. Nonetheless, that is actually extra for cataloging and archaeological functions quite than one thing guests would wish to use for navigating!
Additionally it is value noting that while most guests go to the primary Pompeii web site, there are a selection of different websites which have been excavated, and which can be visited. These require you to have a distinct ticket, and to take a shuttle bus from the primary web site.
In abstract, if you’re visiting Pompeii with no information, we advocate having a map readily available, and being conscious of the Regio and Insulae system. You can even orient your self with close by apparent landmarks, with Mount Vesuvius typically 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. This is the reason we might advocate taking a guided tour, or on the very least getting an audio information.
That will help you work out what to see, we’re going to share what we expect are a number of the unmissable sights at Pompeii. Most excursions will embody a minimum of a few of these, though tour routes can differ. If you’re taking a tour, at all times verify what they embody to make sure it covers your pursuits.
Prime Sights at Pompeii
Clearly, everybody can have barely completely different pursuits, nevertheless we expect this can be a good overview of the primary highlights at Pompeii. These are the sights that the majority excursions are more likely to go to as properly, though after all it should differ, and never all excursions will go to each sight we record.
These sights are ordered roughly as you’ll encounter them getting into town from the western aspect. There’s a superb map right here you possibly can obtain for reference as properly.
- Porta Marina – arguably essentially the most spectacular of the unique seven gateways to 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 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. Through the excavations, plaster was fastidiously injected into these cavities to kind the molds you possibly can see at the moment. These may be seen at varied areas 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 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’ll have discovered metropolis administration buildings, the primary temples and the market. If one thing vital was going to occur in Pompeii, this was in all probability 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. Spiritual 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. Right this moment it’s the residence of 1000’s of artifacts which have been excavated from the ruins, in addition to plaster casts of a number of the victims of the catastrophe.
- Baths of the Discussion board (Terme del Foro) – No Roman city is full with no tub 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 tub room, heat tub room and chilly plunge room.
- Through Abbondanza (essential 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 might have been a busy, pedestrianized road stuffed 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 most of the streets, and particularly the primary streets, you will note proof of historical Roman eateries. Search for marble counter tops with holes lower out the place the meals would have been saved.
- Arches – Pompeii has a lot of arches which you will note all through town. On the northern finish of the Discussion board is an honorary arch, while additional north on the intersection of Through Fortuna and Vicolo del Foro you’ll find the Arch of Caligula. A few of these arches additionally served a extra sensible perform, hiding water tanks that provided close by fountains. Right this moment 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 likely 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 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 fantastically adorned property that includes many lovely fresco work which depict varied mythological scenes. It’s additionally a really giant property.
- Brothel (Lupanare) – nearly as widespread at the moment because it doubtless 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 staff, in addition to drinks and social interplay. The title Lupanare comes from the Latin title for a wolf-den, as prostitutes had been often called she-wolves. The brothel has pretty graphic frescoes and graffiti, and oldsters would possibly wish to skip this attraction.
- Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane) – As beforehand talked about, Pompeii had a minimum of 5 tub homes, of which the Stabian Baths are the biggest and oldest. The truth is, they’re one of many oldest Roman baths on the earth. They’re discovered on the intersection Through dell’Abbondanza and Through Stabiana. Right here you possibly can see the completely different mens and ladies’s bathing areas. We’d in all probability advocate choosing one tub home to go to, except you’re notably into Roman tub homes.
Different websites that are a 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 widespread in Pompeii, regardless of proclamations in opposition to 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 a lot of venues throughout town the place performances would have taken place. The Grand Theater was constructed within the Greek type, 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 at the moment, and it’s properly 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 typically used for mime performances, which had been widespread. It was additionally used for music.
- Viewpoint / Panoramic View of Pompeii – To know the size of Pompeii, it’s best to contemplate visiting the point of view by Casina dell’Aquila, simply by the intersection of Through Dell’Abbondanza and Vicolo di Tesmo. The perspective is on the authentic degree of the bottom right here earlier than the excavation, and offers you an concept of simply how a lot floor needed to be moved as a way to unearth town.
- Home of Menander (Casa del Menandro) – owned by a excessive rating and rich household, this huge home (19,000 sq. ft) is known as for the fresco which depicts the Greek playwright Menander. There are a selection 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 making an attempt to flee 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. 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 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! Right this moment, you possibly can see the place the aqueduct system arrived into town at Castellum Aqueduct, subsequent to Porto Vesuvio within the northern a part of town. From right here it was distributed to water towers and fountains throughout town.
As you possibly can see, there’s loads to see and soak up at Pompeii!
Excursions of Pompeii
Among the finest methods to go to Pompeii is to take a guided tour. There’s quite a bit to see and lots of historical past and knowledge to soak up, and having information can positively enhance your expertise.
You may have just a few choices for taking a tour. You possibly can guide a tour which incorporates transport from a significant metropolis resembling Rome or Naples. Or, you can also make your individual method to Pompeii and simply take a tour on web site.
We’ll embody a lot of choices so that you can contemplate, relying in your preferences.
You can even guide a tour information on arrival at Pompeii. Tour guides can be found simply inside the location entrance and will have an official badge.
Word nevertheless that while accredited, the guides are freelance and costs aren’t mounted. You have to to barter worth, route and tour period with the obtainable on-site guides.
Usually, these guides can have a worth they cost for a tour, regardless of group measurement. By having a bigger group you’ll pay much less per individual, however clearly have a much less personalised expertise.
You possibly can see extra on this course of right here.
Relying on how busy the day is, guides is probably not obtainable. So, we might usually advocate reserving a guided tour upfront as an alternative.
Practicalities for Visiting Pompeii
Gown Code at Pompeii
Pompeii just isn’t a spiritual web site and as such there is no such thing as a particular gown code for visiting.
There are a few guidelines round clothes. First, you can’t be naked chested, you should be carrying a high. As well as, clothes that may very well be thought-about disruptive can be not allowed, and costumes, masks and banners aren’t 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 advantageous!
You’ll nonetheless wish to assume by way of your clothes selections previous to visiting. Nearly all of your go to shall be spent exterior, and there’s minimal shade or shelter obtainable.
See the part of what to put on and pack for Pompeii for some solutions on what to carry to your go to.
Amenities at Pompeii
Pompeii has a lot of customer providers you need to use. These embody:
- two on-site bookshops, one at Piazza Esedra and one contained in the Antiquarium.
- audio information rent, obtainable on the Porta Marina entrance and Porta Anfiteatro entrance.
- first support providers, obtainable close to the Chora Cafe on Vicolo degli Augustali
- A restaurant referred to as Chora the place you will get drinks and snacks like muffins, pastries and ice cream
- A number of free water fountains throughout the location
- A number of free bathroom amenities throughout the location
- Child altering amenities. There are three of those, one on Through dell’Abbondanza, one on Through di Nola, and one on the nook of Through Stabiana and Through 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 verify at Pompeii. Cumbersome objects, umbrellas, and luggage bigger than 30x30x15 cm (12 x 12 x 6 inches) aren’t permitted on the location and should be left on the cloakroom. It is a free service.
In any other case, the foundations are fairly apparent, and largely give attention to defending the location and making certain 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 possibly can see the total record of guidelines and laws 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 location is as accessible as attainable for all guests.
There are a selection 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 embody most of the essential buildings that guests would wish to see, and canopy a complete of three.5km. You possibly can see particulars of those routes on the Pompeii for All web page.
There are additionally accessible bathrooms discovered on web site.
Pompeii has additionally developed a program to assist these exhausting to listening to to benefit from the web site. Extra on this program, and accessibility on the location on the whole, may be discovered on the Pompeii for All web page.
Baggage storage Close to Pompeii
Guests to Pompeii aren’t allowed to carry any luggage bigger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm on web site. So nothing bigger than a small backpack primarily. We’d recommend leaving baggage in your resort room the place attainable.
For those who should journey with a bag which is bigger than the allowed measurement, 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 ground of the Pompeii Scavi prepare station obtainable for a payment.
Ideas for Visiting Pompeii
Based mostly on our experiences visiting Pompeii, we wished to share some ideas that will help you get essentially the most out of your go to.
Plan your day upfront
The very first thing we advocate doing is planning your day trip earlier than you go to. Determine what you wish to see at Pompeii, after which determine if you wish to take a tour.
For those who determine to take a tour, verify what it consists of, after which contemplate in the event you 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 web site, be sure to 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 wish to see. Chances are you’ll even contemplate arising with a common path to comply with. This may assist orient you if you find yourself truly there.
Take into account a Guided Tour or Audio Information
We will extremely advocate taking a guided tour of Pompeii. An knowledgeable information goes to have the ability to carry the location to life and actually aid you perceive what you’re 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 web site, we extremely advocate planning on staying a minimum of an hour extra on web site as soon as the tour ends so you possibly can see some other websites that the tour didn’t cowl.
For those who decide to not take a guided tour, then we’d recommend both choosing up an audio information on web site, 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 12 months, you’ll want to carry a good solar hat to maintain the solar off your face, free becoming clothes, and certain a small daypack to hold suncream, water and any snacks.
If rain is a chance, a gentle raincoat or poncho can be a good suggestion. Umbrellas aren’t allowed on web site.
If you’re visiting exterior of the warmest months of the 12 months, then some hotter layers are a good suggestion simply in case it’s cooler on web site.
Footwear can be vital. The traditional streets of Pompeii may be uneven, various between free grime and cobblestones. An excellent pair of snug footwear that you’re pleased to spend time strolling in is a should.
For shoe solutions, see our guides to the finest journey footwear for males and the finest journey footwear for girls for some concepts.
You’ll positively wish to carry a water bottle with you. Recent consuming water is out there 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 advocate bringing some kind of guidebook with you. We expect the Rick Steves guidebook is likely 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 wonderful possibility in the event you select to skip a guided tour.
Be Cautious of on-site Touts at Pompeii
Like every widespread 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 authorized tour information.
These may 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 not sure if a information is accredited, verify 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 upfront.
If you arrive at Pompeii additionally, you will doubtless be provided excursions by guides exterior the gates. These won’t be led by Pompeii’s accredited guides, so the standard of the tour just isn’t 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 danger, as with all vacation spot like this, of pickpockets. So simply be conscious of your belongings and preserve valuables in sight, or safely away in zippered pockets. That is additionally the case on the prepare and on the prepare station in the event 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’ll at residence.
Arrive Early and Head to the Again
Pompeii is a well-liked vacation spot, and as such it may get fairly busy. As well as, there’s restricted shade on web site, and in the summertime months notably it may get very popular on web site.
All which means for the most effective expertise we advocate arriving early within the day in the event you 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 manner again in the direction of it.
Many guests solely go to the most important sights, lots of that are positioned not too removed from the doorway areas, notably Porta Marina. Excursions teams additionally comply with comparable routes. So in order for you a much less crowded expertise, determine just a few sights that you’re fascinated about which might be off the crushed path, and head to these first.
Carry a Water Bottle
We talked about this already within the “what to pack for Pompeii” part of this information, however we expect it’s value 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 without cost as you wander!
Escape the Crowds at Pompeii
Pompeii is a massively widespread attraction, and consequently it may be busy. The location has a restrict of 15,000 guests at anybody time, however regardless of the location being fairly giant folks have a tendency to go to a handful of areas such because the Discussion board, Brothel, and Tub homes, which means it may 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 12 months. Peak season in Italy is mostly from Might by way of August, with weekends being busier than weekdays. For those who can’t keep away from visiting in excessive season, strive visiting on every week day if attainable.
- Head to a quieter a part of the location in the event you can, away from the teams. Most excursions comply with an identical path to a handful of highlights, and in the event you head to the much less widespread areas you’ll find your self wandering nearly abandoned streets, even at a busy time of 12 months
- Use a quieter gate. Many individuals enter by way of the Porta Marina because it’s subsequent to the prepare 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 likely 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 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 prepare service. It’s a smaller web site 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 triggered all the difficulty continues to be energetic and nonetheless posing a menace to the thousands and thousands of people that dwell 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 crucial widespread 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 properly value spending just a few days right here in the event you can. Alternatively, you will 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 positively take the time to go to the Naples Nationwide Archaeological Museum, which has nearly all of the most effective preserved artefacts from Pompeii obtainable for viewing.
- Capri – a preferred island for a day journey (though keep in a single day in the event 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 quite a bit to see, however it may get extremely crowded in the summertime months.
After all, there’s rather 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
For those who’re searching for someplace to remain close to Pompeii, you’ve fairly just a few choices. You possibly can keep near the location, or you could possibly keep in close by Sorrento or Naples.
It’s additionally attainable 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 widespread B&B provides air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included. Rooms even have a kitchen and dishwasher in the event you choose to cook dinner for your self. Parking is out there for a payment.
- Lodge Discussion board – additionally simply subsequent to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance, this can be a well-reviewed 4* resort providing free non-public parking, air-conditioned en-suite rooms and a restaurant. Breakfast is out there.
- Habita79 Pompeii – only a few minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance, this 4* resort provides en-suite air conditioned rooms in addition to an on-site spa and wellness studio. Breakfast is out there. Word there’s no on-site parking.
- Agora Hostel – 5 minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance to Pompeii, this properly rated hostel provides nice worth non-public and shared rooms with air con. There’s a bar and low home on web site however no eating or parking obtainable.
- La Ferrovia Guesthouse Sorrento – discovered simply subsequent to Sorrento prepare station, this guesthouse provides non-public en-suite air-conditioned rooms with espresso makers. Paid parking is out there close by however there’s no on-site restaurant
- Grand Lodge Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento – in the event you’re searching for a 5* luxurious expertise in Sorrento, that is the resort to go for. Anticipate spectacular coastal views, an exquisite backyard, beautiful rooms, and two eating places to select from.
After all, there are an important many extra choices to select from! We advocate wanting on reserving.com for every part from inns to guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels and residences.
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 correct property for our finances and necessities.
See all their listings for the Pompeii space right here.
Additional Studying for Visiting Italy
Effectively, 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’ll find helpful when planning your journey.
Listed below are a few of these guides, in addition to hyperlinks to 3rd social gathering sources we advocate.
- We now 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 aid you 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 now have a information to visiting the Colosseum, in addition to a information to visiting the Vatican. These have every part you might want to know to plan your visits to this outstanding sights
- Past Rome, we have now 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 will help you plan a visit on this great nation. We even have a urged 2-week Europe itinerary which naturally consists of Italy!
- For those who’re searching for a bodily (or Kindle!) guidebook, we advocate the newest version of Rick Steves Italy information, which has numerous sensible info that will help you benefit from your keep
And that’s it! As at all times, we hope you discovered this information helpful, and you probably 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.
